Does Sun Drop Have Caffeine? (Yes – Find Out How Much)

When it's scorching hot outside, I always find myself grabbing a can of citrus soda. One of my favorite drinks is Sun Drop soda--it's sweet and refreshing, definitely a great choice to quench my thirst.

However, I've recently discovered I'm sensitive to caffeine, and we all know that some sodas are caffeinated.

That's why I went ahead and researched the caffeine content of my favorite sodas for my own good and for people like you who are also concerned with their caffeine intake.

Here's what I found.

The short answer is yes, Sun Drop Soda is caffeinated. 

So, if you're sensitive to caffeine like me, it's best to consume this soft drink moderately, especially if you drink coffee or tea in the morning.

However, it’s not enough to simply know whether this soft drink is caffeinated or not. It’s also important to know how much caffeine each serving of Sun Drop soda contains.

Regular 12oz Can Sun Drop

A 12oz can of Sun Drop contains 64 mg of caffeine! 

That's about two-thirds of the caffeine you'd find in your morning cup of joe.

Now, just to give you a bit of context, the average cup of coffee-- the go-to morning fuel for many of us --typically has around 95 mg of caffeine.[1]

So, next time you're chugging down that citrusy goodness, remember it's not just the fizz and flavor keeping you going; there's a decent caffeine kick in there, too.

Not quite as much as your average coffee, but enough to give you a bit of a buzz.

Regular 20oz Bottle Sun Drop

A 20oz bottle of Sun Drop packs a hefty 105 mg of caffeine! 

Yes, you read that right! A single bottle of this zesty soda gives you more caffeine than a standard cup of coffee.

So, next time you're guzzling down a 20oz bottle of Sun Drop, don't be surprised if you find yourself humming a tune, tapping your foot, or just feeling extra perky.

It’s the caffeine kick that’s to blame. However, if you’re sensitive to caffeine, you might want to stay away from this soft drink.

Sun Drop Citrus Soda Cans And Bottles

Sun Drop Variations & Caffeine Levels Compared

Well, just when you thought we'd covered all things caffeine and Sun Drop, hold onto your seats because we're about to kick things up a notch!

Sun Drop is not just your classic citrus soda - it's got a few fun varieties too. Each has its caffeine levels and exciting flavor:

Flavor

Caffeine Can (12 fl oz)

Caffeine Bottle (20 fl oz)

Sun Drop Regular

64mg

105mg

Sun Drop Diet

68mg

114mg

Sun Drop Cherry-Lemon

64mg

106mg

Sun Drop Diet Cherry-Lemon

68mg

114mg

Sun Drop Caffeine-Free

0mg

0mg

Sun Drop Diet Caffeine-Free

0mg

0mg

Overview Of Sun Drop Soda Drinks

Curious about how the Sun Drop brand came to life? Here’s a quick history lesson that will make you popular on any trivia night.

Sun Drop Soda had humble beginnings in Missouri, created by Charles Lazier, a man who sold beverage concentrates.

He scribbled down a recipe idea for a new drink while on the road, and his son Charles Jr., a technician at his bottling plant, turned it into reality.

The soda first appeared at a conference in Washington, D.C., and was officially patented on April 15, 1930.

Initially named and marketed as Sundrop Golden Cola, the drink was primarily sold in the South.

Over the years, Sun Drop changed hands multiple times. It was owned successively by Crush, Procter & Gamble, Cadbury Schweppes, and its current owner, Keurig Dr. Pepper.

During this time, new flavors were introduced, including Diet, Cherry-Lemon, Caffeine-Free, and Diet Cherry-Lemon.

Sun Drop Soda Variants

Taste

Sun Drop is a vibrant explosion of citrus flavor - think zesty lemons meeting tangy oranges with a hint of lime. It's a unique blend that creates a refreshing, sweet, and slightly sour soda experience.

Its other varieties add their own spin: Diet Sun Drop delivers the same punch minus the sugar, Cherry-Lemon introduces a delightful fruity twist, and the caffeine-free variant offers the iconic Sun Drop taste, just without the buzz.

Ingredients and Nutritional Information

Regular SunDrop Soda
  • Ingredients: Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Orange Juice Concentrate, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Caffeine, Natural Flavors, Acacia Gum, Yellow 5, Ester Gum, Brominated Vegetable Oil.
  • Nutritional Facts: Calories 290, Total Fat 0 g, Sodium 90 mg, Total Carbohydrates 76 g, Total Sugars 75 g, Protein 0 g
Diet Sun Drop
  • Ingredients: Carbonated Water and Contains Less than 2% of Citric Acid, Orange Juice Concentrate, Aspartame, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate (Preservative), Salt, Caffeine, Natural Flavors, Acacia Gum, Yellow 5, Ester Gum, Brominated Vegetable Oil.
  • Nutritional Facts: Calories 10, Total Fat 0 g, Sodium 180 mg, Total Carbohydrates 1 g, Total Sugars 0 g, Protein 0 g

Health Benefits & Drawbacks

A lot of us have a love-hate relationship with sodas.

We all know that consuming too much in a day can have harmful effects on our bodies, but do you know that moderate consumption can provide some health benefits too?

Caffeine, a natural stimulant, is the source of these health benefits. One of the most popular effects of consuming caffeine is improved alertness, short-term recall, and reaction time.[2]

This is why caffeinated drinks are often an excellent choice for an energy boost. On top of that, some studies suggest that drinking caffeinated drinks help lower the risk of depression.[3]

However, one important thing to note is that Sun Drop (and other soft drinks) feature other ingredients too.

These ingredients, like sugar and artificial flavoring, are known to have negative effects on our health.

So, it's best to drink sodas moderately and consume caffeine in other healthier alternatives like coffee or tea.

Sun Drop Citrus Cans Outdoors

Caffeine In Sun Drop Soda Vs Other Beverages

Now that we know how much caffeine Sun Drop contains, it’s time to see how it stacks up with other popular caffeinated sodas.

Sun Drop Caffeine Vs Mountain Dew

Alright, let's dive into the soda showdown, starting with Sun Drop versus Mountain Dew in the caffeine clash. Spoiler alert, Sun Drop is the heavyweight champ here.

Your typical 12 oz bottle of Sun Drop rocks a cool 63 mg of caffeine, while Mountain Dew rolls in with around 55 mg.[4]

Sun Drop Caffeine Vs Coke

While Coke is a classic, in the caffeine game, Sun Drop comes out ahead. A 12 oz bottle of Sun Drop packs 63 mg of caffeine, while a Coke of the same size holds about 34 mg.

Yep, Sun Drop wins this round, nearly doubling Coke's caffeine content. So, when you need a citrus kick paired with a caffeine lift, Sun Drop is the way to go.

Sun Drop Citrus With Sun Drop Diet And Cherry Lemon In Storage

Related Sun Drop Soda Caffeine Content Questions

Is Sun Drop Soda a good option for people who are sensitive to caffeine?

It depends on what other caffeinated drinks you have consumed throughout the day. If you already had coffee or tea, it’s best to stay away from this drink. However, if this is the only caffeinated drink you’ll have, it’s a good option.

Can consuming too much caffeine from Sun Drop Soda be harmful?

Yes, it can be, especially if you have consumed more caffeine than the recommended amount of 400 mg.

Is Sun Drop Soda gluten-free?

Yes, Sun Drop soda is gluten-free.

Where can I buy Sun Drop Soda?

You can buy Sun Drop from different grocery stores nationwide, or you can also find it on the Amazon website.


Conclusion

So, there you have it. Sun Drop offers a unique citrus punch and features a caffeinated kick. Compared to other sodas like Mountain Dew or Coke, it wins the caffeine battle.

Next time you reach for a soda, remember Sun Drop is more than just a thirst quencher - it's a fizzy, citrusy pick-me-up!

References:

1. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/2345935/nutrients
2. https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2010.01561.x
3. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mnfr.201500620
4. http://www.math.utah.edu/~yplee/fun/caffeine.html

Kim Fernandez

Kim Fernandez

Kim Fernandez is a freelance writer whose love for coffee goes beyond just drinking it--she enjoys writing about it too. When she's not writing, you'll find her sitting in a cafe, reading a book while drinking a freshly brewed cup of joe.

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