# What's the best OTC source of caffeine? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 25, 2021, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017 "2021-06-25T19:29:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/21 "2021-06-26T21:38:10Z")
5 energy has 215mg of caffeine in the 2 oz. the same as would be in one of those \<4 cent tablets from Walmart. How much was the 5 hour energy? Sustainable for you in the long term? Of course now that you have a jar of instant coffee you can use the hot decaf they bring you to dissolve the instant in so you’ll have both caffeinated and hot. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/22 "2021-06-26T21:56:06Z")
It has 230mg, but it was just to kick-start my mid-afternoon. > **[Caffeine in Red Thunder Extra Strength](https://www.caffeineinformer.com/caffeine-content/red-thunder-shot-extra)** > > Caffeine amount in Red Thunder Extra Strength as well as safe amount, its sugar content, and how it compares to other drinks. As I said before, I can’t self-prescribe No-Doz. It would be taken away. I had an empty pint of iced tea so the CNA put some freezing-cold water in it. I asked for hot, but I’ve drunk enough cold coffee that what the heck. I’ve had worse. ---
**Author:** ![Tarataratara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Tarataratara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tarataratara)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/23 "2021-06-26T22:35:21Z")
Is hot cocoa available for you to request? You could mix a little instant coffee to it for a mocha. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/24 "2021-06-27T02:28:28Z")
One extra recommendation - sun tea. Mostly an a southern/southwest thing, you have a pitcher (or any repurposed glass bottle quart size and up), several tea bags (4 per quart should be good), and place in a sunny spot. Wait. Tea results. Bog standard Lipton bags work fine, although you can mix and match if you want to add a flavored/hibiscus/etc fix. > **[How to Make Sun Tea](https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a87137/how-to-make-sun-tea/)** > > Put it on your summer bucket list. Best of all, much, _MUCH_ cheaper than 5 hour energy, and I find easier to drink than most instant coffee. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/25 "2021-06-27T08:27:50Z")
Sun Tea also works as Refrigerator Tea, if you don’t mind it being a bit bitter. Perhaps I shouldn’t have started to get my humours in balance (caffeine supports yellow bile production) in the late afternoon but I feel good and not the least bit sleepy. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/26 "2021-06-27T15:00:34Z")
duplicate ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/27 "2021-06-27T16:01:03Z")
I think the key thing is you feel good. 👍 Hopefully once you get your caffeine dialed in you can find the best combination of price, ease of drinking, flavor and the like. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/28 "2021-06-27T17:12:13Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Of course now that you have a jar of instant coffee you can use the hot decaf they bring you to dissolve the instant in so you’ll have both caffeinated and hot. Ooh, I like that idea! I love strong coffee (“Lutheran Church Basement” level). Decaf Coffee + Real Coffee = A damn good cup o’ joe. Hot Cocoa + Real Coffee = A delicious treat! I’m a big fan of caffeine. I’m using an extra cup of coffee as my ADHD medication, and my doc says the only downside is a headache if you quit cold turkey. ---
**Author:** ![SacFly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@SacFly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SacFly)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/29 "2021-06-27T17:35:47Z")
Given the situation, I think the suggestion of using the available options for the hot liquid + a instant coffee packet is the best bet. Hot chocolate if you can take the sugar, decaf if you can’t. Good luck! ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/30 "2021-06-27T17:41:55Z")
Aldi coffee is surprisingly high quality for the price, especially their house-brand stuff. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/31 "2021-06-27T17:45:03Z")
Yes. I’ve been drinking it for years. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/32 "2021-06-27T18:13:45Z")
> [@SacFly](#): > > Hot chocolate if you can take the sugar, decaf if you can’t. Swiss Miss makes a decent sugar-free hot chocolate. Individual packets… with mini-marshmallows. Come to think of it, I’ve never had it without making it with coffee instead of hot water. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/33 "2021-06-27T19:17:19Z")
OTOH, Aldi’s sugar-free creamer tastes like ass. ---
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2021, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/34 "2021-06-27T22:05:10Z")
Here ya go, @dropzone: > **[Amazon.com : MEG - Military Energy Gum | 100mg of Caffeine Per Piece + Increase...](https://www.amazon.com/MEG-Military-Caffeine-Increase-Performance/dp/B0017O19Q2)** > > Amazon.com : MEG - Military Energy Gum | 100mg of Caffeine Per Piece + Increase Energy + Boost Physical Performance + Arctic Mint 24 Pack (120 Count) : Energizing Stimulants : Health & Household ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017/35 "2021-06-30T17:36:01Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > One extra recommendation - sun tea. Mostly an a southern/southwest thing, you have a pitcher (or any repurposed glass bottle quart size and up), several tea bags (4 per quart should be good), and place in a sunny spot. Wait. Tea results. Be cautious with this if you are immunocompromized in any way. Sun-temperature tea is a wonderful bacterial breeding ground. Mostly folks are fine drinking it, but why risk it? Cold-brew in the fridge for safety. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-best-otc-source-of-caffeine/945017.md?page=1)