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Let’s talk about Huxley—an energy drink brand that’s new on the market and is doing things a little differently.
What Makes Huxley Different?
Huxley isn’t your typical gas station energy drink. It’s plant-based, vegan, and the company is a proud member of both 1% for the Planet and the National Parks Conservation Association. In other words, they’re aiming this product squarely at folks like me—outdoor enthusiasts who want something a bit better than fluorescent cans of liquid regret.
I asked if they could send me some samples, and they did. Here’s my quick breakdown after trying all three flavors.
When I Reach for an Energy Drink
To be honest, I don’t usually reach for energy drinks unless I’m in the middle of nowhere, on a road trip, staring down the terrifying choice between gas station coffee and mystery caffeine in a can. I’ll usually opt for the can—because while I love coffee, I’m kind of a snob about it.
Energy drinks are also infamous for being way too easy to overdo. The caffeine can hit hard, fast, and not in a good way. But Huxley? Each can has just 90mg of caffeine—about the same as a standard cup of coffee. Not too crazy.
Ingredients Breakdown
Here’s what you’re getting in a can of Huxley:
- 35–40 calories
- 7g total sugars (5g added) from organic cane sugar and fruit juices
- Caffeine from cascara—the fruit surrounding the coffee bean
- Electrolytes and L-theanine for smoother energy
The L-theanine is supposed to help mellow out the caffeine hit—less jittery, less crashy. And the electrolytes make a lot of sense for their target audience. This brand is built for the outdoors: hikers, bikers, peak baggers—basically, people who wouldn’t mind a little energy boost that won’t wreck their heart rate.
They even say so right on the can: “Huxley is fueled by the great outdoors, crafting drinks to inspire adventure and promote environmental stewardship.”
Taste Test: Flavor by Flavor
1. Strawberry Sequoia
This one has 7g of sugar, including 5g added, and uses real strawberry juice extract. The flavor is light—not super sweet or overpowering. There’s a slightly medicinal aftertaste, which could be the cascara or the L-theanine, but it’s nothing too off-putting. It doesn’t have the harsh metallic taste you sometimes get with strawberry-flavored things. It’s mellow, lightly carbonated, and easy to drink.
2. Mango Mesa
Also 7g of sugar and made with mango puree and mango juice concentrate. Like the strawberry version, the flavor is subtle—not the mango blast you get in a soda, but it’s definitely there. Again, a bit of that herbal/medicinal vibe in the background, but compared to most energy drinks? This actually tastes like something you might want to drink voluntarily. It’s clean and doesn’t feel like your heart’s going to leap out of your chest.
3. Tangerine Teton
This one has just a tad more sugar—8g total (5g added)—thanks to a mix of tangerine and orange juice concentrates. It tastes like a watered-down tangerine soda, lightly carbonated, which honestly isn’t a bad thing. It would be great for a mid-afternoon slump or a post-hike cooldown. Like the others, it’s very drinkable without feeling like you’re chugging pure syrup.
Final Thoughts
Huxley might not be the energy drink you crave when you want that extreme jolt—but that’s kind of the point. These are mellow, plant-powered, low-calorie drinks that actually taste like what they say on the label. If you’re the kind of person who throws a can in your daypack before hitting the trail, this might be your new go-to.
You’re not getting monster levels of caffeine, there’s no wallop of sugar, and best of all, it won’t taste like battery acid. These drinks are clearly made for people who care about what they’re putting in their bodies and the planet.
Thanks to Huxley for sending these over! I’ll drop a link below if you want to try them out yourself.