Monster Energy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Monster Energy

553 mL can of Original Green Mega Monster Energy as sold in Germany
Type	Energy drink
Manufacturer	Monster Beverage Corporation
Country of origin	United States
Region of origin	Corona, California
Introduced	April 18, 2002; 23 years ago (2002-04-18)
Variants	See Varieties

Monster Energy is a popular brand of energy drinks. It was first created by Hansen Natural Company in April 2002. The original flavor was released to the public on April 18, 2002. By 2022, Monster Energy was the second most popular energy drink in America. It had a 30.1% share of the market. Only Red Bull had a larger share.

As of August 2025, there are more than 150 different flavors of Monster drinks around the world. These include the main Monster Energy line, Java Monster, Zero Ultra, and many others.

Monster Energy is well-known for supporting extreme sports events. They sponsor events like Ultimate Fighting Championship, MotoGP, BMX, motocross, skateboarding, and snowboarding. They also sponsored the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series from 2017 to 2019. Monster currently supports the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the Invictus Games Foundation. They also sponsor rally driver Oliver Solberg and the Professional Bull Riders tour. The company also promotes many music bands and artists.

What's Inside Monster Energy?

Monster Energy drinks contain several ingredients. These include carbonated water, sucrose (sugar), and glucose. They also have citric acid, natural flavors, and taurine. Other ingredients are caffeine, panax ginseng root extract, and B vitamins like niacinamide, riboflavin, and cyanocobalamin.

A typical 16-ounce (473 mL) can of Monster Energy has about 160 milligrams of caffeine. This is about 10 milligrams of caffeine per ounce. The packaging often has a warning. It advises people not to drink more than 48 ounces (about 1.4 liters) per day. These drinks are not suggested for pregnant women. They are also not recommended for people who are sensitive to caffeine.

Health and Safety Information

Energy drinks can have effects similar to caffeine and sugar. However, there is no clear proof that the many other ingredients have special effects. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has stated that drinking Monster and other energy drinks in normal amounts is safe. They also said that the amount of caffeine in standard Monster cans is unlikely to cause problems with other ingredients or with alcohol.

It is important to drink energy drinks in moderation. Drinking too much can be unhealthy for your heart and mind. In 2011, a 14-year-old girl named Anais Fournier passed away. Her death was linked to "caffeine toxicity" after she drank two large cans of Monster Energy. Each can had 240 milligrams of caffeine. Anais had a heart condition before this happened. Her parents later sued the company. Monster Energy stated that their drink was not the cause of her death.

From 2003 to 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received reports of five deaths after people drank Monster Energy. These reports did not prove that the drink directly caused any health problems. In May 2015, India's food safety authority banned the sale of Monster and other energy drinks. This was because they contained both caffeine and ginseng.

Different Kinds of Monster Energy

Shelf in a German supermarket with various flavors of Monster Energy.

Monster Energy comes in many different flavors and types. Here are some examples:

• Original: This comes in a black can with a green logo.
• Zero Sugar: This version has no sugar. It looks similar to the original can.
• Assault: This flavor tastes like cola. The can has a camouflage design.
• Reserve White Pineapple: A pineapple-flavored drink in a black can.
• Ripper: This has a tropical fruit flavor and comes in a yellow can.
• Maxx: This is the original flavor with added nitrous oxide.
• Nitro Super Dry: This uses nitrous oxide for a unique texture.
• Mule: A ginger beer flavor with zero sugar.
• VR46 The Doctor: An orange flavor with Valentino Rossi's branding.
• LH44 Lewis Hamilton: A red can with patterns, named after the F1 driver.
• Java: These are coffee drinks mixed with Monster Energy. Flavors include salted caramel and Irish cream.
• Pipeline Punch: A mix of passion fruit, orange, and guava flavors.
• Mango Loco: A juice line flavor with a Mexican Day of the Dead theme.
• Aussie Lemonade style: A citrus-flavored juice line drink.
• Zero Ultra: A citrus flavor with zero sugar in a white can.
• Ultra Blue: A light citrus and berry flavor with no sugar.
• Ultra Watermelon: A watermelon flavor with zero sugar.
• Ultra Paradise: An apple and kiwi flavor with no sugar.
• Ultra Rosá: A pink lemonade flavor with zero sugar.
• Ultra Gold: A pineapple flavor with zero sugar.
• Ultra Strawberry Dreams: A strawberry flavor with zero sugar.
• Ultra Violet: Also known as The Purple Monster, it's a grape flavor with zero sugar.

Monster Beast Drinks

In 2023, Monster introduced the Monster Beast line of drinks. These are alcoholic beverages. The first ones, called The Beast Unleashed, had flavors like the classic Monster Energy drinks. However, they were made without sugar or caffeine. They contained 6.0% alcohol by volume.

Later in 2023, Monster also launched the Nasty Beast line. These are hard iced tea drinks. They also contain 6.0% alcohol.

How Monster Energy is Advertised

Monster advertising on the Las Vegas Monorail (2007)

Monster Energy mainly advertises by sponsoring sports events. This includes motocross, BMX, mountain biking, snowboarding, skateboarding, and car racing. They also sponsor esports events.

Monster became the main sponsor of NASCAR's top racing series in 2017. The series was then called the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. This sponsorship lasted until 2019.

In 2012, a Monster Jam monster truck sponsored by Monster Energy first appeared. It was driven by Damon Bradshaw.

The Monster Energy Logo

The Monster Energy logo was designed by McLean Design. It features a bright green "M" on a black background. The "M" looks like it's made by the claws of a monster ripping through the can.

Monster Energy Sponsorships

Monster Energy sponsors many athletes and teams in different sports.

Action Sports Sponsorships

In 2017, Monster renewed its sponsorship with mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor. They also support other fighters like Cain Velasquez and Jon "Bones" Jones.

Since 2012, the company has partnered with the Professional Bull Riders. They sponsor several bull riders. Since 2018, they have been the main sponsor of the PBR's top tour, called the Unleash the Beast tour.

Monster has been the official energy drink sponsor for many X Games contests. Their team includes skateboarders Nyjah Huston, Ishod Wair, and Chris Cole. They also sponsor skiers like David Wise and Gus Kenworthy. Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Iouri Podladtchikov is also part of their team.

Auto Racing Sponsorships

Kurt Busch driving the Monster Energy–sponsored No. 45 NASCAR at Sonoma Raceway in 2022

Ken Block driving the Monster Energy–sponsored No. 43 Ford Fiesta for the 2010 Rally America season

Monster Energy has a big presence in auto racing. They sponsored NASCAR's top series from 2017 to 2019. NASCAR chose Monster because of its "youthful and edgy" brand.

Monster sponsors NASCAR drivers Tyler Reddick and Ty Gibbs. They also support NASCAR Truck Series driver Hailie Deegan and NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Riley Herbst.

Monster Energy partnered with Formula 1 team Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport from 2010 to 2023. They sponsored drivers like George Russell and Lewis Hamilton. Lewis Hamilton even has his own signature Monster drink called "LH44". Monster Energy started a new partnership with McLaren from the 2024 season. They continue to sponsor Hamilton personally.

Vaughn Gittin drifting the Monster Energy–sponsored Ford Mustang

The company has also sponsored rally drivers like Ken Block and Nani Roma. They are also a main sponsor for desert racing events like the Baja 1000 and Baja 500.

Motorcycle Racing Sponsorships

Valentino Rossi riding the Monster Energy–sponsored Yamaha YZR-M1 at the MotoGP winter tests 2020 in Qatar

Monster Energy is the main sponsor for Yamaha Motor Racing in MotoGP since 2019. They also sponsor riders like Valentino Rossi, Franco Morbidelli, and Francesco Bagnaia.

The company has also been the main sponsor of the Catalan motorcycle Grand Prix since 2014. They also sponsor the British motorcycle Grand Prix since 2021.

Monster has sponsored motocross riders such as Jeremy McGrath and Ryan Villopoto. They also support the Kawasaki and Yamaha motocross factory teams.

Horse Racing Sponsorships

In 2015, Monster sponsored the race horse American Pharoah. This was a big sponsorship deal. The Monster logo was used on the horse sheets. It was also on jockey Victor Espinoza's shirt and boots.

Esports Sponsorships

Monster Energy also sponsors many people and groups in the esports community. Esports are competitive video gaming events. The company started in esports by sponsoring Evil Geniuses. This is a major North American gaming organization. Monster Energy supports esports in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia. They have supported groups like "MindFreak" and Paris Saint-Germain eSports. They also supported the streamer TimTheTatman.

Company Information

Trademark Issues

Monster Beverage Corporation has faced criticism for how it protects its trademarks. They have often sued companies that use the words monster, M, or beast in their names. This happens even if the names are very different from Monster's. The words monster and beast have been in the English language for a long time.

By 2019, Monster had started over a thousand trademark cases. These cases were reviewed by the US court system or the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The USPTO calls this "trademark bullying." This means a company uses its trademark rights to bother other businesses more than the law allows.

For example, in 2009, Monster sued Bevreview.com. This website had published a negative review of Monster Energy. They also sued Rock Art Brewery for their beer named "Vermonster." Monster dropped the lawsuit against the brewery because of bad publicity.

In 2015, Monster sued Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE). MLSE is the parent company of the Toronto Raptors basketball team. Monster claimed the Raptors' logo, which shows claw marks, was too similar to theirs. The court dismissed Monster's claim.

In 2016, Monster tried to stop a small root beer company called Thunder Beast LLC from using "beast" in its name. Monster said it was too close to their slogan, "Unleash the Beast." The owner of Thunder Beast fought the lawsuit.

In 2018, Monsta Pizza in the United Kingdom won a case against Monster Energy. Monster claimed customers might confuse the pizza company with their drinks. The court decided there would be no confusion. Monster Energy often loses these lawsuits. However, the goal might be to make the other company spend a lot of money fighting the case.

In 2023, Monster Beverage Corporation sued a video game developer. The game was called Dark Deception: Monsters and Mortals. Monster claimed the use of "Monster" in the title and the game's green and black logo were too confusing. The game's creator decided to fight the case and won. Later that month, it was found that Monster had filed over 100 trademark complaints in Japan. These included complaints against the Pokémon, Monster Hunter, and Monster Musume franchises. Some of these franchises existed before Monster Energy.

Monster Energy has also been sued by others. In 2012, the Beastie Boys music group sued Monster. This was because Monster used their music in an online ad without permission. In 2014, a jury found that Monster Beverage Corporation had used the music illegally. They had to pay the group $1.7 million.

See also

In Spanish: Monster Energy para niños