Mountain Dew has been around for over 75 years and is one of the most popular soft drinks in history. It’s a favorite among gamers, athletes, teens, and the casual soda drinker alike. But what about caffeine? Does mountain dew have caffeine , or does it not? That’s the question that we’re here to answer today. We’ll dive into the facts behind Mountain Dew’s ingredients and let you know if they have any caffeine whatsoever. With so many debates surrounding this topic, our research will give you an in-depth look at whether Mountain Dew really packs a caffeinated punch or not.
Contents
- 1 What Is Mountain Dew?
- 2 The History Of Mountain Dew
- 3 Ingredients In Mountain Dew
- 4 Does Mountain Dew Have Caffeine?
- 5 How Much Caffeine Is In Mountain Dew?
- 6 Is Mountain Dew A Good Source Of Caffeine?
- 7 Mountain Dew’s Caffeine Compared To Coffee
- 8 How Long Does Caffeine Stay In Your System?
- 9 Other Mountain Dew Varieties
- 10 Where Can You Buy Mountain Dew Online?
- 11 How To Enjoy A Caffeinated Mountain Dew?
- 12 Can I Make My Own Mountain Dew Drinks?
- 13 What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Mountain Dew?
- 14 What Are The Risks Of Drinking Mountain Dew?
- 15 FAQ: Mountain Dew
What Is Mountain Dew?

Before we dive into the caffeine content of Mountain Dew, let’s first take a closer look at what this popular soda is made of. Mountain Dew was created in 1940 by brothers Ally and Barney Hartman as a lemon-lime flavored mixer for alcoholic beverages. However, its popularity grew over the years and it eventually became a standalone soda brand owned by PepsiCo.
The History Of Mountain Dew
The history of Mountain Dew dates back to the 1940s when it was developed as a mixer by Tennessee bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman. During that time, soft drinks were predominantly sold regionally. However, the Hartmans encountered challenges in Knoxville as they struggled to find their preferred soda to mix with liquor, particularly whiskey. As a result, they took matters into their own hands and created their own unique concoction.
Ingredients In Mountain Dew
Mountain Dew has a distinct flavor that sets it apart from other sodas. This is due to its unique combination of ingredients, which includes carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, concentrated orange juice, citric acid, natural flavors, sodium benzoate (preserves freshness), caffeine, sodium citrate, gum arabic, erythorbic acid (to protect flavor), calcium disodium EDTA (to protect flavor), brominated vegetable oil, and yellow 5. With the exception of caffeine, all these ingredients are commonly found in other soft drinks as well.
Does Mountain Dew Have Caffeine?
One can of Mountain Dew (12 oz) contains approximately 54 mg of caffeine, making it one of the carbonated beverages with the highest caffeine content. However, it is still significantly lower than the caffeine content in a regular cup of coffee, which is around 136 mg for a 12 oz serving.
How Much Caffeine Is In Mountain Dew?
As mentioned, a 12 oz can of Mountain Dew contains approximately 55 mg of caffeine. However, the caffeine content may vary slightly depending on the flavor and size of the drink. For example, a 16 oz bottle of Mountain Dew Kickstart has 90 mg of caffeine, while a 20 oz bottle of Mountain Dew Zero Sugar has around 113 mg.
Is Mountain Dew A Good Source Of Caffeine?
Mountain Dew is considered to be a good source of caffeine due to its high caffeine content compared to other carbonated beverages. A 12 oz serving of one can contains approximately 54 mg of caffeine. However, it is important to note that the caffeine content is still significantly lower than that of a typical cup of coffee, which contains around 136 mg of caffeine per 12 oz serving.
Mountain Dew’s Caffeine Compared To Coffee
When comparing the caffeine content, coffee outperforms Mountain Dew. An 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee typically contains 95 to 150 mg of caffeine, varying based on factors such as the type of beans, grind, and brewing method. In comparison, a 12-ounce can of original Mountain Dew only contains a modest 55 mg of caffeine.
How Long Does Caffeine Stay In Your System?

The effects of caffeine can be noticed within 15 minutes, with the levels in your bloodstream peaking an hour later and remaining there for several hours. It takes approximately 6 hours for half of the consumed caffeine to clear your body, and it may not completely leave your bloodstream until after 10 hours.
Other Mountain Dew Varieties
- MTN DEW SPARK® Discover.
- MTN DEW SPARK® Zero Sugar. Discover.
- MTN DEW MAJOR MELON® Discover.
- MTN DEW MAJOR MELON® Zero Sugar. Discover.
- MTN DEW® CODE RED® Discover.
- MTN DEW LIVEWIRE® Discover.
- MTN DEW VOLTAGE® Discover.
Where Can You Buy Mountain Dew Online?
Mountain Dew is widely available at most grocery stores, convenience stores, and gas stations. You can also purchase Mountain Dew online from various retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and Target. Additionally, some websites specialize in selling rare or hard-to-find flavors of Mountain Dew for avid collectors.
How To Enjoy A Caffeinated Mountain Dew?
If you’re looking to enjoy a caffeinated Mountain Dew, there are many ways to do so. Some people prefer to drink it straight from the can or bottle, while others like to mix it with other beverages for a unique flavor combination. You can also use Mountain Dew as an ingredient in cocktails or desserts, such as Mountain Dew cupcakes or ice cream floats. The possibilities are endless.
Can I Make My Own Mountain Dew Drinks?
Absolutely. There are many recipes available online for making your own Mountain Dew-inspired drinks. From mocktails to energy drinks, you can experiment and create unique combinations using Mountain Dew as a base ingredient. Just remember to always drink responsibly and be mindful of the caffeine content in each drink.
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Mountain Dew?
While Mountain Dew is known for its high caffeine content, it also offers some potential benefits. The carbonated drink contains citric acid and concentrated orange juice, which can help boost your vitamin C intake. Additionally, the caffeine in Mountain Dew can improve alertness and may provide a temporary energy boost.
What Are The Risks Of Drinking Mountain Dew?
Numerous studies have revealed that frequent consumption of Mountain Dew can lead to weight gain, elevated levels of bad cholesterol, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Additionally, Mountain Dew contains citric acid, which has the potential to weaken tooth enamel, discolor teeth, and contribute to cavities.
More reading: how much caffeine is in a starbucks frappuccino
FAQ: Mountain Dew
Is there a lot of caffeine in Mountain Dew?
Mountain Dew has a caffeine content ranging from 4.5–5.6 mg per fluid ounce which is comparatively low compared to drip coffee (up to 20 mg per fluid ounce) and a shot of espresso (45–50 mg per fluid ounce).
Which mt dew is caffeine free?
MTN DEW® offers a caffeine-free option, allowing you to enjoy the great, exhilarating taste with fewer calories.
How long does Mountain Dew caffeine last?
According to the FDA, the half-life of caffeine in Mountain Dew is between four and six hours. This means that up to six hours after consuming Mountain Dew, half of the caffeine remains in your body, effectively keeping you alert.

Daniel Mauney is the Chef/Owner of tapp room Restaurants. He has been in the industry for over 20 years, and his restaurants have been featured in magazines and newspapers all over the country. Daniel’s food is heavily influenced by his travels, and he enjoys incorporating unique flavors and spices into his dishes.
IIRC mountain dew have some sort of energy drink “series” in Poland. I haven’t seen it for a while, but I wasn’t looking for it. Normal mountain dew is in green(ish) bottle/can.
Wondering what this is. The word “potheen” sounds like an American translation of the Irish “poitin” also called Mountain Dew… an Irish moonshine distilled alcohol made from potato. Wicked strong stuff. It was an alcohol itself, it would not have contained whiskey.
I’d be down to make this. But surely this is not supposed to be like our Mountain Dew, is it? It contains no sugar.
Thank you for sharing this useful information.
That would make sense. Someone mentioned “Mountain Dew” was slang for Appalachian moonshine, and that area was originally settled by Irish and Scots. There’s a whole lot of history written about it that’s quite interesting.
Mountain Dew is also an old name used for moonshine in Appalachia. The soda was called Mountain Dew as a marketing gimmick to get people familiar with the alcohol to buy it. Consumers were supposed to use it as a mixer/chaser