Soft & Energy Drinks

Consider sweetness, acidity, aroma and carbonation before buying a case. A sugar-free version may have a different aftertaste from the original even under the same flavour name. For ready-to-drink tea, check ingredients rather than inferring composition from pictures of leaves or fruit. An energy drink is a different product type; its name does not guarantee a particular flavour or establish performance effects.

Check the ingredient list and nutrition table rather than interpreting a word such as zero as a general statement. Declared absence of sugar does not imply absence of caffeine, and a recipe can combine sugar with sweeteners. Compare amounts expressed for the same volume and check the complete container size too: a labelled serving may not equal the whole can. Follow the product's warnings, including those concerning caffeine and intended users. Colas and ready-to-drink teas can also contain caffeine, so check those as well as energy drinks.

An ordinary can cannot be resealed. A bottle with a cap lets you divide the contents, although opening affects retention of carbonation. Choose a size you will actually use without assuming more volume always reduces expenditure. Compare price per litre, unit count and the volume of each unit. For assortments, establish how many of each flavour are included: a cheap case may contain varieties nobody wants.

Judge flavours under similar serving conditions; adding ice also dilutes the drink and changes the comparison. Check dates and container condition before storing numerous units. Follow the stated temperature, resealing instructions and storage period after opening; these can vary with the formulation. Avoid shaking carbonated drinks and do not freeze a sealed container as a way to chill it. An apparently normal taste cannot replace compliance with storage requirements.