11 Sodas with the Most Caffeine and How They Compare to Coffee

If you’re like many people, you may need a pick-me-up beverage every once in a while to get you through the day. It might be coffee, soda, or something else entirely, but have you tried the sodas with the most caffeine? There are many great and tasty drinks out there and many pack a mighty punch. Today, we’ll talk about many of the sodas with the most caffeine and see how they compare to a cup of coffee. This is informational, but it’s also educational. You may be looking for a soda with more caffeine, or you may want to try to drink less. In any case, read on and enjoy!

Soda vs. Coffee: How They Compare

First, we’ll provide a baseline of how coffee and soda compare and differ when it comes to caffeine. In most cases, coffee will typically have more caffeine than the popular sodas you’ll see at the grocery store. Most standard sodas will have about 25-50 milligrams of caffeine. Compare that to a standard 6 ounce cup of coffee that has arabica beans or something moderate, and you’ll still have about 100 milligrams of caffeine. Even if you just drink a shot of espresso, it will still have more caffeine, at about 70 milligrams. 

When comparing your feelings when drinking a soda versus a coffee, you may feel like the soda gives you more pep in your step, but that’s the caffeine mixed with the sugar. Standard black coffee doesn’t have that sugar, which makes it a bit healthier. In reality, while you may get a temporary boost from soda, it’s really not healthy at all, so keep that in mind. You also shouldn’t drink too much coffee because it can interrupt your sleep. 

If you drink either soda or coffee in moderation, you’ll typically get more caffeine in the coffee, but as we’ll see, that’s not always the case.

Bawls 

Not everyone may be familiar with Bawls, but it’s a soda that promises natural energy. However, part of that is due to its caffeine. The typical 16 fl oz can of Bawls soda has 102 milligrams of caffeine. That’s much more than your typical cup of black coffee. The soda also has 46 grams of sugar, so it’s best to drink this beverage in moderation. You can also get the 10 oz bottle, which has only 64 milligrams of caffeine, which is closer to the levels in the standard cup of coffee. Bawls beverages come in numerous flavors, including cherry, root beer, and mandarin orange. You’ll find very few sodas with more caffeine. 

Mountain Dew Kickstart

This is another soda that the company doesn't quite consider to be an energy drink. Instead, they say it’s a healthier way to start your day. They call it an enhanced soda. The beverage comes with 90 milligrams of caffeine per 16 fl oz. You can get it in many flavors, from pineapple-orange-mango to midnight grape and fruit punch. Beware that the drink does have 80 calories and 20 grams of sugar, along with its 5% fruit juice and artificial sweeteners. 

Coca-Cola with Coffee 

This is a fairly new beverage from the famous soda giant. It’s a combination of soda and coffee, and it has 69 milligrams of caffeine per 12 fl oz. It also packs 70 calories, so drink in moderation. If you love both coffee and coke, then you have some good options here. There are numerous flavors, including vanilla, mocha, caramel, and others. This beverage has a little less caffeine than your typical coffee, but it has more sugar.

Ski Soda

Ski Soda is a fun little beverage that’s often found in the South or Midwest United States. It’s a citrus-flavored drink with a few variations. The amount of caffeine depends on the type of Ski Soda you’re enjoying. If you get the standard or cherry flavor in a 12 fl oz can, you’ll be taking in 69 milligrams of caffeine. The diet version has 17 milligrams of sodium, and there’s also a caffeine-free version. In addition to the caffeine, you’ll also get 46 grams of sugar and 180 calories, so drink in moderation. This drink has about the same amount of caffeine as a shot of espresso. 

Mountain Dew Zero Sugar

This drink may have zero sugar, but it does have about the same amount of caffeine as Coca-Cola with Coffee. This is the next best thing to regular Mountain Dew. It provides a refreshing taste, and it has 68 milligrams of caffeine in a 12 fl oz can. You can get it in regular or Major Melon. This is another beverage that has a caffeine level close to that shot of espresso.

Sun Drop

Next on our list of sodas with the most caffeine is Sun Drop, which brings 64 milligrams of caffeine per every 12 fl oz can. This beverage comes to us from the makers of Dr. Pepper, and it’s been around in some variation since the 1950s, when it used to be called Sun-Drop Golden Cola. You can get the soda in regular or caffeine-free flavors. Those that do have caffeine have at least 64 milligrams of it. It’s less than a shot of espresso and a typical cup of coffee. 

Doc Soda

You’ll mostly find this unique city in the Midwest. It’s supposed to be a combination of cola and Dr. Pepper and it’s produced by the Pepsi company. There is a regular and diet version. One 12 fl oz can will give you 60 milligrams of caffeine, which is less than your shot of espresso, but it’s still a decent amount.

Shasta Mountain Rush

As the name seems to suggest, this soda is very similar to Mountain Dew, and it also has the same caffeine level at about 54 milligrams per 12 fl oz can. The beverage also has 150 calories and 36 grams of sugar. The good news is that the Shasta company was able to reduce the sugar content by using an artificial sweetener instead. 

Dr. Pepper 10

There’s a variation of Dr. Pepper called Dr. Pepper 10, which also has a decent amount of caffeine, with 51 milligrams. This soda is advertised to men, and it’s supposed to have a bolder flavor. Part of that is due to the addition of high fructose corn syrup, which results in 10 calories per serving. Dr. Pepper 10 has 51 milligrams of caffeine. Regular Dr. Pepper has 41 milligrams of caffeine. That means both have less caffeine than a shot of espresso. The beverage is hard to find but worth a try if you’re able to locate a can.

Mello Yello

The name may suggest that this drink is mellow, but in reality the drink has 51 milligrams of caffeine, which is only slightly less than a shot of espresso. Beware, the drink also has 47 grams of sugar. This is a citrus drink that also comes in a sugar-free alternative. Mello Yello is less common on store shelves than it used to be, but you can find it at various stores. 

Diet RC Cola

RC cola is not available everywhere, but you can often find it in the Midwest. It’s somewhat similar to Coke, but it’s sweetened with Splenda. One 12 fl oz can contain 48 milligrams of sodium, which makes it the lowest on this list, but it’s still a decent amount if you need a boost, but like with all sodas, drink it in moderation. Try a can if you’re able to find one.

Conclusion

These are the sodas with the most caffeine that are currently on the market. Most of them have less caffeine than a cup of coffee, but they provide a nice jolt of energy if you need it. However, the added sugar can be an issue, so drink them in moderation. If you enjoy the taste of coffee, consider drinking it instead, and you’ll stay alert while not allowing too much sugar.

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