V is an energy drink brand produced by Frucor Suntory, a New Zealand–based beverage manufacturer. It was launched in Methven, New Zealand in August 1997 and in Australia in 1999. The product's success, a market share over 60% in New Zealand and 42% in Australia, makes it the most popular brand of energy drink in both countries. V is considered a local rival to Red Bull. Frucor says V energy drinks are not intended for children, and they are not recommended for pregnant women or people sensitive to caffeine.
Variants
V Energy (also referred to as "Green V") is the original flavour of V released in 1997.
Blue (also referred to as "Blue V") is a pineapple and passion fruit flavour introduced in October 2011 which V challenges the drinker to try and work out the flavour. V Sugar Free Blue and V Zero Sugar Blue (as of August 2023) are also currently available.
V Black was a flavour variant that was discontinued in 2013. V Black was re-released in 2018 for a limited time in New Zealand over a 6-week period. It was described as having a strong coffee flavour. V Black was rereleased in June 2024.
V Pure is a flavour alternative released in 2016 coming from six Natural Ingredients; apple juice, sparkling water, lemon juice, Guarana seed extract, caffeine from green coffee beans and natural V flavour.
V added a second Sugar Free flavour in 2018, themed after summer and the tropics. This product replaced V Zero.
V Tortured Orchard Raspberry Lemonade was introduced in 2018. In 2020, this flavour was brought back as a permanent edition and rebranded to 'V Raspberry Lemonade'.
V Tropical Tang was released in May 2023 and is described as "guava, pineapple and berries". However, the new addition is currently only available in 500ml cans.
V Energy Shots
The energy shots (described as "Pocket Rockets") are claimed to be as effective as the larger cans but have an extremely bitter taste that, according to the V Pocket Rocket website, is to stop young children from drinking them.
V Iced Drinks
In 2018, V released two Iced Coffee and two Iced Chocolate drinks to the New Zealand and Australian Market.
Advertisement and promotions
The drink sponsored I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in the UK for its second series in 2003.
In April 2018, V together with donut store chain Donut King, released in Australia a V flavoured donut. The donut was sold through Donut King stores nationwide and contained a gooey Guarana filling and covered in green sugar crystals.
V sponsored Back of the Y Masterpiece Television in the mid-2000s.
References
External links
- Australia production of V
- New Zealand production of V
