Why That Can of Celsius Energy Drink Might Actually Contain Vodka

High Noon issued a recall after a mix-up at its manufacturing plant resulted in some Celsius cans being filled with vodka seltzer

By Lisa L. Gill
Investigative Reporter

July 31, 2025

box of High Noon Beach Variety Pack and can of CELSIUS ASTRO VIBE Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition

A manufacturing error has resulted in some cans of Celsius Astro Vibe Energy Drink, Sparkling Blue Razz Edition being filled with a vodka seltzer cocktail instead. High Noon Spirits has recalled certain lots of its High Noon Beach Variety packs, which may contain the mislabeled Celsius cans. No illnesses or adverse events have been reported.

High Noon said in its recall notice that it shares the same container supplier as Celsius and that the supplier mistakenly shipped empty cans with the Celsius labeling to its production facility. Those cans were then accidentally used when filling High Noon’s vodka seltzer drink.

The Beach Variety packs in question contain 12 12-ounce cans of peach, kiwi, strawberry, and lemon vodka seltzer flavors. They were shipped to retailers in Florida, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin between July 21 and July 23, 2025. It’s possible that retailers shipped the product to stores in other states.

Two lots of the High Noon packs are involved in the recall. Check the outside of the box for L CCC 17JL25 14:00 to L CCC 17JL25 23:59 or L CCC 18JL25 00:00 to L CCC 18JL25 03:00.

If you have cans of the Celsius drink that weren’t part of a High Noon pack, you should double-check them before consuming them. One telltale sign that you have a mislabeled Celsius drink is that the top of the can will be silver instead of the usual black. The recalled cans will also have lot codes L CCB 02JL25 2:55 to L CCB 02JL25 3:11 on the bottom.

“This was a stunning quality-control failure given that High Noon shipped possibly thousands of these multipacks to stores in multiple states,” says Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at CR. “It serves as yet another reminder to companies that they should always remain vigilant and take nothing for granted because it could have dangerous consequences.”

In response to CR’s request for comment, Krista Fontana, a spokesperson for High Noon, said in a statement that the company was “voluntarily recalling a limited number of High Noon Beach Variety Packs due to a labeling error from our can supplier. We are working with the FDA, retailers, and distributors to proactively manage the recall to ensure the safety and well-being of our consumers.”

The company did not directly answer CR’s question about whether consumers could return the product for a refund. But in its recall notice, it said that they should “contact consumer relations at consumerrelations@highnoonvodka.com to get more information on next steps, including refunds.”

In a separate announcement, CVS, one of the retailers where the recalled High Noon packages were sold, said customers with recalled packages could return them to a CVS store for a full refund (PDF).

Walmart also posted a notice about the recall, saying the High Noon packs were sold at select stores in Florida, Michigan, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Lisa L. Gill

Lisa L. Gill is an award-winning investigative reporter. She has been at Consumer Reports since 2008, covering health and food safety—heavy metals in the food supply and foodborne illness—plus healthcare and prescription drug costs, medical debt, and credit scores. Lisa also testified before Congress and the Food and Drug Administration about her work on drug costs and drug safety. She lives in a DIY tiny home, where she gardens during the day and stargazes the Milky Way at night.