Starbucks cold brew (grande) has more caffeine than Cafe Bustelo (brewed) on both counts: 205mg per 16 oz grande against 150mg per 12 oz cup, and about 13mg per fluid ounce against 12. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
Cafe Bustelo (brewed) vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| Cafe Bustelo (brewed) | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 150mg per 12 oz cup | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 12.5mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.7 | 2.0 |
Sources: Cafe Bustelo (brewed)'s figure is verified in our Cafe Bustelo (brewed) caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Starbucks cold brew (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks cold brew (grande) guide against Starbucks menu data (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Cafe Bustelo (brewed) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks cold brew (grande) 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
- Cafe Bustelo (brewed): the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks cold brew (grande): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
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Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does Cafe Bustelo (brewed) or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 150mg per 12 oz cup for Cafe Bustelo (brewed).
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 12.5mg for Cafe Bustelo (brewed).
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