Cheerwine has more caffeine than Pepsi: 47mg vs 38mg in the same 12 oz can. That is a 9mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
Cheerwine vs Pepsi: the numbers
| Cheerwine | Pepsi | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 47mg per 12 oz can | 38mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 3.9mg | 3.2mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 8.5 | 10.5 |
Sources: Cheerwine's figure is verified in our Cheerwine caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Pepsi's figure is verified in our Pepsi guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Pepsi when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Cheerwine when you actually need the bigger hit and know your tolerance. If you are stacking either with other caffeinated drinks through the day, run the math against the 400mg reference rather than guessing.
For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. Tolerance and health vary, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.
Related reading
- Cheerwine: the full caffeine guide
- Pepsi: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
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Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does Cheerwine or Pepsi have more caffeine? Cheerwine: 47mg per 12 oz can versus 38mg per 12 oz can for Pepsi.
Which is stronger per ounce? Cheerwine, at about 3.9mg per fluid ounce versus 3.2mg for Pepsi.
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