alcohol + caffeine

A combination of alcohol (ethanol) and caffeine is commonly referred to as a "caffeinated alcoholic drink." This mixture combines a central nervous system depressant (alcohol) with a stimulant (caffeine). Caffeine acts primarily as an adenosine receptor antagonist in the brain, promoting alertness and wakefulness. Alcohol acts as an adenosine reuptake inhibitor and has sedative effects. When consumed together, caffeine can mask some of the sedative effects of alcohol without reducing actual intoxication or blood alcohol content. This masking effect may lead individuals to underestimate their level of impairment, increasing the risk for excessive drinking, injury, risky behaviors, dehydration, irregular heartbeat, higher blood pressure, and other health risks[1][2][4][5][6]. The combination has been associated with increased rates of binge drinking and adverse outcomes such as accidents or impaired driving[2][3]. Due to safety concerns—including increased risk-taking behavior—the U.S. FDA determined that adding caffeine to prepackaged alcoholic beverages was unsafe; most such products were removed from the market after 2010[1][6].

Other names

caffeinated alcoholic drinkalcohol and caffeinecaffeinated alcohol