What Is C4? (The Energy Drink, Not the Explosive)

It seems to me that there’s a bit of an arms race when it comes to energy drink names. Early on, there was Red Bull, which is sort of brash at first blush, but now seems tame. Today, there’s Rockstar, which connotes a baller lifestyle; Monster, with the claw slash design that screams intensity; plus Full Throttle (rad); and Bomb (boss). And of course there was 4Loko, which was so intense that it had to be taken off the market.

In this crowded marketplace, it’s hard to stand out, so you have to hand it to the branding team at C4. If you’re not familiar, C-4 refers to a powerful plastic explosive. The C4 drink is presumably less lethal. But despite its totally metal name, maybe you’ve never heard of C4. So, what is C4 drink? What’s in it? When should I drink it? Let’s find out.

What is C4 drink?

According to their website, C4 Energy “fuels sport + fitness performance.” Just look at that plus sign between sport and fitness; this brand is so hip, it doesn’t even have time for the word “and.” To get a little more specific, however, C4 is a sugar-free energy drink made by Cellucor. In fact, there’s now a whole line of C4 products including pre-workout powder and testosterone boosters. And did you know? C4 is now the official energy drink of SXSW.

Who owns C4 energy drink?

C4 is owned by an entity called Cellucor. Who is Cellucor? I’ll give you the answer from their website:  “Cellucor is the leader in sports nutrition. For 20 years, we’ve obsessed over results—your results. Every Cellucor product is engineered with performance in mind to maximize your potential. Made with clinically studied ingredients and recognized by elite athletes and top performers around the world, Cellucor is your partner to evolve into your 2.0.” Now we know that Cellucor is our partner to evolve into our 2.0, but beyond that I couldn’t find a ton of additional information about this company. 

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Does C4 have creatine?

The original C4 energy drink does not appear to contain creatine. However, C4 offers a whole line of products, including a pre-workout powder that specifically contains creatine. 

How much caffeine in C4?

There are 200 mg of caffeine in a can of C4 energy drink. That’s about double the amount in a cup of coffee. However, there are a number of different products under the C4 umbrella, so be sure to double check the label if you’re concerned about your caffeine content. 

Is C4 energy drink a pre-workout drink?

While you can certainly consume a C4 energy drink pre-workout, C4 has a line of powders that are specifically made to be enjoyed pre-workout and include a blend of creatine and nitrates as well as 150 mg of caffeine per serving.