Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) has more caffeine than Barq's root beer on both counts: 92mg per 16 oz can against 22mg per 12 oz can, and about 6mg per fluid ounce against 2. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
Barq's root beer vs Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus): the numbers
| Barq's root beer | Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 22mg per 12 oz can | 92mg per 16 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 1.8mg | 5.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 18.2 | 4.3 |
Sources: Barq's root beer's figure is verified in our Barq's root beer caffeine guide against Coca-Cola brand data (source); Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus)'s figure is verified in our Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) guide against PepsiCo product facts (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) packs roughly 3 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 16 oz can finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Barq's root beer when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) when you actually need the bigger hit and know your tolerance. If you are stacking either with other caffeinated drinks through the day, run the math against the 400mg reference rather than guessing.
For context, the FDA cites 400mg of caffeine a day as an amount generally not associated with negative effects in healthy adults. Tolerance and health vary, so treat these numbers as information, not advice.
Related reading
- Barq's root beer: the full caffeine guide
- Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does Barq's root beer or Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) have more caffeine? Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus): 92mg per 16 oz can versus 22mg per 12 oz can for Barq's root beer.
Which is stronger per ounce? Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus), at about 5.8mg per fluid ounce versus 1.8mg for Barq's root beer.
Comparing caffeine? The caffeine comparison tool puts hundreds of drinks side by side, and the caffeine curfew calculator can check your cutoff time for tonight.