Alex Cooper’s Unwell Just Released a Donut-Inspired Energy Drink

In general, I think we can all agree that more things should be donut-inspired. Also, among the things that are going to be donut-inspired, most if not all of them should be easy to rationalize or justify as part of a “healthy routine.”

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This actually seems to be a bit of a renaissance for “things flavored like other things” (see Cinnamon Toast Crunch ice cream, 7UP flavored energy drinks, etc.). One item we’re especially excited to see tossed into the mix: a cider donut-inspired energy drink from Unwell Beverages, aka Alex Cooper’s “your-behavior-can-be-bad-but-your-hydration-should-be-better” drinks brand. 

Why Isn’t Everyone Doing Donut Flavors?

Yes, we’re all still sweating but as far as retail food items go, fall is pretty much here. (We’re only days away from the pumpkin-spicing of America.) Seriously, in any shelf not already covered in “back to school” basics, you’ll start to see fall flavors peppered in, if you haven’t already. And once we heard Alex Cooper’s perpetually innovative, charmingly ball-busting Unwell brand was going autumnal, we had high hopes. 

Cooper and crew have exceeded them. In concept, at least. Based on the generally good reception of Unwell, not to mention its fairly innocent (but still functional) contents―and more on that later―we’re slightly, desperately, hoping the new Apple Cider Donut Sparkling Energy Drink is as delicious and yet somehow guilt-free as it all sounds. (Seriously, though, even reaching for the apple cider donut stars is worthy. Respect.) 

But What’s Inside? (And Does It Work…Well?)

Clearly with a name like Unwell there’s already some winky fun at work (if you want a better sense for why the brand has such an off-kilter vibe, tune in to Cooper’s podcast, Call Her Daddy). But the brand takes hydration and energy seriously (no shock: Cooper decided to start the hydration line after a particularly grueling tour left her feeling, well, unwell). 

The Apple Cider Donut Sparkling Energy Drink checks all the boxes (made with real fruit juice, green coffee extract, 100% of your DV of biotin―because hair, skin, and nails need some love, too). And then there’s the sugar/shaky factor: in a season typically dominated by ooey-gooey caramel and brash amounts of sugar, Unwell’s donut drink has only 3 grams of sugar, and in a rainbow-bright drinks category where “energy” levels can get shaky pretty fast, Unwell stops at a relatively gentle (i.e. strong cup of coffee-and-a-half) 150 milligrams. Of course, we really just kinda want to try it (via Target). Hopes are high but also (gently) shaky, since it sort of sounds like it’s attempting the impossible (donut flavor in a milky drink, maybe―but sparkling?). Then again, when somebody dreams “donuts,” you gotta respect it.