Sparks (drink)

Infobox Beverage
name=Sparks


type=Malt beverage/Energy drink
proof=12 per 16oz can
manufacturer=Miller Brewing
origin=USA
introduced=2002
discontinued=
related= Budweiser energy drink, Red Bull, Tilt (drink), Four (drink)
variants= Sparks Light, Sparks Plus

Sparks is a caffeinated alcohol beverage, one of the first such beverages. Its active ingredients caffeine, taurine, ginseng and guarana are common to energy drinks; however, its additional focus on alcohol is not. Its packaging states a 6% alcoholic content by volume. Its flavor is similar to standard energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster Energy, and Rockstar, with a tart, sugary taste.

Sparks currently is available in 16oz silver cans with bright orange tops, with a "+" printed near the top and a "-" printed near the bottom, to give the can a battery-like appearance. A sugar-free "Sparks Light", version with a bright blue top, is also produced. A higher alcohol version (7%) called "Sparks Plus" is available in both 10oz and 16oz cans and has a black top.

Created by San Francisco-based beverage marketing firm McKenzie River Corporation, early marketing relied on word of mouth primed by giving away large quantities of the beverage. Its critics dislike the high acidity, sweetness, and blatantly artificial flavor. Ironically, fans like the beverage for the same reasons, although the caffeine and high alcohol content, as well as the herbal components, also play a factor. Sparks also has a tendency to change the color of the tongue and teeth temporarily, after consumption of several of these beverages due to FD&C Yellow No.5. In some regions this discoloration is referred to as "Sparks Mouth". The drink caught on within the American hipster community, which has been known for its ironic glorification of several other cheap, low-grade alcoholic beverages. [http://gawker.com/news/hipsters/gawker-quiz-are-you-a-hipster-valid-only-1205-141547.php] As the can looks very similar to other, non-alcoholic energy drinks, some students have consumed them on school campuses without the faculty being aware.Fact|date=March 2008

On August 14, 2006, Miller Brewing announced it had completed the purchase of Sparks from McKenzie River Corp. for $215 million cash. [http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4115671.html] Miller had been producing Sparks prior to this purchase. [http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0607040164jul04,1,7276493.story?coll=chi-business-hed] It is currently producing it under the Steel Brewing Company label of Milwaukee, WI.

Nutritional Information

*Caffeine: 87 mg per 16 oz.
*Energy: 350 Calories (1463 kilojoules)
**from carbohydrates: 188 cal (787 kJ) (54%)
**from alcohol: 161 cal (674 kJ) (46%)
*Total carbohydrates 47 g 16%

Sparks Light (per convert|12|oz|mL|disp=/|sp=us)133 Calories3.3 grams of carbohydrates0.0 grams of fat.

=See also=
*Tilt
*Four

=External links=
* [http://www.sparks.com Sparks homepage]
* [http://www.sparks.com/faq.html Sparks Official FAQ]