Panera Bread recently debuted ‘Charged Lemonade,’ or three lemonade drinks that aim to provide an instant energy boost with a plethora of caffeine. As many social media users continue to share their experiences with and post about the chain’s new beverage, it may contain even more caffeine than expected.
On December 9th, yet another content creator went viral after posting a highly viewed TikTok video in which she spoke about the caffeine she consumed through Panera’s Charged Lemonade, and why she thinks the drinks should be “illegal.”
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First Off, What’s In A Charged Lemonade?
Panera’s Charged Lemonade comes in three flavors; Strawberry Lemon Mint, Mango Yuzu Citrus, and Fuji Apple Cranberry. As reported by The Daily Dot, a large Charged Lemonade has over 100 grams of sugar and 390 milligrams of caffeine.
This, the outlet emphasizes, means that there are almost 13 milligrams of caffeine and nearly 4 grams of sugar per ounce (which is “more sugar and caffeine per fluid ounce” than a can of Monster Energy).
According to Panera’s website, these lemonades are the “ultimate energy drink guaranteed to charge up your day.” Powered by “Clean caffeine from guarana and green coffee extract,” these caffeinated lemonades feature “refreshing mango, cranberry, or strawberry mint flavors.” The site also now states, in bold, “Plant-based and Clean with as much caffeine as our Dark Roast coffee.”
READ MORE: The One Food You Should Never Order At Panera, According To An Employee
@sarahebaus @Panera Bread this drink should come with a warning because it’s delicious and will lead to my cardiac arrest #panerabread #mangoyuzucitrus #remotework ♬ original sound – sarahebaus
Panera Customer Goes Viral After Sharing Her Thoughts On New ‘Charged Lemonade’
In the video, creator Sarah Baus details one remote work day she had at her local Panera cafe that left her feeling overwhelmed with caffeine. “I have learned something that should be illegal, 100% should be illegal and it has to do with this drink — give me a second,” she said in the video while explaining what led her to film herself, “I work at Panera — no I don’t — I work in a Panera.”
In the clip, she is seen holding a Mango Yuzu Citrus Charged Lemonade from Panera, which could explain her frenzied state. Baus then added that works inside of a Panera location, using the chain’s free Wi-Fi rather than opting for a more expensive co-working space. “When I’m at my local Panera they have free refills,” Baus went on, giving viewers a better look at the Charged Lemonade in her hand.
She noted that while she was aware that her drink of choice had caffeine in it, she was astounded to learn just how much was within it. “Sitting there, I’ll drink four or five of these and I was always like, ‘Man, when I work at Panera, I feel great! I feel awesome! I get so much done!'” she said.
Baus then said that later on, she visited through a Panera drive-thru with her husband, who has Type 1 diabetes, when she felt a Charged Lemonade craving. Her husband was interested in trying the drink for himself, and looked up the nutritional facts to manage his blood sugar. To the couple’s surprise, they found out that a regular-sized Charged Lemonade (particularly the Mango Yuzu flavor Baus liked) contains 82 grams of sugar and 260 milligrams of caffeine.
READ MORE: 5 Hacks That Will Change The Way You Order At Panera Bread, Forever
somebody at panera gon end up getting sued pic.twitter.com/0VKoRtpKW7
— finegodmother (@finegodmother) December 14, 2022
“Espresso has 63 milligrams of caffeine,” Baus noted in the video, adding, “I don’t drink coffee, I don’t have caffeine very much … I thought!” She then concluded her story by explaining that the most caffeine she ever has is an occasional Diet Coke, which has 46 milligrams of caffeine (per 12-ounce can).
“I feel like the Hulk. And I’m drinking these, and I really like them. I said that I’m gonna water them down. But Panera, who’s gonna create a product with 263 milligrams of caffeine? Look what you’re doing!” she said to the chain in the video.
After inspiring Twitter memes and going viral on yet another social media platform, Baus sat down with TODAY to discuss her time at Panera, Charged Lemonade, and how she will continue to visit the chain and not consume so much caffeine.
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“I’m generally a very bubbly, hyper person, energetic. And so I was just like, ‘Whoa, I feel really good. I feel very, very happy. I feel very me,” Baus told the outlet, adding that she is a member of the chain’s Unlimited Sip Club, which is why she was able to drink so much that day.
Baus then detailed her realization when it came to the drink’s caffeine content. “It struck me that I actually felt quite jittery, I couldn’t stop moving. I just wanted to keep doing things. My mind was going so fast and I wondered why I was so productive, but now I know,” she said.
She added that Panera did a sufficient job of putting the caffeine content on their website, and acknowledged that she should have checked it before drinking the beverage. “I just kind of assumed it had a normal amount of caffeine, I didn’t really put a ton of thought into it,” she said, “I should have looked.”
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