Want to guzzle a drink that has the same amount of caffeine as three cups of coffee and more alcohol than two beers?
That’s what is in alcoholic “energy” drinks like Joose and Four Loko, sold in bodegas throughout the city. Four Loko has even been nicknamed “liquid cocaine,” because of its stimulant effects.
The drinks are bottled in brightly colored cans, and have flavors like grape and fruit punch. They intentionally target underage drinkers, said Sen. Charles Schumer, D-NY, who is demanding the Federal Trade Commission investigate their marketing.
After being investigated by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors agreed to stop selling their caffeinated malt beverages, Tilt and Sparks, in 2008.
Since then, smaller companies have dominated the market; the maker of Joose says the drinks are intended solely for adults.
