Cherry Coke has more caffeine than Sunkist Orange: 34mg vs 19mg in the same 12 oz can. That is a 15mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
Sunkist Orange vs Cherry Coke: the numbers
| Sunkist Orange | Cherry Coke | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 19mg per 12 oz can | 34mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 1.6mg | 2.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 21.1 | 11.8 |
Sources: Sunkist Orange's figure is verified in our Sunkist Orange caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Cherry Coke's figure is verified in our Cherry Coke guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Sunkist Orange when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Cherry Coke 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
- Sunkist Orange: the full caffeine guide
- Cherry Coke: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does Sunkist Orange or Cherry Coke have more caffeine? Cherry Coke: 34mg per 12 oz can versus 19mg per 12 oz can for Sunkist Orange.
Which is stronger per ounce? Cherry Coke, at about 2.8mg per fluid ounce versus 1.6mg for Sunkist Orange.
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