We live in a fast-paced world, and if you’re in need of a little boost to kick-start your next gym session, a long run or just a busy day at work, a nifty energy shot might just be the answer.
Proving that good things can come in small packages, these drinkable energy pops are designed to be convenient and fast ways to feel better and more energetic, fast. There are plenty of different options on the supermarket shelves, making choosing the right drink for you daunting – do you want a natural boost or a hit of caffeine? How about some extra vitamins thrown in for good measure? And which will taste the best?
Luckily, we’ve put a selection of shots through their paces to bring you nine of the very best, whether you need a morning jolt or a midday pick-me-up.
What energy shot suits my lifestyle?
Energy shots come in all kinds of flavours and makeups, but can roughly be divided into those using natural ingredients to boost your wellbeing and those with something stronger, such as caffeine or taurine, as their key ingredient.
Caffeinated shots do deliver an instant jolt and can be a good choice if you don’t like the taste of coffee, but too much caffeine can leave you feeling jittery. High-sugar shots should also only be chosen if you’re about to exercise hard, to avoid crashes later on in the day.
Gentler ingredients, such as ginger or turmeric, may not give you an immediate boost but they have proven health benefits – if they’re not exactly ‘energy’ shots, they will improve your day-to-day wellness and energy levels and can help your immune system do its thing.
What key ingredients should I look for?
Caffeine is the primary driver in some energy shots - look for amounts between 50-200 mg, depending on your tolerance. B vitamins, especially B6 and B12, aid in converting food into energy and enhancing mental clarity. Amino acids such as taurine can improve focus and reduce jitters. Avoid shots high in sugar or artificial additives, as these may lead to crashes or unwanted side effects.
Natural ingredients offer a more sustainable way to boost energy and wellness. Look for options containing green tea or guarana for caffeine derived from plants. Superfoods like ginger, turmeric and matcha have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Beetroot and spirulina are popular for enhancing stamina and recovery while good old lemon juice is an antioxidant and a good source of vitamin C.
How we tested
We tried out all of these energy shots over multiple days and looked for a great taste and a discernible difference in how we felt and performed during sporting sessions and daily life.
Shop the best energy shots below
MOJU Hot Mango Immunity Shot
We loved reaching for these moreish shots each morning on test – they’re delicious straight from the fridge. And MOJU’s Hot Mango recipe doesn’t just taste delightful, it’s also designed to provide a daily hit of vitamins D3, C and zinc, while mangoes, ginger and turmeric roots give your immune system a boost without any added sugar. Lovely stuff.
Big bottles as well as individual shots are available.
Buy now £23.63, Amazon
Plenish Turmeric Recovery Shot
It’s officially flu season – and if you’re keen to boost your body’s defences, Plenish has the answer packed into these dinky shot bottles. Mixing up orange, turmeric and cayenne pepper, each shot provides 100 per cent of your daily vitamin B12, which can help top up energy levels and support your immune system.
These drinks also taste delicious - even people who aren’t fans of turmeric should enjoy them. Other shot flavours available include beetroot for balance and berry for gut health.
Buy now £18.00, Amazon
Ancient and Brave Coffee + Collagen
Wake up and smell the… collagen? Collagen, a protein naturally found in the human body, is believed to improve muscle mass, prevent bone loss, relieve joint pain, and improve skin health by reducing wrinkles and dryness. If you fancy trying it out, this powder combo of coffee and collagen is a nice way to get a daily hit of the good stuff and claims to boost metabolism, focus and recovery. It tastes great as an espresso shot, too.
Buy now £19.20, Ancient and Brave
Mockingbird Raw Gut Health Shot
If you’re feeling a little run down or just need a natural pick-me-up, stock this intense lemony treat in your fridge. Mockingbird’s Raw Gut Health shot does taste a little like you’re downing fresh lemon juice, but if you don’t mind a bit of zing in the mornings it’ll instantly wake you up, and the lemon and honey feel soothing if you have a cold coming on.
Each shot contains 100 per cent of your recommended daily allowance of vitamins A, B, C, and D, so there’s no need to pop additional pills.
Buy now £6.25, Waitrose
Tenzing Plant Power Shot
If you love an energy drink but want to replace your usual sugar-packed favourite with something that’s a little better for you, Tenzing’s Power Shot is a nice alternative.
This drink in a can may be small but it packs 120mg of caffeine derived from guarana, 18mg of Vitamin C and 75mg of electrolytes into a sparkling drink with a pleasant cherry flavour. This is a nice alternative to tea and coffee if a hot cuppa isn’t your thing.
Buy now £20.99, Amazon
Agua de Madre Live Culture Shot
Fermented in London, this ginger and turmeric shot from Agua de Madre is packed with live cultures to support your gut health. That might not sound too appealing on paper, but we actually thought this zingy fresh recipe was the best-tasting shot of all on test.
Ginger, lemon and turmeric taste great as well as being good for you, and we like that these hero ingredients come in little glass bottles rather than single-use plastic.
Buy now £3.00, Amazon
Humans Against Hangovers
The name says it all – these sachets are packed full of good stuff designed to help pick you up the morning after a few too many. Glucose and caffeine provide an instant noticeable zing while 24 vitamins and minerals hopefully help to top up depleted levels.
Mixed in cold water, this drink was tasty if a little salty and did feel like a pick-me-up – perhaps not noticeably more than a coffee and a painkiller, but it’s a good alternative to have ready for those post-party blues.
Buy now £12.95, Humans Against Hangovers
MyTenPlus Phyto-hydration Drink Mix
Mix one of these sachets with water for a jam-packed vitamin and electrolyte hit designed to give athletes and sportspeople a convenient way to boost their performance and recovery quickly.
There’s no sugar and only 37mg of caffeine included but these drinks do feel like they give an instant boost, and the list of natural ingredients and vitamins included is lengthy and impressive. There are six flavours to try – we liked the zingy Sea Salt Lemonade.
Buy now £19.96, MyTenPlus
Xplode Caffeine Pre-Workout Energy Shot
Hitting the gym? Swap your morning cup of Joe for an Xplode shot to maximise your workout performance. Available in raspberry or orange flavours, these mighty little bottles pack in 200mg of caffeine, the same amount found in around two cups of coffee.
We found an Xplode shot did instantly provide an energy hit that improved our performance during intense workouts, but if you aren’t planning a tough session, they can leave you jittery, so they aren’t for everyone.
Buy now £24.99, Nutrition X
Verdict
If great taste is top of your shot shopping list, reach for Agua de Madre. Feeling run down? Lemony kicks from Mockingbird and mango delights from MOJU are instant immunity pick-me-ups. Sporty types will love MyTenPlus for go-faster energy.
