Does Chick-fil-A Sweet Tea Have Caffeine? The Truth
Chick-fil-A’s Sweet Tea is made with black tea, which naturally contains caffeine, so yes, it is caffeinated.
Chick-fil-A’s sweet tea is a fan favorite, but many wonder if it contains caffeine. The answer is yes – their sweet tea is caffeinated. This article dives deep into the caffeine content, ingredients, and how it compares to other drinks.
Chick-fil-A Sweet Tea Caffeine Content
A 16-ounce serving of Chick-fil-A sweet tea contains approximately 61 mg of caffeine. This amount varies slightly depending on brewing methods and location, but remains consistent across their menu.
Caffeine Breakdown by Size
| Size | Ounces | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 14 oz | 45 |
| Medium | 16 oz | 61 |
| Large | 20 oz | 76 |
How It Compares to Other Drinks
Chick-fil-A’s sweet tea has more caffeine than many competitors:
- McDonald’s Sweet Tea: 42 mg (16 oz)
- Starbucks Iced Black Tea: 25 mg (16 oz)
- Dunkin’ Sweet Tea: 47 mg (16 oz)
For those looking for lower-caffeine options, consider their cold-pressed juices or lemonade.
Ingredients and Nutrition
The primary ingredients in Chick-fil-A sweet tea are:
- Brewed black tea
- Water
- Cane sugar
A 16-ounce serving contains 120 calories and 30 grams of sugar. The caffeine comes naturally from the black tea leaves used in brewing.
Is It Safe During Pregnancy?
With 61 mg per 16 oz, Chick-fil-A sweet tea falls well below the FDA’s recommended 200 mg daily limit for pregnant women. As noted on FDA guidelines, moderate caffeine consumption is generally safe during pregnancy.
Sunjoy: The Lower-Caffeine Alternative
Chick-fil-A’s Sunjoy blends half sweet tea with half lemonade, cutting the caffeine content to about 30 mg per 16 oz serving. This makes it a great option for those wanting less caffeine while still enjoying their signature tea flavor.
For those interested in making similar drinks at home, check out our guide to the best blenders for mixed drinks.
Why Chick-fil-A Tea Has More Caffeine
Several factors contribute to Chick-fil-A’s higher caffeine content:
- They use a premium black tea blend
- Tea is freshly brewed throughout the day
- Standardized brewing process ensures consistency
The company doesn’t disclose exact tea varieties used, but their brewing method extracts more caffeine than typical home-brewed tea.
Final Thoughts
Chick-fil-A sweet tea does contain caffeine – about 61 mg per 16 oz serving. While this is more than some competitors, it’s still less than half the caffeine in their coffee offerings. Those monitoring caffeine intake can opt for smaller sizes or the Sunjoy blend.
