Does Sprite Have Caffeine? (2026)

Sprite has been a staple lemon-lime soda for decades, and one of its most frequently cited selling points is the absence of caffeine. But does Sprite actually have caffeine, or is this just a marketing assumption that has gone unquestioned? This article examines the caffeine content of Sprite, its full ingredient list, how it stacks up against competing lemon-lime sodas, and why The Coca-Cola Company has kept caffeine out of the formula from the very beginning.

Does Sprite Contain Caffeine?

No. Sprite does not contain caffeine. A standard 12-ounce (355 ml) can of Sprite contains exactly 0 mg of caffeine. This is not a recent reformulation or a regional variation. Sprite has been a caffeine-free beverage since The Coca-Cola Company introduced it to the United States market in 1961. The product has never contained caffeine in any version sold in any country.

This makes Sprite a straightforward choice for individuals who are avoiding caffeine for medical reasons, during pregnancy, for religious observance, or simply as a personal preference. Unlike Coca-Cola, which contains approximately 34 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce serving, Sprite delivers its flavor entirely through non-caffeinated ingredients.

It is worth noting that the caffeine-free status applies to regular Sprite as well as most of its variants, though each variant deserves individual consideration, which is addressed later in this article.

Full Ingredient Breakdown of Sprite

Understanding why Sprite is caffeine-free requires a look at what actually goes into the beverage. The ingredient list for a standard can of Sprite in the United States is as follows:

• Carbonated water — The base of the drink, providing the fizz and mouthfeel that define any soda.
• High fructose corn syrup — The primary sweetener in the US formulation. Some international versions use sucrose (cane sugar) instead.
• Citric acid — Provides the tart, sour flavor profile associated with lemon-lime sodas. This is the dominant flavor acid in the formula.
• Natural flavors — A proprietary blend of lemon and lime flavor compounds. The Coca-Cola Company does not disclose the exact composition.
• Sodium citrate — Acts as a buffer to regulate acidity and as a mild preservative.
• Sodium benzoate — A preservative that prevents microbial growth and extends shelf life.

There is no caffeine, no kola nut extract, no guarana, and no tea-derived compounds anywhere in this ingredient list. The formula is built entirely around citrus flavoring and carbonation. This stands in contrast to cola-style beverages, where caffeine has historically been included as a flavor component derived from the kola nut.

From a nutritional standpoint, a 12-ounce can of regular Sprite contains approximately 140 calories and 38 grams of sugar. It contains no fat, no protein, and no significant vitamins or minerals. The sodium content sits at roughly 65 mg per can.

Sprite Compared to Other Lemon-Lime Sodas

Sprite is not the only lemon-lime soda on the market, and consumers sometimes wonder whether the caffeine-free status is unique to Sprite or standard across the category. The short answer is that the entire lemon-lime soda category is caffeine-free, but the details are worth examining.

Sprite vs. 7UP

7UP, produced by Keurig Dr Pepper, is the most direct competitor to Sprite in the lemon-lime space. Like Sprite, 7UP contains 0 mg of caffeine per serving. The two beverages share a nearly identical flavor profile, though many consumers and taste testers note that Sprite has a slightly more aggressive citrus bite compared to 7UP, which tends toward a smoother, slightly sweeter character. Neither product has ever contained caffeine.

Sprite vs. Sierra Mist / Starry

PepsiCo retired Sierra Mist in 2023 and replaced it with Starry, a reformulated lemon-lime soda designed to compete more directly with Sprite. Starry also contains 0 mg of caffeine. The rebranding was a marketing decision, not a formula change related to caffeine or stimulant content.

Sprite vs. Fresca

Fresca is another caffeine-free citrus soda produced by The Coca-Cola Company, though it is grapefruit-flavored rather than lemon-lime. Like Sprite, Fresca contains no caffeine. Fresca is also calorie-free, which distinguishes it from regular Sprite. Both products sit firmly in the caffeine-free category.

Sprite vs. Cola Beverages

The difference becomes more pronounced when comparing Sprite to cola-style drinks. A 12-ounce can of Coca-Cola contains about 34 mg of caffeine, while Sprite contains none. Pepsi contains approximately 38 mg per 12-ounce can. Mountain Dew, a citrus-flavored soda that is not in the lemon-lime subcategory, contains roughly 54 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce serving. This makes Mountain Dew a notable outlier among citrus sodas, as it deliberately includes caffeine despite its non-cola flavor profile.

The takeaway is that lemon-lime sodas, as a product category, are uniformly caffeine-free. This is not a coincidence but rather a reflection of how these products are formulated and positioned in the market.

Why Sprite Is Caffeine-Free

The absence of caffeine in Sprite is not accidental. It is the result of deliberate product design decisions rooted in both historical convention and market positioning.

Historical Context

Cola beverages originally included caffeine because it occurred naturally in the kola nut, one of the core flavoring ingredients in early cola recipes. When The Coca-Cola Company developed Sprite in the early 1960s as a competitor to 7UP, the product was designed from the ground up as a citrus soda. Lemon and lime flavoring agents do not contain caffeine, and there was no flavor-based reason to add it. The formula simply did not call for it.

Market Positioning

The Coca-Cola Company has consistently marketed Sprite as a clean, crisp, refreshing alternative to heavier cola drinks. The caffeine-free status supports this positioning. Consumers who reach for Sprite are often looking for a lighter beverage experience, and the absence of caffeine reinforces that perception. Adding caffeine would undermine the product identity without providing a clear benefit.

Consumer Expectations

Decades of market presence have cemented the expectation that lemon-lime sodas do not contain caffeine. Introducing caffeine to Sprite at this point would likely create consumer backlash and confusion, particularly among parents who purchase Sprite for children specifically because it lacks caffeine. The brand has no incentive to disrupt this well-established expectation.

Regulatory Considerations

In some markets, adding caffeine to a soft drink that has not historically contained it would trigger additional labeling requirements or regulatory scrutiny. Maintaining a caffeine-free formula simplifies compliance across the more than 190 countries where Sprite is sold.

Sprite Variants and Their Caffeine Status

The Coca-Cola Company has released numerous Sprite variants over the years. While the core product remains caffeine-free, it is reasonable to ask whether any of the variants have introduced caffeine into the formula.

Sprite Zero Sugar

Sprite Zero Sugar (formerly Sprite Zero) replaces the high fructose corn syrup with aspartame and acesulfame potassium. It contains 0 calories and 0 mg of caffeine. The only meaningful difference from regular Sprite is the sweetener system.

Sprite Lymonade

Sprite Lymonade blends the standard Sprite formula with lemonade flavoring. It is sweeter and slightly more complex in flavor than regular Sprite. It contains 0 mg of caffeine. A zero-sugar version of Sprite Lymonade is also available, and it is likewise caffeine-free.

Sprite Tropical Mix

This limited-edition variant adds tropical fruit flavoring to the standard lemon-lime base. Despite the additional flavor complexity, it contains no caffeine.

Sprite Ginger

Sprite Ginger incorporates ginger flavoring into the lemon-lime formula. Ginger does not naturally contain caffeine, and the product is caffeine-free.

Sprite Winter Spiced Cranberry and Other Seasonal Releases

Seasonal and limited-edition Sprite products have included cranberry, cherry, and other flavor additions. None of these variants have introduced caffeine to the formula. The Coca-Cola Company has maintained a consistent caffeine-free policy across the entire Sprite product line.

To date, no Sprite variant sold in any market has ever contained caffeine. This consistency makes it straightforward for consumers to trust the brand as a caffeine-free option regardless of which specific flavor they select.

Who Benefits from Choosing Sprite as a Caffeine-Free Option

Several groups of consumers specifically seek out caffeine-free beverages, and Sprite fits neatly into their requirements.

Pregnant and nursing individuals are frequently advised by healthcare providers to limit or eliminate caffeine intake. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests keeping caffeine consumption below 200 mg per day during pregnancy. While Sprite is not a health beverage by any measure, its caffeine-free status means it does not contribute to the daily caffeine total.

Children and adolescents are another group for whom caffeine intake is a concern. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 12 avoid caffeine entirely and that adolescents limit consumption to no more than 100 mg per day. Parents who allow soda consumption but want to avoid caffeine often gravitate toward Sprite and similar lemon-lime products.

Individuals with caffeine sensitivity may experience anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations, or digestive distress from even moderate caffeine doses. For these individuals, Sprite provides a carbonated soft drink option that will not trigger caffeine-related symptoms.

People managing certain medical conditions, including some cardiac arrhythmias, anxiety disorders, and gastrointestinal conditions, may be advised by their physicians to avoid caffeine. Sprite allows these individuals to consume a soda without introducing caffeine into their system.

Final Assessment

Sprite is, and has always been, entirely caffeine-free. A 12-ounce can contains 0 mg of caffeine, and this applies to every variant The Coca-Cola Company has released under the Sprite name. The formula is built on carbonated water, citrus flavoring, and sweeteners, with no caffeine-containing ingredients of any kind.

This is consistent with the broader lemon-lime soda category, where competitors such as 7UP and Starry also contain no caffeine. The absence of caffeine in these products is a function of their citrus-based formulas, their market positioning as lighter alternatives to cola, and decades of consumer expectation.

For anyone specifically seeking a caffeine-free carbonated beverage, Sprite remains one of the most widely available and reliable options on the market. The answer to the title question is unambiguous: Sprite does not have caffeine, it has never had caffeine, and there is no indication that this will change.