Dunkin cold brew (medium) carries more total caffeine per serving (260mg per 24 oz medium vs 205mg per 16 oz grande), but ounce for ounce Starbucks cold brew (grande) is actually the stronger drink at about 13mg per fluid ounce against 11. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
Dunkin cold brew (medium) vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| Dunkin cold brew (medium) | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 260mg per 24 oz medium | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 10.8mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.5 | 2.0 |
Sources: Dunkin cold brew (medium)'s figure is verified in our Dunkin cold brew (medium) 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 Dunkin cold brew (medium) 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
- Dunkin cold brew (medium): 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
As an Amazon Associate, Barista Life earns from qualifying purchases.
Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does Dunkin cold brew (medium) or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Dunkin cold brew (medium): 260mg per 24 oz medium versus 205mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks cold brew (grande).
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 10.8mg for Dunkin cold brew (medium).
Barista Life runs on coffee people. Browse the Barista Life shop to support the site.
Get the good coffee stuff
One email a week: what we verified, what is worth buying, and what is not. No spam, unsubscribe any time.