What Happened with the Celsius Alcohol Mix-up?
In a significant product safety event that unfolded in late July 2025, a recall was initiated for a limited number of Celsius Astro Vibe cans after they were discovered to contain alcoholic High Noon vodka seltzer. The incident stemmed from an error with a shared packaging supplier, which mistakenly filled empty Celsius-branded cans with High Noon's alcoholic beverage. This was a completely unintentional mix-up and not a change in Celsius’s standard formula. Celsius, a company known for its non-alcoholic fitness drinks, swiftly supported High Noon's voluntary recall to ensure consumer safety.
The Cause and Scope of the Recall
The recall affected specific production lots of High Noon Beach Variety 12-packs and Celsius Astro Vibe, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition cans. These mislabeled products were shipped to distributors and retailers across eight U.S. states between July 21 and July 23, 2025. The affected states included Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The recall was proactive, and as of the initial reports, no illnesses or adverse reactions were reported by consumers.
Key Recall Takeaways
- Standard Celsius is Non-Alcoholic: The vast majority of Celsius products remain non-alcoholic energy drinks, free of any ethanol content.
- Incident was a Mix-Up: The alcoholic cans resulted from a packaging supplier error, not a change in product formulation by either Celsius or High Noon.
- Specific Products Affected: Only Celsius Astro Vibe, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition with specific lot codes were potentially impacted.
- Lot Code Check: Consumers were advised to check the bottom of their cans for lot codes to confirm if their product was part of the recall.
- Recall is Limited: The mix-up affected only a small batch and was limited to certain geographic regions for a short period.
Standard Celsius Ingredients vs. Recalled Can Contents
To highlight the difference, here is a comparison between the typical contents of a standard Celsius energy drink and what was mistakenly put into the recalled cans.
| Feature | Standard Celsius Energy Drink | Recalled Astro Vibe Can (Contained High Noon) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Purpose | Functional essential energy drink | Alcoholic vodka seltzer |
| Key Active Ingredients | Caffeine, Guarana, Green Tea Extract, Vitamins (B and C) | Vodka, filtered water, real fruit juice |
| Alcohol Content | 0% ABV (Alcohol by Volume) | Approx. 4.5% ABV |
| Sugar | Zero sugar, often sweetened with Sucralose | Contains some sugar from fruit juice |
| Calorie Count | Typically 10 calories per can | Varies, but significantly higher than 10 calories |
| Consumption Context | Pre-workout or energy boost | Social beverage, recreational |
How to Identify a Recalled Celsius Can
Identifying a recalled can requires checking a specific set of numbers on the packaging. For the July 2025 incident, here’s what consumers were instructed to do:
- Locate the lot code: Find the laser-etched code on the bottom of the can.
- Check the brand and flavor: Confirm the can is a CELSIUS® ASTRO VIBE Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition.
- Cross-reference lot numbers: Match the code to the specific recalled lot numbers. The impacted range was L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to L CCB 02JL25 3:11.
- Confirm the purchase location: Recall that the affected products were only shipped to specific U.S. states.
What to Do If You Have an Affected Can
If you discovered you possessed a recalled Celsius Astro Vibe can with the matching lot codes, the instructions were clear:
- Do not consume the liquid. Unintentional alcohol ingestion could occur, which is particularly risky for those who are sensitive to alcohol, pregnant, or underage.
- Dispose of the can safely.
- Contact the appropriate consumer relations department for information on refunds or next steps. For this specific incident, High Noon Consumer Relations handled the process.
For more information on product recalls and safety, you can visit the Food and Drug Administration website.
Conclusion
While a surprising mix-up temporarily complicated the issue, the definitive answer to "Does Celsius have alcohol on it?" remains no for the vast majority of its products. The standard, market-wide product is a non-alcoholic energy drink formulated with natural ingredients and vitamins. The incident involving a recall in July 2025 was an isolated event caused by a third-party packaging error, not a change in Celsius's intended formula. Consumers should always remain vigilant and check product recall notices, but they can be confident that their standard Celsius is free of alcohol.
