It’s no secret that Starbucks is where people turn to when they need a good caffeine fix. Famous for its wide range of coffees, teas, and other caffeinated beverages, the coffee shop giant is a staple in many people’s morning routines. However, have you ever stopped to consider just how much caffeine your typical Starbucks order actually contains?
We decided to investigate this, and looked into which of your favorite Starbucks beverages are likely to get you buzzing. The recommended daily intake of caffeine for adults is 400 milligrams, and some drink totals are quite startling. We’ve also based our calculations on the Grande size for consistency. So, we’ve got you covered whether you’re after a morning pick-me-up or an afternoon boost.
Highest caffeinated Starbucks drinks overall
Our first category is the overall most-caffeinated drinks at Starbucks. These are the drinks that will give you the biggest caffeine boost. However, they will also get you pretty close to your recommended caffeine limit. So, if you’re a one-cup-of-coffee (or tea) per day type of person, these might just be for you. If not, you may want to travel a bit further down this list!
Blonde Roast Coffee – 360 mg
Top of the list is the Blonde Roast Coffee, coming in at a whopping 360 milligrams of coffee per cup. The caffeine content in Starbucks’ famous blonde roast is rather surprising, considering this coffee bean’s less intense flavor.
However, with one of the highest caffeine contents in any Starbucks drink, this coffee is not for the faint of heart. If you’re looking for an extra pick-me-up in the morning or trying to pull an all-nighter, this is the drink for you.
Veranda Blend – 360 mg
The Veranda Blend is tied in first place with the Blonde Roast. This lightly roasted Latin American blend has a bit more mellow flavor than some of the stronger roasts below, but, as with the Blonde Roast, don’t be fooled by its lighter flavor. It packs much more of a caffeine punch. If you’re looking for a less intense coffee but don’t want to sacrifice any caffeine, this is the drink for you.
Pike Place Roast Coffee – 310 mg
Coming in third is the Pike Place Roast Coffee, with 310 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Pike Place is a great middle ground if you want something a little more intense than the Blonde Roast but don’t want to go all the way to dark roast. This roast’s rich flavor is paired with a high caffeine content, making it the perfect drink for coffee lovers who want an extra boost.
Nitro Cold Brew – 280 mg
If you’re looking for a cold coffee with a high caffeine content, Nitro Cold Brew coffee is the way to go. This iced coffee has been infused with nitrogen, giving it a slightly sweet flavor and a creamy texture and making it a refreshing choice for those hot summer days. It also packs a pretty impressive caffeine punch, with 280 milligrams per cup.
What drinks from Starbucks have the most caffeine?
So, now that we’ve explored the most highly caffeinated drinks let’s dive into some specific categories.
Hot Coffees
The staple on the Starbucks menu, the hot coffee is the coffee shop classic. Hot coffee is a year-round favorite, perfect in the cold months and still delicious in the summer. But which one has the most caffeine? Let’s find out.
Dark Roast – around 260 mg
Dark roast coffee has a rich flavor and a slightly higher caffeine content than some of the other hot coffees. Coming in at around 260 milligrams per cup, this coffee is perfect for those who want a little extra caffeine in their drink.
The flavor is also great for coffee lovers in general – much more so than the Blonde for those who like a stronger flavor. It’s worth noting that the caffeine content can vary slightly depending on the roast, so if you’re looking for a particularly highly caffeinated dark roast, be sure to ask your barista.
Blonde Americano and Blonde Flat White – 255 mg
Once again, the Blonde Roasts are hitting a sweet spot for flavor and high caffeine content. It’s no surprise that these two drinks are so popular – they offer a milder flavor with just the right amount of caffeine. These are two great choices if you’re looking for a hot coffee with a high caffeine content – the americano if you like something simple and the flat white for a bit of foam.
Latte Macchiato – 225 mg
A latte macchiato is a type of latte in which the milk is steamed and poured over the espresso, resulting in a layered effect. Besides being completely delicious, this drink is a bit lower in caffeine than some of the other hot coffees on this list.
Nonetheless, it still contains around 225 milligrams per cup, a pretty hefty portion of your daily caffeine allowance. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something a bit different from your standard latte, and the layered effect is definitely Instagram-worthy.
Flat White Espresso – 190 mg
Last but not least, for hot coffee anyway, is the Flat White Espresso. This is a very simple coffee – just espresso and milk, no flavoring – but it’s still rich and flavorful. The caffeine content is also on the lower end, at around 190 milligrams per cup. This is a great choice if you’re looking for a hot coffee with a moderate amount of caffeine.
Cold/Iced Coffees
Now let’s move on to iced coffees. These are perfect for the summer months (or really any time you want a refreshing cold drink). But if you’re looking for the most caffeine, what should you pick?
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew – 265 mg
This is a variation of the standard cold brew, with the addition of sweet vanilla cream. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something a little sweeter, and it still has a decent amount of caffeine. At 265 milligrams per cup, it’s not the highest on this list, but its cold, velvety refreshing-ness is an utter delight to drink.
Iced Blonde Caffè Americano – 225 mg
Once again, a Blonde brew is near the top of the list, this time for Iced Coffees. This drink is a simple iced Blonde americano, and it packs a punch with 225 milligrams of caffeine. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for something refreshing and energizing, and it’s perfect for those hot summer days.
Standard Cold Brew – 205 mg
This iced coffee is made in small batches every day, and it’s been slow-steeped in cool water for 20 hours. Their own custom blend of beans gives this coffee a rich flavor, and it’s also pretty high in caffeine. At 205 milligrams per cup, it’s a cold brew with a little less caffeine.
Blended Coffees
Next, let’s move on to blended coffees. These include frappuccinos, iced coffees, iced teas, or blended drinks, and they’re a great choice if you’re looking for a sweet and creamy coffee – or if you fancy a coffee for dessert!
Espresso Frappuccino Blended Coffee – 165 mg
This is a classic frappuccino made with espresso and milk, and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for something sweet and creamy. The caffeine content is on the lower end at 165 milligrams, but it’s still ideal if you want a refreshing blended coffee. But, you may end up with a sugar rush as well as a caffeine rush!
Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee – 110 mg
For chocoholics that love coffee, the mocha frappuccino is a dream come true. It’s made with espresso, milk, and Starbucks’ delicious Mocha sauce. The caffeine content is lower than many others on this list. Nonetheless, it still contains over a quarter of your daily caffeine allowance but is fabulous if you have a particularly strong sweet tooth.
Caramel Frappuccino Blended Coffee – 100 mg
Can you really beat caramel and coffee? We don’t think so, and this frappuccino is living (if coffee can live?) proof. A delicious blend of espresso, milk, and caramel syrup, this drink is also one of the lower caffeinated coffee choices on our list. Plus, it is delicious, and the whipped cream and gooey caramel sauce on top add to the experience!
Teas and Other Beverages
Finally, let’s move on to tea and other beverages. These are a great choice if you’re looking for something a little different, you want to cut down on your caffeine or calorie intake (let’s face it, Starbucks is hardly fat-free!), or if you’re just not a fan of coffee!
Chai Tea Latte – 95 mg
Chai tea latte is a delicious and warming choice with a little taste of the exotic subcontinent of India. It’s made with black tea infused with spices, such as cinnamon and cloves, and topped with steamed milk. It has a moderate caffeine content of 95 milligrams. This drink is perfect for chilly winter days or whenever you need a little pick-me-up.
Matcha Tea Latte – 80 mg
From India to Japan, this matcha tea latte is a delightful choice. It’s made with matcha powder, a type of green tea, sweetened to perfection and topped with steamed milk. It is a beautiful pale green color too – perfect for Insta-worthy pictures. It’s energizing, refreshing, and has a lower caffeine content of 80 milligrams.
The Pink Drink – 45 mg
Talking of Insta-worthy drinks, you can’t get more iconic than the famous Pink Drink. With a base of Starbucks’ signature Strawberry Acai Refresher made with a delicious fruit juice blend of acai and passion fruit, it gets its beautiful pale pink color from the addition of creamy coconut milk.
At only 45 milligrams of caffeine, it has the lowest caffeine content of all the drinks on this list. Nonetheless, it’s perfect if you’re looking for something refreshing and want to enjoy a lovely summer drink.
Do All Starbucks Drinks Have Caffeine?
No, there are some Starbucks drinks that don’t have caffeine. The coffee shop understands that sometimes, you don’t want or need a caffeine-induced buzz. That’s why they offer a great selection of drinks without the extra kick.
Here are some of the most popular non-caffeinated Starbucks drinks:
- Blended Strawberry Lemonade – A delicious combination of lemonade infused with sweet strawberries, this drink is sweet and tart. A refreshing drink perfect for summer.
- Iced Passion Tango Tea – This herbal tea made with hibiscus, apple, and lemongrass is a beautiful deep red color. It’s a great choice if you want something fruity and refreshing.
- Strawberry Crème Frappuccino Blended Beverage – This is a great choice if you’re looking for a frappuccino without caffeine. It’s made with milk and ice and flavored with a delicious strawberry puree, topped with whipped cream.
- Pumpkin Spice Crème Frappuccino Blended Beverage – A fall favorite, this frappuccino is made with milk, ice, and a signature flavoring containing pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. It’s then topped with whipped cream and pumpkin spice sprinkles.
- White Hot Chocolate – A deliciously creamy delight, this hot chocolate is made with milk, white chocolate, and vanilla. The perfect choice for a cozy night in.
- Mint Tea – The perfectly refreshing herbal remedy, Starbucks’ mint tea is made with mint leaves, lemon verbena, and lemongrass.
As you can see, there’s a great selection of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks available at Starbucks, so you’re sure to find something to suit your needs.
Overall…
Starbucks has a great selection of caffeinated and non-caffeinated drinks available, so you’re sure to find something to suit your needs. While the most caffeinated beverages on this list are sure to get you close to your caffeine limit with just a single cup, there are still plenty of other great options available with lower caffeine content.
Whether you’re looking for a pick-me-up or something refreshing and fruity, a buzz, or simply something to warm you up, Starbucks has got you covered.
Happy Caffeinating!
