No matter if you are a barista or just an average Joe, we’re all interested in how much caffeine is in Starbucks Cold Brew. We want to make sure that our morning pick-me-up not only wakes us up but also won’t leave us with any long-term ill effects. In this article, we will explore the caffeine content of Starbucks Cold Brew and compare it to other popular drinks so that you can make an informed decision about how much caffeine you drink.
We will start by discussing the caffeine content of Starbucks Cold Brew and its brewing process before diving into a list of all cold brew drinks at Starbucks, including their respective levels of caffeine. Afterward, we will do a comparison between Starbucks cold brew and those from other major brands and explain the difference between Starbucks Nitro cold brew and their regular cold brew coffee. Finally, we will discuss the health benefits and risks associated with consumption as well as the nutritional value. By the time you finish reading this article, you should have everything you need to know about getting your daily dose safely!
How Much Caffeine is in Starbucks Cold Brew
The caffeine content of Starbucks Cold Brew is dependant on the size of the drink you order, as well as the flavor of cold brew. There are 4 different cup sizes available and numerous flavors of cold brew on their ever-changing menu.
Caffeine Content of Starbucks Cold Brew by Size
Unsurprisingly, the amount of caffeine in your Starbucks order depends on the size cup you buy. Generally speaking, the bigger the cup, the more caffeine in the drink.
| Starbucks Cup Size | Caffeine Content (mg) |
|---|---|
| Tall | 155 |
| Grande | 205 |
| Venti | 310 |
| Trenta | 360 |
Caffeine Content of Starbucks Cold Brew by Flavor
Like with their frappuccino menu, the Starbucks cold brew menu is constantly expanding with new flavors and seasonal treats regularly showing up. The current Starbucks cold brew menu and the caffeine in each is below.
| Flavor | Tall | Grande | Venti | Trenta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee (Original) | 155mg | 205mg | 310mg | 360mg |
| Cold Brew Coffee with Milk | 150mg | 200mg | 300mg | 330mg |
| Reserve Cold Brew | 150mg | 200mg | 300mg | – |
| Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew | 140mg | 185mg | 275mg | 320mg |
| Chocolate Cream Cold Brew | 145mg | 185mg | 275mg | 315mg |
| Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew | 140mg | 185mg | 275mg | 320mg |
| Pistachio Cream Cold Brew | 140mg | 185mg | 275mg | 315mg |
| Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew | 145mg | 185mg | 275mg | 315mg |
| Irish Cream Cold Brew | 145mg | 185mg | 275mg | 315mg |
| Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew | 155mg | 205mg | 310mg | 360mg |
| Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew | 215mg | 280mg | – | – |
| Starbucks Reserve Nitro Cold Brew | 215mg | 280mg | – | – |
| Honey Almondmilk Nitro Cold Brew | 210mg | 290mg | – | – |
| Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew | 200mg | 265mg | – | – |
| Protein Blended Cold Brew | – | 180mg | – | – |
The reason for the missing data above is that Starbucks only sells certain drinks in specific sizes. For example, their Nitro cold brew range is only available in tall and grande sizes.
Caffeine in Starbucks Cold Brew vs Other Popular Cold Brews
Starbucks Cold Brew is lower down the caffeine scale when pitted head to head with other cold brew drinks. In fact Death Wish Coffee’s cold brew has 3 times the caffeine content of the original Starbucks flavor. Their Nitro version is nearly 50% higher in caffeine but still comes in among the lowest on the list; only Dunkin Donuts cold brew has less out of all the other top-selling brands.
| Cold Brew Coffee | Caffeine Content (mg) |
|---|---|
| Starbucks Cold Brew | 12.81 |
| Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew | 17.5 |
| Death Wish Cold Brew | 37.5 |
| Stumptown Cold Brew | 26.4 |
| Blue Bottle Coffee Cold Brew | 26.25 |
| Wandering Bear Extra Strong Cold Brew | 25 |
| La Colombe Cold Brew | 23.18 |
| Peet’s Cold Brew | 23.81 |
| Chameleon Cold Brew | 23 |
| Califia Cold Brew | 22.5 |
| Grady’s Cold Brew | 20.75 |
| Dunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew | 10.875 |
Starbucks Cold Brew vs Nitro Cold Brew
Starbucks Cold Brew is made using their own in-house beans. To start with, they are ground coarsely, similar to the grind size used for a French press. This enables the coffee to extract properly over the extended brewing period. The grounds are kept in a bath of cold water for 20 hours, to draw out the ultra-smooth and rich flavors from the beans.
This is then refrigerated and sold in their cafés.
As for the nectarous elixir that is Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew. This is not your average cup of joe, my friends. No, this is a liquid masterpiece crafted through a process of sheer wizardry and alchemy.
But the magic doesn’t stop after refrigeration, oh no.
To make their signature Starbucks nitro cold brew, the resulting cold brew coffee is then chilled to perfection and infused with the most ethereal and elusive of elements: Nitrogen. This infusion is what sets Nitro Cold Brew apart from the rest.
James Hoffman
The nitrogen creates a cascading effect and a thick, creamy head, similar to a draft beer, giving Nitro Cold Brew a velvety texture and a slightly sweet taste that will have you questioning if you are in fact, still on planet Earth. Nitro cold brew is often mistaken for a glass of Guinness as both have very similar appearances, albeit very different tastes. It is also pulled from a tap, as you would see from a fresh pint of Guinness.
Nitro Cold Brew is then served chilled between 39-45F or 4-7C, ensuring that every sip is as refreshing as the first. And, to ensure that you are only ever sipping on the freshest of brews, it is made daily and stored in a keg, preserving its unique texture, taste, and appearance.
Summing Up
Our journey through the caffeine content of Starbucks Cold Brew has been a fascinating one. We’ve learned how it is made and how the caffeine content changes based on the size of your drink and the flavor of cold brew you order. We’ve also compared Starbucks cold brew’s caffeine vs other popular drinks found in both grocery stores and coffee chains.
The bottom line? Starbucks scores highly when it comes to taste and variety. However, if you’re looking for some rocket fuel in the form of coffee, Starbucks cold is likely not a good fit; it has some of the lowest caffeine content of any coldbrew on the market.
FAQs
Does Starbucks cold brew have more caffeine than coffee?
Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee has more caffeine than coffee. However, the difference in caffeine content between the 2 is tiny. A tall cold brew has 155 mg of caffeine, which is only 5 mg more than a tall Americano coffee which has 150mg per serving..
How much caffeine is in a 12 oz cold brew from Starbucks?
There is 155mg of caffeine in a 12oz cold brew from Starbucks. Their 12 oz size is referred to as tall. Starbucks cold brew comes in grande (16 oz), venti (24 oz) and trenta (30 oz) sizes. They have 205mg, 310mg and 360mg of caffeine respectively,
How much caffeine is in a grande Starbucks cold brew?
There is 205mg of caffeine in a grande Starbucks cold brew. A grande cold brew cup size is 16 fl oz. A grande nitro cold brew from Starbucks has 280mg of caffeine per serving, which is significantly higher than the original drink.