Oronamin C energy drink is more popular than I first realised. I just saw this small goofy looking drink next to the many other scary looking vials of energy potions at the Asian market. Across the ocean, the number two energy drink is not Monster or Rockstar, but this small fizzy 120ml brown glass bottled energy drink, full of vitamins, iron, minerals and even a little MSG. Produced by a chemical and pharma company in Japan, Oronamin comes fom the Otsuka Chemical Holdings Co., Ltd. – the same ones who make Pocari Sweat.

Oronamin C has been around a very long time. Introduced in February, 1965, this drink was introduced as a health drink giving vitamins and energy. At one time, it was the best-selling health drink in Japan. Now it is number 2, behind another famous tiny bottled drink, called Lipidovan D. This drink seems to have a cult following – not that shocking seeing as it has been around forever.

Taste:8
Most of the Asian energy drinks I try are red bull medicine; like flat energy drink syrup. From the very basic design on the package, I was prepared for the worst. Much to my delight however, inside was a yummy lemon colored liquid that tasted like honey soda. It was also lightly fizzy, which was a nice surprise. This has got to be one of my favorite Asian energy drinks of all time. In the few short seconds it took for me to drink it, I started missing it and wanting more. The tiny bottle this comes in is not nearly enough.

Buzz/Nutrition:7
I love the stuff in here too – full of an undisclosed mix of sugar, honey, vitamin-C, caffeine, niacinamid, B6, B2, vitamin P ( my guess is potassium here), taurine and some amino acids too.
I did not really get much energy from this – but it did not suck either. I could see knocking back 2 or 3 of these things in a morning and bouncing off the walls. for a drink made. more or less, the same way for 45 years, it certainly lasts the test of time.

Packaging:7
The pharma company producing this stuff got in trouble in the 80s from a parents group saying their bottles make good containers for paint thinner, and kiddy huffing fears forced them to change their lid. Now, there is a very unique pull tab cap which is really quite interesting. You pull this little tab to release the cap – and it does not go back on – so kiddos wont refill it with paint thinner. From what I hear, all those paint huffers have now moved onto Vitamin Water and Perrier bottles instead…
I really would have liked more flair with the bottle though. This is pretty much a non-designed bottle, with just the name of the drink on red on one side, and an ingredients list on the other. While some might consider this Old School, I think it might be time to more the design into the 70s, or 80s or maybe even the 90s.

http://www.noapologiespress.com/presents/asiandrink/oronamin.html