Califia Farms cold brew has more caffeine than Red Bull on both counts: 180mg per 8 oz serving against 80mg per 8.4 oz can, and about 22mg per fluid ounce against 10. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
These are different categories of drink, which changes how the caffeine arrives. Energy drinks and sodas list an exact number because caffeine is a measured additive; brewed drinks vary with the beans and the brew, so their figures are compiled averages. The numbers here are the standard published values for each.
Califia Farms cold brew vs Red Bull: the numbers
| Califia Farms cold brew | Red Bull | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 180mg per 8 oz serving | 80mg per 8.4 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 22.5mg | 9.5mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.2 | 5.0 |
Sources: Califia Farms cold brew's figure is verified in our Califia Farms cold brew caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Red Bull's figure is verified in our Red Bull guide against Red Bull label / Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Red Bull when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Califia Farms cold brew 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
- Califia Farms cold brew: the full caffeine guide
- Red Bull: 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 Califia Farms cold brew or Red Bull have more caffeine? Califia Farms cold brew: 180mg per 8 oz serving versus 80mg per 8.4 oz can for Red Bull.
Which is stronger per ounce? Califia Farms cold brew, at about 22.5mg per fluid ounce versus 9.5mg for Red Bull.
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