Whether you are a long-time Rockstar Energy fan or have casually consumed it before 2020, you will be in for a surprise if you try the beverage now…you might even wonder if your beloved Rockstar is spoiled!
Rockstar Energy Drink changed its formula after PepsiCo acquired it in 2020. The most notable changes are in its carbonation level and preservatives.
The new Rockstar Energy is more of a mass-appeal beverage and doesn’t taste as raw as its predecessor.
I will compare both formulas in taste, ingredients, and nutritional value in this article.
You will learn how to get the old recipe Rockstar and Rockstar Sugar-Free even today! But first, let’s look at possible reasons for the formula change.
Why Did Rockstar Energy Change Its Formula?
Rockstar Energy changed its formula since it got acquired by PepsiCo. This indicates that the formula change was a business decision by the corporation.
Since there is no official explanation for the change, all answers on this are speculative. What remains a fact is that the shift was PepsiCo’s decision.
Given PepsiCo’s history with Gatorade, the number one reason for the change in Rockstar’s formula could be to broaden its market.
How this was tested is unclear, but since corporations all aim to maximize profits, there are two ways this decision could help that aim:
- Lower the cost of production
- Increase the sales
Since PepsiCo acquired Rockstar for $3.85 billion, I doubt that it changed the formula because it found the cost of production too high. It is far more likely that the new formula is lighter to be more palatable to the masses.
But is the new Rockstar formula objectively better? Let’s compare.
Old Rockstar vs. New Formula
There has not been a lot of clarity around Rockstar’s formula change which old fans swear by. Most of the evidence regarding said change comes from fan forums.
And these forums are not reliable.
To make sure that there was any change in the Original Rockstar since Pepsico acquired the brand in 2020, I compared both Rockstar drinks.
Before we get into the nuances of this comparison, it is worth noting that “Original” Rockstar can be a confusing term since it still exists. “Original” here basically means the “main flavor” because there are other variations of Rockstar.
Think about Red Bull. The main Red Bull is the “Original” Red Bull, while there are edition drinks that stand for different flavors. Similarly, “Original” in the case of Rockstar also refers to the main flavor.
I compared Old Rockstar Original with New Rockstar Original to get to the bottom of this.
Verdict: The Formula Has Been Altered
Right from the can comparison, it is evident that the formula is different. The calorie count on both cans is significantly different.
The old Rockstar contains 250 calories, while the new Rockstar contains 270 calories in each can.
Does the change in ingredients responsible for different nutritional values also affect the taste? Not too significantly.
The New Rockstar Original tastes like a lighter version of the old formula because it features less carbonation and isn’t as sickly sweet.
New consumers prefer the current version, while loyal Rockstar fans prefer the old one.
This creates a dilemma for PepsiCo.
The brand they’ve acquired has an embedded fanbase for which they have paid. At the same time, their goal is to make the most of the niche drink by turning it into a mass-appeal beverage.
This conflict means one of the two formulas will eventually take a backseat.
However, the acquisition is as recent as 2020, so it is unclear which direction the beverage giant might go.
There has already been enough of a flashback that PepsiCo has introduced “Rockstar Throwback: The O.G. Rockstar,” which is supposedly the same formula as the old Rockstar.
Upon taste-testing O.G. Rockstar, I could not tell the difference. However, plenty of people on various energy drinks forums spread Pepsi hate and swear that the throwback Rockstar doesn’t taste like the Old Rockstar.
Original Ingredients vs. New Ingredients
To get to the bottom of the reasons behind the drink’s taste and flavor differences, I looked at the ingredients of an old Rockstar can from 2018 and a new one from 2022.
(Don’t ask me why I had an empty can lying around from almost four years ago.)
Old Rockstar Energy Drink Ingredients
The Old Rockstar Energy Drink contains Preservatives like Sorbic Acid and Benzoic Acid, alongside ingredients like Glucose, Sugar, Inositol, and Glucuronolactone.
Panax Ginseng Root Extractives, Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, and Citric Acid are also present.
And its carbonated water has a higher carbonation ratio. This results in a “stronger” beverage that has a bite.
It tastes rawer and less “polished” because the selection of its ingredients (mainly sugar and glucose) feels more home-brewed than factory-made.
New Rockstar Original Ingredients
The new Rockstar Energy Drink contains sugar but replaces previous glucose with a “glucose syrup.” Other notable changes include preservatives like Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate alongside D-Calcium Pantothenate.
Aside from this, most of the ingredients remain the same. The new Rockstar also contains Carbonated Water, Glucuronolactone, Inositol, Citric Acid, Niacinamide, and Panax Ginseng Root Extractives.
Besides caffeine, both energy drinks also feature milk thistle, guarana, taurine, and ginseng.
With less carbonation and a more syrup-like finish, the new Rockstar is definitely easier to accept for fresh tastebuds.
But it is clear why the old fans would disagree: the drinking experience is starkly different.
What Flavor Is the Original Rockstar?
The Original Rockstar tastes like Red Bull but with a significantly different texture. It has more of a sting, often described as similar to that of beer. The beverage doesn’t have a secondary flavor like “strawberry” or “chocolate,” so it should be treated as its own drink.
Despite a change in ingredients, the prominent flavor for both drinks remains the same. However, the Rockstar Original beverage has recently started tasting less like Red Bull.
It also has less of a sting and feels closer to the average soft drink than beer.
Please note that even though Rockstar Energy Drink was often labeled as having a beer-like texture, it did not contain alcohol at any point.
Which Other Flavors Have Changed?
Rockstar Energy Original and Sugar-Free have changed since PepsiCo acquired the brand.
This can be attributed to a taste pivot for the masses, or supplier relationships and sourcing preferences.
Either way, new fans are not too bothered by the changes, and old fans are surprised by the contrast between their previous experience and the new taste.
Often, the first thought old fans have upon sampling a new can is whether the drink has gone bad.
Does Rockstar Plan to Bring the Old Formula Back?
Rockstar has already brought back the old formula as the “Throwback Edition” and the “O.G. Rockstar Sugar-Free.”
The Throwback Edition is the old Rockstar original formula, while the O.G. Rockstar is the old sugar-free Rockstar formula.
However, the future of these editions is uncertain because it depends entirely on demand.
Consumers who complained about the formula change have had mixed reactions to re-introducing the old formula as a secondary beverage.
And how Rockstar fans react indicates that PepsiCo might conclude that trying to appease them is not worth it.
The Old Rockstar formula and the Throwback edition taste exactly the same, at least in my opinion. And at least 67% of its buyers also have the same opinion, because they have given it 5 stars.
Unfortunately, anything less than a 75% approval generally results in a limited edition beverage or product being discontinued.
How to Get Old Rockstar?
There are two ways to get old Rockstar:
The first is to get Rockstar Original manufactured in 2019. Energy Drinks are usually good for up to a year, after which they pass their on-package expiry date.
As mentioned in my energy drink shelf-life guide, you can technically have the beverage for up to 9 months as long as it is unopened.
Since the current year sets old Rockstar drinks well past their use-by and healthy-enough dates, you should not use an actual old can as your way of getting “Old Rockstar.”
The second method is better, though not ideal.
You can get Rockstar Energy Throwback Edition, which aims to bring the original formula to the beverage’s loyal fans. Many Rockstar fans are satisfied with it but complain about its consistent supply.
The best way to support the beverage is to buy it so that the corporation does not discontinue it.
The throwback version of Rockstar has over 4500 reviews and ratings that add up to a 4.2-star average on a 5-star scale. Fair, but not excellent.
77% of the customers have given the beverage 4 to 5 stars. This means that most buyers are satisfied. But plenty of vocal customers continue complaining about Rockstar Energy’s formula change.
If you liked the old sugar-free Rockstar, that version is also available. You can purchase the O.G. Sugar-Free Rockstar from Amazon as well.
Problems with Throwback Rockstar
While most Rockstar buyers find the throwback beverages tasty enough to give them 4 to 5 stars on a 5-star scale, they have complaints regarding inventory management: Rockstar Throwback Edition gets bought up by resellers.
This Rockstar flipping is becoming a problem.
If you find the Rockstar Throwback drinks priced higher than usual, try revisiting the link later. Bookmark this post to save the links for later visits.
If the listing mentions that you’re buying the beverage from the Rockstar store, you’re more likely to get the O.G. drinks at the right price.
How To Avoid Paying Extra for Rockstar Throwback
You can buy Rockstar Throwback drinks from resellers who clear the available stock. As a result, the only Throwback beverages available are through them. And obviously, they mark up the beverages significantly.
Follow these steps to ensure you’re buying from the true Rockstar Store.
- Visit the Rockstar Store on Amazon
- Search “Throwback” on the search
- Click on the beverage of your choice and buy it
Rockstar Energy Alternatives
Rockstar Energy drink has changed, and not everyone is happy with its Throwback edition.
If you have decided that you cannot let PepsiCo get away with altering your favorite energy drink so drastically and want to register your protest with your wallet, here are some beverages you might want to try:
- Red Bull – Since creating the Energy Drink category, Red Bull has remained a market leader and independent of other corporations’ influence.
It maintains its caffeine quantity regardless of the caffeine-pumping trends and can-oversizing in the market. It is also one of the few brands that have kept its long-term customers happy. - Venom Energy – Venom is relatively young and has a raw texture comparable to old-school Rockstar Original.
The flavor isn’t an exact carbon copy, but it is not an overly sweet energy drink like most mainstream energy beverages. - Full Throttle – Full Throttle tastes different, but almost everyone who loves old Rockstar vouches for its taste. That said, it is harder to find Full Throttle in stores. You have to buy it online.
