Starbucks cold brew (grande) has more caffeine than Guayaki Yerba Mate (can) on both counts: 205mg per 16 oz grande against 150mg per 15.5 oz can, and about 13mg per fluid ounce against 10. 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.
Guayaki Yerba Mate (can) vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| Guayaki Yerba Mate (can) | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 150mg per 15.5 oz can | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 9.7mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.7 | 2.0 |
Sources: Guayaki Yerba Mate (can)'s figure is verified in our Guayaki Yerba Mate (can) caffeine guide against Guayaki product page (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 Guayaki Yerba Mate (can) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks cold brew (grande) 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
- Guayaki Yerba Mate (can): 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
FAQ
Does Guayaki Yerba Mate (can) or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 150mg per 15.5 oz can for Guayaki Yerba Mate (can).
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 9.7mg for Guayaki Yerba Mate (can).
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