I received some packets of Phix, an “all-natural energy aid” drink mix. I’ve been trying to cut back on my diet soft drink consumption and have definitely felt the effects of the missing caffeine. But I haven’t been drinking Phix the same way I did the caffeinated pop. (That was usually a pick-me-up around 9-10 AM… and then again at 1… and then maybe again at 3… it was getting a little crazy!) With Phix, my approach has been to use it as an early morning run boost.

I would mix a packet of it in a bottle and stick it in the fridge in the evening. Then when I got up at 4:30 to run, I drank half the bottle and ate a date or two. After about a half hour or so, I hit the road and drank the rest of it upon return, while prepping my breakfast smoothie.

The first flavor I tried was the Citron flavor… and it was definitely underwhelming. The flavor just didn’t work for my palate. But the next flavor, Tropic, was better. And the Teaberry flavor? My favorite! Loved that one!  All of the flavors are on the more subtle side, not overly sweet or powerful.  If you’re expecting something like a traditional packet of powdered drink that you’d find at the grocery store, this is nowhere near that.

I did find that I got down to the bottom of the bottle, it seemed to have a little bit of a grainy texture, like the powder didn’t dissolve completely. If I swirl the bottle while drinking it, it seems to do better.
Edit: The good folks at Phix have told me that this graininess comes from the natural sediments in the ingredients like yerba mate and green tea… they are completely healthy!

So what’s in Phix? Green tea and yerba mate, as well as vitamins and minerals (14 of them, to be exact.) It’s sweetened with a little organic evaporated can juice and stevia. One packet has 36 calories. It’s vegan and gluten-free. It does have a little sodium and potassium, but not enough to be considered an electrolyte replacement.

I don’t think you can buy this in stores, just via the Phix website.  It’s $9.95 for a 5 pack of an individual flavor, which seems a little expensive to me.  (That works out to $1.99 per packet.)  However, if someone loved it and came to rely on it, you can order recurring shipments where you get 30 packets every month for $38.80.  (A $1.29 breakdown)  Periodically they offer free trial promotions, so you can get some Phix and just pay shipping costs.

Phix is on Twitter and Facebook

This product was provided to me for free for testing. The opinions expressed are my own.