I mentioned Zygo Energy Vodka a few weeks ago, when it first came to my attention. Recently, I had a chance to taste it and experiment with a few drinks. The vodka has all the appealing energy-boosters that are in drinks like Red Bull, such as guarana, taurine and yerba matte in the form of a 70-proof spirit, which sounds like the perfect drink for party-goers.
Zygo isn't quite as smooth as 44°North was, but it is very, very close and certainly more so than many vodkas. It smells and tastes like peaches, and underneath the peach, there is a hint of vanilla and orange that really rounds the flavor. It tastes great on its own. Really great. In fact, I think that Zygo is an excellent choice just to sip chilled or over ice. I can't say that I felt a big rush of energy from the drink, and I'm fairly certain that what I did feel was from the alcohol, but I won't deny that the feeling was a good one, wherever it came from.
With peach, orange and vanilla, there are a plethora of mixers that would do well with Zygo if you're not inclined to sip it straight, so if and when you have a chance to pick up a bottle, don't hesitate to experiment. I decided to use the peach flavor to its full advantage by keeping the other ingredients to a minimum.
Peachy Sunrise
5oz orange juice
2 oz Zygo
splash grenadine
Combine all orange juice and Zygo in a tall glass over ice. Stir together, then top with a splash of grenadine.
May is National BBQ Month and National Hamburger Month
Cupcakes, not for dessert (unless beef is your idea of a treat)
Because eating French Fries in the car is so tough
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-06-2006 @ 6:27PM
Bruce Dearborn Walker said...
My favorite energy drink is coffee.
There are innumerable Chinese energy tonics that you can choose depending on your need, from the yang Genghis Khan tea, to the balanced Soup of the Ten Gentlemen, to the yin Six Flavor Rehmannia. All are very cheap, less than 25cents per dose.
Why pay premium liquor prices for a bit of caffeine or a trace of cheap genseng?
You want to get high, and you want to stay awake to enjoy it. Start with Irish coffee, or coffee and rum. Apply as needed throughout the evening.
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7-06-2006 @ 10:35PM
Warren Kingsley said...
Hmmmm. I dont think Bruce read the review. Zygo, unlike the new PINK vodka, contains more than caffeine or guarana which are both cheap. He is right about that. But Zygo also has taurine and mate which are not cheap.
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7-07-2006 @ 5:34PM
Bruce Dearborn Walker said...
Yerba mate
http://www.noborders.net/mate/
is about three bucks a pound at my local grocery store, imiported from South America; I'm sure it's much cheaper by the ton. It's in Celestial Seasoning's Rolling Thunder tea, and one of my students who runs a steel erection crew full of Brazilians has given me some that was very tasty, although I didn't get much sleep that night.
Taurine is an amine, similar to amino acids.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine
It can be synthesized for pennies a dose.
In my job I have had some formal training in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I look askance at the entire "power drink" category. I have dark disturbing doubts about the experience and competence of their manufacturers, who appear to lack any concept whatsoever of herbal balance from the European, Chinese, or Ayervedic traditions. Sobe Tea, especially, makes some very unbalanced products.
A strong black russian contains plenty of caffeine, sugar, and alcohol.
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8-03-2006 @ 4:56PM
Smittysmoov said...
Sorry folks but coffee makes me poo! Zygo on the other hand has me going. It's not all about the price of the Guarana & Yerba-Mate it's about the Vodka being original and balanced so well. I mean this stuff got Juniper, vanilla, oranges, and Peaches. Still tastes great. I can make so many cocktails, the chicks dig it. Drink Zygo till the morning. That's what they'l tell ya. Zygo keep up the good work and let us the people represent for ya. Who needs a billboard or a sign on the side of a truck when you just got the best damn product out since a 40 & a blunt.
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