Four Loko USA 24OZ

Four Loko USA 24OZ is a 13.9% ABV flavored malt beverage sold in 23.5 oz cans, featuring a sour white cherry flavor profile draped in red, white, and blue branding. As one of the higher-ABV offerings in the ready-to-drink malt beverage category, this patriotic-themed expression from Phusion Projects packs significant punch in a single oversized can.

Quick Facts: ABV: 13.9%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA  |  Flavored Malt Beverage  |  Producer: Phusion Projects (Drink Four Brewing Company)

Production & Heritage

Four Loko was created by Phusion Projects, a Chicago-based company that began developing its original "energy beer" prototype in 2005. The initial formula contained caffeine, taurine, guarana, and even wormwood, but in November 2010, Phusion Projects reformulated the product to remove all stimulant ingredients following regulatory pressure. What remained was a high-ABV flavored malt beverage line that retained its identity as an aggressively priced, high-strength single-serve drink. The USA expression uses a malt liquor base blended with carbonated water, sugar, and both natural and artificial flavorings including FD&C Red 40 to achieve its vivid appearance.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet artificial cherry dominates on the nose, followed by a blue raspberry-adjacent candy quality. There is a faint malt backbone underneath, though the fruit flavoring largely masks it.

Taste: The entry is aggressively sweet with a pronounced sour white cherry flavor. At mid-palate, a blue raspberry slushie-like character emerges alongside noticeable malt sweetness and a syrupy texture. The 13.9% ABV delivers a warm alcohol presence that becomes more apparent as the liquid warms.

Finish: The finish is medium in length with lingering artificial fruit sweetness and a slightly tart, drying quality. A residual alcohol warmth stays on the palate.

How to Drink Four Loko USA

Four Loko USA is designed to be consumed straight from the can, chilled as cold as possible — the low temperature tames the sweetness and softens the alcohol heat. Many drinkers pour it over ice in a tall glass to dilute the intensity. While not a traditional cocktail ingredient, some use it as a mixer: combine with lemonade for a spiked cherry lemonade punch, blend with frozen fruit for an improvised slushie, or top off a glass of ginger ale for a lighter, effervescent serve.

Best For

• Fourth of July gatherings and patriotic-themed parties
• Tailgating or outdoor events where convenience matters
• Budget-conscious drinkers seeking high ABV per volume
• Casual get-togethers where novelty flavors are part of the fun

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Four Loko USA taste like? Four Loko USA delivers a sour white cherry flavor with candy-like sweetness and a blue raspberry undertone, built on a malt beverage base with noticeable alcohol warmth at 13.9% ABV.

How does Four Loko USA compare to Steel Reserve 211? Steel Reserve 211 is a traditional high-gravity lager with an 8.1% ABV and a straightforward malt liquor flavor, while Four Loko USA is a heavily flavored malt beverage at 13.9% ABV with a fruit-forward, candy-sweet profile that tastes nothing like conventional beer.

Is Four Loko USA good for beginners? The sweet, fruity flavor can mask the high alcohol content, which makes it deceptively easy to drink — beginners should be aware that a single 23.5 oz can at 13.9% ABV contains roughly the equivalent of four to five standard drinks.

Where is Four Loko USA made? Four Loko USA is produced by Phusion Projects, operating as Drink Four Brewing Company, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

What foods pair well with Four Loko USA? Its intense sweetness and cherry-forward character work alongside salty snacks like tortilla chips and queso, spicy buffalo wings where the sugar tempers heat, barbecue ribs with tangy sauce, funnel cake or carnival-style fried foods, and pepperoni pizza where the carbonation cuts through grease.

What sizes does Four Loko USA come in? Four Loko USA is primarily sold in 23.5 oz single-serve cans, which is the standard format across the Four Loko product line.

Is Four Loko USA worth the price? Four Loko USA positions firmly in the value tier of flavored malt beverages, delivering one of the highest ABV-per-dollar ratios available in the ready-to-drink category — it is engineered for affordability rather than refinement.

Why Four Loko USA?

Four Loko USA occupies a specific and unapologetic niche in the flavored malt beverage market: maximum strength, maximum flavor, minimal cost. The 13.9% ABV in a single 23.5 oz can places it well above most competitors in sheer potency per serving. The sour white cherry flavor gives it a seasonal, novelty appeal tied directly to American summer holidays. For consumers who know exactly what they want from the category — bold, sweet, strong, and affordable — this expression delivers without pretense.