For those with a fondness for sweet, carbonated beverages, Sprite is often the go-to choice. After all, it is nicknamed the "Thirst Quencher."
As someone who enjoys both soda and coffee more than I should, I became curious as to whether or not Sprite has caffeine.
After all, managing your caffeine intake is crucial to prevent feelings of jitteriness and anxiety.
So, can this popular lemon-lime soda contribute to your daily caffeine dosage? This is what I found.
Does Sprite Contain Caffeine? (Find Out The Truth!)
Let's not beat around the bush - Sprite does not contain caffeine. It is a caffeine-free drink, so you can enjoy Sprite with your coffee without worrying about caffeine whatsoever.
This is true for every variation of this naturally flavored carbonated drink, from regular to Sprite Zero Sugar, Sprite Cherry, Tropical Mix Sprite, Sprite Cranberry, and other sugary sodas in the Sprite lineup.
Sprite's caffeine-free status lies in its nature as a lemon-lime soda, a cola-free drink, which traditionally doesn't contain caffeine.
Caffeine, a common ingredient in many soft drinks and energy drinks, is generally absent in fruity, citrus-infused sodas.[1]
With its refreshing taste and absence of stimulating effects, you can drink Sprite without the concern of adding to your caffeine intake.
I know I do.
On that note, here's a quick rundown of the caffeine content in different flavors of Sprite:
Sprite Caffeine Content Vs Other Coca-Cola Products
Despite popular belief, Sprite, world-famous lemon-lime soda, isn't the only caffeine-free product in the Coca-Cola Company's extensive lineup.
In fact, what you'll soon realize is that there are actually more non-caffeinated than caffeinated soft drinks coming from the Coca-Cola Company.
Coca Cola
Coca-Cola, arguably one of the most famous sugary drinks on the planet, isn’t caffeine-free.
One can (12 oz) of Coca-Cola contains approximately 32 mg of caffeine.
By all means, this doesn’t mean Cola has too much caffeine, but compared to the other soft drinks on this list - it does rank quite high.
Diet Coke
Diet Coke is another wildly popular cola drink, mostly because it’s void of calories and “added sugar,” helping many watch their sugar intake.
However, while it does come with 0 calories - it isn’t caffeine-free.
In fact, one 12-oz can of Diet Coke contains approximately 42 mg of caffeine, which is more than regular Coke.
Coke Zero
Just like Diet Coke, Coke Zero is another 0-calorie product aimed at those looking to hop on a healthy diet and those like me who just prefer the taste of Coke Zero to Regular.
However, once again, just because it's a popular soft drink with zero calories doesn't mean it doesn't contain caffeine, because it does.
One can of Coke Zero has around 32 mg of caffeine - just like regular Coca-Cola.
Fanta
On the other hand, Coca-Cola's other notable fruit-flavored soda, Fanta, also shares Sprite's caffeine-free status - 0 mg per can.
While it comes in many flavors, from orange and grape to pineapple and strawberry, all Fanta variants are free from caffeine, similar to Sprite.
Schweppes Bitter Lemon & Tonic
Next in line is Schweppes, another brand (partially) under the Coca-Cola umbrella, famous for its carbonated soft drink(s).
Schweppes Bitter Lemon and Tonic Water are popular choices for those seeking a bitter, tangy twist, and both of these variants don't contain any amount of caffeine regardless of the drink size.
Coca-Cola Company’s Energy Drinks
While famous for their naturally flavored carbonated drinks like Coca-Cola and Sprite, the Coca-Cola Company is also a big part of the energy drink world.
And while I don’t necessarily prefer energy drinks, I know some of you do, so here’s a quick breakdown:
The Coca-Cola Company offers Burn Energy, a drink popular in many parts of Europe and other international markets, which has approximately 113 mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz.
In case you didn’t know, Coca-Cola is also a part-owner of Monster Energy - a company offering an impressive lineup of energy-boosting caffeinated beverages, such as Monster Original, that comes with 160 mg of caffeine per 16 fl oz.
As you can see, drinking Sprite is definitely a healthier alternative if you’re conscious of your caffeine intake.
What Are Some Alternatives To Sprite? (Other Caffeine-Free Drinks)
Other than the ones we just mentioned (Fanta and Schweppes), there’s really only one alternative to drinking Sprite if you want to stay in the realm of natural lemon-lime citrus flavor sodas but still have a caffeine-free beverage.
And yes, you’ve guessed it - we’re talking about 7-Up.
7-Up is another natural lemon-lime flavored soft drink with no caffeine, only this one comes from Coca-Cola’s number one competitor - Pepsi.[2]
The only difference between the two, since both are caffeine-free, is that 7-Up is a bit more intense in its flavor.
It’s not that you’ll get to taste the lemon and lime flavors, but it’s a bit sweeter and punchier if that makes sense.
Of course, if you’re not a fan of 7-Up or you’re looking at another carbonated but caffeine-free drink - I’d say club soda, carbonated mineral water (my personal favorite), or unsweetened iced tea are the next best thing.
And if you want to stay in the realm of lemon-lime flavor but not take the caffeine-free soda route, there are flavored sparkling waters like Spindrift Sparkling Water, which does come in Raspberry-Lime flavor.
Sprite Nutritional Facts and Ingredients
Now that you know the answer to the “Does Sprite have caffeine” question, let’s take a look at the nutritional value and ingredients for the Spirte lineup.
Let's start with Sprite's ingredient profile:[3]
Overall, the profile's pretty straightforward. It's what many carbonated beverages contain in general.
At the base, we have carbonated water for the fizz, and high fructose corn syrup, which is a sweetener used instead of sugar since the 70s.[4]
Then we have citric acid for that tangy taste to offset the sweetness, natural flavors for the citrusy vibe, and then we have sodium citrate and sodium benzoate to control acidity and preserve the flavor.
However, this isn't necessarily true in all countries. We may notice some artificial sweeteners in UK Sprite, like aspartame.[5]
Regular Sprite
Regular Sprite in a standard 12 oz can comes at 140 calories and 38 g of carbs, all derived from high fructose corn syrup.
It also contains 65mg of sodium, meaning it’s not exactly a healthy beverage.
Diet Sprite
Diet Sprite is a sugar-free version offering zero calories and zero carbs, with 35mg of sodium per 12 fl oz serving.
In some ways, this is one of the healthier alternatives, but you do have to consider an artificial sweetener presence in there.
Zero Sugar Sprite
Just like Diet Sprite, Sprite Zero Sugar is also free of calories and added sugar, but it does come with 35 mg of sodium.
So, if you’re worried about too much sugar or weight gain, once again, this is one of the healthier alternatives.
Cherry Sprite
Cherry Sprite is a very refreshing beverage for those that don’t like to consume caffeine, and it offers a similar nutritional content as Regular Sprite, with the added sugar contributing to its 120 calories, 33g of carbs, and 65mg of sodium per 12 fl oz can.
Mexican Sprite
Mexican Sprite, known for using natural cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, packs 160 calories, 40 g of carbs, and 105 mg of sodium per 12 oz bottle.
And while this one differs from other sodas due to its sugar source, this is still not a healthy drink per se.
Sprite Tropical Mix
Tropical Mix Sprite, known for its Strawberry and Pineapple flavor, is known for its high sugar content, and it has 240 calories, 63 g of carbs, and 110 mg of sodium per can.
So, definitely, not something you’d consider a part of a healthy diet.
Cranberry Sprite
Cranberry Sprite, like OG Sprite, has 140 calories, 38 g of carbs, and 65 mg of sodium per can.
Unfortunately, this one’s not that easy to find year-round, even though it is a very refreshing carbonated beverage.
Common Sprite Caffeine Content Questions
Does Sprite keep you awake?
Sprite could keep you awake, but it won't necessarily. While Sprite is naturally caffeine-free, it is loaded with sugar, so drinking too much Sprite could give you an energy boost, elevate your blood pressure, and keep you awake similar to coffee drinks.
Can you drink Sprite while pregnant?
You can drink Sprite in moderation while pregnant, although there are many healthier alternatives out there. It’s not that we’d call Sprite bad, but most sodas, including diet sodas, aren’t the best choice for consumption while pregnant due to added sugar, both natural and artificial, as well as other ingredients such as preservatives.
How much caffeine is in coffee vs Sprite?
While Sprite is caffeine-free, there can be anywhere between 30 to 100 mg of caffeine in a single cup of coffee, depending on the type of bean, cup size, and brewing method.
Which soft drink has the most caffeine?
Pepsi Zero Sugar is the soft drink with the most caffeine. While it is a diet soda, a 12 oz can contains 69 mg of caffeine, meaning you probably shouldn’t consume it if you’re avoiding caffeine altogether or drinking coffee at the same time.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to stay away from caffeine, Sprite is a good choice, as it is caffeine-free.
It doesn’t matter if you go the regular route, Cherry or Sprite Zero - caffeine shouldn’t be an issue.
However, just make sure you don’t drink too much - even if you go the sugar-free route.
Moderation is key with these sugar-sweetened beverages!
References:
1. https://www.coca-colacompany.com/au/news/the-facts-about-caffeine-and-soft-drinks-your-questions-answered
2. https://www.7up.com/en/products/7up
3. https://www.sprite.com/products/sprite
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-fructose_corn_syrup
5. https://www.coca-cola.co.uk/brands/sprite
