For many students, waking up at the crack of dawn for school is the toughest part of the day. The sound of a blaring alarm, paired with grogginess and little sleep, sets the tone for a sluggish morning.
Low motivation and the thought of handling a full day of classes sounds daunting.
These mornings usually call for a cold can of Red Bull, that you can pick up from practically anywhere.
Whether its Jitterz Espresso, the gas station, or any local grocery store, Red Bull is usually swept off the shelves by high school students. With the variety of flavors and amounts of caffeine, it becomes a daily necessity, for some, a replacement for breakfast.
Red Bull has 6 permanent flavors that come in regular and sugar free. These include classics such as Juneberry, Strawberry Apricot, and Coconut Berry, which have become fan favorites among Lakeland High School students. Although twice a year, 2 new flavors are stocked up, but not for long.
These flavors get released based on the season.
Each edition is available for about 6 to 9 months.
The Summer edition gets released in the spring, and discontinued before the winter, and the Winter edition gets released during fall, and discontinued during spring.
The news of a new flavor gets students ecstatic.
“Have you tried the new Red Bull?” or “Is that the new edition? Can I try it?” are things you often hear when a Red Bull can is spotted on someone else’s desk.
This year’s Summer edition was the “White Peach” which was discontinued, but is coming back permanently to replace the “Peach Nectarine Flavor.”
Since winter is near, it’s time for a new Red Bull to hit the stores.
On November 3rd, Red Bull’s new “Fuji Apple & Ginger” was released as this year’s Winter edition. With its aesthetically pleasing can, students have been eager to try it.
The apple provides a sweet base, while the ginger adds a spicy kick that gives the feeling of sipping hot cider on a winter day.
There are mixed opinions about the new drink, some say the ginger is too overpowering and others enjoy the taste.
“It tastes like apple cider, the ginger isn’t too strong. I like it,” Laina Busicchia said.
Red Bull releasing flavors temporarily brings some controversy. Past flavors like “Iced Berry Vanilla,” from the 2024 Winter edition, or “White Peach,” from 2025 Summer edition, were the most popular among students.
“I feel like if they’re going to put something out for a seasonal drink they should keep it,” Delilah Zimmerman said.
With the knowledge that the flavors aren’t going to stay long, students stock up before the shelves are empty. Whether it’s a 4 pack or a 24 pack, students try to keep their fridge full even after the discontinuation. Teachers and staff have also taken notice of the Red Bull craze sweeping throughout the school.
Some express concern over the amount of caffeine students consume before 8 a.m, especially when it replaces a nutritious breakfast. Others see it as a harmless trend, noticing that energy drinks have become part of teen culture.
While school policies don’t restrict energy drinks, the growing popularity of Red Bull has sparked casual conversations about wellness, focus, and how students fuel themselves.
As winter sets in and students brace for colder mornings and longer nights, the “Fuji Apple & Ginger” edition offers a new way to start the day.
Whether it becomes a new favorite or just a seasonal experiment, one thing is for sure, Red Bull knows how to keep its fans talking.
