Starbucks cold brew (grande) carries more total caffeine per serving (205mg per 16 oz grande vs 112mg per 8 oz cup), but ounce for ounce Maxwell House brewed coffee is actually the stronger drink at about 14mg per fluid ounce against 13. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
Maxwell House brewed coffee vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| Maxwell House brewed coffee | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 112mg per 8 oz cup | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 14.0mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 3.6 | 2.0 |
Sources: Maxwell House brewed coffee's figure is verified in our Maxwell House brewed coffee 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 Maxwell House brewed coffee 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
- Maxwell House brewed coffee: 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 Maxwell House brewed coffee or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 112mg per 8 oz cup for Maxwell House brewed coffee.
Which is stronger per ounce? Maxwell House brewed coffee, at about 14.0mg per fluid ounce versus 12.8mg for Starbucks cold brew (grande).
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