About Us

It all started out in 1999.

All a result of an attempt by the Van Driver to take over a company called Power Drinks Limited.

A decade ago.

Power Drinks Limited made an energy drink called Bull Rush. The Van Driver was interested in buying this brand, cause it sounded and tasted a lot like Red Bull, the energy drinks leader of the world which he liked drinking. The owner of Power Drinks Limited decided to let The Driver have a look at how this business worked and wanted to sell Bull Rush and his other Powerdrinks stuff. The Van Driver learned a lot about energy drinks from Power Drinks. But he also learned that Power Drinks were being sued by Red Bull who claimed Bull Rush was a copy. So The Driver bolted and started up his own business. A New Zealand business with a new brand name and a new flavor.

Big risks. Big Drama. Big fun.

This was the first attempt. 'Z' energy drink. Everyone liked the taste (it even won an award) but the look was a bit apprentice. Ah well, everyone has to do their time. Changed the packaging to S.H.O.T. and tried again. Went a bit better.
In 2002 the Driver and his great designers / lab men brewed HEMP a drink that began to set new standards in the alternative energy drink market.
Alternative energy drinks are for smart consumers who don't allow themselves to get sucked in by marketing bull. They aren't into mainsteam energy drinks, and want something that is different and better.
The look and taste of HEMP was like nothing else, and made the other alternative pretenders look like just what they were.
Cheap Red Bull copies.
Yeah you know what happens to them. Chunder grave yard.
From 2002 through to 2008 the Van Driver and his small team had a blast and gave it their all.
Sold heaps of product, heaps of legal drama, and bulk fun.
He got a few offers to buy him out and foiled attempts to put him out of business.
But in 2008 he was impressed with the plans of Unique Drinks of NZ Ltd. A small NZ company with a great product and management team.
He thought this could be a great marriage. It seemed like the right time to sell out.
So he did.
The Van Driver sold out to Unique Drinks of NZ Limited the makers of Big Cock energy.
A dam good brew.
He still helps out a lot with the business but doesn't own it any more.
Since that time the business has continued to prosper, rationalising it's range, including selling the S.H.O.T. brand to SHOT Energy PTY Ltd.
The Driver thinks they will do a great job with their SHOT beverage and wishes them well. Unique Drinks of NZ will continue to influence boutique energy drink brand direction and marketing in New Zealand.
It's motto 'Suck em up and be the best you can' says it all.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this web site is a representation from Unique Drinks of NZ Ltd, and it is absolutely unauthorised by them. They disclaim any responsibility for it's contents.

If the The Van Driver wants to rave on that is his problem.