Red Bull Winter Edition energy drink – Fuji Apple & Ginger – 250 ml

I always take the first sip slowly. The apple arrives first, round and sweet, with that juicy character you know from Fuji apples. Underneath you can sense the familiar base note of an energy drink. Then, a breath later, the ginger comes in. It does not burn, it winks: a light warmth on the palate that catches the sweet opening and gives it a clean ending. That sequence is what makes this flavour exciting for me. If you are only looking for fruit, you get a little more here, and if you love ginger, do not expect a shot. It stays a fruity drink with a spicy shadow.

For me this edition belongs to the dark season, and not just because of its name. Apple and ginger are flavours many people link with Christmas markets and kitchens full of spice, only here as a cold, sparkling drink. I like to open one when friends come over for a games night, when the coals are glowing at the shisha table and the rain is drumming on the window, or after a walk through the cold city. I would never warm it up: the winter name describes the mood, not the preparation. Kept cold, it stays exactly what it wants to be.

Because this flavour starts sweet and ends spicy, I choose snacks that do not pile on even more sugar. Salted nuts, pretzels or a board of strong cheese make a lovely counterpoint, and the salt makes the apple seem brighter. Dark chocolate works as well, because its bitterness picks up the ginger. What I avoid are crisps with heavy paprika or chilli seasoning. They drown out the delicate warmth, and then only the sweetness is left. If you are trying several drinks in a row, a glass of water in between keeps your palate clear.

The first sip belongs almost entirely to the apple. With the second you know where the ginger sits, and only then can you tell whether the combination suits you. I know people who frowned sceptically at their first taste and said a week later it was exactly what they had wanted. If you enjoy classic fruit editions but sometimes miss a bit of edge, this is your flavour. If you avoid any spice in a drink, start over ice instead, where the ginger is at its quietest.