Theo Nash
Four Loko is a line of alcoholic beverages sold by Phusion Projects, which was founded in 2005 by three former Ohio State University students. The original Four Loko recipe included caffeine, taurine, guarana, and wormwood, but these ingredients were removed in 2010 due to health concerns and state bans. The alcohol content of Four Loko varies by state, typically ranging from 8% to 14% alcohol by volume (ABV). Four Loko Gold is one of the brand's core flavors and has been described as tasting like an energy drink, specifically Red Bull.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol Content | Varies by state, typically 8%, 10%, 12%, or 14% ABV |
| Ingredients | Carbonated water, sugar, natural and artificial flavoring, FD&C Red 40 |
| Flavors | Sour Black Cherry, Sour Grape, Red, Black, Blaze, Fruit Punch, Gold, Hemp, Electric Lemonade, Watermelon, Peach, Strawberry Lemonade, Grape, Sour Melon, Blue Razz, Sour Apple, Sour Grape, Four Loko USA, Warheads Sour Loko |
| Package | Signature tall boy can, 12 oz glass bottles, 16 oz cans |
| Volume | 23.5 oz cans, 12 oz glass bottles, 16 oz cans |
| Caffeine Content | Does not contain caffeine, guarana, or taurine |
| Price | $2.50 |
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What You'll Learn
Four Loko Gold's alcohol content
Four Loko Gold is an alcoholic beverage with a varying alcohol content depending on the state where it is purchased. The drink is typically available with alcohol by volume (ABV) percentages of 8%, 10%, 12%, or 14%. In some states, such as Montana, the ABV may be as low as 6% or 7%, while in others like New York and Pennsylvania, it can reach 13.9% or 14%.
The Four Loko drink was first introduced in 2005 by Phusion Projects, a company founded by former Ohio State University students Jeff Wright, Jaisen Freeman, and Christopher Hunter. The original beverage contained caffeine, taurine, guarana, and wormwood, which was removed from the formula in 2010 due to health concerns and state bans. The reformulated drink no longer includes these ingredients, and the alcohol content has since been increased in some cases.
Four Loko Gold, in particular, has been described as tasting like an energy drink, with similarities to the taste of Red Bull. It has a tart and bitter flavor with a vibrant purple color. The drink is packaged in tall boy cans and has become a popular choice among college-aged consumers due to its high alcohol content and low price.
The alcohol content in Four Loko drinks, including the Gold flavor, can vary by state due to different regulations. It is important to check the ABV percentage on the packaging before consumption, as the drink has been associated with health risks when not consumed responsibly.
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The drink's history
Four Loko is a line of alcoholic beverages sold by Phusion Projects of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The drink was created by a group of students and fraternity members who enjoyed mixing caffeine with alcohol. They had previously bought Thai energy drinks from a nearby Asian market and sold them to other students at a markup, claiming that they were "importing the stuff from abroad". In 2005, the team designed a prototype "energy beer" now known as Four Loko. It was marketed as a "premium malt beverage" in cherry and berry flavors and contained taurine, guarana, caffeine, and wormwood—the supposed psychoactive ingredient of absinthe.
After a year, the company was low on investment capital and decided to drop the wormwood, focusing instead on improving the flavor and increasing the alcohol content. By 2008, the product had become popular, and a variety of flavors were introduced into the US market. At the start of 2009, the beverage began to be marketed internationally. In 2009, Four Loko ranked fourth in sales growth among alcoholic beverages at 7-Eleven stores in the United States. However, the drink also came under fire in 2010, as colleges and universities across the United States began to see injuries and blackouts related to its misuse.
On November 16, 2010, Phusion Projects announced that they would be reformulating all Four brand beverages to remove caffeine, guarana, and taurine from the products. The drink was reintroduced in January 2011. In early 2011, Phusion Projects introduced its Four Loko XXX Limited Edition line, which featured a new flavor of Four Loko every few months. In the summer of 2011, Phusion introduced 12 oz (350 mL) glass bottles of Four Loko in packs of six, with 8% ABV. In September 2011, they introduced 16 oz (475 mL) cans of their drink in hi-cone four-packs known as Four Poco Loko, with 8% ABV and included flavors.
In October 2013, Four Loko was distributed for the first time in Puerto Rico, and in August 2016, it began selling in China. In February 2017, Four Loko announced the release of two new product lines—the Bold Series and the Bartender Series. In April 2017, they announced a line of hard liquor called Four Loko Shots, and in October 2020, they introduced bottled 13.9% ABV shots called Four Loko Pregame. Four Loko Gold is one of the brand's most popular flavors, although it is unclear when it was introduced.
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Its ingredients
Four Loko Gold is an alcoholic beverage that contains carbonated water, sugar, and natural and artificial flavouring. The drink is sold at 6%, 7%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 13.9% or 14% alcohol by volume (ABV), depending on state regulations. For example, in Montana, the drink is sold at 8% ABV, while in New York and Pennsylvania, it is sold at 14% ABV. The Four Loko drink was first launched in 2005 by Phusion Projects and was originally marketed as a "premium malt beverage" in cherry and berry flavours. The drink contained taurine, guarana, caffeine and wormwood, the supposed psychoactive ingredient of absinthe.
In 2010, Four Loko voluntarily removed caffeine, taurine, and guarana from its products due to health concerns and negative publicity. The product was reintroduced in 2011 without these ingredients, and the drink is no longer marketed as an energy drink. Four Loko Gold, one of the brand's most popular flavours, has been described as tasting like an energy drink, with similarities to the taste of Red Bull. The Four Loko drink is packaged in 23.5 oz (695 mL) cans and is available in 49 states in the US and 21 countries internationally.
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Health concerns
Four Loko is a line of alcoholic beverages sold by Phusion Projects, which debuted in the United States in 2005 and is available in 49 states and 21 countries. The name "Four" comes from the original drink's four "key ingredients". The original recipe included caffeine, taurine, guarana, and wormwood. However, in 2010, Four Loko removed these ingredients due to health concerns and is no longer marketed as an energy drink.
Four Loko has been the subject of legal, ethical, and health concerns due to its alleged marketing to underage drinkers and the potential dangers of combining alcohol with caffeine and other stimulants. The drink came under scrutiny in 2010 as colleges and universities across the United States reported injuries and blackouts related to its misuse.
Harvard University Health Services advised against consuming Four Loko, with health officials deeming the combination of alcohol and stimulants hazardous. They explained that mixing alcohol, a depressant, with stimulants like caffeine can delay feelings of drunkenness, leading people to consume more alcohol than they normally would. This can result in blackouts and other negative health consequences.
In 2009, U.S. state attorneys general began investigating companies producing caffeinated alcoholic beverages, citing concerns about inappropriate marketing to teenagers and the potential health risks of combining alcohol and caffeine. They argued that caffeine could mask the feelings of intoxication, leading to overconsumption and associated health issues.
Following the health concerns, Four Loko was banned in several states, including Utah, Michigan, Oklahoma, and New York. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also issued a warning letter to manufacturers of caffeinated alcoholic beverages, declaring that beverages combining caffeine and alcohol were a public health concern.
While the current formulation of Four Loko does not contain caffeine, guarana, or taurine, it is important to consume any alcoholic beverage responsibly, as excessive consumption can lead to dangerous effects.
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Flavours
Four Loko is a line of alcoholic beverages sold by Phusion Projects, which debuted in the United States in 2005 and is now available in 21 countries. The Four Loko recipe originally included caffeine, taurine, and guarana, but these ingredients were removed in 2010 due to health concerns and hospitalizations. Four Loko is now a premium malt beverage with natural and artificial flavours and is available in a variety of flavours, including:
Four Loko Gold
The Gold flavour is described as tasting like an energy drink, similar to Red Bull, with a tart and bitter taste. It is one of Four Loko's most popular flavours.
Sour Grape
The Grape flavour is described as medicinal, like grape-flavoured medicine or cough syrup. It is said to be quite sour, with a beautiful purple colour.
Green Apple
Green Apple is described as having long-term drinkability, with a more pleasant taste than the Gold flavour.
Strawberry Lemonade
Strawberry Lemonade is described as tasting like battery acid, with a mild strawberry twinge. It is sharp, tart, and bitter.
Other Flavours
Four Loko also offers a range of other flavours, including Sour Black Cherry, Fruit Punch, Red, Black, Blaze, and Hemp. The company introduces new flavours regularly, and the drink is available in different alcohol percentages, depending on state regulations.
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Frequently asked questions
Four Loko Gold is a premium malt beverage. The alcohol content varies by state, typically ranging from 8% to 14% alcohol by volume (ABV).
Four Loko Gold has been described as tasting like an energy drink, with some comparing it specifically to Red Bull.
Four Loko is a line of alcoholic beverages sold by Phusion Projects, based in Chicago, Illinois. It was originally created by three Ohio State University students and launched in 2005.
The alcohol content of Four Loko varies by state and flavour, with some containing 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, or 14% ABV.
No, Four Loko does not contain caffeine, guarana, or taurine. These ingredients were removed in 2010 due to health concerns and legal issues.
