Capri Sun is a popular juice drink marketed towards children and sold in individual pouches. With its fun flavors and convenient packaging, it has become a lunch box staple for kids across America. But how much juice is actually in one of those little pouches? Let’s take a closer look at Capri-Sun serving sizes to find out.
The Short Answer
The standard Capri-Sun pouch contains 6 fluid ounces or 177 milliliters of juice. So if you were asked how many ounces are in a Capri-Sun, the answer would be 6 ounces.
Capri-Sun Pouch Sizes
While 6 ounces is the traditional size, Capri-Sun pouches are also sold in varying amounts:
- 6 ounce pouches – the original standard size pouch
- 8 ounce pouches – 25% more juice than the regular pouches
- 10 ounce pouches – 66% more juice than the regular pouches
- 12 ounce pouches – double the size of the regular pouches
In addition to the different pouch sizes, Capri-Sun is sold in multi-packs with varying numbers of pouches:
- 4-packs – contain 4 pouches, typically 6 oz each
- 8-packs – contain 8 pouches, typically 6 oz each
- 10-packs – contain 10 pouches of 6, 8, or 10 oz sizes
- 16-packs – contain 16 pouches of 6 oz size
The convenience of multi-packs and range of pouch sizes allow parents to buy Capri-Sun in a quantity that makes sense for their family.
Capri-Sun Flavor Variety
Capri-Sun is available in an assortment of kid-friendly flavors, including:
- Fruit Punch
- Strawberry Kiwi
- Pacific Cooler
- Lemonade
- Orange
- Grape
- Cherry
- Strawberry
- Mountain Cooler
Special edition pouches with licensed characters or unique flavors are also introduced for a limited time. With so many flavors to choose from, there’s a Capri-Sun variety for every taste preference.
Nutrition Facts for Capri-Sun
Although Capri-Sun is marketed as a fun kid’s drink, parents may wonder about its nutrition facts. Here are some key nutrients in a 6 ounce pouch of regular Capri-Sun Fruit Punch flavor:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 70 |
| Total Carbohydrates | 16g |
| Sugars | 15g |
| Protein | 0g |
As you can see, a single pouch contains 70 calories and 16 grams of carbohydrates, most of which comes from 15 grams of sugar. While Capri-Sun does provide vitamins like Vitamin C from its fruit juices, the high sugar content is something for parents to be mindful of.
Alternatives to Capri-Sun
If you’re looking to reduce the amount of sugar in your child’s diet, there are some healthy alternatives to standard Capri-Sun that provide needed vitamins and minerals without so much added sugar:
- Diluted 100% Fruit Juice – Mix equal parts 100% fruit juice and water to cut the natural sugars in half.
- Flavored Water – Brands like Stur Drinks add light flavor and nutrients without sweeteners.
- Smoothies – Blend fresh or frozen fruit with yogurt or milk for a nutrient-dense sip.
- Diluted Coconut Water – The natural electrolytes and light coconut taste make this a refreshing drink.
You can also occasionally let your child enjoy regular Capri-Sun as a treat in moderation. The key is balance and variety in their beverage options.
How to Open a Capri-Sun Pouch
Capri-Sun pouches are specially designed with a plastic straw attached that kids can use to poke a hole and drink the juice. However, getting that straw into the right spot can be tricky for little hands. Here are some opening tips:
- Hold pouch upright and locate the dotted area marked “insert straw here.”
- Using one hand to hold the pouch steady, use the other hand to gently press the straw into the dot area at an angle.
- Once the straw punctures the pouch, securing it in place, tilt the pouch horizontally and suck through the straw to get the juice flowing.
Younger kids may need help guiding the straw to start. Older kids can learn to do it independently, gaining a sense of accomplishment.
Are There Capri-Sun Recipes?
While most people enjoy Capri-Sun as is, the pouches can actually be repurposed in fun drink recipes too. Here are a few creative ways to use Capri-Sun:
Capri-Sun Slushies
Freeze Capri-Sun pouches overnight, then break up the frozen juice in a blender to make flavorful slushies.
Capri-Sun Cocktails
Mix 3 oz Capri-Sun with 1 oz vodka and a squeeze of lemon to create a refreshing mixed drink for adults.
Capri-Sun Popsicles
Pour Capri-Sun into popsicle molds, adding fruit slices if desired. Freeze, then enjoy fruity pops!
Fun Facts About Capri-Sun
- Capri-Sun was invented in 1969 by Swiss food technologist Hans-Peter Frerichs.
- Over 1 billion Capri-Sun pouches are sold worldwide each year.
- The foil pouches help the juice stay fresh up to 9 months without refrigeration.
- Kraft Foods licenses the Capri-Sun brand in North America and Europe.
- Kids say that poking the straw into the pouch is the most fun part of drinking Capri-Sun.
The Origins of Capri-Sun
Capri-Sun was the brainchild of food scientist Hans-Peter Frerichs. In the late 1960s, he was tasked with finding a way to better preserve the vitamins in juice during long-term storage for the European food company Wild. After much experimentation, he invented foil pouches with an attached drinking straw that could be punctured when ready to drink. These pouches kept air out, allowing the juice to stay fresh at room temperature for months. Wild launched the first Capri-Sun products in Switzerland in 1969. The convenient new packaging was a hit with European families. Over the next decades, distribution expanded across the globe, including North America. Now owned by Kraft Heinz, Capri-Sun continues to be a popular, innovative drink brand thanks to the vision of its creator.
The Appeal of Capri-Sun for Kids
There are several key reasons why Capri-Sun appeals so strongly to children:
- Fun flavors – Kids love the sweet fruit flavors like Cherry, Pacific Cooler, and Fruit Punch.
- Cool pouch design – The special drink pouches make Capri-Sun unique and exciting.
- Sense of independence – Children feel proud to poke and drink from their own pouch.
- Convenient size – The 6 oz portions are ideal for lunch boxes and snacks on-the-go.
- Fun commercials – Whimsical ads portray Capri-Sun as a drink for imaginative, adventuresome kids.
Capri-Sun has built an incredibly loyal following among children by catering to all their preferences. The engaging multi-sensory experience makes it their beverage of choice.
The Environmental Impact of Capri-Sun
While fun and convenient, Capri-Sun pouches also raise environmental concerns. Each pouch contains a multilayer combination of plastic and aluminum that is challenging to recycle. Most pouches end up in landfills. Some ways Capri-Sun could improve sustainability include:
- Eliminate straw attachment – Straws are a top plastic pollutant and easily separable.
- Use all-aluminum pouches – Aluminum is far more recyclable than plastic/foil pouches.
- Offer pouch-free alternatives – Sell juice in recyclable plastic bottles or paper cartons.
- Support pouch recycling – Invest in technology and infrastructure to enable recycling.
It’s up to environmentally-conscious consumers to urge brands like Capri-Sun to evolve toward greener packaging. With some innovations, Capri-Sun could continue delivering tasty, convenient drinks kids love in a more eco-friendly way.
Conclusion
So how many ounces are in a Capri-Sun? The standard pouch contains 6 fluid ounces, though larger sizes are available too. Beyond ounce amount, Capri-Sun is a beloved kid’s drink thanks to its sweet flavors, cool packaging, and portability. While convenient, the brand still has room for improvement when it comes to sustainability. With some pouch innovation and consumer pressure, Capri-Sun could potentially boost its eco-friendly factor. For now, parents can continue to enjoy an occasional pouch as a treat while balancing with healthier drink options.
