Zipfizz Review

I recently had the opportunity to review Zipfizz energy drink.  Zipfizz is a powdered energy drink mix packaged in single serving tubes.  It is low calorie, caffeinated, and chock full of vitamins and electrolytes.  From the company's website:

Zipfizz is an all-natural, great tasting energy drink-mix powder that delivers a powerful charge of micronutrients to the body's fuel system. It contains no ephedra or other artificial stimulants. Most
people experience an immediate, revitalizing burst of energy after taking Zipfizz.  Zipfizz is healthy energy in a tube! Give your body a rush of vitamins, minerals and key amino acids to protect the immune system. Zipfizz has created an advanced formula that provides a significant amount of vitamins, fewer calories, lower carbohydrates, superior taste, variety and unique packaging! Simply put, it's different because it's good for you!

Zipfizz sent me this cute sample package:

I learned VERY quickly not to get overzealous with the water bottle shaking!  Cut to me exploding Zipfizz all over my classroom...at least it was before school! :)

Overall, I have mixed feelings about this product.  I tried it a few times before school in the morning and once before a cross training workout when I was really dragging.  I did feel energized, but I don't know if I'd go so far to say that I felt a BURST of energy.  Of course, I definitely didn't feel a crash afterwards so that's a plus!  I've read a few reviews from runners who tried it before a run and noticed an improved speed.  I haven't tried this yet, but plan to use one of my last tubes for this purpose.

Things I liked:

• The mix dissolves super quickly!  I hate when drink mixes have chunks--ugh.  Thankfully I learned there is actually minimal shaking required. ;)
• The powder tubes are convenient to throw in a purse or keep in my desk
• I enjoyed the light carbonation in the drink.

Things I didn't like:

• I found most of the flavors just too sweet.  The pink lemonade was pretty good, but the berry was WAY too sweet.  I'm not a big fan of super strong/sweet flavors in drinks most of the time.  I guess I could have tried using less mix in the water bottle...
• Maybe it's just me, but I noticed a weird aftertaste that I wasn't crazy about...a definite negative in my book.

Final thoughts?  Good, but not my favorite.  I'll try it again for sure, but so far I think I prefer coffee or nuun. :)

Disclaimer: Zipfizz sent me the sample package pictured above to review.  All opinions expressed in this review are my own.