Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD) has more caffeine than yerba mate on both counts: 230mg per 10 oz bottle against 85mg per 8 oz cup, and about 23mg per fluid ounce against 11. 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.
Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD) vs yerba mate: the numbers
| Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD) | yerba mate | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 230mg per 10 oz bottle | 85mg per 8 oz cup |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 23.0mg | 10.6mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.7 | 4.7 |
Sources: Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD)'s figure is verified in our Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD) caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); yerba mate's figure is verified in our yerba mate guide against Caffeine Informer / compiled (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick yerba mate when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD) 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
- Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD): the full caffeine guide
- yerba mate: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD) or yerba mate have more caffeine? Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD): 230mg per 10 oz bottle versus 85mg per 8 oz cup for yerba mate.
Which is stronger per ounce? Chameleon Cold Brew (RTD), at about 23.0mg per fluid ounce versus 10.6mg for yerba mate.
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