Recon Coffee Energy Cola

A Fair & Honest Energy Drink Review

Recon Coffee Energy Cola Retail Package Description

Recon Coffee Energy Cola comes in a dessert camo patterned can, reminiscent of the original "urban camo" design on the Monster Assault can. The rim of the Recon can is darker brown and reads, "increases endurance", "vitamin enriched", and "enhances performance". Also on the front of the can, "Sugar Free", followed by star that has a military feel to it. The name "Recon" appears in distressed lettering prominently, followed by another star and the words, "Coffee Energy Cola". On the side of the can, which could also be the front, depending on how they are turned when stocking, "Sugar Free", star, "Recon", star, "Coffee Energy Cola", "Vanilla", "Zero Calories", "Zero Carbs", "Zero Fat". Then there's a US map that says, "made in the U.S.A.", and an American flag with the words, "Support our troops" underneath.

Caffeine Addict's Recon Coffee Energy Cola Review

In 1995, I was working at a seasonal Christmas store, and my friend worked at Barney's Coffee and Tea Company. Barney's got a new product in called "carbonated coffee". Months went by, and carbonated coffee proved to be as unsavory to customers as I was with the girl who worked at Contempo. One day, I closed the store for about 30 minutes to go get a handful of coffee beans at Barney's and a bag full of diarrhea at Taco Bell. My friend told me that carbonated coffee was being pulled from the shelves, and that we should try some. To this day, Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt Energy Drinks are the only comparably repugnant fluid I've imbibed. It tasted something akin to carbonating coffee used to clean a charcoal grill, and served in a glass made of sweaty nickels.

Understandably, after this traumatic experience, I was hesitant when I opened Recon Coffee Energy Cola, and was greeted with a robust black coffee smell. The aroma was intense. So intense that I was wary the drink would have that familiar burnt bitter black coffee taste. I cautiously took a sip, but that guarded sip turned quickly into savoring the delicious flavor. Recon drinks smoothly like Diet Coke. In fact, Recon tastes like a delectable mixture of Coca-Cola Blak (which was discontinued in 2008) and Vanilla Coke Zero. It's smooth and delicious, with no coffee bitterness.

Along with tasting great, Recon contains about 120mg of caffeine, and a healthy mix of B and C vitamins, which you won't get from a steamy cup of crotch burning coffee at Starbucks. What Recon also gives you is 0 of the 181 calories, and 0 of the 38 carbs you'll find in the comparably-sized Frappucino.

People in Colorado should have no problems finding Recon at 7-eleven. Select Big R Stores carry Recon in Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. The rest of us will need to purchase Recon in 24 cases, shipped for $51, or $2.13/each from the Jump Beverages website. Recon would get a better value rating if these were 16oz. cans. Since it is unlike anything we've ever had, it's also understandable that the uniqueness of this coffee cola would come at a premium price.

Energy Junkie's Recon Coffee Energy Cola Review

With Recon, I can distinctly taste the coffee and the cola. Neither is overpowering. To me, Recon is surprisingly refreshing and easy to drink. Unfortunately, something about Recon, I'm assuming something related to the natural laxative qualities of coffee, caused me to have loose bowels, usually within an hour of drinking Recon (this happened on a few occassions).

I like that Recon has two different "front" designs, meaning 2/3 of the can looks aesthetically pleasing when facing the customer, and only 1/3 of the can is reserved for nutritional information. Many companies, ahem...Monster..ahem, waste some of this space for narrative that no one with dropped testicles cares about. Speaking metaphorically of testicles, it takes them to put yourself in harm's way to protect the freedoms of others, which is why it's great that Recon donates a portion of its proceeds to Operation Homefront, a financial aid organization for injured troops and their families.

Overall, Recon is a quality coffee beverage. It looks great, tastes great and is energizing. Currently it's not available in most of the US convenience stores, but can be ordered for $31 (plus $20 shipping) for a case of 24 from the Jump Beverages Online Energy Drink Store, along with their other products we hope to review soon: Jump Coffee Energy Cola, Hot Pure Energy Drink, and Sentinel Vigilant Energy.