Four Loko Black Cherry 24OZ is a 12% ABV flavored malt beverage sold in a 24-ounce can, produced by Phusion Projects in Chicago, Illinois. Known for packing a significantly higher alcohol content than most mainstream flavored malt beverages and hard seltzers, this expression has built a reputation around its unapologetically bold, sweet black cherry profile and high-octane strength.Quick Facts: ABV: 12% | Origin: Chicago, Illinois, USA | Style: Flavored Malt Beverage | Producer: Phusion Projects (Drink Four Brewing Company)Production & HeritagePhusion Projects, operating under the name Drink Four Brewing Company, launched the Four Loko brand out of Chicago, Illinois, where it quickly became one of the most recognizable names in the flavored malt beverage category. The Black Cherry expression is built on a fermented malt base—produced from malted barley and corn—then blended with carbonated water, sugar, and natural and artificial flavorings, including FD&C Red 40 for its deep red hue. At 12% ABV, it sits at roughly double to triple the alcohol content of leading hard seltzers, a defining characteristic that separates Four Loko from the broader flavored malt beverage market.Tasting NotesAroma: Intense artificial cherry sweetness hits immediately on the nose, carrying notes reminiscent of cherry hard candy with a pronounced sugary quality. A faint undercurrent of grain alcohol becomes apparent as the carbonation lifts the aroma.Taste: The palate opens with a rush of sweet black cherry flavor that lands somewhere between cherry candy and medicinal cherry syrup. Mid-palate, the sweetness is heavy and persistent, with the 12% alcohol becoming clearly detectable beneath the sugar and flavoring. The carbonation adds a slight crispness, though it does little to cut the overall density of the sweetness.Finish: The finish is short to medium, leaving a lingering sugary cherry aftertaste with noticeable warmth from the alcohol. A slightly syrupy mouthfeel persists after each sip.How to Drink Four Loko Black CherryMost drinkers consume Four Loko Black Cherry straight from the can, well-chilled. Given its high sugar content and 12% ABV, pouring it over plenty of ice in a tall glass helps temper both the sweetness and the alcohol intensity. It can serve as a base in a Cherry Limeade Punch, where lime juice and soda water balance the sweetness. A Black Cherry Slushie made by blending with crushed ice creates a frozen drink that dilutes the intensity. It also works in a Cherry Mule riff, where ginger beer and fresh lime add spice and acidity to counterbalance the sugary cherry profile.Best For Casual outdoor gatherings and tailgating where bold flavor and high ABV are the priority Budget-conscious occasions where value per volume matters Pregame or party settings seeking maximum impact in a single can Drinkers who prefer intensely sweet, candy-forward flavor profiles Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Four Loko Black Cherry taste like? Four Loko Black Cherry delivers an intensely sweet black cherry flavor that sits between cherry hard candy and cherry syrup, with noticeable alcohol warmth underneath the sugar. The carbonation is moderate, and the overall impression is heavy and sweet rather than light or refreshing.How does Four Loko Black Cherry compare to White Claw? Four Loko Black Cherry contains 12% ABV—nearly three times the alcohol content of White Claw's standard 5% ABV offerings—and is significantly sweeter and more intensely flavored. White Claw positions itself as a light, low-calorie seltzer, while Four Loko prioritizes maximum flavor intensity and alcohol strength in a single oversized can.Is Four Loko Black Cherry good for sipping? Due to its high sugar content and strong artificial cherry flavor, it is best consumed very cold or over ice rather than sipped slowly at room temperature. The 12% ABV means a single 24-ounce can contains roughly the equivalent alcohol of four to five standard drinks, so measured consumption is advisable.Where is Four Loko Black Cherry made? Four Loko Black Cherry is produced by Phusion Projects, operating as Drink Four Brewing Company, based in Chicago, Illinois. The brand has been one of the most widely distributed flavored malt beverages in the United States since its launch.What foods pair well with Four Loko Black Cherry? The aggressively sweet cherry profile works alongside spicy foods like hot wings or jalapeño poppers, where the sugar can temper capsaicin heat. It also pairs passably with salty snacks like pretzels or nachos, which contrast the sweetness, and with rich desserts like chocolate brownies where the cherry flavor echoes a Black Forest pairing.What sizes does Four Loko Black Cherry come in? Four Loko Black Cherry is most commonly sold in 23.5-ounce (marketed as 24oz) single-serve cans, which is the brand's flagship format.Is Four Loko Black Cherry worth the price? Four Loko Black Cherry positions firmly in the value tier of the flavored malt beverage category, delivering one of the highest alcohol-per-dollar ratios available in a single can. For drinkers prioritizing potency and bold flavor over subtlety, it delivers exactly what the brand promises at its price point.Why Four Loko Black Cherry?Four Loko Black Cherry exists in a category largely of its own making—a high-ABV, single-serve flavored malt beverage designed to deliver maximum intensity in one can. The 12% ABV in a 24-ounce format means it contains roughly 4.7 standard drinks, a fact that defines its identity far more than its flavor nuances. Among flavored malt beverages, few competitors match both the alcohol content and the aggressive flavor approach that Four Loko has become known for. It is not a product built for contemplation—it is built for impact, and within that narrow lane, Black Cherry remains one of the brand's most popular expressions.
