Cocaine (drink)
| File:Cocainedrink.jpg | |
| Type | Energy Drink |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Redux Beverages |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| Introduced | September 2006 |
| Flavor | Highly carbonated, roughly cherry-flavored, with a slight burning sensation in the back of the throat. |
| Related products | Red Bull, Monster Energy, Pimp Juice (drink) |
Cocaine (available again in the U.S.) is a highly caffeinated energy drink distributed by Redux Beverages. It contains 350% as much caffeine as the most-popular energy drink, Red Bull, symbolized by three and a half steer heads on the label. Aside from caffeine the label boasts 750 milligrams of taurine, another common ingredient found in many energy drinks.
Cocaine was pulled from U.S. shelves as a result of the FDA's decision that Cocaine was "illegally marketing their drink as an alternative to street drugs". Redux Beverages began working on a new name for the product immediately. At the end of May, 2007, the Redux team decided to change the name to "No Name:" energy drink, with the new can label (sometimes still with the original can just covered by a plastic sleeve with the new name, allowing it to be peeled off revealing the old one) featuring a large blank space for fans to write their chosen name for the drink, covering the "Cocaine" on the can itself.[citation needed] On 17 June 2007, the drink was redistributed in the U.S. under the new labeling.
However, Redux Beverages has recently announced that the drink will return to shelves under its original name in early 2008[1]. Cocaine's founder and senior partner, Jamey Kirby, always believed they would get their name back. Said Kirby in June 2007, "Oh, we'll get our name back. We'll get it back." And they did. Cocaine is now being sold as "Cocaine" and can be found on the shelves of many stores around the U.S.[2]
The drink is available online or in local beverage stores around the U.S. The beverage is also available in Europe, where it has always been sold as Cocaine Energy Drink rather than Insert Name Here: (as it was briefly sold in the U.S).
Controversy
In December 2006, a group of law students from Cleveland State University's Cleveland Marshall College of Law representing Americans for Drug Free Youth and the Progressive Intellectual Property Law Association filed an objection to Redux Beverage's filing for a trademark on the Cocaine name, on the basis that it was immoral.[3]
On May 2nd, 2007 it was announced via the official Cocaine MySpace page that Cocaine Energy Drink would cease distribution Saturday, May 5th, 2007. Kirby filed United States trademark application #77180241 for the name "Banned" on May 14, 2007. The FDA did not approve of the notion that a street drug was used as a marketing strategy.[4] Opinions differed on whether the probable loss of the federal trademark would affect Redux's business. Jamey Kirby, the owner of Redux and inventor of the drink, had until April 2007 to file a counterargument, but sounded unconcerned about the probable rejection.
"All I have to do is look at the orders coming in and then I just laugh at the whole thing," said Kirby, adding that the company was producing about 200,000 cases of the drink this month and expected to double that amount in January. "As long as we sell drinks, I really don't care."
Health risks
One serving of Cocaine Energy Drink contains roughly as much caffeine as 16 ounces of brewed coffee or three servings of espresso. This level of caffeine may pose significant health problems to young children, pregnant (lactating) women, and people sensitive to caffeine.
Plans to export the drink to Australia have been called off, as Australia refuses to allow it due to very strict regulations of amounts of caffeine in drinks (145mg/litre - 33.8 fl. oz, the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee).
Ingredients
Redux Beverages has published the drink's nutrition label online.[5]
Ingredients: Carbonated Water, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Taurine, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Caffeine, D-Ribose, Salt, Sodium Benzoate, Inositol, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Sucralose, L-Carnitine, Potassium Sorbate, Guarana Seed Extract, Pryridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), and FD & C Coloring.
| Fat | 0g | 0% |
| Sodium | 200mg | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | ||
|
18g | 6% |
| Protein | 1g | 0% |
| Taurine | 750mg | |
| Inositol | 100mg | |
| Vitamin B6 | 300% RDI | |
| Vitamin B12 | 600% RDI | |
| Vitamin C | 100% RDI | |
| L-Carnitine | 50mg | |
| D-Ribose | 250mg | |
| Guaraná | 25mg | |
| Not a significant source of saturated fat, fiber, iron, cholesterol, vitamin A, and calcium. | ||
| Percent Daily Value is based on a 2,000 calorie diet. |
||
The caffeine content of Cocaine is 280 mg per serving size of 240 ml (8.2 US fl oz).
In popular culture
- Cocaine and its creator were featured on the Daily Show, satirizing the controversy over its name.
- Cocaine appeared in the video for the song "Ladies and Gentlemen" by the hard rock band Saliva.
- The beverage is discussed on Episode 125 of the popular podcast Diggnation. Hosts Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht described the drink as "illegal in the US". [6]
- Cocaine was voted "The Best Thing To Drink While High" in the Pennsylvania State University's Irvin Hall Daily Collegian Newspaper.
See also
References
- ^ Hollister, Jt (2007-11-17). "Today is a Great Day for Freedom". Retrieved 2007-11-17.
{{cite news}}: Check|author-link=value (help); Check date values in:|date=(help); External link in|author-link= - ^ Hollister, Jt (2007-06-24). "Partying with Cocaine's Makers". Retrieved 2007-06-24.
{{cite news}}: Check|author-link=value (help); Check date values in:|date=(help); External link in|author-link= - ^ Aspen, Maria (2006-12-18). "With No Kicks From Cocaine, Students Halt A Trademark". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2007-01-31.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ "FDA Warning Letters". Food & Drug Administration. Retrieved 2007-05-25.
- ^ Cocaine Energy Drink can label (JPEG)
- ^ Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht. Episode 125 - Goth Kids and the Olive Garden. Event occurs at 00:10:05. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
{{cite AV media}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month2=,|year2=, and|date2=(help)
External links
- Cocaine Energy Drink official site
- Cocaine Energy Store
- Morning Show Central Cocaine Energy Drink Official Sponsor
- [1] A collection of articles from a Cocaine supporter