V (drink)


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 and 42% in Australia, makes it the most popular brand of energy drink in both countries. V is considered a local rival to Red Bull. V energy drinks are not intended for children, and they are not recommended for pregnant women or people sensitive to caffeine.

Drink variants

Currently available

Standard drinks

V Energy is the original flavour of V released in 1997.
Blue is a pineapple and passion fruit flavour introduced in October 2011, which V challenges the drinker to try and work out the flavour.
Black is a flavour variant that was last released in 2024, described as having a "strong coffee flavour". 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.
Grape Burst is a grape fruit flavour introduced in 2025.

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. A Blackcurrant & Yuzu flavour was released later in September 2024.
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.
In July 2025, V released three new low-calorie flavours: Cotton Candy, Watermelon Candy, and Strawberries & Cream.

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.
V Tortured Orchard Raspberry Lemonade was introduced in 2018.
V Tropical Tang was a tropical-flavored drink released in May 2023, and was described as tasting like "guava, pineapple and berries". It was only available in 500ml cans.

Energy shots

In 2009, V released energy shots, known as "Pocket Rockets". 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.

Iced beverages

In 2018, V released two Iced Coffee and two Iced Chocolate drinks to the New Zealand and Australian market.

Advertisement and promotions

The drink sponsored I'm a Celebrity...[Get Me Out of Here! (UK TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!] in the UK for its second series in 2003.
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.
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.