ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0

Posted on October 18, 2022 | Last updated February 1, 2025

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0
Released on November 1, 2022, this is the major update version of ZONe, Ver. 3.0.0, which now includes ginseng as an added ingredient.

Since this is a major update, are there changes not only in the ingredients but also in the taste? Let’s try it out and find out.

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0

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 ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0

The scent is the same sweet, classic flavor as the original ZONe. The color remains unchanged as well.
Flavor of ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0
When I try it, the base flavor and scent don’t seem to have changed, but it feels somewhat more subdued compared to the original ZONe.

The acidity seems milder than the previous version, and the刺激 (stimulation) is toned down a bit. The fragrance lingers even after drinking, maintaining its rich aroma, which is a common feature in the ZONe series, and it doesn’t seem to have changed.

There aren’t any significant changes in taste with Ver. 3.0.0, but it feels less punchy, so let's compare it to the previous version.

Comparison of Ver. 2.2.0 type-T and Ver. 3.0.0

On the left is the older Ver. 2.2.0 type-T, and on the right is the new Ver. 3.0.0.
Flavor of ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0
When comparing the two, the old Ver. 2.2.0 type-T has a more pronounced sweetness and acidity, providing a more robust drinking experience. After drinking Ver. 3.0.0 and then tasting Ver. 2.2.0 type-T, I can distinctly feel the depth and punch of the older version's flavor.

That said, Ver. 3.0.0 is not bland, but it seems the balance between acidity and fragrance differs. Ver. 3.0.0 lacks a bit of that sharp acidity, which gives it a smoother, more mellow sweetness.

The difference between the minor update of Ver. 2.2.0 type-T and this Ver. 3.0.0 may be due to both ingredient additions and the taste changes.

Energy Ingredients of ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0

Flavor of ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0
Contains 150mg of caffeine, 1000mg of arginine, taurine (which was included as a seasoning in the previous version), and the newly added ginseng.

Design of ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0 Design
The power logo is now the largest it’s ever been, filling the entire width of the front of the can, making it very striking. It’s almost a bit too large, isn’t it? The big power logo and effect are now so prominent that the balance of empty space seen in previous versions has been completely altered.

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0 Design
The top of the can, which used to show the version number, now lists the caffeine and newly added ginseng, while the back of the can shows the Ver. 3.0.0 details. As for taurine, as mentioned in my review of Ver. 2.2.0 type-T, it wasn’t prominently listed this time either.

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0 Design
From Ver. 3.0.0 onward, the word “ENERGY” is now prominently displayed below “ZONe,” and the version number is also listed there. Personally, I preferred the logo size and balance around the text in the earlier Ver. 2 versions.

The back of the can has a more compact design for the ingredients and barcode area, with the playful design elements like the barcode decoration and “Dive to ZONe” from previous ZONe series cans removed for a simpler look.

ZONe Energy Drink Ver. 3.0.0 Design
Personally, I like the clean and organized look of Ver. 3.0.0.

The clear distinction between the minor update of Ver. 2 and the major update of Ver. 3 is hard to pinpoint. When there’s such a large version change, I think it would be more fun if we could feel more noticeable changes or evolution in the flavor when drinking. I’m looking forward to future updates.