Is Pomegranate Blueberry Energy Drink Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a beverage is truly vegan, we have to look beyond the front-of-label marketing and dive into the chemistry. The primary base of this drink is a blend of water and vegetable juices (specifically from sweet potatoes and carrots), which provide the color and a hint of earthiness without using beet juice, which is sometimes processed with bone char. The flavor profile comes from fruit juice concentrates—apples, blueberries, and pomegranates. These are naturally vegan.

Where things often get tricky for vegans is in the natural flavoring and vitamins. Natural flavors can technically be derived from animal sources, but in a fruit-forward drink like this, they are almost exclusively derived from plant sources to maintain the flavor profile. The caffeine source is explicitly listed as coming from black and green tea, avoiding the animal-derivative caffeine found in some guarana extracts. Furthermore, the vitamins used—Vitamin C, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, and Cyanocobalamin (B12)—are all synthesized in labs and are not derived from animal tissues (unlike some older B12 sources).

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this drink is designed for low-calorie energy. It contains zero sugar, relying instead on Sucralose for sweetness. While this keeps the calorie count extremely low—making it a viable option for those strictly counting calories—it lacks the antioxidants found in whole fruit. The energy boost comes primarily from the caffeine (derived from tea) and the B-vitamin complex. It fits well within the limits of a low-carb or keto diet due to the lack of net carbohydrates. However, as a food scientist, I would note that while it is vegan, it is highly processed and lacks the fiber and phytonutrients found in eating the actual fruits listed.