Starbucks BAYA Energy cans in Mango Guava, Raspberry Lime, and Pineapple Passionfruit

Starbucks sure took its sweet time making an energy drink. Years after the success of canned Doubleshot and Tripleshot, you can now find the bright, logo-emblazoned cans of Starbucks BAYA Energy in stores nationwide.

Billed as Starbucks’ first real move into the energy category, the press release describes BAYA as a ready-to-drink beverage “crafted from caffeine naturally found in coffee fruit as well as antioxidant vitamin C for immune support.”

You had me at caffeine, Starbucks. BAYA comes in three flavors: Mango Guava, Raspberry Lime, and Pineapple Passionfruit, sold at grocery stores, gas stations, Starbucks cafés, and on Amazon as variety packs or single-flavor cases.

When I heard BAYA was out, I rushed to the closest convenience store and convinced my fellow Sharks to do the same. Here’s our take on each flavor.

Mango Guava

Jared: 9.0/10

I had trouble putting this one down, if that tells you anything. Mango and guava both come in strong, and there’s almost none of the bitter aftertaste that Pineapple Passionfruit has. You can taste the real fruit juice, and it pairs really well with the medium-high carbonation. Supremely refreshing.

Cam: 6.2/10

Mango guava is such a refreshing flavor that I was excited to try this. Unfortunately, it has a mildly bitter aftertaste that defeats the point of something light and sweet. Why would I want a refreshing flavor if every sip ends bitter? The bitterness is probably the caffeine itself, since BAYA is low in sugar with no artificial sweetener to cover it. Either way, I was disappointed.

Raspberry Lime

Jared: 9.1/10

Is Starbucks putting the sugar version of MSG in these? I expected a subtle, LaCroix-style raspberry and lime, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. The flavor hits like a wave, and while there’s a slight bitter aftertaste, it’s nowhere near Pineapple Passionfruit’s.

The mix is about 60% raspberry, the lime cuts it nicely, and you can taste the 12% fruit juice. Bottom line: delicious. Along with Mango Guava, it’s the best energy drink I’ve had that puts the fruit itself first.

Cam: 5.9/10

Raspberry Lime tastes more like a seltzer than an energy drink. I’d buy it in bulk if it were a seltzer, but energy drinks and seltzers are judged on very different scales. The aftertaste is bitter, and there’s nothing here that would make me try it again.

Pineapple Passionfruit

Jared: 6.8/10

First sip: Mtn Dew Kickstart. 100%.

A few more sips in, the aftertaste starts to take over. It’s not bad, but there’s a noticeable bitterness that I’d guess comes from pineapple plus coffee fruit and coffee bean extract. Both flavors come through, pineapple a little stronger, passionfruit more subtle.

I actually like the bitterness, but if you’re expecting the sweetness of Bang, Reign, or Adrenaline Shoc, adjust accordingly and you’ll do fine.

Cam: 4.3/10

Pineapple passionfruit has to be good, right? Pineapple is one of the most refreshing flavors there is.

Boy, was I wrong. I’ve rarely been this let down by an energy drink. It’s bitter, the passionfruit dominates, and it was actively unenjoyable to drink. I grabbed another drink as soon as I finished just to cleanse my palate. It may sound like an overreaction, but this simply isn’t a quality energy drink.

The verdict

If you like fruit-forward drinks and don’t mind a little bitterness, Mango Guava and Raspberry Lime are worth a try. If you want candy-sweet, look elsewhere. Current Shark Scores for all three are on their drink pages, and you can add your own review to move them.