From Wikipedia - Reading time: 7 min
500ml can of "V" brand energy drink | |
| Type | Energy drink |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Suntory Oceania |
| Country of origin | New Zealand |
| Introduced | 1997 |
| Website | https://v.co.nz/ https://v-energy.com.au/ |
V is an energy drink brand produced by Suntory Oceania, a New Zealand–based beverage manufacturer. 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[1][needs update] 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] Frucor says V energy drinks are not intended for children, and they are not recommended for pregnant women or people sensitive to caffeine.[4]

V Energy (also referred to as "Green V"[5]) is the original flavour of V released in 1997.[citation needed]
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] V Zero Sugar Blue (as of June 2025) is also available.[citation needed]
V Grape Burst (also referred to as "Purple V") is a grape fruit flavour introduced in 2025.[9]
V Black was a flavour variant that was discontinued in 2013. V Black was re-released in 2018 for a limited time in New Zealand over a 6-week period.[10] It was described as having a strong coffee flavour.[11] V Black was rereleased in June 2024.[12]
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.[13] V Pure was discontinued by 2023.[citation needed]
V added a second Sugar Free flavour in 2018, themed after summer and the tropics. This product replaced V Zero.[1]
V Tortured Orchard Raspberry Lemonade was introduced in 2018.[14][15] In 2020, this flavour was brought back as a permanent edition and rebranded to 'V Raspberry Lemonade'.[citation needed]
V Refresh was launched in 2022 as a no-sugar, low-calorie product line, packaged in matt pastel coloured cans. Flavours in this range are Citrus Lemonade, Pineapple & Watermelon, Green Apple Lemonade and Blackcurrant & Yuzu.[citation needed]
V Tropical Tang was released in May 2023 and is described as "guava, pineapple and berries". However, the new addition is currently only available in 500ml cans.[16]
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 isomaltulose sugar alternative.[17]
The energy shots (described as "Pocket Rockets") are 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.[18]
In 2018, V released two Iced Coffee and two Iced Chocolate drinks to the New Zealand and Australian Market.[19]
The drink sponsored I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in the UK for its second series in 2003.[20]
In April 2018, V together with donut store chain Donut King, released in Australia 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.[21]
V sponsored Back of the Y Masterpiece Television in the mid-2000s.[citation needed]