Okay, maybe it’s time to finally admit I am a little crazy. I mean, usually people freak out at the thought of a transfusion packet full of any kind of blood, and I myself am no exception. I can’t stand blood or needles or hospitals or much of anything in that regard. And yet, here I sit, poised with yet -another- transfusion packet full of what claims to be blood. But, naturally, it’s an energy drink! Don your capes and clean out those coffins – it’s time to drink Blood Energy Potion.

Now, if you remember my last foray into the blood-drinking business, suffice it to say it was not pleasant. The Zombie variant of this crimson-colored caffeine trip was below mediocre at its best, but I thankfully decided to grab a packet of each to try out for everyone. The packaging retains its aesthetic charm, with “great for humans and vampires” and “totally kosher” on the labeling, along with the promise of a fruit punch flavoring. The packet recommends you enjoy at a steaming 98.6 degrees, but– who are we kidding– it’s 103 outside and there’s no way I’m doing that. So I froze it, let it thaw a bit, and made it into a wine-cooleresque slushie, as I did with the Zombie Blood.

Now then, the all-important taste test. Blood Energy manages to deliver where its spinoff did not — upon my first curious sip, I immediately tasted a rather delicious fruit punch flavor, easy and refreshing on my tongue. After I swallowed, the iron and proteins kicked in, giving it the strong aftertaste of real blood, which… well, wasn’t that pleasant. But it made me take another, long swig, and the aftertaste was worth it. I didn’t get much of a caffeine buzz from it, despite it having a similar 80ml of caffeine (about 4 hours), but I was wide awake and plenty alert when I tried it, so maybe that had an effect.

All in all, I enjoyed my delicious energy potion, though it is definitely not something I’d drink every day; not only because I’d feel like I was robbing someone of their precious O-, but because the harsh aftertaste just really subtracts from what could’ve been an amazingly awesome prop drink. Still, if you gotta have something that’ll make you look cool and that you can actually afford to gross your friends out with, look no further: this’ll do just fine.