Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream has more caffeine than brewed coffee on both counts: 120mg per 6.5 oz can against 95mg per 8 oz cup, and about 18mg per fluid ounce against 12. 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.
brewed coffee vs Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream: the numbers
| brewed coffee | Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 95mg per 8 oz cup | 120mg per 6.5 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 11.9mg | 18.5mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 4.2 | 3.3 |
Sources: brewed coffee's figure is verified in our brewed coffee caffeine guide against USDA FoodData Central (source); Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream's figure is verified in our Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream guide against Caffeine Informer / Starbucks nutrition (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick brewed coffee when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream 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
- brewed coffee: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does brewed coffee or Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream have more caffeine? Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream: 120mg per 6.5 oz can versus 95mg per 8 oz cup for brewed coffee.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream, at about 18.5mg per fluid ounce versus 11.9mg for brewed coffee.
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.