I have never had an energy drink. I drink two cups of coffee a day before 3PM (doctor's advice on timing and quantity), including on weekends, because if I skip coffee on weekends, I get a caffeine withdrawal migraine. So I make sure I have adequate level of caffeine - not too much, not too little - in my blood. It is actually one of my customized "stay well strategies" in Optimism Online - "adequate caffeine".

My understanding is that coffee is better than energy drinks because coffee contains antioxidants and energy drinks, as far as I know, do not. I do realize that by drinking coffee with milk, I do not get the full benefit of antioxidants, but at least I get some.