V (drink)
Energy drink brand
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
V is an energy drink brand produced by Suntory Oceania, a New Zealand–based beverage manufacturer, known as Frucor at the drink's original release. 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 in 2000[1] 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] It contains guaraná as a iconic ingredient.[4]
 | |
| Type | Energy drink |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Suntory Oceania |
| Origin | New Zealand |
| Introduced | 1997 |
| Website | https://v.co.nz/ https://v-energy.com.au/ |
Drink variants
Currently available
Standard drinks
V Energy (also referred to as "Green V";[5] retroactively titled "Original") is the original flavour of V released in 1997.[1] Marketing emphasises its guaraná content which as of 2026 is 120 mg.[6] The flavour was controversially reconfigured in 2023.[7]
Blue (also referred to as "Blue V") is a pineapple and passion fruit flavour introduced in October 2011,[8][9] marketed at the time as a challenge for the drinker to try and work out the flavour.[10]
Black is a flavour variant that was last released in 2024,[11] described as having a "strong coffee flavour".[12] Initially released in 2006, it was first discontinued in 2013. It was then later re-released in 2018 for a limited time in New Zealand over a six-week period.[13]
Grape Burst (also referred to as "Purple V") is a grape fruit flavour introduced in 2025.[14]
Sugar-free drinks
V Refresh was launched in 2022 as a no-sugar, low-calorie product line, packaged in matte pastel coloured cans. The original flavours were Citrus Lemonade and Pineapple & Watermelon.[15] A Blackcurrant & Yuzu flavour was released later in September 2024.[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 usage of isomaltulose.[17]
In July 2025, V released three new low-calorie flavours: Cotton Candy, Watermelon Candy, and Strawberries & Cream.[citation needed]
Discontinued
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.[18]
V Tortured Orchard Raspberry Lemonade was introduced in 2018.[19][20]
V Tropical Tang was[21] a tropical-flavored drink released in May 2023, and was described as tasting like "guava, pineapple and berries". It was[21] only available in 500ml cans.[22]
Energy shots
In 2009, V released energy shots, known as "Pocket Rockets".[23] These were 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.[24]
Iced beverages
In 2018, V released two Iced Coffee and two Iced Chocolate drinks to the New Zealand and Australian market.[25]
Advertisement and promotions
The drink sponsored I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in the UK for its second series in 2003.[26]
In 2015, V released a promotion called #VChat, where cans were sold with different letters of the alphabet which fans could use to spell out a wish or desire, submit a photo of it, and win whatever prize they spelled out.[27]
In April 2018, V together with Australian donut store chain Donut King, released 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.[28]