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Not too long ago, during one of our weekly "What are you drinking?" posts on Twitter and Facebook, a BevReview follower noted that they were drinking RootJack Pirate Energy Drink. That follower ended up being Amy Zook, president of VooDoo Elixirs, makers of said soft drink out of Osceola, IN. She graciously sent some samples our way for a review!

RootJack is actually a root beer with a hint of orange and vanilla. And in case you haven't figured out from the name, it's pirate-themed! The artwork, label, and storyline all reflect a "Yo Ho" element, including the funny callout that proclaims the drink "Fights Scurvy!" (a lighthearted reference to the inclusion of Vitamin C).

It's really a stunning brand and sets the drink apart from others in the same space (check out the "Arguable Plausible Take of RootJack" on the official website for an entertaining story). It comes in 12 oz. brown glass bottles, available in 4-packs and 24-packs, all adorned with stylized orange artwork.

Upon opening the bottle, yes, it does smell like a root beer. But once to taste it, things change. RootJack doesn't have the rough, bitter flavors you'd associate with root beer. Rather, the fruity orange element takes the edge off, giving the drink a surprisingly sweet taste. The orange/vanilla experience stays with you, producing a smooth aftertaste.

I have to admit, the flavor is not what I expected, given that this is a root beer. The combination of root beer, orange, and vanilla produce a very distinct taste. I liked it, but root beer die hards might frown upon such modification of their blessed drink. If anything, I might have been hoping for more root beer, less orange in the experience, with the "bite" still there, but keeping the smooth aftertaste.

The energy drink portion of RootJack comes from the addition of guarana, which definitely will keep you awake… helpful if you are involved in many naval battles. What else is inside:

RootJack Pirate Energy Drink
Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Citric Acid, Quillaja, Xanthan Gum, Ascorbic Acid, Caffeine, Potassium Citrate, Caramel Color, Guarana Seed Extract

A 12 oz. bottle contains 195 calories, 49 g of sugars, and 100% of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C.

If you'd like an unexpected, yet flavorly-refreshing twist on the classic root beer model, RootJack is definitely a beverage to investigate. It's smooth, yet bold and edgy. I think you'll be surprised by what you taste! Plus, it helps prevent scurvy; how can you go wrong?