For a weekday breakfast, a 250ml can gives you a smaller single serving to assess, while a sugar-free version addresses sugar rather than caffeine. Compare the amount in the whole can and account for tea, coffee or other caffeine later: Tesco Groceries lists 32mg caffeine per 100ml for Red Bull Sugar Free, while Monster Energy UK states 160mg in a 500ml can of Original Green.
If you want a cold, sparkling drink with breakfast, compare caffeine for the can you expect to finish. Tesco Groceries lists Red Bull Sugar Free at 32mg per 100ml in a 250ml can; Monster Energy UK states 160mg per 500ml can of Original Green.
A sugar-free choice can address the sugar in the drink without removing its caffeine. Tesco Groceries lists 0g sugars per 100ml for Red Bull Sugar Free and 11g per 100ml for regular Red Bull; check the exact can you buy for its full-serving figures.
If tea, coffee or cola is also part of your day, consider those alongside the energy drink. The European Food Safety Authority assesses caffeine from all dietary sources, not energy drinks in isolation.
Start with the serving you plan to drink, then compare its caffeine and sugars; check the exact product label rather than assuming every flavour or format has the same figures.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Whole-can caffeine | Check caffeine per 100ml and can volume, or use a stated per-can figure. Tesco Groceries lists 32mg per 100ml for a 250ml Red Bull Sugar Free can, equivalent to 80mg; Monster Energy UK states 160mg per 500ml Original Green can. | I want to know how much caffeine is in the drink I will actually finish, especially if I also have tea or coffee. |
| Sugars | Compare sugars per 100ml and the volume you will drink. Tesco Groceries lists 11g per 100ml for regular Red Bull and 0g per 100ml for Red Bull Sugar Free; the latter still contains caffeine. | If I am trying to reduce sugar in my breakfast drink, I need to compare that separately from caffeine. |
| Sparkling format | Check the exact drink and its serving size. Lucozade describes its Energy range as sparkling and containing glucose; consult the individual bottle for its nutrition and caffeine information. | I am looking for a carbonated drink, but I do not want to assume different ranges have the same ingredients or caffeine amount. |
| Warnings | Read the product warning and caffeine declaration. UK government guidance says drinks other than tea or coffee containing more than 150mg caffeine per litre must carry high-caffeine labelling. | If I am buying for someone else, I need to check the label and whether the drink is appropriate for them, rather than treating sugar-free as caffeine-free. |
Can size changes the amount consumed. A 250ml drink at 32mg per 100ml contains 80mg caffeine; Monster Energy UK states 160mg for a 500ml Original Green can.
Work out the amount for the serving you expect to drink, then include other caffeinated drinks when considering your day.
Tesco Groceries lists 11g sugars per 100ml for regular Red Bull. That is 27.5g in its 250ml can.
Compare sugars for the whole serving. If you prefer a sugar-free drink, check its caffeine and ingredients separately.
Tesco Groceries lists Red Bull Sugar Free at 0g sugars and 32mg caffeine per 100ml. Removing sugar does not remove caffeine.
Use the sugar-free label to compare sugars, then read the caffeine declaration and product warning before choosing.
These examples show why the exact variant and serving size matter; a brand name alone does not establish the figures for every drink in its range.
Tesco Groceries lists regular and Sugar Free Red Bull drinks in 250ml cans.
Original Green is one Monster drink with a stated full-can figure.
Lucozade describes its Energy range as sparkling and containing glucose.
Tesco Groceries lists Relentless Origin as a pack of four 500ml cans.
These Joybuy options include smaller cans, multipacks, a larger-can variant and bottled Lucozade Energy. Compare each drink’s own label before deciding what fits your breakfast routine.
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For a smaller sugar-free can, Tesco Groceries lists Red Bull Sugar Free at 0g sugars and 32mg caffeine per 100ml, equivalent to 80mg caffeine in a 250ml can. Check the pack ingredients if sweeteners matter to you.
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If you are considering a 355ml can for breakfast, check its caffeine and sugars on the label. This Watermelon Strawberry option comes as a 12-can pack.
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This pack offers individually sized 250ml cans. For the regular drink, Tesco Groceries lists 11g sugars per 100ml; check this pack’s label for its own full-can sugar and caffeine figures.
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If you are considering this Green Zero Sugar variant, read its own can label for the serving volume and caffeine amount before adding other caffeinated drinks to your day. The pack contains 12 cans.
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For an orange-flavoured bottled option, this pack contains eight 380ml bottles. Lucozade describes its Energy range as sparkling and containing glucose; check this bottle’s label for its caffeine and sugar amounts.
Compare the amount in the whole can, not just per 100ml. Tesco Groceries lists Red Bull Sugar Free at 32mg per 100ml, which is 80mg in a 250ml can; Monster Energy UK states 160mg for a 500ml Original Green can. Include tea, coffee and other dietary sources when considering your total caffeine intake.
No. Tesco Groceries lists Red Bull Sugar Free at 0g sugars per 100ml but 32mg caffeine per 100ml. Check sugars and caffeine separately on any drink you are considering.
UK government guidance states that drinks other than tea or coffee containing more than 150mg caffeine per litre must carry high-caffeine labelling. Read the exact product label for its caffeine declaration and warning rather than assuming the wording establishes how much is in your can.
For England, the Department of Health and Social Care announced that a ban on sales of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s will take effect in April 2027. That announcement is England-specific; check the rules applicable where you shop and any retailer age policy rather than applying it to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.