Caffeine Critic

[Review] Adina: Caramel Kick Coffee Energy Drink

I recently reviewed Adina: Vanilla Nut Case, an entirely organic coffee energy drink that proved to be a pleasant departure from the life of chemicals and artificial flavors I have chosen to lead. In fact, while Vanilla Nut Case only managed a score of 7.43/10 (Good), it still influenced me to try another product from Adina. So I ran out and hunted down today’s drink, a can of Adina: Caramel Kick.

Though I can confirm right away I am going to have the same gripes about the lack of value, which is what drug Vanilla Nut Case’s score down, I am hoping that I find the same quality of aroma and ingredients, maybe even a better flavor with Caramel Kick.

Review:

Tearing into the top of the tiny can, I was immediately met with an absolutely delightful aroma, akin to that of Vanilla Nut Case in that it is rich and creamy, but it is a bit sweeter. The satisfying earthy aroma of the coffee blends fantastically with the milk and cream, creating an aromatic sensation so delicious that you aren’t going to be able to help but dive straight into the can without a moment’s hesitation. But wait! I urge you to sample to sweet scent again, and be sure to fully enjoy to surprisingly robust and satisfying aroma the way it was meant to be experience. Delicious.

Now, proceed. In my Vanilla Nut Case review, I complained that everything was a bit lackluster and watered down, but the same can’t be said for its cousin. The flavor in Caramel Kick is much more robust and satisfying, sweet and delicious. The rich flavor of Colombian Coffee co-exists with a generous mixture of milk to create a smooth and appealing flavor that just hits the spot no matter what mood you are in. However, Caramel Kick isn’t as refreshing as its vanilla counterpart, and it leaves a bit of a sticky residue in your throat that makes you feel thirsty. This residue also holds a bit of an aftertaste at the back of your mouth. Still, it is overall an absolutely delicious drink.

(Since the kick and value of Caramel Kick are the exact same as Vanilla Nut Case, the next two paragraphs of this review are taken directly from our Vanilla Nut Case Review.)

I was expecting very little in terms of boost from Adina, not only because it is completely organic, but also because it is an energy coffee, and they’ve never been known to kick very hard. However, while my cynicism was certainly not without grounds, Adina did impress me by making me feel noticeably better about 20 minutes after having drank it. Sure it’s not the kind of boost that’s going to blow your mind, but the natural caffeine and guarana are definitely the perfect ingredients for giving you a solid morning lift that so many people desperately need.

Value. Yeah, there’s not much of that to speak of. Not only are energy coffees usually a bit overpriced, at about $2.59 or so for a 16 oz can, but an organic energy coffee? Try a solid two bucks for a single 8 oz can. Now, while that may seem reasonable to you loaded douchebags out there who sip Red Bull with Grey Goose, I assure you it isn’t. Still, you’re paying for high quality organic ingredients, I just can’t say it’s worth it. However, I found my cans at my local Big Lots — $2 for an entire four pack. If you’re in the mood for some healthy, organic, anti-oxidizing cold coffee, try checking there. If you ever run across it at full retail price, you may want to keep on walking.

Final Words:

Caramel Kick surprisingly proved to be my favorite over the two Adina Coffees I’ve had so far, which is strange because I almost always prefer Vanilla over Caramel. But a sweeter aroma and a fuller, more satisfying flavor helped bring Caramel Kick to the top.

Of course, you’re still spending way too much for this stuff, and the kick isn’t good for anything but a morning pick up. But really, if you are looking for a tasty organic coffee and have a job that pays something ridiculously high, like $9/hr, then you should give this stuff a shot.

Pros

• Sweet, creamy aroma
• Delicious, satisfying flavor
• Great morning kick

Con

• Way too expensive
• Not very refreshing

Score: 7.75/10 (Good)

Aroma: 9.0/10
Taste: 9.0/10
Kick: 8.0/10
Value: 5.0/10