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A few friends brought Big Red to a barbecue, and I went straight for it because I am hard to resist a good cream soda.
The vanilla flavor was smoother and fruitier than I expected, so I wondered: does Big Red have caffeine?
Whenever I try a new soda, I check the caffeine before I treat it like an everyday drink. Big Red is relatively low in caffeine compared with many caffeinated soft drinks, but serving size still matters.
Does Big Red Soda contain caffeine? (Find out how much)
Caffeine in Big Red
A 12 fl oz can of Big Red contains around 36 mg of caffeine or 2.83 mg of caffeine per fl oz.
On the soda shelf, that generally puts it toward the lower end among caffeinated sodas.
I always check the fl oz on the can or fountain menu, because the number only makes sense once I know the portion. That also helps me keep the FDA-cited 400 mg-a-day level for most healthy adults in mind when I am stacking caffeine from different drinks.
Caffeine in Big Red Zero
A Zero Sugar Big Red has slightly more caffeine than the original, coming in at 39 mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz serving. This comes to around 3.25 mg of caffeine per fl oz.
Big Red Soda caffeine by serving size
Big Red soda comes in seven sizes, and slushie or fountain versions are available too.
Zero Sugar is usually sold in five sizes, plus slushie and fountain versions. With that many options, I do not assume the caffeine total stays the same from one serving to the next.
I read the table as a quick reference, but I still check the serving size on the package in front of me, especially with fountain drinks where the posted number and the cup in my hand are not always the same thing.
Type | Caffeine (12oz Can) | Caffeine (16.9oz Small Bottle) | Caffeine (20 fl oz Large Bottle) | Caffeine (2-Liter Xtra Large Bottle) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Big Red | 36 mg | 51 mg | 61 mg | 204 mg |
Big Red Zero | 39 mg | 55 mg | 65 mg | 221 mg |
All about Big Red Soda (What's in it?)
Big Red
Ingredients
The ingredient list helps explain why Big Red tastes like cream soda, not cola.
Nutrition
A 12 fl oz Original Big Red has the nutrition info below.
Big Red Zero
Ingredients
For Zero Sugar, high fructose corn syrup is replaced with non-sugar sweeteners including sucralose, so the sweetness lands differently.
Nutrition
Zero Sugar nutrition information:
Big Red Soda caffeine content vs other soda
Once I had the caffeine numbers in front of me, I started looking at Big Red the same way I look at any soda: as part of the day's total, not as a drink I judge in isolation.
Caffeine in Big Red vs Mountain Dew
A 12 fl oz serving of Mountain Dew contains around 54 mg of caffeine, which is much higher than a same-size Big Red soda serving.
Caffeine in Big Red vs Coke
A 12 fl oz Coca-Cola has around 34 mg of caffeine, a little less than Big Red. Diet Coke is higher at 46 mg, so it sits above it.
Caffeine in Big Red vs Dr. Pepper
I was surprised the first time I checked Dr Pepper's numbers: a 12 fl oz serving has 41 mg, only a few mg above Big Red.
Caffeine in Big Red vs Pepsi
A Pepsi contains around 38 mg of caffeine, which is only a little more than a Big Red.
What are some alternatives to Big Red Soda?
Even with low caffeine, carbonation changes the feel of soda enough that it does not drink like water. I notice that most when I am trying to pace caffeine later in the day.
The combination of caffeine, sugar, and bubbles in a caffeinated beverage like Big Red can cause health issues if you consume too much of it, like sleeplessness, tooth decay, and weight gain.
If Big Red is not what I want, I usually reach for water or something that fits the moment.
If I want something lighter, I usually skip the soda and choose something caffeine-free instead.
FAQs
Does Big Red have more caffeine than coffee?
A Big Red does not contain more caffeine than coffee. The average cup of coffee contains around 80-100 mg of caffeine, which is three times the amount found in a 12 fl oz serving of Big Red.
Is Big Red addictive?
Big Red is more of an occasional treat than something I would sip all day, mostly because the cream soda flavor makes it easy to come back to.
Is Big Red good for hangovers?
Whether Big Red feels good on a hangover depends on the person. I usually reach for water or an electrolyte drink first, and if I try soda later, the bubbles can feel soothing once my stomach has settled.
Does Big Red have acid?
Big Red contains citric acid, which is common in fruity sodas and gives the sweetness a sharper finish.
Conclusion
Both Zero Sugar and Original Big Red are low in caffeine per serving, so I think of them more as soda choices than caffeine sources.
After trying Big Red for myself, I can see why it has a loyal fan base.
Cream soda fans are probably the people most likely to come back to it.
