These drinks (containing both alcohol and caffeine) are controversial, but the controversy and challenges do not seem to have slowed the rate of new product introductions. Here is a list of more than 180 TTB-approved alcohol beverage products containing caffeine. That is, in each case the label specifically mentions the addition of caffeine, guarana, cola nuts, cocoa, coffee, tea or yerba mate. A large percentage of the products on this list were approved since the fall of Sparks and Tilt.
Then, on November 12, 2009, FDA aimed a bazooka at most such products with added caffeine. FDA sent a letter along these lines to about 30 of the below-listed companies. It is worth noting that a big portion of these brands fell by the wayside a long time ago.
- On March 10, 2010, Robert Lehrman moderated a NABCA panel about caffeine-alcohol beverages. The panel was entitled “TTB and FDA: Working Side by Side to Regulate Alcohol Beverages”and included Martin Hahn, Scott Winters and Marlene Trestman.
