Waking up with a glass of Tropicana orange juice is something a lot of us grew up with. Tropicana has been around for ages it seems, being a force to reckon with in the orange juice world. But there’s more to this brand than meets the eye. For those who were fans of Tropicana products, you may have tried their Twister juices back in the day. They were tasty, sweet, and full of flavor. However, Tropicana decided to switch things up a bit and bring Twister into the world of soda.
When you see Tropicana Twister on your local shelves nowadays, you’ll notice the word soda across the bottom. Yes, Tropicana Twister was rebranded and moved from the world of juice drinks to tasty sodas. Fans of this drink may be asking themselves, is there caffeine in Tropicana Twister? The answer to that question is no, Tropicana Twister soda does not contain any caffeine.
Let’s take a look at this refreshing drink and learn a bit more.
What Is Tropicana Twister?
Tropicana was founded in 1947 by Anthony T. Rossi who came to America with only $25 and a dream. The Italian immigrant drove taxis and delivered fruit until he had the chance to start his own company. His goal was to make the great taste and goodness of fresh fruit available to all. Of course, the packaging had to be one of Rossi’s first obstacles.
Throughout the 1940s he worked on how to package fresh fruit juices in glass containers so people could enjoy them. In 1954, flash pasteurization of juice was developed by the company and they launched their flagship drink, Tropicana Pure Premium. Over the next few years, the company would make great strides to ensure tasty Florida oranges and Tropicana juice could be sent to all parts of the country. This included their own steamship and train. Eventually, in the early 2000s, Tropicana, a powerhouse in the juice world, would be bought by PepsiCo.
Once in the hands of PepsiCo, changes were expected. The original Tropicana Twister, released in the late 1980s with 13% juice inside, would be reimagined. The people at PepsiCo decided to combine one of their products, Orange Slice, and Tropicana Twister to make Tropicana Twister Soda. While this wasn’t widely advertised, fans of Orange Slice quickly realized what had been done, especially when the drink simply vanished from the shelves.
The new taste of Tropicana Twister Soda was well-received, but unfortunately, the merger did take away the amount of real fruit juice used in the product that so many people enjoyed. Instead of 13%, it dwindled down to around 1% of fruit juice inside the bottle. Unfortunately, for fans of both the original Tropicana Twister and Orange Slice, the new blend, Tropicana Twister soda isn’t as readily available across the country. However, it can be ordered online if it isn’t available in stores near you.
Caffeine & Tropicana Twister
With the rebranding of Tropicana Twister, it was natural that people would think their favorite drink now had caffeine. This is especially true since the word “soda” now appears on the label. Luckily, for those who enjoyed Tropicana Twister without any caffeine, PepsiCo decided to stick with the no-caffeine route both Orange Slice and Tropicana Twister originally took. This is great news for those who want to enjoy the refreshing taste and appeal of soda but have sensitivities to caffeine or monitor their daily intake.
Let’s take a look at the amount of caffeine found in other popular orange sodas.
| Sunkist Orange (12-ounce bottle) | 19 mg of caffeine |
| Orange Crush (all sizes) | Caffeine-free |
| Fanta Orange (all sizes) | Caffeine-free |
| Tropicana Twister (all sizes) | Caffeine-free |
The Hidden Issue with Tropicana Twister
While caffeine may not be an issue with Tropicana Twister, those who enjoy the drink must watch their sugar intake. A 20-ounce bottle of Tropicana Twister includes 87.5 grams of sugar per serving and 320 calories. This leaves many with high blood sugar levels and those watching their calorie intake to drink in moderation if they plan on enjoying this beverage.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of Tropicana Twister but worry about having too much caffeine per day, you’re in luck. This great-tasting drink is caffeine-free. Keep in mind, however, it is now a soda with lots of sugar hiding inside. As with any drink you enjoy throughout your day, keep moderation in mind.
Featured Image Credit: nalinratphi, Shutterstock
