You probably remember the stories. Or maybe you were there, holding a camo-printed tallboy at a house party back in 2010. People called it "blackout in a can." It was the drink that defined a very specific, very chaotic era of American nightlife. But if you walk into a 7-Eleven today and grab one, you’re getting a completely different beast.
So, let's get the big question out of the way immediately. No, 4loko does not have caffeine anymore.
It hasn't for a long time. If you’re looking for that heart-racing, "wide-awake drunk" feeling that the original formula was famous for, you aren't going to find it in a modern can of Four Loko. The stimulants are long gone.
The day the "Four" in Four Loko died
Back in the day, the name "Four" actually meant something. It represented the four primary active ingredients: caffeine, taurine, guarana, and alcohol. It was basically a Red Bull and vodka on steroids, pre-mixed and sold for three bucks.
The original cans packed roughly 156mg of caffeine. For context, that’s about the same as two shots of espresso or a large cup of coffee. When you mix that much stimulant with 12% ABV (alcohol by volume), things get weird. The caffeine masks the "depressant" effects of the alcohol. You don't feel tired or sloppy; you feel like you can run through a brick wall.
Then 2010 happened.
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The FDA stepped in after a string of hospitalizations on college campuses. They sent a "warning letter" to Phusion Projects (the makers of Four Loko) and a few other companies, basically saying that adding caffeine to malt liquor was an "unsafe food additive." They didn't technically ban it outright, but they made it clear that if the companies didn't change the recipe, the government was going to start seizing product.
Phusion Projects "voluntarily" reformulated. By late 2010, the "Four" became a bit of a misnomer. They stripped out the caffeine, the taurine, and the guarana.
What is actually inside a Four Loko now?
If you check the label on a can of Four Loko USA or Gold today, it's pretty straightforward. It’s a premium malt beverage.
Basically, it's a very strong, very sugary beer-adjacent drink. Most versions you'll find in 2026 range from 8% to 14% ABV. The alcohol comes from fermented grain (malt), similar to how beer is made, but it's filtered to be neutral so they can hit it with those heavy fruit flavors like Blue Razz or Fruit Punch.
There are no hidden stimulants. No "secret" caffeine.
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Honestly, the only thing that's "loco" about it these days is the sheer amount of sugar and the high alcohol content. One 23.5oz can at 14% ABV is roughly equivalent to drinking four or five standard beers in one sitting. That’s why people still end up in trouble with it—it’s not the caffeine anymore, it’s just the volume of booze.
Why people still think it has caffeine
It’s a legacy thing. The brand's reputation is so tied to that original 2005–2010 run that the myth just won't die.
You also have to consider the placebo effect. The branding is loud. The colors are neon. The flavors are intense. When you're chugging something that tastes like liquid candy and hits you with a massive spike of sugar, your body reacts. You might get a "sugar rush" that feels a little like a caffeine buzz, especially if you’re drinking it fast.
There's also a weird gray market online. You’ll occasionally see rumors that you can buy the "original" version in China or Mexico. While it's true that Four Loko expanded globally (it's weirdly popular in China, where it's sometimes called "lose virginity liquor"), Phusion Projects has stated repeatedly that they don't put caffeine in any of their products worldwide anymore. If you find a "caffeinated" version, it’s either a knock-off or a decade-old can that you definitely should not drink.
The 2026 lineup: What are you actually drinking?
Four Loko hasn't just sat still since the caffeine ban. They've been leaning hard into the "Flavor Malt Beverage" (FMB) category.
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- Four Loko USA/Gold/Jungle Juice: These are the classics. High ABV, carbonated, and sweet.
- Four Loko REMIX: This is the newer stuff—often agave-wine based and uncarbonated, usually sold in Tetra Paks.
- Four Loko PREGAME: These are non-carbonated "shots" that are meant to be used as mixers or taken quickly.
None of these have stimulants. They are all just different ways to deliver high-proof alcohol with a lot of flavoring.
A quick reality check on "Wide-Awake Drunkenness"
The reason the FDA went after the original formula wasn't just because people were getting drunk. It was because they were getting "dangerously" drunk without realizing it.
When you drink regular alcohol, your body has natural "off switches." You get sleepy. You get a little dizzy. You slow down. Caffeine flips those switches off. You feel alert and sharp, so you keep drinking. By the time the caffeine wears off, your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) is at a level that can be life-threatening.
Even without the caffeine, modern Four Loko is still heavy-duty. Because it's so sweet, it goes down easier than a stiff whiskey or a bitter IPA. You can easily consume 600+ calories and a massive amount of alcohol in twenty minutes without really noticing.
Practical takeaways if you're reaching for a can
If you're going to dive into a Four Loko in 2026, keep a few things in mind so you don't end up as a cautionary tale:
- Check the ABV: It’s not the same everywhere. Depending on your state's laws, that can might be 8% or it might be 14%. That is a massive difference. Read the fine print on the side of the can.
- Hydrate: This sounds like "mom advice," but the sugar in these drinks will give you a legendary hangover. Drink water between cans—or better yet, don't drink more than one can.
- Don't mix it yourself: You might be tempted to pour a Monster or a Red Bull into your Loko to "recreate" the original. Don't. There's a reason the FDA cracked down on it. Your heart will thank you for not forcing it to process a massive stimulant and a massive depressant at the same time.
- Treat one can like a pack: Seriously. One 23.5oz can of 14% Loko is basically a bottle of wine. If you wouldn't chug a whole bottle of Pinot Grigio in ten minutes, don't do it with a Loko.
The era of the caffeinated Four Loko is a piece of internet and beverage history. It’s gone and it isn’t coming back. What’s left is just a very strong, very fruity malt beverage that requires a lot more respect than its candy-colored packaging suggests.
If you're looking for caffeine, stick to your coffee or energy drinks. If you're looking for a Four Loko, just know you're getting the booze—and only the booze.