Does Cream Soda Have Caffeine? (2026)

Cream soda occupies a unique place among soft drinks. Its vanilla-forward flavor profile sets it apart from colas and citrus sodas, and many consumers assume it is naturally caffeine-free. That assumption is usually correct, but not always. The answer depends entirely on the brand, the specific product line, and whether the manufacturer has chosen to add caffeine as an ingredient.

This guide examines the caffeine content of every major cream soda brand sold in the United States, explains why most versions are caffeine-free, and offers context for how cream soda compares to other popular sodas on the caffeine spectrum.

The General Answer: Most Cream Sodas Are Caffeine-Free

Unlike colas, which almost universally contain caffeine, cream soda does not require caffeine as part of its flavor profile. The signature taste of cream soda comes from vanilla flavoring, sweeteners, and carbonated water. None of those core ingredients contain caffeine, and most manufacturers see no reason to add it.

As a result, the vast majority of cream sodas on the market today contain zero milligrams of caffeine per serving. This makes cream soda a reasonable choice for individuals who are sensitive to caffeine, parents selecting beverages for children, or anyone looking to avoid stimulants while still enjoying a carbonated soft drink.

However, there is one notable exception among the major brands, and a few smaller producers have experimented with caffeinated versions as well. The brand-by-brand breakdown below provides the specifics.

Brand-by-Brand Breakdown of Cream Soda Caffeine Content

The following section covers every widely available cream soda brand in North America. Caffeine values are listed per 12-ounce (355 mL) serving unless otherwise noted.

A&W Cream Soda

A&W Cream Soda is one of the most popular cream sodas in the country and is distributed by Keurig Dr Pepper. It contains 22 mg of caffeine per 12 oz serving. This makes it the most significant exception to the general rule that cream sodas are caffeine-free.

The caffeine content in A&W Cream Soda is modest compared to a typical cola (which contains roughly 34 mg per 12 oz), but it is not zero. Consumers who assume all A&W products are caffeine-free should note that while A&W Root Beer contains no caffeine, the cream soda variant does.

A&W also produces a Diet Cream Soda, which similarly contains caffeine at approximately the same level as the regular version.

IBC Cream Soda

IBC Cream Soda is a classic brand known for its glass bottle packaging and old-fashioned flavor. It is caffeine-free. IBC positions itself as a premium, throwback-style soft drink, and the absence of caffeine aligns with its traditional recipe approach. For consumers seeking a cream soda without any caffeine concerns, IBC is a reliable option.

Barq’s Cream Soda

Barq’s is best known for its root beer, which famously does contain caffeine unlike most other root beers. However, Barq’s Cream Soda (also marketed as Barq’s Red Creme Soda in some regions) is caffeine-free. This is somewhat ironic given the brand’s reputation for bucking the caffeine-free trend with its root beer, but the cream soda variant follows the more conventional approach.

Mug Cream Soda

Mug Cream Soda, produced by PepsiCo, is caffeine-free. Like its root beer counterpart, Mug keeps things straightforward with a vanilla-heavy flavor and no added stimulants. It is widely available in grocery stores and convenience shops across the United States.

Jones Cream Soda

Jones Soda Co. produces a cream soda that is caffeine-free. Jones is known for using cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, and the brand’s cream soda follows the expected pattern of containing no caffeine. It is a popular choice among consumers who prioritize ingredient quality.

Faygo Vanilla Crème

Faygo, the Michigan-based soda company with a devoted following, produces a Vanilla Crème flavor that is caffeine-free. Faygo offers an extensive lineup of sodas, and while some Faygo flavors do contain caffeine, the cream soda is not among them.

Sprecher Cream Soda

Sprecher Brewery, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, produces a craft cream soda that is caffeine-free. Sprecher uses a fire-brewed process and raw honey in its recipe, resulting in a cream soda that is widely regarded as one of the best craft options available. It contains no caffeine.

Stewart’s Cream Soda

Stewart’s Fountain Classics produces a cream soda that is caffeine-free. Stewart’s is another heritage brand that packages its sodas in glass bottles, and the cream soda remains one of its most popular offerings. No caffeine is added to the formula.

Big Red

Big Red is sometimes grouped with cream sodas due to its vanilla and citrus flavor profile, though it occupies its own category in the soft drink market. Big Red contains 34 mg of caffeine per 12 oz serving, which is comparable to a standard cola. If a consumer considers Big Red a cream soda, it would rank as the most caffeinated option in this category. However, purists may argue that Big Red is not technically a cream soda at all.

Store-Brand and Generic Cream Sodas

Most store-brand cream sodas sold by major retailers (including Walmart’s Great Value, Kroger, and similar house brands) are caffeine-free. That said, it is always worth checking the label, as formulations can change. The ingredient list will explicitly state “caffeine” if it has been added.

Quick Reference: Cream Soda Caffeine Chart

Brand	Caffeine per 12 oz	Caffeine-Free?
A&W Cream Soda	22 mg	No
A&W Diet Cream Soda	22 mg	No
Barq’s Cream Soda	0 mg	Yes
IBC Cream Soda	0 mg	Yes
Mug Cream Soda	0 mg	Yes
Jones Cream Soda	0 mg	Yes
Faygo Vanilla Crème	0 mg	Yes
Sprecher Cream Soda	0 mg	Yes
Stewart’s Cream Soda	0 mg	Yes
Big Red*	34 mg	No

Cream Soda vs. Other Sodas: Caffeine Comparison

To put cream soda’s caffeine content into perspective, it helps to compare it against other popular soft drinks. The following comparisons use standard 12-ounce servings.

Coca-Cola Classic contains approximately 34 mg of caffeine per serving. Even the one cream soda that does contain caffeine (A&W, at 22 mg) delivers roughly one-third less caffeine than a standard Coke. For a deeper look at how Sprite and Coke differ on caffeine and other metrics, that comparison is worth reviewing.

Dr Pepper contains about 41 mg of caffeine per 12 oz, making it one of the more caffeinated mainstream sodas. A full breakdown of Dr Pepper’s caffeine content is available for those interested in the details. Compared to Dr Pepper, even A&W Cream Soda is a significantly lower-caffeine option.

Pepsi contains roughly 38 mg of caffeine, while Mountain Dew sits at approximately 54 mg. Both are substantially higher than any cream soda on the market.

Sprite, 7-Up, and most lemon-lime sodas contain zero caffeine. These are the most direct competitors to cream soda in the caffeine-free soda space, though the flavor profiles are entirely different.

The takeaway is straightforward: cream soda as a category is one of the lowest-caffeine segments of the soft drink market. With the exception of A&W and arguably Big Red, every cream soda available at a typical grocery store contains no caffeine at all.

Caffeine-Free Alternatives to Cream Soda

For consumers who enjoy cream soda but want absolute certainty that their beverage contains no caffeine, there are several dependable paths to consider.

Switch brands from A&W. If A&W Cream Soda has been a go-to choice, simply switching to IBC, Mug, Jones, Barq’s, or any other major cream soda brand eliminates the caffeine entirely. The flavor profiles differ slightly between brands, but all deliver the core vanilla cream soda experience without stimulants.

Look for craft and artisan cream sodas. Brands like Sprecher, Virgil’s, and Boylan all produce cream sodas that are caffeine-free. These tend to use higher-quality ingredients (cane sugar, real vanilla, honey) and often have more complex flavor profiles than mass-market options. They cost more per bottle, but for occasional consumption, the quality difference is noticeable.

Check labels consistently. Even within a single brand, different product lines can have different formulations. A&W is the clearest example: the root beer is caffeine-free, but the cream soda is not. Reading the ingredient list and the nutrition facts panel takes a few seconds and removes all guesswork. If caffeine is present, it will be listed as an ingredient.

Consider root beer as a companion choice. Root beer is closely related to cream soda in the flavor spectrum, and most root beers are caffeine-free (with the well-known exception of Barq’s). For consumers who enjoy vanilla-adjacent soda flavors and want to avoid caffeine, alternating between caffeine-free cream sodas and caffeine-free root beers provides variety without the stimulant.

Why Does A&W Cream Soda Contain Caffeine?

This is a reasonable question, and the honest answer is that A&W (now under Keurig Dr Pepper) has never publicly explained the rationale in detail. Caffeine is not necessary for the flavor of cream soda. It does not contribute to the vanilla taste, the sweetness, or the mouthfeel. The most likely explanation is that caffeine was included as a mild stimulant to give the drink a slight functional edge, a strategy that many soda manufacturers have employed for over a century with colas.

It is worth noting that 22 mg of caffeine is a relatively small amount. A standard 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee contains roughly 95 mg, and even a cup of green tea delivers around 28 mg. The caffeine in A&W Cream Soda is unlikely to produce noticeable stimulant effects in most adults, but it could be a concern for individuals who are highly sensitive to caffeine or who are monitoring their intake for medical reasons.

Final Assessment

Cream soda is, as a category, one of the safest choices for consumers who want to avoid caffeine. The overwhelming majority of cream soda brands on the market contain zero milligrams of caffeine per serving. The one prominent exception is A&W Cream Soda (and its diet counterpart), which contains 22 mg per 12-ounce can. Big Red, if classified as a cream soda, adds another caffeinated option at 34 mg.

For anyone seeking a caffeine-free cream soda, the options are abundant: IBC, Barq’s, Mug, Jones, Faygo, Sprecher, Stewart’s, and nearly every store brand all deliver the classic vanilla cream soda flavor without any caffeine. Simply avoiding A&W Cream Soda (or reading the label before purchasing) is all that is required.

The bottom line is that cream soda and caffeine rarely go together. One brand chose to include it; the rest of the market did not. For the caffeine-conscious consumer, cream soda remains one of the most reliably stimulant-free options in the soft drink aisle.