There are few reasons why one might opt for an energy drink, Panera Charged Lemonade be damned. Whether it be for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up or a morning coffee alternative, these beverages can offer a quick zap of energy to bring you back into focus.
Popularized by the launch of Red Bull in 1997 — and the subsequent nightlife staple that is the Red Bull Vodka — the energy drink category has swelled in recent years thanks to success-stories like PepsiCo-owned Celsius and a growing interest in functional beverages. In 2020, the global energy drink market was valued at $45.8 billion, and it’s expected to grow 8.2 percent year-over-year through 2023.
In the U.S., energy drinks’ caffeine content can range anywhere from around 800 milligrams (the same amount you’d find in a cup of coffee) to a whopping 400 milligrams, the maximum daily allowance recommended for adults by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Yahoo Finance and Insider Monkey recently identified the most popular global energy drink companies and ranked them by market capitalization. As private companies like Red Bull don’t have publicly-listed market caps, they were not included in this round-up. Keep reading to learn more about the top 10 energy drink companies in the world and the five largest brands in the U.S.
The World’s Top 10 Energy Drink Companies
10. Zevia Pbc – $111 million market capitalization
Best known for their zero-sugar Zevia Energy lineup, this small, Los Angeles-based company distributes soft drinks across the U.S. and Canada.
9. Dutch Bros Inc. – $1.62 billion
Aside from its staples, drive-thru coffee shop Dutch Bros also offers energy drinks under its Rebel Energy umbrella. The customizable, caffeinated sippers are exceedingly popular among fans of the chain, accounting for 23 percent of sales in 2022.
8. National Beverage Corp. – $4.29 billion
Sparkling water brand LaCroix may be this beverage distributor’s claim to fame, but it’s also responsible for energy drinks like Rip It.
7. Suntory Beverage & Food Limited – $9.41 billion
With a market cap over $9 billion, Suntory is a strong player in both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic markets. The conglomerate’s best-known energy drink is V, and though it’s most popular in Japan, consumers can also find it in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and other markets across the globe.
6. Campbell Soup Company – $12.24 billion
While it may seem surprising to see one of the world’s largest soup companies on a list of energy drink brands, Cambell’s owns V8, which released V8+Energy in 2011. The non-carbonated canned drink offers about 80 milligrams of tea-derived caffeine per serving.
5. Celsius Holdings, Inc. – $13.19 billion
Celsius has exploded in popularity in recent years, with the brand’s revenue skyrocketing 15,000 percent in the last decade. The brand’s energy drinks gained sensational traction on TikTok, though Celsius also offers other wellness-adjacent products like liquid dietary supplements.
4. Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. – $44 billion
Beverage conglomerate Keurig Dr Pepper entered the energy drink market in December 2022 when it invested $864 million into Nutrabolt. The energy drink brand manufactures the ultra-popular pre-workout supplement C4, which comes in powdered and canned formats.
3. Monster Beverage Corporation – $55.47 billion
With flashy, claw-scratched branding, Monster is easily one of the most recognizable names in the market. The brand offers up a seemingly endless selection of flavors, so it’s no surprise that it’s a go-to for its many sleepy consumers.
2. PepsiCo, Inc. – $233 billion
PepsiCo is one of the world’s largest companies in general, and with brands like Amp Energy, Rockstar, and MTN DEW under their umbrella, they’re also one of the globe’s largest energy drink companies. The corporation also holds a $550 million dollar stake in Celsius, and distributes Starbucks’ ready-to-drink coffees and refreshers, further bolstering its presence in the category.
1. The Coca-Cola Company – $242 billion
Endless high-caffeine variations on classic Coke catapulted this company to the top. While Coca-Cola Energy may have been discontinued in North America, the beverage is still available in 25 countries alongside its standard and caffeine-free offerings.
The Top 5 Energy Drink Brands in the U.S.
According to data analytics firm Circana, the U.S. energy drink sales soared 12.2 percent from May 2022 to May 2023, for a grand total of $19.7 billion. Parent companies Pepsi and Coca-Cola dominate the market on a global scale as well as the U.S., but there’s been major movement when it comes to which individual brands are the most popular stateside.
Using Circana data, Beverage Industry magazine compiled a list of the top five energy drink brands in America., and it’s no surprise that Red Bull comes out on top. With over $7.3 billion in sales, the nightlife staple has cornered approximately 39 percent of the total market.
But with brands like Celsius rapidly climbing the ranks, it remains to be seen how long Red Bull will be able to hold onto that top slot. While Celsius is currently the third-largest brand in the U.S., Circana notes that the brand grew a whopping 135.9 percent in a 52-week period ending in May 2023.
Check out the rest of the brands in the top five below.
- Red Bull
- Monster
- Celsius
- Bang
- Rockstar
