The folks at Gatorade asked us to review a few of their new products and we were happy to oblige.

Why is Gatorade rolling out these new products? Chief marketing officer Sarah Robb O’Hagan explains:

“Just like any good athlete, Gatorade is taking it to the next level. Whether you’re in it for the win, for the thrill or for better health, if your body is moving, Gatorade sees you as an athlete, and we’re inviting you into the brand.”

(Click here to see the press release.)

Including yours truly, we had three different taste-testers give their thoughts about each drink’s taste and effectiveness.

Gatorade (lemon-lime)

Dan: “Tastes like a good lemonade…refreshing.”

John P.: “Light and tasty…not too strong of an aftertaste.”

John D.: “Good taste, refreshing and replenishing…it was a little sweet, too much sugar…used during training, weight lifting program.”

G2 (low-calorie grape)

Dan: “Very good…nice aftertaste…I’d definitely buy that one, especially since it’s low calorie.”

John P.: “Very smooth taste for a grape drink…not too sugary.”

John D.: “Love the grape flavored G2, and its idea of low carbohydrate drink…a top 3 pick for taste, and effectiveness…enjoyed the blend of vitamins and low sugar after weight training and cardio training…was equally useful in both applications.”

“Rain” is now “No Excuses” (berry)

Dan: “I could drink this when I’m not playing sports…no aftertaste…good stuff.”

John P.: “Crisp…clean…doesn’t have an overpowering taste like some sports drinks. I liked the taste of this one the best.”

John D.: “Odd fruit tasting blend, not as sweet tasting for all the flavors in it…was not the worst of the pack, but was not one of the better ones either…average taste, flavor.”

“X-factor” is now “Be Tough” (fruit punch + berry)

Dan: “I would prefer to drink this when I’m sweating…not crazy about this one.”

John P.: “Strong taste…definitely well-described as fruit punch.”

John D: “Very good taste, nice blend of two flavors and did not have any after taste from the extra vitamins…drank at night for healing and recovery, woke up less sore than usual after cardio training.”

“Fierce” is now “Bring It” (grape)

Dan: “Better to drink during a workout…I prefer this to the X-factor fruit punch.”

John P.: “Sugary but tasty…good to drink during a work out. ”

John D.: “This is the best-tasting drink, and was very good during sparring work out…felt very energized both during and after the intense session. Felt the extra B vitamins, and their boost in energy…grape was my favorite flavor of the set.”

“AM” is now “Shine On” (orange)

Dan: “Bitter aftertaste…I don’t really like this one.”

John P.: “Well marketed as a morning drink, though I’d rather have orange juice with my eggs.”

John D.: “Worst flavor of the bunch, not terrible, just nothing special…did not taste like a breakfast replacement beverage, but more like a syrup filled juice…added vitamin C, did not show any effect negative or positive.”

“Tiger” is now “Tiger Focus” (“True Force”)

Dan: “It has kind of an odd taste and aftertaste…not too crazy about this one”

John P.: “Nice if you want something a little different…it doesn’t have a typical ‘Gatorade’ taste.”

John D.: “Tasted pretty refreshing and no after taste…took after a two hour workout to put back in all the electrolytes lost during long strenuous workout…felt very replenished and definitely like the lower sugar intake at night.”