I hate my job. I work as a bagger/cashier at my local Kroger grocery store. I’ve been there for three long years. I make $7.55/hr. Some of my responsibilities include bagging groceries, scanning groceries, mopping floors, sweeping the sidewalk, emptying ash trays, and cleaning human fecal matter out of a sink. I shit you not (get it?), that has happened to me before.

Needless to say, when I get home from work I am tired. Wiped out. Completely drained. I am 20-years-old and I often take naps in the middle of the day or early in the evening for God’s sake. This shouldn’t be happening! Luckily for me, the folks at Vuka have a drink just for people in my situation. Vuka Renew claims to be able to restore focus and vitality after you’ve seemingly run out of gas.

Here goes nothing, I sure hope it works.

Review:

This drink smells phenomenal. The soft peach aroma sits prominently on top of an appetizing mango scent, creating a perfume so appetizing that I couldn’t stop smelling it. I sat with my nose inside the aluminum bottle for a good 20 seconds before finally getting ready to move on and actually taste the drink.

The drink tastes just like it smells, natural and refreshing, full of flavor, and very satisfying. The lightly carbonated liquid goes down easily with no burn or aftertaste, just the pure flavor of fresh peaches and mangos. Part of the appeal comes from how unique this flavor is, and it is unlike anything I’ve ever had before from an energy drink. Vuka Renew is absolutely delicious, and I’m impressed even if it doesn’t help reinvigorate me.

But wouldn’t you know it, one-and-a-half servings in and I already feel great. This is definitely the right kind of pick me up. I feel like I did two hours into my shift, before I had to clean up that 90-year-old man’s urine from where his bladder died before the rest of his body. The feeling of exhaustion has entirely dissipated, but it feels like much of the weight has been lifted right off me, and I’m ready to enjoy the rest of my evening.

Vuka Renew comes packaged in a gorgeous 16 oz, double serving aluminum bottle with an eye-catching coat of green paint and some aesthetically pleasing African-themed decorations for about $3 each when you order from Vuka’s online store. The thing is, you have to buy a case of 12 for $35.99, and it’s hard for most consumers to part with that sum of money for 12 drinks they may not like.

Final Words:

Vuka Renew is one of the best energy drinks I’ve had in a long time. Like its name implies, not only was I rejuvenated by the great boost of natural-feeling energy, but the unique flavor combination and wonderful execution of a great idea has refreshed me like a cold gulp of water straight from the hose on a hot summer’s day. I recommend this drink to anyone looking for either an effective energy drink or a refreshing functional beverage.

Pros

• Smells fantastic
• Unique flavor tastes great and is highly refreshing
• Wonder boost of natural energy
• One of the best energy drinks I’ve had in a long time

Cons

• A bit expense for many consumers

Score: 9.0/10 (Outstanding)

Aroma: 9.75/10
Taste: 9.75/10
Kick: 9.5/10
Value: 7.0/10