We Got an Early Taste of New Rockstar Punched Blackberry Smash

Last month, fellow Sporked contributor Griffin Parker and I attended the NACS Expo to find out about all things food and drink coming soon to convenience stores. We’ve already talked new chips, we’ve talked new Mountain Dew (will be talking more Mountain Dew soon), and today we’re talking new Rockstar Energy. Rockstar was recently purchased by Celsius, so I sought out the brand at the Celsius booth at NACS and discovered two exciting releases that will be hitting stores in 2026. 

Today, we’re trying the first: Rockstar Punched Blackberry Smash, which will be rolling out to stores nationwide in early 2026. I was able to snag a sample can to try it early, so let’s find out how this new Rockstar flavor stacks up against the rest and if it’s one worth hunting down in 2026.

New Rockstar Flavor!

Rockstar Punched Blackberry Smash

Pros: I was worried that this new Rockstar flavor might be too swee—as many Rockstar Energy drinks are—but I am happy to report that this is not the case. Blackberry Smash is a perfect balance of sweet and bitter, which is exactly what I expect from blackberries. This drink is authentically “just” blackberry. It’s not too often that we get just blackberry-flavored drinks and this is pretty tasty.

Cons: If bitter drinks aren’t your speed, you may not enjoy this as much. I do have to say, I wish it was a tiny bit sweeter.

Credit: Liv Averett / Rockstar

Rating:

8/10

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