ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9

Posted on June 10, 2021 | Last updated February 4, 2025

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9
The original version of ZONe has been updated from 1.0.0 to 1.3.9. The main changes are a slight increase in caffeine and arginine. Version 1.3.9 is only for the original flavor, while other flavors remain at version 1.0.0. This time, I will review the original with the minor update.

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9

Manufacturer	Suntory foods
Country of Origin	Japan
Price	190 JPY
Flavor	classic flavor
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 a Sweet, Classic Flavor That Unleashes an Overpowering Rich Aroma

Upon opening, a sweet, classic aroma bursts out. This scent fills the room quickly, even in a fairly large space. I've opened several bottles of ZONe's original flavors so far, and every time, the scent is overpowering. Be cautious when drinking in a closed space.
ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9
When you take a sip, it has a sweet, classic flavor, with the base being the same as the old version 1.0.0, a straightforward energy drink taste. The acidity acts as an accent, highlighting the sweetness of the classic flavor and the chemical aftertaste.

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9
As expected, if you chill it with lots of ice, the balance between sweetness and acidity becomes just right, and the chemical taste fades away. So, I recommend it with ice. If it's refrigerated to room temperature, personally, the 500ml size is a bit too much for me.

Energy Ingredients of ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9
The caffeine content has increased from 75mg in the old version to 100mg, and arginine has also been increased from 750mg to 1000mg. It’s a small increase. ZONe also includes 5g of palatinose, which is slowly and steadily absorbed, a feature unique to ZONe.

The caffeine content isn't too high, so it's easy to drink. Personally, I can still enjoy it without worrying about my total caffeine intake, even if I drink other caffeinated beverages up to about 100mg per bottle. For people looking for a high caffeine content, though, it may feel a bit low given the large 500ml size.

Design of ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9
There’s not much difference in the design. The updated version, Ver. 1.3.9, is displayed on the front. Most people would probably not notice any significant change just from this.

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 1.3.9
On the back, the "Dive to ZONe" now includes a formula, which is a change specific to Ver. 1.3.9. Even here, you might not notice the difference unless you look closely.

The energy ingredients have only increased slightly, and the taste remains the same with ZONe’s unique rich aroma and classic flavor. This version is, in fact, a minor upgrade from version 1.0.0, including differences in flavor, design, and ingredients.