The can is bright yellow, orange, with some black and some original can metallic. The can claims to be "Energy from Down Under". Patrick Swayze would beg to differ, as a Coolah in the movie Roadhouse, he makes it very clear that a Coolah lets the bouncers know when to stop being nice. For those who don't know, Dr. Pepper and 7up are owned by Cadbury Schweppes, I believe this happened around the time that it was clear that Coca-Cola wouldn't get to purchase Dr. Pepper, and began, instead to get rid of the Minute Maid brands and heavily market the Fanta products as a viable product line. Aynway, Dr. Pepper and 7Up are bottled in the US by Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and a group of independent bottlers. Why does this matter? This is the only energy drink for which I know Cadbury Schweppes to be responsible, and as the owners of Dr. Pepper and 7Up, I'd call them the 3rd biggest player in the soft drink game. So, don't see Coolah and write it off as a generic "Rip it" style beverage (while I like Rip it, let's admit, it's the equivalent of Dr. Faygo...yes, that's an actual product). This has some thoroughbred roots. The lower portion of the can claims that Coolah is "Refreshing Lemon Tang" flavor (bonus points for telling me, as I'd otherwise have no idea). The top of the can list: (Boronia, Taurine, B-Vitamins) * 2. Then Cadbury Schweppes decided to enlighten us, again contradicting Patrick Swayze, "Coolah is a village in Australia where everyone's got a little more energy. They paint (looks like point on the can). Play rugby. Sing. Throw darts. Dance. And they drink Solo, the beverage with a lemon tang that was the inspiration for Coolah Energy. We added Australian Boronia, Taurine, and B-Vitamins to make this one bonzer drink. So pop the top and give it a bash! Welcome to the land of Coolah. Energy from Down Under." Lastly, this is a naturally and artificially flavored beverage.
Paul Hogan might say, "That's not an energy drink...this is an energy drink." If he were referring to Coolah, he'd be wrong, this is a refreshing lemony beverage, but calling it an energy drink is a stretch. Then, who can trust someone who tried to squeeze a trilogy out of Crocodile Dundee? He might as well change his name to Stallone, and start work on a "Flipper" sequel. The can describes the taste perfectly, "Refreshing Lemon Tang".
As stated previously, where the can description goes awry is at the "Energy" portion. Boronia could be Australian for "placebo" for all I know. I'd say sugar is the most active ingredient in this concoction.
I'll take the Stig's word for it on price, I have no idea where this drink came from, or how much it costs. If it's $1.99, I think it's overpriced, but it does taste great.
Firstly, two of the best drinks on the market are 7up (which pwns Sprite), and Dr. Pepper (which is neck and neck with Mr. Pibb, but only one has a PhD.) I find 7up refreshing, and is great for making floats with lime sherbert. Before I get too sidetracked, this drink tastes awesome. It's refreshing, and possibly as enjoyable to drink on a hot sunny day while your pregnant wife mows the lawn as Inko's White Tea Energy. This drink has as much sugar (if not more) than most energy drinks, but this goes down far more smoothly, and is genuinely flavorful and refreshing without being overly tart or syrupy. If I were grading this on taste alone, I'd give it a 10, the flavor rest somewhere between Wink and 7up. Simply awesome. Finally, a new, inventive and enjoyable energy drink flavor.
Now, the disappointing news, firstly, I find that it doesn't take that much energy to sing, paint or throw darts, for the average person. Unlike the residents of Coolah, I did no dancing or playing rugby (though I've never otherwise played rugby anyway). Perhaps the residents of Coolah play rugby, dance, paint, sing, and throw darts, not as a result of Solo, but because Coolah is otherwise as exciting as Henderson, NC. Perhaps with careful research Cadbury Schweppes would find that residents of Coolah, like those of Henderson, also gather together for Bingo at the VA, get a Dairy Queen, noodle for catfish, and stare ominously at people from out of town. There's a fine line between having energy, and being suicidally bored, after drinking Coolah, I certainly did not have a great deal more energy.
This drink runs about $1.99, and for me, though it tastes great, I need something with a little more "Pep"...perhaps a Dr. Riffic.