If you're not a big coffee drinker, what do you do for your morning wake-me-up? Would you try energy gummy bears?

I would, but then I start my day with a glass of water and a little bit of coca cola. Apparently these Loud Truck Energy Gummies are like "drinking a can of Red Bull", at least that's what they're saying over at Candy Addict. The energy candy is even sold as an energy supplement, not in the candy aisle, and is not for children. Loud Truck Energy Gummies got a good review from Candy Addict, with a good taste and a good energy boost.

It's a new product, but if you've tried these gummies then please share. Do you think they're as good as Candy Addict claims?

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.

Zygo Vodka is a vodka that contains guarana, taurine and yerba matte - giving it a caffeinated kick. It's tagged as being "the morning vodka," referring to the fact that it's supposed to keep you going until dawn - not because it should be drunk in the morning. Their sales pitch - one of them, at least - seems to be "Check this out, it's got all the same sh*t as red bull and doesn't taste like a tin can." Pretty persuasive marketing, especially as energy everything gets more and more popular.

Unlike Pink Vodka, which is flavorless as well as caffeinated, Zygo Vodka is a flavored with a blend of Mandarin Orange, Peach, Juniper and Vanilla. The spirit is 70 proof and can be used in any normal vodka application. It sounds like it would make a killer cosmo, though the company has lots of more inventive recipes on their site. They also have a blog that's worth checking out if you're interested in hearing about how a young company with spirit(s) gets started.

Zygo is carried in a number of clubs and bars, as well as hotels like NY's Mandarin Oriental, throughout 37 states. It also looks to be available online for $29.99.

Energy drinks are an explosive market, especially popular among young people, including teenagers and college students. Coffee has always been the morning pick-me-up of choice, but the producers of energy drinks are trying to muscle into the morning market. Monster Khaos is an energy drink that contains 70% juice – more than many processed juice drinks. It is lightly carbonated and lower in carbs than some other ultra-sugary drinks, with flavors of orange, peach and pineapple. Monster Energy drinks have a “natural” energy formula, which includes ginseng and guarana, not caffeine. Will the fruity energy drinks be able to compete with good, old-fashioned coffee? Perhaps a better question, since they are already popular in the youth market, is whether they will be able to complete with specialty coffee drinks, like mocha lattes and caramel-hazelnut cappuccinos.