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Do Coke Icees Have Caffeine?

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Icees are a popular treat enjoyed by many on a hot summer’s day or during a trip to the movies. With several great flavors available, Coke Icees are one of the most refreshing and flavorsome choices you could make!

But do Coke Icees have caffeine? Coke Icees are made using concentrated Coke flavoring that is mixed with water and CO2. This mixture is frozen under high pressure to create the slushy ice texture we know and love. Coke Icees do contain some caffeine, with around 15 mg in an 8 fl oz serving.

Want to learn more about Coke Icees and how much caffeine they contain? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about your favorite iced beverage!

What Are Coke Icees?

On a warm day, you won’t go far without spotting someone enjoying a giant Icee cup — they are now so widely available that we can get them everywhere!

The iconic Icee is a slushy iced drink made in a specially designed machine. These machines are commonly found in movie theatres, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants.

There are now over 75,000 Icee machines in the United States, serving over 300 million Icees every year!

While there are many different flavors and variations of Icees available, including the fabulous Icee Float, the Coke Icee remains one of the most popular flavors.

Coke Icees are made from Coca-Cola, the iconic carbonated soda drink we all know and love. The Icee machine super-chills Coca-Cola without turning it into solid ice, giving it an incredible slushy texture!

The way an Icee machine works is very clever. It uses a flavor concentrate, in this case, Coca-Cola, and mixes it with carefully calculated amounts of water and CO2 gas.

This mixture is then frozen under pressure, creating a frozen liquid that has a soft, fluffy texture!

Fun fact: this technique was developed by accident when a Dairy Queen owner in Kansas placed bottles of soda in the freezer when his soda machine broke. When opened, the liquid inside these soda bottles would instantly turn to slush! 

What Is In A Coke Icee?

Sadly, it is no secret that Icees are not a particularly healthy choice of beverage! But on a hot summer’s day, there is nothing better to make you feel super chilled and relaxed. But what exactly is in a Coke Icee?

According to the manufacturers, they contain the following:

  • High Fructose Corn Syrup
  • Water
  • Caramel Color
  • Phosphoric Acid
  • Yucca And Quillaia Extracts
  • Sodium Benzoate (Preservative)

These are actually very similar to the ingredients listed on a can of Coca-Cola, although we are not given any clue as to how either beverage gets its flavor.

This is because manufacturers are not required to divulge what natural flavorings they use!

Do Coke Icees Have Caffeine?

Coca-Cola contains caffeine, which contributes to the great flavor of this drink as well as gives you a boost to get you through a busy day.

A 12 oz can of original Coca-Cola contains 34 mg of caffeine, just under half that of a cup of normal-strength coffee.

But what about Coke Icees — do they also contain caffeine?

Unfortunately, the manufacturer’s guidance is somewhat vague here. Their website states that some Icees contain caffeine, but there is very little detail to say which ones.

However, we can assume that Coke Icees are more likely to contain caffeine than other flavors like banana or blood orange!

Luckily, some further detective work revealed the answer to our question of the day.

It transpires that Coke Icees do contain caffeine, which most likely originates from the concentrated syrup that is used to create the great flavor of our favorite iced beverage.

How Much Caffeine Is In A Coke Icee?

Go to any Icee machine or counter and you’ll find that there are many size options available!

A small serving is around 8 fl oz, but if you need a big Icee fix, then you can opt for a whopping 32 fl oz cup.

The amount of caffeine in a Coke Icee will depend on the serving size.

A standard 8 fl oz serving contains around 15 mg of caffeine, whereas the biggest 32 fl oz Icee will contain four times this much — that’s a whopping 60 mg of caffeine!

Is Caffeine Good Or Bad For You?

So, why are people so concerned about whether Coke Icees contain caffeine? After all, most of us consume caffeine in the form of tea, coffee, or Coca-Cola on a regular basis!

The key to caffeine is that it should only be consumed in moderation, and there are some groups of people who should steer clear of it altogether.

For example, children and pregnant women are advised not to consume any caffeine at all, and those with heart conditions and high blood pressure are recommended to cut down on their caffeine intake.

So, if you’re consuming Coke Icees regularly, you could be exposing yourself to more caffeine than you realize!

Food safety authorities advise that a safe level of caffeine intake is 400 mg per day. There are some health benefits to consuming caffeine, as it stimulates your metabolism and helps to keep you alert and focused.

Regular overconsumption of caffeine can lead to detrimental side effects such as insomnia, mood swings, restlessness, and anxiety. Children who consume caffeine often find it difficult to focus and develop behavioral problems.

Long-term caffeine consumption can also lead to headaches and migraines. Many people become addicted to caffeine and struggle to function normally without it!

The best way to avoid this is to drink caffeine in moderation and steer clear of beverages that contain high levels of caffeine.

Luckily, a standard-sized 8 fl oz Coke Icee only contains around 15 mg of caffeine, making it way below the recommended daily caffeine intake.

However, if you also drink a lot of strong coffee or other caffeinated beverages, you might want to steer clear of Coke Icees and choose one of the other great flavors instead.

Related Questions

Now that we’ve got Coke Icees all figured out, let’s take a look at some other common questions about our favorite iced drinks! 

Are Coke Icees vegan?

Coke Icees are completely free from animal or animal-derived ingredients, making them safe for anyone following a vegan or vegetarian diet.

Do Coke Icees contain gluten?

Coke Icees and all other Icee products do not contain wheat or any other sources of gluten. This makes them suitable for anyone who is intolerant to gluten or follows a gluten-free diet.

Are sugar-free Icees available?

Unfortunately, sugar-free Icees are not available — the sugar content is essential to create the slushy ice texture we know and love. Icees are notoriously high in sugar and should be considered an occasional treat!

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