5 Hour Energy Extra Strength

5 Hour Energy Extra Strength is a concentrated energy shot, sold in the mixers and energy drinks section. It is made to be drunk in a single small serving, not poured by the glass like a canned energy drink. The label is the authority on flavor, serving size and caffeine content, so check it before you plan around any of those. Shots in this style usually taste sweet and tart, with a fruit-forward profile and a slightly bitter edge from the caffeine and B-vitamin blend. Serve it cold. Chilling takes the edge off the sweetness and bitterness, so keep a bottle in the refrigerator, or pour it over a few cubes of ice if you want it a little more diluted. A two-ounce shot glass suits a straight serving. If you stretch it into a longer drink, use a chilled highball or Collins glass filled with ice. As a mixer, treat it like a flavored syrup with a bit of acidity. Because the concentrate is strong, a small measure goes a long way. Styles like this usually work in a tall drink, topped with soda water or sparkling water and a squeeze of lime or lemon, which keeps the sweetness in check. Berry, citrus and tropical-leaning flavors tend to pair well with vodka or white rum in simple highball builds. Add the shot last and stir gently so the carbonation holds. Pairings are simple. Salty snacks like pretzels, nuts or chips offset the sweetness, and a wedge of citrus on the side gives the palate a reset between sips.