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V (drink)

V is an energy drink brand produced by Suntory Oceania, a New Zealand–based beverage manufacturer, known as Frucor at the drink's original release. 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 in 2000[1] and 42% in Australia,[2] makes it the most popular brand of energy drink in both countries. V is considered a local rival to Red Bull.[3] V energy drinks are not intended for children, and they are not recommended for pregnant women or people sensitive to caffeine.[4]

Drink variants

Currently available

Standard drinks

V Energy (also referred to as "Green V";[5] retroactively titled "Original") is the original flavour of V released in 1997.[1]

Blue (also referred to as "Blue V") is a pineapple and passion fruit flavour introduced in October 2011,[6][7] which V challenges the drinker to try and work out the flavour.[8]

Black is a flavour variant that was last released in 2024,[9] described as having a "strong coffee flavour".[10] Initially released in 2006, it was first discontinued in 2013. It was then later re-released in 2018 for a limited time in New Zealand over a six-week period.[11]

Grape Burst (also referred to as "Purple V") is a grape fruit flavour introduced in 2025.[12]

Sugar-free drinks

V Refresh was launched in 2022 as a no-sugar, low-calorie product line, packaged in matte pastel coloured cans. The original flavours were Citrus Lemonade and Pineapple & Watermelon.[13] A Blackcurrant & Yuzu flavour was released later in September 2024.[14]

V Riise launched in 2025 with two flavours: Sparkling Blackcurrant and Sparkling Mandarin. V Riise is marketed as having slow release energy due to its usage of isomaltulose.[15]

In July 2025, V released three new low-calorie flavours: Cotton Candy, Watermelon Candy, and Strawberries & Cream.

Standard drinks

V Energy (also referred to as "Green V";[5] retroactively titled "Original") is the original flavour of V released in 1997.[1]

Blue (also referred to as "Blue V") is a pineapple and passion fruit flavour introduced in October 2011,[6][7] which V challenges the drinker to try and work out the flavour.[8]

Black is a flavour variant that was last released in 2024,[9] described as having a "strong coffee flavour".[10] Initially released in 2006, it was first discontinued in 2013. It was then later re-released in 2018 for a limited time in New Zealand over a six-week period.[11]

Grape Burst (also referred to as "Purple V") is a grape fruit flavour introduced in 2025.[12]

Sugar-free drinks

V Refresh was launched in 2022 as a no-sugar, low-calorie product line, packaged in matte pastel coloured cans. The original flavours were Citrus Lemonade and Pineapple & Watermelon.[13] A Blackcurrant & Yuzu flavour was released later in September 2024.[14]

V Riise launched in 2025 with two flavours: Sparkling Blackcurrant and Sparkling Mandarin. V Riise is marketed as having slow release energy due to its usage of isomaltulose.[15]

In July 2025, V released three new low-calorie flavours: Cotton Candy, Watermelon Candy, and Strawberries & Cream.

Discontinued

V Pure was a flavour alternative released in 2016 made from six natural ingredients; apple juice, sparkling water, lemon juice, Guarana seed extract, caffeine from green coffee beans and natural V flavour.[16]

V Tortured Orchard Raspberry Lemonade was introduced in 2018.[17][18]

V Tropical Tang was[19] a tropical-flavored drink released in May 2023, and was described as tasting like "guava, pineapple and berries". It was[19] only available in 500ml cans.[20]

Energy shots

In 2009, V released energy shots, known as "Pocket Rockets".[21] These were 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.[22]

Iced beverages

In 2018, V released two Iced Coffee and two Iced Chocolate drinks to the New Zealand and Australian market.[23]

Energy shots

In 2009, V released energy shots, known as "Pocket Rockets".[21] These were 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.[22]

Iced beverages

In 2018, V released two Iced Coffee and two Iced Chocolate drinks to the New Zealand and Australian market.[23]

The drink sponsored I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in the UK for its second series in 2003.[24]

In 2015, V released a promotion called #VChat, where cans were sold with different letters of the alphabet which fans could use to spell out a wish or desire, submit a photo of it, and win whatever prize they spelled out.[25]

In April 2018, V together with Australian donut store chain Donut King, released 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.[26]

External links

References

  1. V expands into $1 Billion UK market Scoop.co.nz, 17 April 2000, retrieved 25 August 2025^
  2. V Australia Website AC Neilson Research, Frucor, 13 April 2003, retrieved 1 December 2008^
  3. Allan Swann. Frucor deal finally in the can nbr.co.nz, 2009-02-03, retrieved 2013-11-07^
  4. V Energy drink FAQ page retrieved 2021-11-24^
  5. V Green V Energy, retrieved 2019-11-13^
  6. Wayback Machine has not archived that URL. www.frucor.co.au, retrieved 2023-04-13^
  7. V-Blue - V Energy Drink retrieved 2024-01-21^
  8. V Blue V Energy, retrieved 2019-11-13^
  9. V Energy brings back fan-favourite V Black Newshub, 2024-06-24, retrieved 2024-06-24^
  10. Brianna Mcilraith. Could the Black V make a comeback? Bidding war ensues for potential 'last ever' can on Trade Me stuff.co.nz, 2022-11-11, retrieved 2024-01-24^
  11. Remedios Lucio. V Energy re-releases limited edition V Black Inside FMCG, 2018-11-05, retrieved 2023-04-11^
  12. V-Purple - V Grape Burst V Energy, retrieved 2025-05-01^
  13. 'V Refresh' via Clemenger BBDO Sydney - AdNews www.adnews.com.au, retrieved 2025-08-25^
  14. Ben Veress. V Refresh's New Fruity Flavour Is The Thirst Quenching, Zero Sugar Drink Your Summer Needs Pedestrian.tv, 27 September 2024, retrieved 8 August 2025^
  15. V Energy has quietly launched a new Riise range and we found one of the flavours to try 26 March 2025, retrieved 6 June 2025^
  16. V Energy releases a drink made from natural ingredients Scoop News, 17 June 2016, retrieved 2019-11-13^
  17. Marketing At Retail - V Energy – Tortured Orchard^
  18. Frucor Suntory and Phantom Labs torture street posters for new V campaign StopPress, 5 June 2018, retrieved 5 June 2018^
  19. It is more than likely that Tropical Tang has been discontinued. While some retailers in New Zealand, such as Fresh Choice still sell it, it looks to be the final batch as it has been removed from V's website. Major retailers in both New Zealand and Australia, such as Woolworths, New World, Pak'N'Save, and Coles, no longer sell it.^
  20. V Energy unveils first full sugar launch since 2020 9 May 2023^
  21. V Pocket Rocket – A fast energy blast retrieved 2026-01-17^
  22. A Fast V Energy Blast retrieved 2012-03-12^
  23. V Iced Chocolate V Energy, retrieved 2019-11-13^
  24. Media Insight builds V brand in £1m I'm A Celebrity promotion Campaignlive.co.uk, retrieved 11 October 2017^
  25. V Energy fans practise their spelling StopPress, 11 December 2015^
  26. Olivia Esveld. Donut King Now Make V Energy Flavoured Donuts KIIS 106.5, 2018-04-04, retrieved 2018-04-14^