How much caffeine is in a Dutch Bros Rebel? What I check before ordering

What is the Dutch Bros Blue Rebel Energy drink?

The Blue Rebel is Dutch Bros’ own company energy drink that has been a cult-classic among Bros fans since 2012.

The first thing I noticed was the sweet, fruity flavor. It tastes closer to Red Bull than a lot of other energy drinks I have tried, but the electric blue color makes it feel more playful.

I also expected it to dye my tongue blue, so I was a little disappointed when it did not. It reads sweeter than most canned energy drinks I remember.

It still gives the straight jolt of energy you'd expect from an energy drink.

One of the best things about Blue Rebel is the 68 colorful blended or iced flavors available in-store. I am still working my way through them, and the variety makes it easier to keep ordering the same base drink without getting bored.

As with all their drinks, you have the added benefit of being able to customize them with the flavored syrups of your choice and ask for them on ice or blended!

When I want something I can grab and go, the canned version is the easiest option. I also like that Dutch Bros had the drinks canned by the Portland Bottling Company, which makes it feel a little less generic.

Dutch Bros Blue Rebel (Taste, size, caffeine and calories)

Taste

If you have had Red Bull before, regular Blue Rebel will feel familiar. Without extra flavored syrup, the base flavor is close enough that I would not call them dramatically different.

It does taste a bit more citrusy and bright but still has that familiar acidic bite characteristic of pretty much every popular energy drink out there.

Appearance

The drink itself looks almost identical to a Red Bull, and the cans come in light blue or dark blue.

The light blue is the sugar-free Dutch Bros Rebel Energy, while the dark blue is the regular version.

Sizes available

There are 3 different cup sizes available if you get them iced or blended: small, medium, and large. However, you can also purchase them in their 8.5 fl oz cans.

The small has 8.5 fl oz and about 80 mg of caffeine, the medium has 12 fl oz, and the large has 16 fl oz.

Caffeine content

Caffeine is the part I check first, because that 80 mg in a small Blue Rebel usually tells me whether a drink is worth ordering in the first place.

The Rebel Energy drink contains 80 mg of caffeine per each 8.5 ounce can.

The FDA says that shouldn’t consume more than 400 mg of caffeine a day , which gives a useful baseline for the amount in Blue Rebel.

For reference, cold brew has around 100 mg per 8 oz serving.

Blue Rebel also includes B vitamins, but I still pay more attention to the caffeine and sugar than to the vitamin panel.

Calorie content

Looking through the Dutch Bros Rebel nutrition facts, I found about 160 calories in one serving of Blue Rebel. On paper, that does not sound especially high for a sweet energy drink, but it is the kind of number that feels more manageable until you taste how sweet it is.

Most of those calories come from sugar, which is where the drink starts to feel less casual.

The sugar-free version is much lighter on calories, with just 38 calories for an entire can!

If you add extra flavors or toppings, remember that those bring calories too, so the final count can change quickly.

Sugar content

A regular Blue Rebel is a strong stimulant, but 38g of sugar and 39g of total carbs are not light numbers by any stretch.

That works out to about 9 1/2 teaspoons of sugar .

According to the American Heart Association , men should generally consume no more than 9 teaspoons of sugar per day.

Women, on the other hand, should aim for around 6 teaspoons per day.

I love that you can get a sugar-free version of any flavor – this really helps me keep an eye on my sugar intake.

The sugar-free Blue Rebel has zero grams of sugar, and the label also lists no sugar alcohols.

With the SF version, Dutch Bros replaces sugar with sucralose and does not add other artificial sweeteners. Compared with the regular Rebel, it tastes noticeably less syrupy, and the sweetness fades faster after a few sips.

6 Dutch Bros Blue Rebel variations to try

These infused energy drink recipes feel a lot closer to a custom drink than just opening a can.

Here are the 6 that stay available at every Dutch Bros Coffee location:

If you add different flavors or syrups, you get 1 pump in a small or medium and 2 pumps in a large.

Electric Berry - Nutritional facts

Aftershock - Nutritional facts

Shark Attack - Nutritional facts

Double Rainbro - Nutritional facts

Peach - Nutritional facts

Midnight Rebel - Nutritional facts

How to order a Blue Rebel at Dutch Bros

Step one: Dutch Bros Blue Rebel Energy drink size

Step two: Choose the form

You can get your Dutch Bros Blue Rebel Energy Drinks either iced or blended. The blended drinks are prepared like a slushie or Frappuccino, and they are called Dutch Bros freezes.

The iced version is simply Blue Rebel served over ice, which keeps the carbonation and a sharper texture. That is the version I usually pick when I want the fizz to stay sharp.

Step three: Blue Rebel drink name or flavored syrup(s)

You can order it by the drink name, such as a Midnight Rebel or Double Rainbro, or ask for a Rebel with the flavors you want added.

Step four: Optional toppings

From there, you can choose the toppings you want, like drizzle, soft top, or other add-ons.

Put it all together: I’d like a medium Iced Aftershock Rebel with a Soft Top,” or “I’d like a large Rebel with Vanilla and Strawberry Syrups with a Soft Top and Raspberry Drizzle.

Blue Rebel Energy Drink alternatives (How do they compare?)

Red Bull

I never liked Red Bull, so I went into Blue Rebel expecting more of the same.

Blue Rebel uses similar ingredients, and the base flavor does remind me of Red Bull. The caffeine content is also in the same ballpark, which is part of why the comparison feels fair.

However, Blue Rebel tastes way better in both its canned versions and incredible variety of syrup flavors available in-store. I will always choose a Blue Rebel over Red Bull, no contest!

Ghost Gamer

Ghost Gamer is different because it comes in powder form. Each drink contains 150 mg of caffeine per serving, and 1 serving is 2 scoops.

You could easily use a single scoop and land closer to Blue Rebel levels of caffeine.

Overall, Ghost Gamer has a more artificial taste, but it does have its place. If you’re gaming at home, for example, it’s perfect.

For me, Blue Rebel is the Dutch Bros energy drink that makes the most sense when I want flavor and caffeine in the same cup.

AMP Energy Drink

AMP Energy Drink contains around 80 mg of caffeine per 8 fl oz, which puts it in a similar range to Blue Rebel.

However, the flavor reminds me more of Mountain Dew, with that citric acid and caffeine bite.

AMP has a very sweet flavor profile that may be too much for some – like drinking a can of soda. If you prefer natural flavors, you’ll prefer the Blue Rebel, which tastes more mild and citrusy.

How to make Dutch Bros Blue Rebel at home (Copycat recipe)

Making a Dutch Bros Blue Rebel Energy Drink copycat is pretty easy if you want to try recreating the flavor at home.

FAQs

Is Dutch Bros Blue Rebel Energy Drink suitable for everyone?

The Dutch Bros Blue Rebel energy drink can be a lot for some people because of its caffeine and sugar content. For me, the sugar-free Blue Rebel makes more sense when I want the same basic flavor without the sugar hanging around afterward.

Is a Rebel carbonated?

Yes, the Dutch Bros Blue Rebel is made with carbonated water. If you order a blended Blue Rebel, the carbonation goes away and the texture turns much smoother.

Can I add a soft top or whipped cream in Blue Rebel?

Yes, you can add a soft top, whipped cream, or other toppings to a Blue Rebel energy drink.

How long do the effects of Dutch Bros Blue Rebel Energy Drink last?

How long the effects of Dutch Bros Blue Rebel last varies from person to person. Some people feel it for 3 to 5 hours, while others feel it longer, and for me the timing depends a lot on how fast I drink it.

Is Dutch Bros Blue Rebel Energy Drink available in other countries?

As far as I know, it is sold through Dutch Bros locations rather than grocery stores or online. Dutch Bros is mostly found in the western United States, although there are a few locations as far east as Tennessee.

Can you buy Blue Rebel Energy Drink at grocery stores?

As far as I know, you cannot buy Dutch Bros Blue Rebel Energy Drink at grocery stores or online. Right now, it is sold through Dutch Bros physical locations.