I received a collection of free product samples from Sample Source. Back in my early blogging days I loved doing product reviews and would accept pretty much anything that was offered to me. Now that I'm old and stuck in my ways LOL, I keep product reviews a little more condenses and stick to products I think I could genuinely enjoy.
The Sample Haul
First up from the box is Ryde: your rhythm - https://ca-en.ryde.com/
Three shots arrived, one for energy, one for focus and one for relaxation.
Decided to put them to a test on a busy Saturday.
First up at 8:30am is Energize.
This shot includes caffeine (120mg), ginseng extract, vitamin B1 (0.9mg), B2 (0.98mg), B6 (17mg), B7 (15ug) and a jetpack (?)
It's about double my current caffeine intake per day so this should be interesting!
The flavour is “tropical” and it definitely had a tropical vibe to it but I couldn't actually pinpoint the flavour I was tasting.. it was like a medicinal passion fruit, pineapple thing… I didn't much care for it but I got it down in little sips lol.
The day was good, I was alert and focused all day so didn't feel the need to try the “focus” drink that day since it was basically just another shot of caffeine LOL which might as well invite my anxiety over for a party.
I give the energy drink 3 hearts out of five 💜💜💜🩶🩶
Drinking it was less than pleasant but it's quick to consume (even in little sips) and provides an even source of energy. In a pinch, if I needed a boost and it was available I'd consider it but for now I'll stick with my green tea in the mornings.
At the end of the evening I tried the “Relax” shot (I think it was around 7pm).
This shot includes L-theanine (200mg), Ginseng Root Extract, Maltodextrin, Citric Acid Anhydrous, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum, Sucralose, Water, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Silica, Lemon Balm Leaf Dry, Purple Carrot Juice, Raspberry Flavour, Ethanol, Propylene Glycol.
The flavour is Raspberry which was actually pleasant in a weird medicine way.
I fell asleep on the couch around 8:30pm and accidentally left the cat outside until 11pm 🫣😭 so I can confirm it will help knock you out LOL something to consider if you're having trouble sleeping BUT I will say simply reducing your caffeine intake in a day can also help that. I recently went from consuming 400+ mg of caffeine a day to around 50mg so for the first time in 16ish years I’m sleeping at night.
I give the relax drink 4 hearts out of five 💜💜💜💜🩶
Drinking it was more pleasant than Energize, it did its job (almost too well) and in a pinch I’d definitely grab one if I was on the road and dealing with a hotel mattress. However it’s not something I’d have at the house.
Breaking up with coffee and switching to green tea was HARD. I experienced every symptom the internet lists and it takes MONTHS (started August 2024, finally feeling good at April 2025) to ween off that much but now that I'm on the other side of things it was 100% worth it. I will still consume coffee socially or if I do have a very busy day ahead of me where breaks may be short (or non existent) so I’m not anti coffee/ caffeine by any stretch but I have a much better relationship with it now and it’s used as a tool- not a life line anymore.
Last, but not least, 9:30AM Sunday I tried the “Focus” shot.
This shot includes Caffeine (120mg), L-theanine (200mg), Zinc (11mg), Vitamin B6 (1.7mg), Vitamin B2 (0.98mg), Vitamin B1 (0.9mg), and Vitamin B7 (15 μg).
The flavour is orange.. Weird medicine orange. I didn’t care for it LOL but I got it down.
It’s been about an hour now since consumption and I used writing this review as the test of my focus.
I can say with confidence that I feel energized and alert but it doesn’t feel special? Currently no difference from the “Energize” shot but that could simply be because these shots are supposed to be consumed on the same day.. Which I didn’t want to do LOL.
I give the focus drink 3 hearts out of five like the energize 💜💜💜🩶🩶
Its taste is tolerable but not pleasant, it works fine and would be a good alternative for someone who needs a boost in their day. I won’t be buying it myself, but if you don’t like tea or coffee you may enjoy these shots for their efficiency.
Overall these shots would be perfect for someone on the road heading to a big weekend- long trade show (that’s how I see myself using them anyways lol). Even with the extra caffeine I was able to sleep that night with the help of the relax shot.
Overall I give the Ryde products 3.5 heart 💜💜💜 +(.5)
Other fun facts about Ryde:
The containers are metal and recyclable;
The company is UK based;
They used science to create these (yay science!) https://ca-en.ryde.com/science/ ;
Zero sugar, Zero calories, Vegan.
