An interactive data project mapping Red Bull can prices across New York City.
Ashley Mowreader
How much does nostalgia cost in New York City? According to my reporting,
about $3.98.
One of my favorite caffeinated beverages is an 8 oz can of Red Bull
(original flavor, always.) But while the flavor of Red Bull doesn't waver,
the price sure does across New York's five borough. So, like any good data
journalist, I've decided to map out the price of Red Bull across the city
to figure out exactly steep the cost can rise.
This data set is growing and evolving with every Red Bull I purchase,
check back in and see if I've explored your neighborhood joint to quench
my Red Bull addiction.
20Red Bull Purchases
$3.98Average Red Bull Price
$6.29Most Expensive Red Bull
Hover over a dot to see details of my Red Bull purchases across the city,
including date of purchase, neighborhood and price. Or, sort the data by the establishment it was purchased at and see how trends differ.
Loading interactive map…
Project Notes
This is an on-going interactive dataset, auto-updating each Sunday with GitHub Actions. Data is not meant to be comprehensive or a reflection of pricing trends of Red Bull, but rather a portfolio piece for a budding data nerd.
Got RedBull?
For my fellow Red Bull drinkers or data enthusiasts (or both!), if you purchased a Red Bull in New York City that's unrepresented on my map, please send me the details to see your purchase reflected in the map. Complete this form to add your data.
Why Does This Project Matter?
It's a grade, according to Ben Welsh. But for you, as a consumer, it's a snapshot of the ways different neighborhoods and establishments across the city price the same product. Grocery prices are historically murky, and between dynamic pricing algorithms in the city, rising inflation and an aluminum shortage, my Red Bull's sticker price is under threat.
Why Red Bull?
As a native Washingtonian, there's few beverages that make me feel nostaligic for rainy, overcast days in the Puget Sound, surrounded by towering pine trees, than a Red Bull over ice. Coloquially called a "Red Bull Italian soda," just about any drive-thru coffee shop in Washington, Oregon or Idaho (and increasingly, Arizona and California) can help you meet your craving for a sugar-loaded energy drink. In addition to 24 plus ounces of your energy drink of choice, you get a dozen pumps of sticky flavored syrups, paired with juice or lemonade (or heavy cream if you're literally insane) and topped with whipped cream if you're extra. My go-to is Red Bull with strawberry and peach syrup and a splash of orange juice.
When I studied abroad in Argentina, Red Bull cans became a go-to grab to
quell homesickness, and since moving to the East Coast, Red Bulls remain a mid-day pick-me-up, bringing me right back to those rainy afternoons in Puyallup. It's also given me a ridiculous caffeine tolerance, but that's a different issue.
What's Next?
I'm hoping to track data on 100 Red Bull can prices! I invite you to
bookmark this page (or keep it open forever in your browser, if that's how
you operate) and revisit as I make progress toward my goal.
