Energy Drink

Objective

• To maintain the fizziness of generic energy drinks (full sugar and zero sugar) by using CO2Sustain®
• To make these energy drinks fizzier for longer to give a better consumer drink experience

Sample preparation

• Samples comprising of 250ml full sugar energy drink and a zero sugar energy drink were re-carbonated on an Armfield Carbonator to 4.8g/l
• One bottle of each variety was dosed with CO2Sustain (Sample A full sugar and Sample B zero sugar) and one for each sugar variety had no CO2Sustain in it (Samples C).

Test methods

• A sensory panel (8 people) completed a blind taste test where the participants were asked whether the Sustain sample (A full sugar) and sample (b zero sugar)was:
• • Less fizzy than sample C (blank full sugar/blank zero sugar)
  • Fizzier than sample C
  • No difference
• The participants drank directly from the bottle
• Further bottles of Sample A (full sugar) and Sample B (zero sugar) and Samples C (blank) (one blank for each sugar type) were opened, placed on a set of scales which are set to zero. They were all weight measured to find out initial CO2 loss.
• The bottles were then placed on an orbital shaker for 5 mins. At 5-minute intervals the bottles were placed on the scales and weighed again.
• This happens for a total period of 30 minutes.
• The purpose of this is to replica the drink’s movement in someone’s hand/or if it’s in a car in a car’s cupholder.
• The results are then plotted on to a graph

Results – Sensory

• The full sugar energy drink
  • Of the 8 panelists, 8 people recorded the sample with CO2Sustain® (Sample A full sugar) as being fizzier than Sample C (blank full sugar)
  •  No one recorded no difference
• Zero Sugar energy drink
  •  Of the 8 panelists, 8 people recorded the sample with CO2Sustain® (Sample B zero sugar) as being fizzier than Sample C (blank zero sugar)
  • No one recorded no difference

Results – Orbital Shaker Sample (A)
Full sugar

• The initial weight on opening and measuring of both Samples A was 4.8g/l blank Sample C was 4.3g/l a 11.63% improvement
• After 30-minutes the full sugar energy drink with CO2Sustain in (Sample A) retained 4.3g/l whereas the blank (Sample C) only retained 3.4g/l
• Therefore, Sample A retained 26.47% more CO2  than the blank (Sample C) over a 30-minute period

Results – Orbital Shaker Sample (B)
Zero sugar

• The initial weight on opening and measuring of both Samples B was 4.5g/l whereas the blank Sample C was 4.25g/l a 5.88% improvement
• After 30-minutes the Zero Sugar Energy drink with CO2Sustain in (Sample B) retained 4.0g/l whereas the blank (Sample C) only retained 3.55g/l
• Therefore, Sample B retained 12.68% more CO2  than the blank (Sample C) over a 30-minute period

Conclusion

• The addition of CO2Sustain® gives both full sugar and zero sugar energy drinks more carbonation over a 30-minute period, thus giving consumers a fizzier drink experience throughout the drinking window.
•  The addition of CO2Sustain will give an energy drink brand/manufacturer a further competitive advantage in the energy drink market.

Download the report here.

If you would like us to do a similar report on one of your drinks please get in touch either by emailing info@co2sustain.com or calling us on +44 (0)113 465 4601