The carbonated energy drinks that are loaded with caffeine and taurine and popular in the Western world today can be traced back to East Asia. As early as 1897, there's an example of a Korean drink that translates to "Joyful Life Water".[1]

In the early 1960's, multiple caffeine/taurine drink products were introduced including M-150 in Thailand, Bacchus in Korea, and Lipovitan in Japan. These quickly crept into workplace culture in those countries and were consumed regularly by late-night workers and ambitious businessmen alike. In 1967, 47 million bottles of Bacchus were sold, and later grew to represent 5% of the entire Korean pharmaceutical market.[2]

In the 1980's they became known to Americans serving in the military overseas where it was seen as a party drink and hang-over remedy.[3] A particularly significant one was a Thai drink product called Krating Daeng whose logo featured two red bulls. It would later inspire a very different kind of drink.[4]

It's important to note that all of these drink products weren't carbonated and were sold in small bottles (100-150 ml) with a high concentration of active ingredients. Like medicine, they were meant to be consumed in seconds and not be a particularly appetizing experience. What the Austrian Red Bull company did in 1987 was make it big, fizzy, and sweet so that Westerners could enjoy it like soda.