Juice Monster Papillon

Introduction

Yeah boiiiiiiiiii. I’ve been waiting a while for this, ever since I saw guys and gals on r/energydrinks getting advanced cans of Monster’s new energy+juice. It was part of Monster’s rollout with Ultra Watermelon, which seems odd since summer just ended. Maybe it’s to still give you those summer vibes.

Appearance

If you’re a Kyle or a real manly man, you’re probably not going to love this can. I’m going to give it an 8.5 since it catches the eye and does something new, which you can’t say for every drink. Pours out light orange with medium-high carbonation.

Taste

The main reason I’ve been waiting for this drink is because it’s peach and nectarine flavored. Peach has been done before, but nectarines are a top 3 fruit for me and very underrepresented in the energy drink world. With that said, this actually EXCEEDS my expectations. It truly does taste like a combination of peach and nectarine, while not being too sweet (looking at you Pipeline Punch). I was expecting more juice, but it has high carbonation and a bit of the Monster “bite”. My only gripe is I wish it had less sugar since 48g is a lot, and maybe more actual juice (5% as it stands).

Kick

Caffeine content is 160mg and I already mentioned the 48g of sugar. I’m drinking this on a Saturday morning before game time (go Hokies) and it’s giving me about the kick I would expect - a nice boost and coffee substitute.

Conclusion

Since I’m not looking for a big kick, I’m going to rate this at its taste - 8.75. The fruit flavor is as advertised, it’s not too sweet, and it still has the energy drink bite that I expect. when I see the Monster logo, albeit surrounded by butterflies on the can. I’d highly recommend it as a change of pace, or as a drink to reach for frequently.

Introduction

Monster Juice Papillon is very refreshing. All of the monster juices are delicious, but this flavor specifically makes me vocalize a satisfying “ahhhh” after each sip. The peach plus nectarine flavor is not as delicious as some of the other monster juices in a vacuum, but it is still extremely refreshing. Monster continues to impress with their juice editions, and Papillon is a beverage I would go out of my way to obtain on a hot summer day.

Upside

As I have already said, Monster Juice Papillon is extremely refreshing. The unique taste along with a smooth mouth feel makes this one of the best beverages to have when in need of a refreshment. Due to its 48g of sugar, additional sweeteners are not needed. This gives it a more natural taste. Generally more sugar would be a downside, but since this is an enjoyable beverage that is not intended to be used for any type of sports performance, it falls under upside as it enhances the natural flavor and mouthfeel. The can is also really cool looking. The orange background is average-looking in my opinion, but the butterflies make it look really interesting. Butterflies are awesome and colorful, and a dope animal to have repping your beverage.

Downside

Since Monster Juice Papillon is overall a solid beverage, I will put caffeine in the downside category. There are 160mg of caffeine (10mg/floz) which is a very average amount. The taste is also inferior on a subjective level to many of the other juices. This point can be argued, but there is not much to say in the downside section of this review. I enjoy the beverage for what it is, but since there are more categories to consider in energy drinks than just arbitrary enjoyment, I cannot rate this above an 8/10 overall.

Upshot

Monster Juice Papillon is the perfect beverage for newer energy drinkers. It has a moderate caffeine content, so it will not make them jittery. It is smooth and provides a wonderful mouth feel. The kick is pretty low, and there is not a significant artificial flavoring to it. The refreshing nature and overall deliciousness of this drink make it a great starting beverage to get your friends and family acclimated and on board with your borderline delinquent habit of consuming way too many energy drinks. If you have not tried this flavor, I highly recommend it for everyone who wants something just a bit different from standard energy drinks. It may not give the kick you energy drink fanatics desire, but all of the Monster Juices are must-haves.

Appearance

The can bears a strong resemblance to its sibling, Juice Monster Khaos. The notable differences are the presence of large graphic butterflies and the lack of a textured grip on the label. The butterflies are a nod to the flavor, as "papillon" is French for butterfly. The aesthetic reminds me of spring and fits the light and sweet flavor of the drink. Butterflies do like sugar water after all, and this drink isn't far off. Good looking can.

Taste

Monster describes the flavor on the can as "a light subtle falvor with hints of peach and nectarine." I would agree with their assessment, especially the subtlety of the flavors. No one aspect stands out amongst the extremely sweet flavor of the drink. It does taste slightly less sweet than it's Juice Monster Khaos, which is extremely similar in appearance and general flavor. There's no denying that it is a delicious beverage, but it's hard to find a beverage that isn't good with 44g of added sugars. There is a moderate amount of carbonation that adds a nice sparkling effect to the juice flavor. You won't be disappointed if you try it but I cannot foresee it being a regular choice due to the extremely sweet and syrupy nature of the product.

Kick

Juice Monster Papillon contains 160mg of caffeine, approximately two cups of caffeine. The drink contains Monster's usual energy blend and a similar amount of caffeine to many other Monster drinks. The large amount of sugar may play a role in a different level of stimulation when compared to other Monster drinks.

Overall

Juice Monster Papillon is a more artful, nuanced effort from Monster. Typical Monster drink names and appearances are more on the nose, as opposed to having an aesthetic reminiscent of a foreign indie film. Naming and appearance aside, the drink itself is delicious, at the cost of 48 total grams of sugar. Its syrupy sweetness is akin to a nectar, making the aesthetic feel greater than just the antics of the marketing and graphics departments. Interestingly, the butterfly graphics on the can are the most significant difference between the Papillon and its sibling product, Juice Monster Khaos. It's unusual that Monster didn't differentiate the two products more. In summary, it's a delicious beverage that sticks to the theme, although some downsides may limit the success of the product.