With the League of Legends summer splits around the corner, someone asked us which energy drinks are best for staying up late to watch the LPL. As an avid LCS fan who watched every game, MSI and Worlds included, from 2015 to 2019 before NA’s Worlds performances made me too depressed to continue, I figured I should take this one.
Picking a drink to stay up and cheer for your team isn’t as simple as grabbing the most caffeine or the best taste. It depends on who you’re watching and how they make you feel. Rooting for North America’s Apex Gaming rookie top laner in 2016 to solo carry on full-lethality Jarvan IV was extremely exciting, but you didn’t expect many wins. Rooting for TSM when Bjergsen was dominating was about the least exciting activity possible, but also the least stressful, since a three-kill win wasn’t unusual back then.
Now that you understand why your team decides your drink, let’s break down the LPL, starting with the 2020 Summer champion. (Team notes reflect the league as of the 2021 Summer split. Scores on the drink cards are live.)
Top Esports: NOS Nitro Mango
Top Esports finished top four in each of the last three splits, won last summer, and made the Worlds semifinals. As a fan, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Sit back with a refreshing NOS Nitro Mango. Its low kick and smooth taste help you focus on the game, enjoy the win, and fall asleep once the sugar crash hits. (Amazon)
Royal Never Give Up, EDward Gaming, Invictus Gaming: Bang Purple Haze
I’ve watched these three crush NA fans’ hopes for years, yet none made Worlds in 2020. What’s up with that? RNG and EDG are back on top after finishing first and second in Spring, and IG wants a comeback after topping regular seasons in 2020 and still missing Worlds. I expect big things from all three, so get hyped with Bang Purple Haze: the perfect mix of high kick and delicious taste for a comeback Worlds run. (Amazon)
Oh My God, Rogue Warriors, Victory Five: Bang Birthday Cake Bash
Really? You’re a fan of one of these teams? If you already hate yourself, why not hate yourself more. Birthday Cake Bash tastes terrible and has a ton of caffeine to make sure you lie awake contemplating your life choices. (Amazon)
LGD Gaming: Adrenaline Shoc Acai Berry
What even happened last year? LGD was awful in 2020 Spring, balled out in playoffs to make Worlds, then was awful again in 2021 Spring. You’re always hopeful after a respectable Worlds, so you deserve Adrenaline Shoc Acai Berry, tied at the time for our highest-rated drink. After actually winning games at Worlds, you deserve something incredible to keep you excited for a step up this summer. (Amazon)
ThunderTalk Gaming and Ultra Prime: 3D Candy Punch
eStar Gaming clearly needed a fresh start after finishing second to last in Summer 2020 and Spring 2021, so former eStar fans are probably cheering for Ultra Prime now. ThunderTalk’s first split did not go well at all.
You need hope and something different, so try 3D Candy Punch. You don’t see it everywhere, it has a solid cherry flavor, and it has 200 mg of caffeine. The kick is lower than some picks here, but you shouldn’t get overexcited about either team. It’ll keep you up for the game, and if the loss is inevitable and you tilt and shut your computer off early, you might still get some sleep. (3D Energy)
Rare Atom: Raze Strawberry Colada
Your first split as Rare Atom went great! Stay hyped and focus on the path to Worlds. There are juggernauts in the way, which is why you want Raze Strawberry Colada: a unique strawberry flavor, plenty of caffeine, and a little different from the usual name brands. Even if you lose to the big teams, you’ll have enjoyed it and stayed hyped the whole game. (Amazon)
JD Gaming and Suning: C4 Frozen Bombsicle
Two great teams that are consistently better than most and did extremely well at Worlds last year. Have you peaked? I don’t think so. The competition is tough, but don’t stress. C4 Frozen Bombsicle has a moderate amount of caffeine and a unique flavor. You don’t need artificial energy to get excited for these teams, so enjoy something good with a boost and be happy you’re almost guaranteed a winning record. (Amazon)
LNG Esports and Bilibili Gaming: Reign Inferno Jalapeño Strawberry
Perpetually average or worse, so every game is stressful for LNG and Bilibili fans. You’ll win some, but a winning record has been a dream since 2019. It’s possible, though, so you need a big kick to feed the adrenaline. Reign Inferno Jalapeño Strawberry has an odd, unique taste and is tied for my highest kick rating of any 300 mg drink. You want something that keeps you on your toes in close games, not a relaxing treat. (Amazon)
FunPlus Phoenix and Team WE: Monster Ultra Rosa
What can I say, two great teams. FPX really took off the year I stopped watching (2019), and WE has been solid for five years. Both are exciting and always have a shot at Worlds. You don’t need 300 mg to get hyped for these games, so I’m recommending Monster Ultra Rosa: delicious, with a lower kick than any other pick here. Neither team has had a losing record since 2018, so there’s no need for anything new or different. (Amazon)
LCS, any and every team: Cocaine Energy (Spicy)
If you’re an NA fan, it doesn’t matter whether you root for TL, C9, or anyone else. We’re never winning Worlds while we spend on imports instead of developing homegrown talent. If you want something spicy, it sure won’t be the gameplay, so I recommend Cocaine Energy’s spicy flavor. We know how every split and Worlds will go by now, so the only way to get a new experience is a drink you’ve probably never had.
It scores poorly, but I highly recommend every energy drink fanatic try it once. It’s unlike anything else and will thoroughly distract you from Blaber flashing for top-side scuttle crab (too soon?). (Amazon)
Final thoughts
These picks are for the regular season only. Once your team is in the playoffs or a must-win game, they’re liable to change. RNG might not sweat the regular season, but missing Worlds two years in a row would be a travesty.
When best-of series start, you need to stay awake longer and stay invested. The LPL Summer split is almost here, so get ready to root for your team with the right energy drink in hand. You won’t always win, but the right can will help you celebrate the victories and cope with the losses. Here’s to another great split, and may we meet again at Worlds this October.
Gaming more than watching? See Cam’s pick for gamers in The Best Energy Drink for Every Activity.
