Review: Monster Releases Three New Seasonal Flavors

Recently, Monster Energy released three new drinks for the 2026 season. The flavors are Lando Norris’s Yuzu Melon Monster, Ultra Punk Punch, and Voodoo Grape.

At first, both Ultra Punk Punch and Voodoo were limited to certain areas with an exclusive title to their names, but with high demand and praise, the drinks have now been released nationally in the U.S.A. 

Ultra Punk Punch is a zero sugar Monster energy drink that is supposed to embrace the spirit of punk rock and rebellious scenes. The can is painted in pink with silver, purple edgy decals of skulls, radios, lipstick marks, and punk-styled cartoons. A critique on this design is that the caricatures on the can are very stereotypical. If the Monster Energy company actually wanted to promote punks and punk-culture, they could have at least put a political symbol or two on the can. The drink itself is dyed pink and is so lightfast that it has stained a desk in Ms. Rankins’ AP World classroom on the bottom floor for three days. Ultra Punk Punch has a tendency to punch the back throat of those who drink it, for it has a high carbonation to liquid ratio that can be overwhelming. The energy drink tastes heavily of its zesty notes such as kiwi and sour cherry and shares a similar taste to Mots Tots juice if it were concentrated tenfold. 

Voodoo Grape is a part of the Monster Energy juice line and contains a full sugar content. It has 150 calories for the whole 16 oz can with 36 grams of sugar and 39 grams of carbohydrates. 

With the most attractive look out of the new line, Voodoo Grapes’ can has a neon green and purple wrap with decals of stereotypical New Orleans voodoo icons such as the Bone Men, pinned poppet (voodoo) dolls, and dark magic imagery. The drink is supposed to taste like a sugary grape soda or Kool-Aid, as the name suggests. The taste emulates that of a grape flavored Dum-Dum lollipop with hints of honey crisp apple hidden within the flavor. A con about this drink would be the syrupy texture it leaves the consumer with. Voodoo Grape is so sweet that it becomes slightly sickening towards the end of the can; therefore, a grape alternative like Monster Ultra Violet Zero would benefit those who drink energy drinks on a regular basis. With that being said, Voodoo Grape is still a delightful treat for grape flavor enjoyers.  

Lastly, the new Lando Norris Monster, based off of the British Formula One driver Lando Norris, comes packaged in another bright neon green can with black swirling patterns along the curves of the can. The design is supposed to mimic that of Lando Norris’s usual helmet that he wears during F1 races. Unlike what the can would lead one to believe, the Monster drink itself does not taste like Lando Norris. The zero sugar drink is supposed to taste like yuzu melon and delivers on that description. The sweet yet citrus drink tastes like a tart, melon candy and is comparable to a lemon Sweet Tart. It is surprisingly refreshing on a warm, sunny day. 

“Multiple Formula 1 race winner Lando Norris spends his weekends racing 230mph spaceships, and this zero-sugar Monster drink tastes exactly how you’d imagine that feels,” the official Monster Energy website said.