6 Must-Try Energy Drinks From Across the Globe

By most accounts, the earliest known sports drinks were simple mixtures of sugar, salt, and water. In the 1960s, researchers at the University of Florida designed a drink for the university’s football team, the Gators, to help maintain electrolyte balance and energy levels during hot game days. Gatorade was born and its success laid the foundation for the commercial sports drink movement. 

Over the next few decades, sports drinks gained widespread popularity with new brands like Powerade and Lucozade entering the market. They targeted not just athletes, but anyone excited about moving their bodies. Soon after came specialized drinks aimed at different stages of workouts: protein-filled drinks promised muscle recovery, amino acids for endurance, and vitamins for overall health. 

With a new wave of energy drinks focusing on performance and wellness, brands are turning to natural and organic ingredients as energy and flavor sources. U.S. consumers may be familiar with a handful of major brands, but athletes around the world have a wealth of interesting options to fuel their activities. Here are a few worth knowing.

Yerba Mate

Watch any Argentinian, Uruguayan, or Brazilian athlete during their warmups, and you’ll notice them sipping on a wooden gourd with a metal straw. They’re drinking yerba mate, a caffeine-rich infused herbal drink. With a long and storied history, the drink dates to the pre-Columbian era when Paraguayans (the local Guaraní tribe in particular) discovered the Ilex paraguariensis plant and began incorporating the brew into their diets.

Made by steeping dried leaves in hot water, this drink is rich in antioxidants, packed with vitamins and minerals, and an excellent source of hydration. Yerba mate also contains theobromine, a compound that is alleged to enhance cognitive function and sustains energy without the side effects of a caffeine crash. No wonder it's loved by superstars like Argentinian soccer sensation Leo Messi or Brazil’s Neymar Jr. 

One of the best modern takes on yerba mate comes from Benny, a wellness-inspired energy drink that pairs traditional tea with purportedly mood-boosting adaptogens. The brand was founded by Julie Letizia and Paige Cey, two friends who wanted healthy alternatives to caffeine-based products. 

From working with a naturopath to homemade experiments in Letizia’s kitchen, Benny is made with adaptogens like ashwagandha, lion’s mane, and reishi infused with yerba mate, targeting balance, focus, and immunity, respectively.  

At 95 milligrams of caffeine per can, Benny delivers a solid boost throughout the day. Flavors like peach lychee, elderberry yuzu, and raspberry hibiscus are naturally refreshing and don’t have the acrid taste of some traditional energy drinks. 

Pocari Sweat

In the 1980s, Rokuro Harima, an employee of Otsuka Pharmaceuticals was on a business trip to Mexico and noticed a doctor hydrating himself with IV pouches in the sweltering heat. Harima was intrigued and eagerly returned home to create a Pocari Sweat, a drinkable IV. 

This mild-tasting, uncarbonated sweet drink is packed with electrolytes and has a subtle grapefruit aftertaste. In regards to the technology, it’s designed to replenish the body and replace what you’ve lost in sweat. Pocari is dominant in Japan but has slowly attained a loyal base of fans in North America over the last decade. 

Maurten

In the last few years, there’s been a significant wave of science-backed hydration beverages initially designed for athletes but made accessible to other consumers. Maurten is a perfect example of that trend. 

The Swedish company, started by Olof Sköld, has been fueling the fastest runners in the world like Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, who has called it a game changer in his routine, as well as Boston Marathoner Desiree Linden.

After his triathlete friend requested a beverage that was better for athletes, Sköld began developing a drink mix rooted in scientific research and reviewed by athletes. The result? Drink Mix 160, which delivers 40 grams of carbohydrates per 500ml of water, enabling drinkers high concentrations of energy sources without feeling discomfort. 

“When you’re exercising at a high intensity, your stomach starts to work at a lower capacity”, says Joshua Rowe, Maurten’s performance scientist. Their patented hydrogel technology, built with naturally occurring pectin, found in foods like apples, lemons, and tomatoes, is clean, preservative-free, and makes it easy to carry carbohydrates through your body for a more sustained workout. 

Cedevita

One of Croatia’s most beloved brands, Cedevita is an instant energy drink loaded with an array of supplements and vitamins. Originally developed in the 1960s by local pharmaceutical company Pliva, Cedevita was made to provide a convenient source of essential nutrients during the bleak Balkan winter months. 

The original citrus flavor become a household staple and over the years, Cedevita has expanded its product line to include lemon, grapefruit, and exotic fruit. To cater to a more health conscious audience, the brand has released sugar-free versions. There are even a few Croatian basketball teams that don the drink’s logos on their jersey. 

Magna

Everlane founder Michael Preysman recently launched Magna, a new hydration formula made with athletes and everyday fitness enthusiasts in mind. 

With flavors like Peach Mango, Lemon Lime, and Tea Lemonade inspired by the classic Arnold Palmer, Magna is made with three forms of magnesium to deliver natural energy, focus, and recovery without caffeine or natural additives. According to Magna’s research, most electrolyte formulas skimp on magnesium despite 75% of people being deficient. “Our ethos is to play the long game and focus on the process of moving and living healthier every day,” says Preysman. The brand has partnered with renowned athletes like Angel City FC forward Christen Press and surfer Barron Mamiya to showcase how athletes incorporate energy drinks into their regimens. For maximum impact, Magna is best consumed twice daily.