Zipvit ZV1 Energy drink Elite

The energy in Zipvit’s ZV1 is provided by a combination of Maldex 6 (a form of maltodextrin), which is absorbed as quickly as glucose, and sucrose (plain old table sugar).

It provides you with nearly 32g of carbs and 129 calories of energy per 35g serving – you mix two scoops with 250ml of water, give it a good shake to mix it in and then top it up with another 250ml of water. On top of that, you get plenty of electrolytes to replace the minerals that you lose through sweat, including sodium, calcium and magnesium.

ZV1 doesn’t taste especially salty, though. In fact, it tastes really good, the fruit punch flavour reminding us of some sweets from way back – Opal Fruits… or Starburst, as we believe the young people call them. It’s also available in citrus and orange flavours.

We’ve got on really well with ZV1. It delivers the goods really quickly when you feel your energy waning and the flavour means you’re more inclined than usual to keep supping away regularly, topping up your fuel tanks.

We don’t usually bother with an energy drink on any ride below about an hour, trusting to normal, everyday nutrition and maybe a bottle of water on the bike. But for rides over an hour the ZV1 does a great job. We’ve been drinking about 750ml – a large water bottle – per hour on training rides and it’s kept us pedalling strong up the hills. For competition, you might want to drink about 500ml in the hour before you set off so the energy is ready and waiting when you reach the start line. Used alongside Zipvit’s ZV7 energy gels for an extra boost when you really need it, this is a winner.

Like all other Zipvit recovery and energy drinks, ZV1 is free from artificial flavours, colours and preservatives. A 1.4kg tub of ZV1 gives enough for 40 servings.

Verdict

Fast-acting energy drink that's packed with electrolytes; great flavour too