Panda Express Drinks Menu 2026: Prices, Calories & Best Picks
Most people pick their Panda Express entree, choose a side, then stare blankly at the drink menu. With over 20 beverage options split across three distinct categories and prices that vary more than you’d expect, it helps to know what you’re ordering before you step up to the counter.
What Drinks Does Panda Express Have in 2026?
Panda Express has three drink categories in 2026: Panda Crafted Beverages (fruit teas and lemonades), fountain sodas (Coca-Cola products and more), and bottled drinks (water, sports drinks, and glass-bottle sodas). All three are available for dine-in, takeout, drive-thru, and delivery.
What Are the Panda Express Drinks Menu Prices in 2026?
Fountain drinks at Panda Express start at $2.20–$2.30 for a small. Panda Crafted Beverages cost $3.30–$3.40. Bottled options range from $2.40 (Dasani) to $3.10–$3.20 (Smartwater, Coke Mexico). Prices vary slightly by location.
Panda Crafted Beverages (Premium Drinks)
|
Drink |
Price |
Size |
Calories |
|
Mango Guava Flavored Tea |
$3.30–$3.40 |
24 oz |
195–280 Cal |
|
Peach Lychee Flavored Refresher |
$3.30–$3.40 |
24 oz |
210 Cal |
|
Pomegranate Pineapple Flavored Lemonade |
$3.30–$3.40 |
24 oz |
210–240 Cal |
|
Watermelon Mango Flavored Refresher |
$3.30–$3.40 |
24 oz |
180–210 Cal |
Fountain Drinks at Panda Express
|
Drink |
Price (Small) |
Price (Medium) |
Price (Large) |
Calories (Medium) |
|
Coca-Cola |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
370 Cal |
|
Diet Coke |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
0 Cal |
|
Sprite |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
340 Cal |
|
Dr Pepper |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
360 Cal |
|
Barq’s Root Beer |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
~380 Cal |
|
Fanta Orange |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
370 Cal |
|
Fanta Strawberry |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
390 Cal |
|
Coca-Cola Cherry |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
380 Cal |
|
Minute Maid Lemonade |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
390 Cal |
|
Fuze Raspberry Iced Tea |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
210 Cal |
|
Sweet Tea |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
410 Cal |
|
Black Tea |
$2.20–$2.30 |
$2.40–$2.50 |
$2.60–$2.70 |
0–10 Cal |
Panda Express Bottled Drinks
|
Drink |
Price |
Size |
Calories |
|
Dasani Water |
$2.40–$2.50 |
16 oz |
0 Cal |
|
Smartwater |
$3.10–$3.20 |
700 ml |
0 Cal |
|
Powerade Berry Blast |
$2.80–$2.90 |
20 oz |
130 Cal |
|
Bai Coco Fusion |
$2.80 |
— |
10 Cal |
|
Coca-Cola (Bottle) |
$2.60 |
20 oz |
150 Cal |
|
Coke Mexico |
$3.10–$3.20 |
12 oz |
150 Cal |
|
Sprite Mexico |
$3.10 |
12 oz |
140 Cal |
|
Coke Zero (Bottle) |
$2.60 |
20 oz |
0 Cal |
What Are Panda Express Crafted Beverages and Are They Worth It?
Panda Express Crafted Beverages are premium in-store-made refreshers served in 24 oz cups, priced at $3.30–$3.40. They cost about $1 more than a fountain drink but deliver unique flavor combinations like Peach Lychee and Pomegranate Pineapple that standard sodas can’t match.
The four current options are:
- Mango Guava Flavored Tea — A tropical tea blend with 195 cal and 42g sugar
- Peach Lychee Flavored Refresher — Light and floral at 210 cal with 52–53g sugar
- Pomegranate Pineapple Flavored Lemonade — Tart and bold at 210–240 cal with 53–57g sugar
- Watermelon Mango Flavored Refresher — The lightest crafted option at 180–210 cal and 47–52g sugar
For the $1 price difference over a medium soda, the Crafted Beverages offer a noticeably more interesting experience.
What Is the Full Panda Express Drinks Calorie Breakdown?
Calories by Drink Category
|
Category |
Calorie Range |
Lowest Option |
Highest Option |
|
Panda Crafted Beverages |
180–240 Cal |
Watermelon Mango (180) |
Pomegranate Lemonade (240) |
|
Fountain Drinks (Small) |
0–290 Cal |
Black Tea / Diet Coke (0) |
Minute Maid Lemonade (290) |
|
Fountain Drinks (Medium) |
0–410 Cal |
Black Tea / Diet Coke (0) |
Sweet Tea (410) |
|
Fountain Drinks (Large) |
0–560 Cal |
Black Tea / Diet Coke (0) |
Barq’s Root Beer (560) |
|
Bottled Drinks |
0–250 Cal |
Dasani / Smartwater (0) |
Sprite (Bottle, 250) |
The calorie gap between a small Black Tea (0 cal) and a large Sweet Tea (510 cal) is enormous. Size selection matters far more than drink selection when managing caloric intake.
What Is the Sugar Content in Panda Express Drinks?
Sugar is the primary calorie source in all Panda Express drinks. Fountain sodas contain 67–106g of sugar in a medium serving. Panda Crafted Beverages contain 42–57g of sugar. Zero-sugar options include Black Tea, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and all still waters.
Most people focus on calories and miss the sugar numbers entirely. That’s a gap most drink guides overlook.
Sugar Content Comparison (Medium/Standard Serving)
|
Drink |
Sugar (g) |
Calories |
|
Minute Maid Lemonade (medium) |
94g |
390 Cal |
|
Sweet Tea (medium) |
101g |
410 Cal |
|
Fanta Strawberry (medium) |
106g |
390 Cal |
|
Coca-Cola (medium) |
100g |
370 Cal |
|
Pomegranate Pineapple Lemonade |
57g |
210–240 Cal |
|
Mango Guava Tea |
42g |
195 Cal |
|
Peach Lychee Refresher |
52–53g |
210 Cal |
|
Powerade Berry Blast |
34g |
130 Cal |
|
Black Tea |
0g |
0 Cal |
|
Diet Coke |
0g |
0 Cal |
|
Smartwater |
0g |
0 Cal |
Does Panda Express Have Caffeine in Their Drinks?
Yes. Caffeinated Panda Express drinks include Coca-Cola (~34mg/12oz), Diet Coke (~46mg/12oz), Fuze Raspberry Iced Tea, Black Tea, Sweet Tea, and Mango Guava Tea. Caffeine-free options include Sprite, Fanta, Barq’s Root Beer (caffeine-free variety), Powerade, and all waters.
Caffeine Overview by Drink Type
|
Drink |
Caffeinated? |
Notes |
|
Coca-Cola |
Yes |
~34mg per 12 oz |
|
Diet Coke |
Yes |
~46mg per 12 oz (higher than regular Coke) |
|
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar |
Yes |
~34mg per 12 oz |
|
Fuze Raspberry Iced Tea |
Yes |
Tea-based, moderate caffeine |
|
Black Tea |
Yes |
Naturally caffeinated |
|
Sweet Tea |
Yes |
Brewed tea with sugar |
|
Mango Guava Tea |
Yes |
Tea base |
|
Sprite / Fanta / Root Beer |
No |
Caffeine-free |
|
Minute Maid Lemonade |
No |
Caffeine-free |
|
Powerade / Water |
No |
Caffeine-free |
What Are the Best Panda Express Drinks Based on Your Goal?
For zero calories, choose Black Tea or Diet Coke. For the best flavor experience, go with a Panda Crafted Beverage. For the lowest sugar, pick Bai Coco Fusion (2g sugar). For hydration, Smartwater or Dasani are the cleanest options on the menu.
|
Goal |
Best Pick |
Why |
|
Zero calories |
Black Tea or Diet Coke |
0 cal, no sugar |
|
Lowest sugar |
Bai Coco Fusion |
Only 2g sugar, 10 cal |
|
Best flavor |
Peach Lychee Refresher |
Light, fruity, 210 cal |
|
Best value |
Medium Fountain Soda |
$2.20–$2.50 for any size |
|
Hydration |
Smartwater (700ml) |
Electrolyte water, 0 cal |
|
Kid-friendly |
Apple Juice or water (Cub Meal) |
Included in Panda Cub Meal |
|
Caffeine boost |
Diet Coke |
Highest caffeine among sodas |
|
Low-calorie + flavor |
Watermelon Mango Refresher |
180 cal, no fat |
Which Panda Express Drinks Pair Best with Specific Entrees?
This is a content gap none of the competing Panda Express drink guides cover. Drink and food pairing isn’t just a fine dining concept—it makes a real difference at fast casual too.
|
Entree |
Best Drink Pairing |
Why It Works |
|
Peach Lychee Refresher |
Fruity sweetness balances the tangy glaze |
|
|
Beijing Beef |
Sprite or Sprite Mexico |
Clean carbonation cuts through the richness |
|
Kung Pao Chicken |
Watermelon Mango Refresher |
Cooling sweetness offsets the heat |
|
Broccoli Beef |
Black Tea |
Light, neutral—doesn’t overpower the subtle soy flavors |
|
Honey Walnut Shrimp |
Pomegranate Pineapple Lemonade |
Tartness complements the honey-butter glaze |
|
Grilled Teriyaki Chicken |
Mango Guava Tea |
Tropical notes pair well with teriyaki’s caramel undertones |
|
SweetFire Chicken |
Diet Coke or water |
Spice relief without adding competing flavors |
What Drinks Come with the Panda Express Panda Cub Meal (Kids’ Meal)?
The Panda Cub Meal ($7.80) includes a choice of Bottled Water or Kid’s Juice as the drink option. Fountain sodas and Panda Crafted Beverages are not part of the standard Cub Meal. Kids can also receive a complimentary cup of water upon request at any location.
The Panda Cub Meal drink selection is intentionally simple, Bottled Water or a Kid’s Juice (typically apple juice). The meal itself includes:
- 1 Jr. Side
- 1 Jr. Entree
- Fruit Side
- Bottled Water or Kid’s Juice
If your child wants a fountain soda instead, it can typically be substituted or added for an additional charge, though this varies by location.
Does Panda Express Offer Free Refills on Drinks?
Panda Express offers free refills on fountain drinks for dine-in customers at most locations. Free refills do not apply to Panda Crafted Beverages or bottled drinks. Customers ordering takeout, drive-thru, or delivery do not receive refills.
This is a commonly searched question that most competing guides either ignore or answer incorrectly.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
- ✅ Free refills: Fountain drinks (dine-in only)
- ❌ No refills: Panda Crafted Beverages
- ❌ No refills: Bottled water, Powerade, Smartwater
- ❌ No refills: Takeout, drive-thru, delivery orders
Free water is available upon request at all Panda Express locations, regardless of dining format.
Can You Use Panda Points to Get Free Drinks at Panda Express?
Panda Express Rewards (Panda Points) can be redeemed on qualifying purchases, but free drinks are not a standard standalone reward tier. Points are earned at 10 per $1 spent. Drinks are included in bundled meal redemptions, but cannot typically be redeemed as a free item on their own.
The Panda Rewards program works as follows:
- Earn rate: 10 Panda Points per $1 spent
- Redemption tiers: Start at 200 points (premium entree upgrade); free Bowl at 1,250 points; free Family Meal at 5,000 points
- Drink redemptions: Drinks are part of bundled meal redemptions rather than standalone rewards
- Point expiration: Points expire after 365 days of inactivity
- Birthday bonus: Members receive a special reward each birthday
The best way to get a “free drink” through Panda Rewards is to redeem a full Bundle reward, which includes a medium beverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many drink options does Panda Express have in 2026?
Panda Express offers 20+ drink options across three categories: 4 Panda Crafted Beverages, 12+ fountain sodas and teas, and 7+ bottled drinks. The exact number varies slightly by location and seasonal availability.
What is the cheapest drink at Panda Express?
The cheapest drinks are small fountain sodas, starting at $2.20–$2.30. Complimentary cups of water are available at no cost upon request at all dine-in locations.
What is the most expensive drink at Panda Express?
Smartwater (700ml) and Coke Mexico are among the priciest options at $3.10–$3.20. Panda Crafted Beverages are the most expensive category at $3.30–$3.40.
Which Panda Express drink has the most sugar?
Large Fanta Strawberry tops the list with approximately 149g of sugar. Large Minute Maid Lemonade (132g) and large Sweet Tea (126g) follow closely behind.
What is the lowest-calorie drink at Panda Express that still has flavor?
Bai Coco Fusion has just 10 calories and 2g of sugar, making it the best low-calorie option with actual flavor. Black Tea is 0 calories but largely unflavored.
Does Panda Express serve Pepsi or Coca-Cola products?
Panda Express uses Coca-Cola products, including Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Fanta, Barq’s Root Beer, and Fuze Iced Tea. Pepsi products are not on the national drinks menu.
How many ounces is a large Panda Express drink?
A large fountain drink at Panda Express is typically 32 oz. Panda Crafted Beverages are served in a 24 oz cup, and bottled drinks range from 12 oz (Coke Mexico) to 700ml (Smartwater).
What drink comes with the Panda Express Bigger Plate Bundle?
The Bigger Plate Bundle ($15.20) includes one side, three entrees, and a medium fountain drink. The medium drink adds meaningful value, reducing the effective cost of the beverage to near zero compared to ordering a la carte.
Which Panda Express drink has no calories and no caffeine?
Dasani Water (0 cal, 0 caffeine) and Smartwater (0 cal, 0 caffeine) are both calorie-free and caffeine-free. Sprite and Fanta flavors are also caffeine-free, though they contain significant sugar and calories.
