ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON

Posted on December 2, 2017 | Last updated February 14, 2025

This is a review of ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON, which was released around November 2015.

After the release of ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON, it was heavily promoted in Las Vegas. The color of the can is particularly eye-catching, which might make it easier to display.

ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON

Manufacturer	ROCKSTAR
Country of Origin	USA
Price	2 USD
Flavor	Watermelon
Total rating	★★★☆☆

Author information Author: Energy Drink-kun

In 2001, while living in the United States, I encountered energy drinks through the dance scene and was deeply impressed. After returning to Japan, I found that energy drinks were considered novelty beverages, so I established a comprehensive website in 2013 to share the true appeal of energy drinks. As an energy drink enthusiast, I began drinking them seriously again, collecting over 8,000 varieties of energy drinks from various countries. I am also active as a critic and expert, receiving media interviews.

Flavor of ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON

2015 was the year of watermelon flavors, with various brands from around the world releasing watermelon-flavored products. So, I approach this highly anticipated ROCKSTAR watermelon flavor with great expectations (●´ω｀●).

Upon opening, the scent is a mixture of the distinctive green freshness of watermelon and a sweet syrupy fragrance.

ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON
When poured into a glass, the drink maintains a clear red hue. This is the kind of color you'd expect if you completely filtered out the fibers and flesh from watermelon.

Taking a sip, the first taste is a light sweetness that gives way to the greenish aroma of watermelon, followed by a tangy aftertaste. While it attempts to capture the essence of watermelon, it feels somewhat difficult to fully express... It's not quite like the sweet, refreshing watermelons in Japan, but I think the general vibe can still be enjoyed (ｗ).

ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON
However, it's amazing how there’s almost no "Zero-Zero" taste. Considering the refreshing sweetness of watermelon, it seems that using the Pure Zero series was a great match. The taste of artificial sweeteners is hardly noticeable, likely because the slight acidity, the subtle sweetness, and the greenish aroma work to mask it.

Energy Ingredients of ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON

ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON
It contains 240mg of caffeine, a common feature of the Pure Zero series, along with taurine, guarana, ginseng, and carnitine.

Of course, it is sugar-free and calorie-free. But that caffeine content is quite high (^_^;)

2015: The Year of Watermelon Flavors

In 2015, for some reason, watermelon flavors were released by many brands around the world. In the U.S., the Pure Zero series came out with a watermelon version, and at the same time, lesser-known brands in various countries also launched watermelon flavors. This made it an interesting year to compare the different watermelon flavors and how well they captured the essence of the fruit as a juice.

ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON
Among them, ROCKSTAR's Pure Zero might have the most striking color.

Comparison of the U.S. and Canada Pure Zero Watermelon

After the global launch of the watermelon energy drink flavors, a quieter, half-year-later release occurred in Canada with a lower-caffeine version of Pure Zero Watermelon.

ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON
The color is identical, a beautiful red. The sight of this bright red can turning into red, clear watermelon energy inside is certainly exciting (*´艸｀*).

The flavor base retains the same greenish note of watermelon, and there’s no major deviation in the watermelon flavor direction. However, the sweetness differs significantly. In the U.S., it is a light, refreshing sweetness with added tang, creating a pretty authentic watermelon taste. In contrast, the Canadian version feels more mellow, with a heavier, rounded sweetness and little to no acidity. After drinking the American version, the difference is very clear when you switch to the Canadian one.

ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON
The Canadian Pure Zero contains 2g of sugar alcohol, which may contribute to the difference. The Canadian version has a stronger sweetness with a smoother, less sharp artificial watermelon flavor, while the American version feels closer to the real thing.

ROCKSTAR PURE ZERO WATERMELON
You can also clearly see the difference on the can. The Canadian version just says "Sugar-Free," while the U.S. version also mentions "Zero Calories."

Caffeine content also varies: 240mg in the U.S. version and 160mg in the Canadian version. As someone who drinks multiple cans a day, the lower caffeine content in the Canadian version is definitely preferable. While the Pure Zero series is great overall, the 240mg of caffeine per can is quite a lot. Reviewing it becomes difficult since I can only have one can per day.

If you want the more authentic watermelon flavor, I’d recommend the U.S. version. But if you prefer a sweeter, more juice-like taste, the Canadian version would be a better choice (*´ｪ`*).