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Sometimes a caffeine boost is the only thing that can get you off the couch for a night of fun come the weekend, and we don't blame you as the workweek can be quite grueling! But if you're trying to kill two birds with one stone and pregame while you power up, there's really only one path to take: energy drink cocktails.
Not sure how to make them? Never fear, Proper Wild is here to help!
Read on as we dive into the buzzy, turnt up world of energy drink cocktails and explore some of the best recipes to try. Are you ready?
But First, What Exactly Is an Energy Drink Cocktail Anyway?
Pull up to any bar, and there's a pretty good chance you'll hear people order a combo of alcohol and caffeine to keep the fun going, whether that's in the form of whiskey and coffee, rum and soda pop, or some other caffeine-infused concoction meant to deliver the perfect double-buzz.
That said, of all the caffeinated boozy beverages, energy drink cocktails are the most popular. What's an energy drink cocktail? Simply put, it's an alcoholic beverage consisting of — you guessed it — an energy drink as the main base in place of club soda. A lot of classic drinks like the margarita or even a mint julep can also be transformed into energy drink cocktails with the right flavor profile.
Hold Up, Aren’t Energy Drink Cocktails Dangerous?
Good question. To explain this, let's take a quick stroll through time.
At the start of the 21st century, energy drink brands began to flood the market with canned beverages that packaged caffeine and alcohol together, resulting in a massive wave of popularity for drinks like Sparks and Four Loko. But, a few years later, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as well as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), sent warnings to several brands that made these beloved boozy drinks. According to the FTC, these popular beverages presented a health risk because consumers — particularly young adults, aka inexperienced drinkers, who may not realize how much alcohol they have consumed because the stimulant caffeine can trick users into feeling more awake and less drunk than they really are.
In simpler terms, it’s thought that those who drink caffeinated cocktails put themselves at a greater risk for alcohol poisoning and alcohol overdose.
But that's not all — in addition to masking the feelings of being drunk, energy drink cocktails can definitely put a dent in your diet. Why? Because liquor can range from 100 calories up to 200 calories per ounce, and that's not even including the calories that come from the energy drink, which can easily add another 250 to 300 whopping calories and up to 80 grams of sugar.
What's more, is that the high amounts of alcohol and simple sugars can also lead to elevated triglycerides, which are fats in the blood that can contribute to plaque formation in the arteries. And when your arteries get clogged, it opens a pandora's box of health complications.
So, Are Energy Drink Cocktails Bad?
Here's where things get a little tricky.
If you search online for "energy drinks and alcohol," you'll quickly get bombarded with a sea of articles and studies supporting how terrible mixing your favorite booze with your favorite energy drink is.
However, if you compare the research, you'll notice that almost every study is based on inexperienced drinkers, meaning teens, college kids, and young adults.
Check this out:
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Here's a study supporting the dangers of mixing energy drinks with alcohol based on a group of high school students.
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And another that researched college students.
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Another on youth aged 15 to 23.
Do you get the picture?
While we're not discrediting the fact that mixing alcohol with an energy drink can cause quite a few health risks (because it most certainly can), adults — i.e. experienced drinkers — generally know when they've reached their limit.
They're not going to take another whiskey sour or throwback another vodka tonic because they have experience and understand the risks it can lead to.
Basically, what we're trying to say here is that experienced drinkers are often much more mature than young adults or inexperienced drinkers, and are less likely to binge on energy drink cocktails, mitigating the risks associated with caffeine and booze.
So, if you're an experienced drinker and know your limit when it comes to alcohol, go ahead and ask the bartender for an energy drink cocktail. Just keep track of how many you have, drink lots of water, and stick with clean energy drinks made without any added sugar or anything artificial, like Proper Wild's Clean All Day Energy Shots.
The Best Energy Drink Cocktails
Without any further ado, here are the three best energy drink cocktails:
Vodka + Energy Drink
Arguably the easiest cocktail to make, grab your favorite energy drink and simply mix it with two ounces of vodka, pour it over ice, and voila! While any energy drink will do, we absolutely love Proper Wild's Peach Mango Energy Shot for this one — a refreshing taste of peachy bliss with a hint of tropical mango hits the spot in a chilled martini glass. Mmmm!
Whiskey Highball
Calling all whiskey lovers! Here's a fun twist on a fan favorite, the whiskey highball. Combine two ounces of your favorite whiskey with Proper Wild's Ginger Energy Shot and pour over ice. Top with soda water or ginger ale and enjoy!
Spiked Blackberry Lemonade
Who doesn't love a refreshing glass of this delicious drink with a lemon twist? To make this cocktail, simply mix two ounces of your favorite booze (bourbon, tequila, gin, or other alcohol of choice) with Proper Wild's Blackberry Energy Shot before pouring over ice in a tall glass. Then top it off with lemonade (a little lime juice can up the tang), stir, and garnish with blackberries (and mint leaves for a little extra refresher). Bottoms up!
A Final Word
And there you have it — the three best (and dare we say, tastiest) energy drink cocktail recipes you have to try! Just remember to drink responsibly — it’s easy to get carried away with the cocktail shaker!
Here at Proper Wild, we're pretty big fans of energy drinks. But what we don't like so much are all the less than desirable ingredients commonly found in them. That's why we've put in the time and research to create our unbelievably delicious line of clean energy shots. 100% plant-based and made with absolutely nothing artificial or any added sugar, for a clean taste, without the junk.
In each energy shot, you will find twice as much caffeine as a cup of coffee and 15x more L-theanine when compared to a cup of green tea. This powerful duo will provide you with clean, long-lasting energy as well as focus and productivity, without the jitters or crash. Plus, they taste amazing, what's not to love?
Check out Proper Wild today!
