CELSIUS Limoncello Spritz Vibe Is Perfectly Beachy

While competitors are tackling sodas and candy, CELSIUS regularly delivers high concepts like classy cocktails and the somehow-fantastic Sparkling Mandarin Marshmallow “Fantasy Vibe” (while still delivering great broad-audience faves like Cherry Cola to boot). Late last year, CELSIUS released their first “Spritz Vibe”–an energy drink modeled after the popular après-ski (literally translated to “after ski”) Aperol Spritz cocktail. As a non-skier and very casual cocktail enjoyer, I still loved it.

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Rather than waiting another 12 months to debut a new wintertime cocktail in energy drink form, the clinical energy drink brand has dropped a “Summer Edition” Spritz Vibe inspired by the Limoncello Twist. I got my hands on a can of this classy new energy booster; let’s find out whether Spritz Vibe Summer Edition is as perfect for the pool as last year’s version was for the ski lodge.

What is limoncello?

Limoncello is a popular Italian liqueur made from lemon zest. While you can pick this up at any reputable bottle shop, it’s pretty easy to make your own from lemon zest, vodka, and simple syrup; ask your nearest Italian if their grandma is willing to share a family recipe, or pick one off Google.

If you’re looking to skip the DIY of it all, Fabrizia Spirits produces many different variants of limoncello using proper Sicilian lemons, ranging from classic to alcohol-free to creme–not to mention extensions like bottled and canned Limoncello Spritzes, vodka sodas, and an entire line of lemony baked goods using the same quality ingredients. (I had one of their lemon whoopie pies over a year ago, and I’m still thinking about it.) All in all, you won’t find a better limoncello from any other domestic label. Enough alcohol chatter though; we’re here to talk about a zero-proof energy drink!

CELSIUS Spritz Vibe Summer Edition: Limoncello Twist Energy Review

New CELSIUS Energy!

Pros: Much like the last Spritz Vibe, this feels more like a canned mocktail than an energy drink. The authentic, slightly more tart than sweet lemon is true to every version of limoncello I’ve ever had, while the carbonation easily replicates the proper sparkling aspect of any good spritz. True to what I assume is CELSIUS’ core audience, this drink will have the corporate crowd buzzing with familiarity.

Cons: They aren’t kidding about the lemon; sweet is not a word that comes to mind in the slightest here. And call me crazy, but it’s almost too similar to a cocktail. I can’t suggest or condone mixing energy drinks with alcohol, but this is certainly going to present a tempting concept to folks who want an elevated (and significantly more caffeinated) take on a Vodka Red Bull.

Credit: Griffin Parker / Target

Rating:

7.5/10

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