No, current Four Loko contains zero caffeine. The brand voluntarily removed all caffeine, guarana, and taurine from its recipe in 2010 after the FDA declared the combination a public health concern, and the formula has stayed caffeine-free ever since.
The Four Loko sitting on a convenience store shelf today is not the same drink that made headlines in 2010. That original “blackout in a can” packed roughly 156 mg of caffeine — the equivalent of four beers and two Red Bulls — into each 23.5-ounce can. But for more than a decade, the product has been completely caffeine-free, with an alcohol content that varies by state from 8% to 14% ABV. If you are hunting for that original caffeinated formula, it does not exist anymore.
Why Was Caffeine Removed From Four Loko?
The FDA issued a warning letter to Four Loko’s parent company, Phusion Projects, in November 2010, declaring added caffeine in alcoholic drinks an “unsafe food additive.” The agency had concluded that caffeine masks the effects of alcohol intoxication, leading drinkers to consume more than they realize.
Phusion Projects announced the reformulation on November 16, 2010, and the first caffeine-free cans hit shelves in January 2011. The company now states plainly that the original ingredients — caffeine, guarana, and taurine — were removed due to potential health dangers, and the brand has not reintroduced any stimulant since.
What Is In The Current Four Loko Formula?
Today’s Four Loko is a malt liquor (not vodka or any spirit) made from carbonated water, alcohol from malted grains, sugar, natural and artificial flavors, and coloring agents like FD&C Red 40. There is no caffeine, no guarana, no taurine, and no wormwood (a common myth the brand has repeatedly debunked).
Whether the drink is carbonated is a point of confusion. The brand’s official FAQ emphasizes that the beverage is “non-carbonated” and intended to be taken as shots, yet multiple ingredient lists include carbonated water. The likely answer: it contains low carbonation for mixing but is flat enough to shoot comfortably.
How Much Alcohol Is In Four Loko Now?
The ABV is not uniform. It varies by state alcohol regulations, with the current standard tall-boy can often bottled at 13.9% ABV. Available tiers run from a lower 6% to a potent 14%, depending on where you buy it.
In 2025, Four Loko also launched a hard seltzer variant at 12% ABV, marketed as “the hardest seltzer in the universe.” That version is also caffeine-free.
| ABV Tier | Commonly Found In | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6% – 8% | States with lower ABV caps (e.g., Montana) | Lighter, more like strong beer |
| 10% – 12% | Many mid-range regulation states | Standard after-reformulation strength |
| 13.9% – 14% | States like New York and Pennsylvania | Current highest standard ABV |
| 12% | Hard Seltzer variant (2025 release) | Caffeine-free, seltzer format |
What Are The Current Four Loko Flavors?
As of 2026, the brand sells seven core flavors, with a handful of limited and regional releases rotating in and out. The main lineup includes:
- Sour Blue Razz
- Sour Peach
- Sour Apple
- Lemonade
- Sour Grape
- Wicked Tea
- Sour White Cherry
Limited runs have included Strawberry Lemonade, Electric Lemonade, Watermelon, Gold, Jungle Juice, and Fruit Punch. Each comes in the familiar 23.5-ounce can and sells for around $2.50 at retail.
Four Loko’s official product page lists all current flavors and regional availability.
Where Is Four Loko Sold?
The drink is available in 49 U.S. states. One state bans it entirely due to local liquor laws. It is also available in countries like Canada, where mixing caffeine with alcohol is illegal — the current caffeine-free formula passes all Canadian regulations without issue.
Outside the U.S. and Canada, availability varies. The brand does not sell a caffeinated version anywhere in the world.
Did The Original Four Loko Contain 156 Mg Of Caffeine?
Yes, the original 23.5-ounce can contained an estimated 155–156 mg of caffeine — roughly the same amount as two 8-ounce Red Bulls. That caffeine was paired with an ABV that climbed through multiple iterations, from 6% at launch in 2005 up to 12% and 14% before the 2010 crackdown.
The combination was notorious for causing what emergency rooms called “blackout in a can” intoxication, because drinkers felt alert enough to keep drinking well past their safe limit. A high-profile 2011 NPR report documented 11 young people who ended up in the same emergency room after drinking the original formula.
| Attribute | Original Formula (2005–2010) | Current Formula (2011–Present) |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | ~156 mg per can | 0 mg |
| Guarana / Taurine | Present | None |
| ABV Range | 6% – 14% | 6% – 14% (varies by state) |
| Can Size | 23.5 oz | 23.5 oz |
| Carbonation | Fully carbonated | Low / marketed as non-carbonated |
| FDA Compliance | Not compliant (warning letter issued) | Fully compliant |
Is Four Loko Dangerous Without Caffeine?
The caffeine is gone, but the alcohol remains potent. A single 23.5-ounce can of the 13.9% ABV version contains the alcohol of roughly four to five standard beers, depending on the state’s alcohol tier. The brand itself acknowledges that Four Loko “aren’t dangerous when consumed responsibly,” but the high ABV per can means a single serving can equal a night’s limit for most drinkers.
The original formula’s danger was that caffeine masked intoxication. The current formula’s danger is simpler: a high alcohol dose in a sweet, easy-to-drink can that goes down fast. The brand markets it to be taken as shots — a clear signal that the alcohol concentration is not something to sip casually.
If you are comparing the two eras: yes, the current version is safer than the original. But “safer than the blackout-in-a-can formula” is not the same as “low-risk.” Treat each can with the same respect you would a bottle of wine or a round of mixed cocktails.
References & Sources
- Four Loko FAQ. “Does Four Loko Contain Caffeine, Guarana, and Taurine?” Confirms zero caffeine in current product.
- VinePair. “8 Things You Should Know About Four Loko.” Historical context and current ABV tiers.
- Sporked. “What Is Four Loko, Really?” Ingredient breakdown including the carbonation confusion.
- Esquire. “Why Four Loko Removed Caffeine in 2010.” Explains FDA involvement and brand rationale.
