Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) carries more total caffeine per serving (21mg per 16.9 oz bottle vs 19mg per 12 oz can), but ounce for ounce Sunkist Orange is actually the stronger drink at about 2mg per fluid ounce against 1. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
These are different categories of drink, which changes how the caffeine arrives. Energy drinks and sodas list an exact number because caffeine is a measured additive; brewed drinks vary with the beans and the brew, so their figures are compiled averages. The numbers here are the standard published values for each.
Sunkist Orange vs Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon): the numbers
| Sunkist Orange | Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 19mg per 12 oz can | 21mg per 16.9 oz bottle |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 1.6mg | 1.2mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 21.1 | 19.0 |
Sources: Sunkist Orange's figure is verified in our Sunkist Orange caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon)'s figure is verified in our Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) guide against PepsiCo product facts (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Sunkist Orange when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) 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
- Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does Sunkist Orange or Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon) have more caffeine? Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon): 21mg per 16.9 oz bottle versus 19mg per 12 oz can for Sunkist Orange.
Which is stronger per ounce? Sunkist Orange, at about 1.6mg per fluid ounce versus 1.2mg for Lipton Iced Tea (Lemon).
Comparing caffeine? The caffeine comparison tool puts hundreds of drinks side by side, and the caffeine curfew calculator can check your cutoff time for tonight.