Nos Energy Drinks are produced by the Monster Beverage Corporation, known for its wide range of energy beverages.
NOS Energy Drink is produced by Monster Beverage Corporation, one of the largest energy drink companies in the world. Originally created through a partnership between Fuze Beverage and Holley Performance Products, NOS has become a major player in the performance energy drink market.
The History of NOS Energy Drink
NOS Energy Drink was launched in 2005 through a unique collaboration between Fuze Beverage and Holley Performance Products. The brand name was licensed from Holley’s Nitrous Oxide Systems (NOS) division, known for automotive performance products.
Early Years and Coca-Cola Acquisition
In 2007, The Coca-Cola Company acquired Fuze Beverage, gaining ownership of the NOS brand. During this period, NOS saw rapid growth, becoming the 7th largest energy drink brand in convenience and grocery stores by 2007 with 181% growth that year. The brand’s signature nitrous-oxide-tank-shaped can was introduced at launch to echo its automotive heritage, but the design was later discontinued in favor of a more conventional tall can that is easier to produce and stack on retail shelves.
Transition to Monster Beverage
In 2015, Coca-Cola transferred its energy drink business to Monster Beverage Corporation as part of a strategic partnership. This included popular brands like NOS, Full Throttle, and Burn. Monster Beverage now owns and manufactures NOS Energy Drinks. The deal was structured as an asset swap: Coca-Cola took a 16.7% stake in Monster, while Monster handed over its non-energy drink brands (including Hansen’s and Peace Tea) to Coca-Cola. Under the arrangement, Coca-Cola handles distribution for NOS globally, and Monster pays royalties to Holley Performance Products for use of the NOS trademark.
Current NOS Product Lineup
NOS Energy Drink offers several high-performance formulas designed for energy and focus:
| Flavor | Caffeine Content | Size Options |
|---|---|---|
| Original | 160mg | 16oz, 24oz |
| GT Grape | 160mg | 16oz |
| Sonic Sour | 160mg | 16oz |
For comparison, a standard 16oz Monster Energy contains 160mg of caffeine, Red Bull (8.4oz) has 80mg, and Bang Energy packs 300mg per 16oz can. NOS also contains 54g of sugar per 16oz can, which is on par with Monster but higher than sugar-free alternatives.
Key Ingredients
NOS contains a blend of performance-enhancing ingredients:
- Taurine
- Caffeine
- Guarana
- Ginseng
- B-vitamins
- Inositol (added in the 2016 reformulation)
In 2016, Monster reformulated NOS, removing L-Theanine from the ingredient list and adding inositol. The change was made to streamline the formula and reduce production costs, while inositol was included to support mental focus and cognitive function.
Marketing and Sponsorships
NOS has maintained strong ties to motorsports, continuing its automotive heritage:
Current Sponsorships
NOS serves as title sponsor for the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars Series. The brand also sponsors drivers Sheldon Haudenschild and Tyler Courtney.
Past Sponsorships
Licensing and the Holley Connection
The NOS name comes from Holley Performance Products’ Nitrous Oxide Systems division, which makes nitrous oxide injection kits for racing vehicles. Holley licenses the NOS trademark to Monster Beverage under a long-term agreement. In exchange, Monster pays Holley royalties based on a percentage of NOS beverage sales. The exact royalty rate and contract terms are confidential, but the arrangement has been in place since the brand’s 2005 launch and continued through both the Coca-Cola and Monster ownership periods.
From 2008-2018, NOS sponsored NASCAR driver Kyle Busch. In 2016, Monster Beverage released a special “NOS Rowdy” flavor inspired by Busch’s nickname.
Where to Buy NOS Energy Drinks
NOS Energy Drinks are widely available at:
- Convenience stores
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations
- Online retailers like Amazon
For those interested in making their own energy-boosting drinks at home, check out our guide to the best blender for ice drinks or learn about the benefits of cucumber juice on empty stomach for natural energy alternatives.
The Energy Drink Market
According to industry reports, the U.S. energy drink market generated nearly $20 billion in 2025. NOS competes with brands like:
- Monster Energy
- Red Bull
- Rockstar
- Bang Energy
While Monster and Red Bull dominate the category, NOS holds a smaller but steady share, typically ranking in the top 10 energy drink brands in U.S. convenience stores. Exact sales figures are not publicly disclosed, but NOS consistently trails Monster, Red Bull, and Bang in market share, with annual sales estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
While coffee remains popular, energy drinks like NOS offer convenience and consistent caffeine content. The brand continues to innovate with new flavors and marketing strategies to maintain its position in this competitive market. However, the energy drink category has faced scrutiny over health concerns, including high caffeine and sugar levels. Several lawsuits have been filed against energy drink makers over alleged health risks, and regulators have pushed for clearer labeling. NOS, like its competitors, carries warning labels about caffeine content and is not recommended for children, pregnant women, or those sensitive to caffeine.
