5-hour ENERGY and Taco John’s Drop Caffeinated Hot Sauce for Cinco de Mayo

This Cinco de Mayo, 5-hour ENERGY and Taco John's worked together to drop a hot sauce that's sure to fire you up. 

You read that right!

The all-new “5-hour ENERGY Energizing Hot Sauce” is a Mango Habanero blend infused with caffeine that gives your food a kick and boosts your energy levels. 

 

 

 

 

 

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It serves as a spicy follow-up to the brand's Energizing BBQ Sauce launch, which had fans seeking more. 

“After seeing the high demand of last summer’s 5-hour ENERGY Inspired Energizing BBQ Sauce, we wanted to turn up the heat,” Living Essentials President and COO Leah Key told DesignRush.

“Therefore, we created this bold hot sauce and a limited-edition Spicy Cinco de Mango 5-hour ENERGY shot to provide on-the-go energy to the #swicy summer trend.

Partnering with Taco John's, a West-Mex chain known for its loyal fanbase and, of course, its legendary tacos, for this fiery sequel was the perfect fit.”

 

 

 

 

 

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The sauce, free with select purchases both online and in stores, reflects a rising trend among younger consumers.

Nearly 1 in 4 millennials and Gen Z bring their own hot sauce to restaurants.

Built to match the pocket-sized energy shots the brand is known for, the hot sauce offers similar portability.

It's a bottle you can carry in your bag, just in case the party’s missing heat.

This launch is an example of how innovative product design can drive brand collaborations that cover culture, consumer habits, and cravings in one spicy and energetic drop.

How to Snag the Sauce

The limited-time offering includes two ways to get the hot sauce:

• Online at 5hourenergy.com with any purchase of the Spicy Cinco de Mango shot
• Through the “No Siesta Fiesta” Bundle at participating Taco John’s locations in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Kansas City, and Boston

And if you're curious, the bundle includes six Fiesta Softshell Chicken Tacos and two Medium Potato Olés, with a bottle of the hot sauce thrown in for free. 

 

 

 

 

 

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With the “swicy” (sweet + spicy) flavor profile having its moment, 5-Hour ENERGY and Taco John's keep their brands relevant by using food trends and adding their signature spice and caffeine.

"We connected instantly with 5-hour ENERGY and their innovative approach,” Kevin Flaherty, CMO of Taco John’s shared.

“This sauce isn't just about heat — it's about capturing the adventurous spirit of our fans.”

For fans, it’s an invitation to turn their Cinco from “mild” to “full send.”

 

 

 

 

 

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This limited release uses scarcity and regional drops to spark demand across both physical and digital channels.

Pairing a flavor trend with brand personality helps 5-Hour ENERGY and Taco John’s stand out during a saturated holiday window.

Meanwhile, Liquid Death hilariously transformed its killer branding into a Dr. Squatch soap, the "Grime Reaper."