Read a soda label in three passes: the nutrition panel for calories and added sugars per can, the ingredient list for what's actually inside (ingredients are listed by weight), and the fine print for allergens and caffeine. Sixty seconds, no chemistry degree required.
Pass one: the numbers
Start with the serving size, because every other number depends on it. A 12oz can is usually one serving, but larger bottles often quietly contain two or more — which halves the sugar figure at a glance. On a Reckon can, the serving is the whole can. What you see is what you drink.
Then find Added Sugars. Total sugars include anything naturally present; added sugars are what the maker put in. For soda, that's the number that tells you how the drink will actually taste. A typical cola runs about 45 grams per 12oz. Reckon Cherry is 90 calories with 15 grams; Apricot is 80 with 12 — about 1/3 the sugar of a typical cola.
Pass two: the ingredient list
Ingredients appear in descending order by weight, so the first three tell most of the story. Carbonated water leads almost everywhere; what follows is where sodas diverge.
A label isn't marketing. It's the one place a soda has to tell the truth.
Sweeteners. You'll see cane sugar, invert sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, or zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia and aspartame. They're all legal and labeled; they just taste different. Reckon uses invert sugar — table sugar split into glucose and fructose — and no artificial sweeteners.
Colors. Words like "carrot concentrate" or "beta-carotene" — it's what makes carrots orange, it's natural — are plant-derived pigments; names like Red 40 are synthetic dyes. Both Reckon flavors are colored with carrots — black carrot in the Cherry, orange carrot in the Apricot, the latter listed under its full name, beta-carotene. No artificial colors.
Pass three: the fine print
Allergens. The "Contains" line is required for major allergens, and it's worth the two seconds. Reckon contains wheat (barley malt), so it is not gluten-free — and the can says so plainly.
Caffeine. Sodas must list caffeine as an ingredient if it's added, but the milligram amount is optional — so if you're avoiding it, look for an explicit "caffeine-free." Both Reckon flavors are caffeine-free.
What you'll find on a Reckon can
| Label line | Cherry | Apricot |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 90 | 80 |
| Sugar | 15g | 12g |
| Sweetener | Invert sugar | Invert sugar |
| Color | Black carrot | Orange carrot (beta-carotene) |
| Caffeine | None | None |
| Allergens | Contains wheat (barley malt) | Contains wheat (barley malt) |
We put the numbers on the front of everything we write because we're comfortable with them. If you'd like to do your reading with a cold can in hand, the variety 12-pack covers both flavors, or pick one up at a Cleveland store. It's Gonna Be OK.
Frequently asked questions
Is invert sugar an artificial sweetener?
No. Invert sugar is real sugar that's been split into its two components, glucose and fructose. It reads rounder in a finished soda. Reckon is sweetened with invert sugar and contains no artificial sweeteners or colors.
Is Reckon gluten-free?
No. Reckon contains wheat (barley malt) and is not gluten-free. It's stated on the label — which is exactly what labels are for.
What do the color words on a soda label mean?
They tell you whether the color grew or was synthesized. Names with a number, like Red 40, Yellow 5 or Blue 1, are synthetic dyes made from petroleum. "Caramel color" is the workhorse behind most colas. Phrases naming a plant, like "carrot concentrate," "vegetable juice for color" or "beta-carotene," mean the pigment came from something grown. Beta-carotene in particular sounds technical but is simply the pigment that makes an ordinary carrot orange, and it's natural. Reckon's label reads carrot concentrate and beta-carotene, so both flavors are colored by carrots: a deep purple-black carrot for the Cherry and an ordinary orange one for the Apricot. Plant pigments shift slightly with light and time, so shade can vary a little can to can.
Keep reading
- Low-Sugar Soda: What the Label Actually Means
- Which Sodas Have No Artificial Sweeteners? A Label Guide
- What Is Prebiotic Soda? An Ingredient Guide
- Is Sparkling Water's Flavor Natural or Artificial? The Honest Answer
- Is Craft Soda Vegan? What to Check Before You Buy
- Are All Clear Sodas Caffeine-Free? The Honest Answer