I don't do energy drinks, but sometimes I need something sweet like Coke or some chocolate, over acidic coffee. Although, I don't really do black coffee much either.
Caffeine fills the receptors in your brain that adenosine would fill, and that when filled naturally it tells your brain that you have been awake for a while and need to sleep. So caffeine really helps to prevent feeling tired.
(A side note, but I think that it is so damn cool how that works: ATP, adenosine triphosphate, is processed releasing the "phosphate" part to be use in the energy cycle and the adenosine that is left over is kinda used like a record of how much energy you've processed, so after a while of processing energy you naturally have a way of saying "I should rest now." Caffeine blocks that from happening for a while.)
Sugar eventually is processed as glucose which is just straight up energy for your brain, so that helps when you're already tired and need a kick in the pants.
I'm just a nerd for science so I might have some of the details messed up, but from what I remember this is kinda how it all works.
Its 2 different things, one is a sugar rush the other one is caffeine. You could argue you could use them for the same goals but the calories you get from energy drinks are way more.
If you need to run for miles, better the energy drink, if you need to drive, better the caffeine
Never in my life have I experienced sugar rush. Always thought it was a myth, until my partner told me about the kids in her class. Apparently it's real