NCIS: The Story Behind Abby Sciuto's Caf-Pow Drink | Screen Rant
Long-standing NCIS viewers will remember just how important Caf-Pow was to Abigail "Abby" Sciuto, but they might not know the story behind the former forensic scientist character’s favorite drink. Throughout her time on the CBS show, Abby’s trademark look, as portrayed by actress Pauley Perrette, was rounded off with a Caf-Pow cup in her hand. If she ran out, Special Agent Gibbs was there to replenish her supply in exchange for her forensic findings. Like many of the NCIS stars, such as Lauren Holly, who played Jennifer Shepard, Perette is no longer on the show. Yet she will always be remembered fondly as the brilliantly minded, Caf-Pow-glugging goth who rarely worked without music. But what exactly is Caf-Pow, and why did Abby like it so much?
Caf-Pow is an energy drink that quite literally fuelled Abby Scuito’s NCIS career. Her excitable demeanor was likely the direct result of drinking too much caffeine. The name is perhaps a fusion of the words “caffeine” and “power,” or maybe "pow!" as a comic book reference. The drink was typically presented in a huge branded cup with a red lid. However, there were several variations. The Valentine's Day special edition was equipped with a pink lid, while the Christmas-themed version had added nutmeg. Abby isn't the only character to love caffeine — Special Agent Gibbs, who was given the perfect legacy when he left NCIS, drank black coffee — but it is no surprise that Abby needed the boost, being the only forensic scientist working in the NCIS lab.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the Caf-Pow story is that initially it was not meant to be a drink. Doug Reilly, an NCIS designer, created Caf-Pow. At NCIS Fan Fest 2008, he revealed that the drink started out as caffeine pills, but this was later changed to a caffeinated drink when producers decided against a pill-popping scientist (via YouTube). Reilly also told NCIS fans how Caf-Pow evolved after the first season to a bigger, more colorful design. He added that Perrette never actually drank a full cup. Instead, a can of her favorite juice — such as cranberry — was glued inside.
The most bizarre storyline that Caf-Pow was ever involved in saw the drink help save Ziva David — who later reunited with Tony DiNozzo and the NCIS crew — from terrorists. In NCIS season 7, episode 1, “Truth or Consequences," Abby and Tim McGee tracked shipments of the drink to the terrorists’ location after discovering that their leader had acquired a taste for it. Not many other TV caffeine drinks can boast such a major narrative arc.
Since Pauley Perrette left NCIS in 2018 after 15 seasons, Caf-Pow has sadly taken a back seat. The show’s new forensic scientist, Kasie Hines, played by Diona Reasonover, is apparently able to function without it. It is not known whether Caf-Pow will ever make a proper comeback on NCIS, but it is safe to say that the signature drink will always be remembered as fondly as its other departed stars. And for fans who want a piece of NCIS history, a replica cup can be bought on Amazon.