Death Wish canned cold brew has more caffeine than Starbucks cold brew (grande) on both counts: 300mg per 8 oz can against 205mg per 16 oz grande, and about 38mg per fluid ounce against 13. 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.
Death Wish canned cold brew vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| Death Wish canned cold brew | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 300mg per 8 oz can | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 37.5mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.3 | 2.0 |
Sources: Death Wish canned cold brew's figure is verified in our Death Wish canned cold brew 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 Starbucks cold brew (grande) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Death Wish canned 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
- Death Wish canned cold brew: 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 Death Wish canned cold brew or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Death Wish canned cold brew: 300mg per 8 oz can versus 205mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks cold brew (grande).
Which is stronger per ounce? Death Wish canned cold brew, at about 37.5mg per fluid ounce versus 12.8mg for Starbucks cold brew (grande).
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