During an on-set interview with CBS' The Early Show, Perrette was asked about what's really in her Caf-Pow cups. She revealed that the ubiquitous red and white vessels used to have non-caffeinated, but still delicious, Hawaiian Punch in them. That all changed when Perrette "quit eating and drinking refined sugar." From that point on, the cup was filled with unsweetened cranberry juice.
Although it doesn't have a caffeinated kick, those who have ever sipped on some unaltered cranberry juice know that it will give you a jolt all its own. The juice is almost unbearably tart, and even Perrette herself said of her Caf-Pow substitute of choice, "It's hardcore."
Sean Murray, who plays Abby's one-time office crush Tim McGee, was also present for the interview and he agreed with his co-star's assessment. He even admitted, "I took a swig of that one time..." When he demonstrated the painfully pinched face he made in reaction to the ultra-tart liquid, it was clear that one sip was enough for Murray.
Perrette may not have been riding high on caffeine while she filmed NCIS, but she was certainly still getting a kick from her Caf-Pow cup.
