Like many soda fans, I have long enjoyed the cool, refreshing taste of Sunkist orange soda whenever the sun makes an appearance, but a recent health kick has me considering my caffeine intake - especially on days when I have trouble sleeping.
With this in mind, I decided to take a closer look at the caffeine content of Sunkist orange soda - and what I found may come as a surprise to many a soda fan!
Read on to discover the truth about Sunkist and caffeine, and check out all you need to know!
Does Sunkist Contain Caffeine? (Yes – But How Much?)
Sunkist orange soda does contain caffeine, but the exact amount of caffeine in each serving will depend on the variety and the size of the orange pop.
Sunkist Orange Flavored Soda - Made with Real Sugar
For a truly tasty sweet treat, why not try Sunkist Orange Flavor soda, which is made with real sugar, to create an authentic orange taste.
With 19mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz, this is a higher-caffeine option, and the inclusion of sugar means that you are likely to enjoy a real energy boost with every mouthful - this is great for a refreshing way to quench your thirst.
Sunkist Zero Sugar
Sunkist zero sugar orange soda is one of the most popular options when it comes to natural flavors, as it is packed with orange juice, citric acid, and a delicious taste - and with 0 calories in each can, you can enjoy a sweet treat without breaking your diet!
It is important to note, however, that like the full-fat Orange Soda, it comes in as one of the higher caffeine options compared to other orange sodas, with the amount of caffeine sitting at around 19 mg per 12 fl oz of soda.
This is still relatively low compared to many caffeinated beverages on the market, but compared to other drinks in the range, this does sit at the top end - meaning that it may not be the best thing to help me drift off at night.
Sunkist Caffeine Free Lemonade Soda
If you are looking to enjoy a delicious caffeine-free version of Sunkist, then Sunkist lemonade should be your go-to soft drink.
This is a mouthwatering caffeine-free option that is packed with natural flavors and will allow you to enjoy the taste of soft drinks without having to worry about your caffeine intake - an issue that can arise with the orange sodas in the range.
If I am in the mood for a sweet, tasty soda without the worry of caffeine keeping me awake, this Sunkist lemonade is usually my top choice.
Sunkist Orange Fountain Soda
Another popular product in the Sunkist soda range is the Sunkist Orange Fountain soda drink, another of their orange sodas known for its delicious taste and relatively low caffeine content 0 just 19 mg per 12 fl oz.
Once again, this places this orange soda treat comfortably in the center of other caffeinated drink options, allowing you to indulge without worry.
Product | Serving | Caffeine | Caffeine Strength | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sunkist Orange Soda | 12 fl oz | 19 mg | Low | 160 |
Sunkist Orange Soda | 16.9 fl oz | 25.35 mg | Medium | 270 |
Sunkist Zero Sugar Soda | 12 fl oz | 10 mg | Super Low | 0 |
Sunkist Caffeine Free Lemonade Soda | 12 fl oz | 0 mg | NA | 110 |
Sunkist Orange Fountain Soda | 12 fl oz | 12 mg | Low | 160 |
Variations Of Sunkist Soda Flavors & Their Caffeine Content
As I noted earlier, there are a host of types of Sunkist soda flavors, from the famous Sunkist Orange soda to grape and strawberry varieties.
I decided to take a closer look at some of the most popular flavors and their associated caffeine content in each serving.
Product | Contains Caffeine? | Caffeine Amount |
|---|---|---|
Sunkist Orange Soda | Yes | 19 mg per 12 fl oz |
Sunkist Berry Lemonade | No | NA |
Sunkist Cherry Limeade | No | NA |
Sunkist Grape Soda | No | NA |
Sunkist Peach | No | NA |
Sunkist Strawberry | No | NA |
Sunkist Strawberry Lemonade | No | NA |
According to the research, the majority of Sunkist soda and lemonade products are caffeine-free sodas, with the exception of Sunkist orange soda and Sunkist diet soda.[1]
This is a diversion from the majority of similar fizzy, fruity drinks such as Fanta and similar brands, which are caffeine free, but is a lower amount than beverages such as Pepsi, which contains 38.9 mg per 12 oz, Dr. Pepper, which contains 42.6 mg per 12oz, and even tea, which comes in at 37.4 mg per 12 oz serving.[2]
What’s Exactly In Sunkist Orange Soda?
Now that I have taken a closer look at the answer to the question "Does Sunkist have caffeine?" it is time to take a look at the ingredients that make up this popular soda from the Sunkist brand.
Ingredient List
Nutritional Information
Nutrients | Per 12 fl oz |
|---|---|
Calories | 162 |
Fat | 0 g |
Sodium | 66 mg |
Carbohydrate | 44.4 g |
Vitamin D | 0 |
Calcium | 0 |
Iron | 0 |
Potassium | 0 |
Caffeine In Sunkist Soda Vs Other Sodas
As mentioned, Sunkist orange soda contains 19 milligrams of caffeine per 12 oz serving, but, as I mentioned, this is still relatively low compared to other popular drinks and brands of orange soda.
Soda Name | Caffeine Per 12 oz |
|---|---|
Pepsi | 38.9 mg |
Diet Pepsi | 36.7 mg |
Coca-Cola | 33.9 mg |
Diet Coke | 46.3 mg |
Dr. Pepper | 42.6 mg |
Diet Dr. Pepper | 44.1 mg |
Mountain Dew | 54.8 mg |
Diet Mountain Dew | 55.2 mg |
A&W Cream Soda | 0 mg |
Common Questions About Sunkist Drinks
Is Sunkist a healthy drink?
Sunkist is not a healthy drink option, as it contains high levels of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and additives that can lead to weight gain.
Does Sunkist have alcohol?
Sunkist does not contain alcohol, making it a delicious option for those enjoying a booze-free beverage. Of course, you can always use it as a mixer for your adult beverages.
Is Sunkist Orange Soda gluten-free?
Sunkist orange soda is gluten-free, as it contains no gluten, and all products in the range are considered to be gluten-free up to 20 ppm.[3]
Is Sunkist Orange Soda Kosher?
Sunkist Orange soda is not considered to be kosher and so should be avoided by those seeking to follow a kosher diet.
Can Sunkist Orange Soda be consumed by vegans?
Sunkist Orange Soda cannot be consumed by vegans, as it contains small amounts of gelatin, which are an animal byproduct.
How much caffeine should I have per day?
Experts recommend that healthy adults should not have more than 400 milligrams of caffeine each day to stay healthy and protect their heart and other vital organs. Take care to monitor your intake of caffeinated drinks, whether orange soda or coffee and stay within the recommended limit.
Conclusion
Sunkist orange soda is a tasty beverage that has a large fan following, and this is largely due to the delicious natural flavors - there is no denying that this is perfect for quenching your thirst.
The good news is that you and I can both rest easy - while these orange soda drinks do contain caffeine (not to mention high levels of high fructose corn syrup), they sit at the lower end of the scale, and there are some lower or no-caffeine options available.
Remember, however, that too much caffeine can be seriously bad for your health, so I plan to stick to Sunkist orange soda in moderation and enjoy an occasional sweet treat alongside caffeine-free options such as A&W Cream Soda and plenty of good old water - life is better with a healthy balance!
References:
1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/caffeine-free-soda#:~:text=Most%20 fruit%20 sodas%20are%20 caffeine,sodas%20 Sunkist%20and%20 Diet%20 Sunkist.
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17995675/#:~:text=Some%20of%20the%20 more%20 common,%2F12%20oz)%2C%20and%20 Diet
3. https://www.verywellfit.com/gluten-free-sodas-562349#:~:text=and%20 acesulfame%20K.-,Sunkist,with%20 aspartame%20and%20 acesulfame%20K.
