As the spring semester proceeds and work starts to pile up, sometimes we all need a little caffeine pick-me-up. Personally, I’m not a coffee lover. Throughout high school, the occasional Monster or Celsius would be what I needed to get through the day. Now, as college has a more stressful implication, an energy drink is just what I need at the beginning of a long day.
Because our community has many different energy drink options, I tried them out so that you don’t have to. Based on price, caffeine content and taste, here are my most recommended energy drink places in Columbia, Mo.
Sipz Sodas
One of the various locally-owned shops on this list, Sipz Sodas, is a small but cute corner shop off West Nifong and South Providence. Not to be confused with Sips at the Zou, which is also on this list, every drink at Sipz Sodas is creatively named after its ingredients.
While Sipz Sodas does also specialize in dirty sodas, I focused on the “Energy Drinkz” part of their menu. I ordered “It’s A Doozy,” made with Monster Energy, strawberry, peach and mango. My expectations were higher than what I tasted, though. While I typically do love Monster, specifically the Ultra Zero White Monster, I didn’t really care for the drink I picked. Strangely, it too similarly resembled cough syrup. On the brighter side, my 24-ounce drink was only $5.40, which makes it the cheapest energy drink on this list.
While I wouldn’t recommend you start with Sipz Sodas to meet your caffeine needs, I will likely return to try another drink and give them a second chance.
Sips at the Zou
You’ve more than likely seen, if not tasted, the creatively-named drinks and sodas that Sips at the Zou has to offer. If you haven’t had the privilege to sample the student-owned soda shop, you’re missing out.
Originally created by Mizzou student Reagan Eaves, the business was adapted from a mobile drink trailer named Sips on the Go. Now that it’s been in the Student Center for two years, does it still live up to the hype? My answer is yes.
My typical order is a 24-ounce Sunset, made with Pink Lotus, strawberry, pineapple, orange juice and pineapple juice. If you’re not familiar with Lotus Energy, it’s a naturally derived caffeine source made from cascara (coffee fruit), green coffee beans, super fruits and lotus flower extract. In addition to Monster and Red Bull, I love that Sips at the Zou has multiple kinds of caffeine sources to offer, including a sugar-free version of Lotus Energy.
Although this drink order is more expensive, coming in at $7.50 minus tip, I appreciate the sugar-free options that make me feel less guilty about indulging in a sweet treat.
7 Brew Coffee
Everyone has likely heard of 7 Brew, even if you haven’t had time to visit. There are several locations in Columbia, each one met with a smiling staff member and delicious flavored syrups. While 7 Brew Coffee is the only place on this list that isn’t locally owned, it doesn’t mean it lacks the small-town charm associated with the drinks. My typical order is a custom medium 7 Energy with blue raspberry, lavender and kiwi syrup with cream. I always ask for cream because it makes the sweet flavors of the drink less overpowering.
My custom drink order creates a beautiful lilac color and it gives me the perfect amount of energy to be an academic weapon. However, the one downside to 7 Brew is the price tag. Even a small 7 Energy is $6.83, making it more than a medium at Sipz Sodas. The taste is almost worth it, but spending $9 with a tip is hard to justify.
Lakota Coffee
I originally planned to try Scooter’s as a fourth option on this list, but their only energy drink choice was Red Bull, which I don’t particularly care for. So I opted for another locally owned choice: Lakota Coffee. Prior to writing this story, I’d never visited Lakota Coffee and I can say I’d been underestimating it.
Similar to my typical order at 7 Brew Coffee, I was naturally drawn to the lavender in one of Lakota’s drinks. “Lavender Haze” contains Blue Lotus (skinny lotus is available), lavender, vanilla and Lotus Cream. It also contains approximately 160 g of caffeine. While it brings a similar taste to my 7 Brew order, I can positively say that I will be returning to Lakota to indulge in this drink more often because it offers the best bang for your buck. For a 24-ounce energy drink, I paid $6.49, which makes it the best taste for the best price on this list, in my opinion.
With three convenient locations around Columbia, Lakota offers multiple orders with Lotus Energy (which you now know I’m a big fan of) in addition to the ability to customize your drink as much as you’d like.
Final Thoughts
Overall, all of these coffee and soda shops deserve a try. Without this story, I may have never visited Sipz Sodas or Lakota Coffee, which would be tragic. While Sips at the Zou and 7 Brew Coffee have a higher price tag, their delicious caffeine-filled options are occasionally worth the hole in your wallet.
So, if you’re like me and need a caffeine pick-me-up without the taste of coffee beans, try out these energy drinks!