Gold Peak Sweet Tea carries more total caffeine per serving (48mg per 18.5 oz bottle vs 34mg per 12 oz can), but ounce for ounce Coca-Cola Classic is actually the stronger drink at about 3mg per fluid ounce against 3. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
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.
Coca-Cola Classic vs Gold Peak Sweet Tea: the numbers
| Coca-Cola Classic | Gold Peak Sweet Tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 34mg per 12 oz can | 48mg per 18.5 oz bottle |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 2.8mg | 2.6mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 11.8 | 8.3 |
Sources: Coca-Cola Classic's figure is verified in our Coca-Cola Classic caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Gold Peak Sweet Tea's figure is verified in our Gold Peak Sweet Tea guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Coca-Cola Classic when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Gold Peak Sweet Tea 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
- Coca-Cola Classic: the full caffeine guide
- Gold Peak Sweet Tea: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Coca-Cola Classic or Gold Peak Sweet Tea have more caffeine? Gold Peak Sweet Tea: 48mg per 18.5 oz bottle versus 34mg per 12 oz can for Coca-Cola Classic.
Which is stronger per ounce? Coca-Cola Classic, at about 2.8mg per fluid ounce versus 2.6mg for Gold Peak Sweet Tea.
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.