V (drink)

V

Type	Energy drink
Manufacturer	Frucor Beverages Ltd
Country of origin	New Zealand
Introduced	1997
Colour	Caramel coloring
Variants	V Energy Green, V Energy Sugarfree, V Energy Double Hit, V Energy Black, V Energy Blue, V Energy Berry, V Energy Isokinetic, V Energy Pocket Rocket, V Iced Coffee
Related products	Mother, Monster, Rockstar, Red Bull, Lift Plus, Relentless.
Website	www.v-energydrink.com

V is an energy drink brand produced by Frucor Beverages Ltd since August 1997. In 2003, in supermarkets and service stations, V had a market share over 60% in New Zealand and 53% in Australia, making it the most popular brand of energy drink in both countries. V is made in New Zealand and Australia by Frucor. V is available in six varieties, each sold in both 250 mL cans, 350 mL glass bottles and limited edition 300 mL aluminium bottles, V has also recently released 500 mL cans. V is also exported to the United Kingdom in cans and bottles. In 2007, Frucor also started to export its energy drink to the Netherlands. V was introduced to Maldives market in 2008, and is also sold in Argentina, Papua New Guinea and in Spain in 2011.

Key ingredients

• Carbonated water
• Sugar
• Guarana extract
• Caffeine
• B vitamins
• Taurine
• Food acids
• Caramel coloring

Variants

V

Released onto the New Zealand market in 1997 and Australia a short time later, V was something particularly different in the cold drinks market, with a distinct bottle and can it served as a contrast against other caffeinated cold drinks that were on the market in 1997.^{[citation needed]}

Sugar Free V

Released soon after the original flavor, shares the same flavour but without sugar.

Black V

This was released in 2004 in both Australia and New Zealand. Instead of the artificial "fruit" flavour of other varieties, it has a coffee flavour.

When released in Australia, it was marketed towards students and it was advertised as having a less acidic flavour. The campaign claimed that a tired body tends to get an upset stomach more easily, and, while Black V has twice the taurine of the other flavours, it was supposedly much gentler on the stomach. The taglines for the advertising campaign were Taste the smoothness and Release the night monkey.

Berry V

Released in New Zealand first, in 2005, Berry V had an artificial berry flavour added to the traditional V flavour.

Berry V was released in Australia in 2007, giving Australia the same range of V drinks as New Zealand.

Lemon V

Lemon V was released in June 2008, with a yellow and gold label. This was discontinued around October 2009, however is occasionally sold in stores.

Big V

Released in October 2008, Big V is a 500 mL aluminium can. Available in original, sugar free, blue and black.

V Isokinetic

Non carbonated sports drink in a 600ml plastic bottle.

Blue V

Released October 2011, 250mL can, 500mL can and 350mL bottle, bright blue in colour with a very distinct flavour.

V energy shots

Samples were sent to Vrepublic members with a warning that they shouldn't be consumed by those under 16 years of age. However, Frucor sent the energy shot samples without checking the ages of all the recipients. V apologised for the error with a phone call and a letter.^{[citation needed]} V energy shots also known as "Pocket Rockets" on the labelling have been sent out to sellers as of October 1. The energy content of the pocket rocket is claimed to be similar to that of the big V can.

The V energy shots have an extremely bitter taste that, according to the V Pocket Rocket website, is to prevent young children from drinking them.

Nutritional information (per 100 mL) :

	V	Sugar free V	Black V	Berry V	Lemon V	Blue V
Caffeine	31 mg	31 mg	31 mg	31 mg	31 mg	31 mg
Riboflavin (B2)	0.49 mg	0.49 mg	0.49 mg	0.49 mg	0.49 mg	0.49 mg
Niacin (B3)	2.9 mg	2.9 mg	2.9 mg	2.9 mg	2.9 mg	2.9 mg
Vitamin B6	0.46 mg	0.46 mg	0.46 mg	0.46 mg	0.46 mg	0.46 mg
Vitamin B12	0.57 µg	0.57 µg	0.57 µg	0.57 µg	0.57 µg	0.57 µg
Pantothenic acid	0.7 mg	0.7 mg	0.7 mg	0.7 mg	0.7 mg	0.7 mg
Taurine	200 mg	200 mg	400 mg	200 mg	200 mg	200 mg
Glucuronolactone	25 mg	25 mg	25 mg	25 mg	25 mg	25 mg
Inositol	20 mg	20 mg	20 mg	none / unstated	20 mg	none / unstated

Competitors

V's major competitors, in Australia, are Mother, Monster, Rockstar and Red Bull, and in New Zealand are Red Bull, Lift Plus and Mother (previously sold as Relentless).

External links

• V Raw - V's Project Supporting Young Creatives in Australia
• New Zealand production of V