XP Brew - Buffs, Debuffs, and a Fiery Critical Hit

When I was scrolling through social media I came across XP Brew for the first time and the packaging immediately grabbed my attention. So as a gamer and tea enthusiast I reached out and they kindly sent me the Mana Mix Taster Pack to review.

The brand seemed focused on gamers and creating an alternative to late night guzzling the often over consumed energy drinks. Each blend promises a different kind of power-up whether you’re grinding through a late night raid, chilling between matches. The box includes Dark Chocolate Cherry, Carry Me Cranberry, and Spicy Passion Power-Up three flavours that couldn’t be more different if they tried. 

Flavours included:

• Dark Chocolate Cherry × 2

  
  

• Carry Me Cranberry × 2

  
  

• Spicy Passion Power-Up × 2

Dark Chocolate Cherry

Aroma: Instantly reminiscent of a Black Forest Gateau: warm, nostalgic, and almost like a fruit infused hot chocolate.

Warm: The first sip delivers a slightly sour zing of tart cherry that wakes up the senses, before mellowing into smooth, lingering chocolate notes. After a few sips, a faint synthetic cherry-candy aftertaste appears similar to the flavour of cherry lollipops. It’s not unpleasant, but worth noting if you’re sensitive to an artificial cherry taste.

Cold: Still refreshing and enjoyable, though the synthetic cherry and almond notes become more noticeable. The chocolate undertones are subtler when chilled, making this version fruitier and lighter overall.

Carry Me Cranberry

Aroma: Bright and inviting like a forest fruit blend with strong strawberry notes.

Warm: This one delivers an intense cranberry punch right from the start. The sweet aroma gives way to a tart, dry, and slightly bitter flavour. As someone who doesn’t usually enjoy cranberry, it wasn’t quite my cup of tea, though I can see its appeal to fans of tangy, unsweetened fruit infusions. The contrast between the candy-like scent and the sharp taste made for a bit of a sensory trick.

Cold: Chilling it seems to heighten the bitterness and dryness of the cranberry.

Extra: I mixed the second packet into a sugar-free raspberry jelly and it was a pleasant surprise! The cranberry flavour remained, but the bitterness disappeared, making it far more enjoyable. This showed how versatile the tea can be; it might work well in recipes like ice pops, smoothies, mocktails, or even summer spritzers.

Spicy Passion Power-Up

Aroma: A tropical hit right off the bat like sweet, caramelized pineapple fresh off the grill. It smells inviting, bright, and full of promise.

Warm: Then the first sip hits… and it hits hard. I usually handle spice pretty well, but this one caught me completely off guard. You get about three seconds of fruity sweetness before the chilli launches a full frontal assault on your tongue. It’s not a slow, cozy warmth, it's more like getting flash banged by spice.

It’s not throat burning or tear inducing, but the sensation is sharp, almost like chewing raw ginger. The heat completely overpowers the tropical base, leaving little room to appreciate the flavour beneath the fire.

Cold: I’ll be honest I didn’t try this one chilled. After how intense it was hot, I had zero confidence that cooling it down would make it any more drinkable. This tea physically hurt to drink warm; I wasn’t ready to risk round two.

Extra: While I couldn’t finish it as a beverage, I hate wasting good ingredients. I could see Spicy Passion Power-Up possibly working better in cooking, maybe as part of a fruity chilli glaze for chicken or a sweet-spicy caramel drizzle over dessert. It’s got potential, just not in a teacup for me.

Final Thoughts

Overall, XP Brew’s three-flavour box delivers a creative and ambitious lineup that definitely stands out from your usual tea selection. Each blend offers something distinct from the cozy sweetness of Dark Chocolate Cherry to the sharp tang of Carry Me Cranberry and the fiery kick of Spicy Passion Power-Up. Whether enjoyed warm, cold, or even as part of a creative recipe, there’s something here for curious tea drinkers looking to explore unique and expressive blends.

While the flavours didn’t all align perfectly with my usual preferences, I can see the appeal for those who enjoy bold and adventurous teas. It’s clear that XP Brew aims to make tea exciting for gamers and for those who enjoy bold, unconventional flavour experiences, this box might be worth exploring. I admire XP Brew’s inventive approach and enjoyed exploring something new.

If you'd like to go on the taste adventure for yourself, click the xp brew icon below