We all know the importance of staying hydrated, especially before a match. But with the myriad of sports drinks available these days, the problem is what to choose? Help me decide! Enter Kill Cliff, a lightly carbonated “recovery drink” that I recently discovered.
Kill Cliff recovery drink touts itself as the go-to energy drink when quitting is not an option; to “get you back to full speed” with a unique mix of electrolytes, enzymes, plant extracts and vitamins, along with a dose of caffeine that’s equivalent to a cup of green tea. So, it may be better suited for the action side of shooting as opposed to international rifle, where stimulants like caffeine could be detrimental. (As always, consult your discipline rules for guidance)
I tried the raspberry blueberry flavor while at the Aguila Cup in Texas earlier in June. The temperatures averaged well in the 90s during the competition, which was an interesting blend of clay bird busting, 3-Gun and Rimfire Challenge. Although Aguila provided plenty of cold beverages, I had brought along the Kill Cliff recovery drink in anticipation of needing an additional boost in the morning.
Kill Cliff manages 15 calories per 355ml can of the recovery drink by using natural sweeteners instead of refined white sugar, namely erythritol (a sugar alcohol) and stevia. I found the drink to be as tasty as Red Bull. The flavor isn’t overpowering and I downed the can quickly without a wince. It’s best served ice-cold.
The results
Bottom line: this stuff works much better than the usual cup of coffee. I felt energized for about two hours after finishing the can. There wasn’t the “mid-match crash” experience you would typically associate with other so-called energy drinks. Consuming Kill Cliff recovery drink brings on a clean feeling, certainly derived from the massive dose of B5 and B12 vitamins. But it’s not cheap. A 12-pack of cans will run you about $29, a 24-can case is the better deal at $56.
I definitely would use Kill Cliff sports drinks again. Here’s the best part: the drink was created by a Navy SEAL and a portion of the proceeds from every can sold goes to the Navy SEAL Foundation. Learn more at www.killcliff.com
