Dunkin Refresher (medium) carries more total caffeine per serving (99mg per 24 oz medium vs 92mg per 16 oz can), but ounce for ounce Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) is actually the stronger drink at about 6mg per fluid ounce against 4. 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.
Dunkin Refresher (medium) vs Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus): the numbers
| Dunkin Refresher (medium) | Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 99mg per 24 oz medium | 92mg per 16 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 4.1mg | 5.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 4.0 | 4.3 |
Sources: Dunkin Refresher (medium)'s figure is verified in our Dunkin Refresher (medium) caffeine guide against Tasting Table / Dunkin figures (source); Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus)'s figure is verified in our Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) guide against PepsiCo product facts (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Dunkin Refresher (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 Refresher (medium): the full caffeine guide
- Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Dunkin Refresher (medium) or Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) have more caffeine? Dunkin Refresher (medium): 99mg per 24 oz medium versus 92mg per 16 oz can for Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus).
Which is stronger per ounce? Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus), at about 5.8mg per fluid ounce versus 4.1mg for Dunkin Refresher (medium).
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.