McDonald's Sweet Tea (large) carries more total caffeine per serving (100mg per 32 oz cup vs 95mg per 16 oz grande), but ounce for ounce Starbucks Chai Latte is actually the stronger drink at about 6mg per fluid ounce against 3. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
McDonald's Sweet Tea (large) vs Starbucks Chai Latte: the numbers
| McDonald's Sweet Tea (large) | Starbucks Chai Latte | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 100mg per 32 oz cup | 95mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 3.1mg | 5.9mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 4.0 | 4.2 |
Sources: McDonald's Sweet Tea (large)'s figure is verified in our McDonald's Sweet Tea (large) caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Starbucks Chai Latte's figure is verified in our Starbucks Chai Latte guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Starbucks Chai Latte when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and McDonald's Sweet Tea (large) 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
- McDonald's Sweet Tea (large): the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks Chai Latte: 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 McDonald's Sweet Tea (large) or Starbucks Chai Latte have more caffeine? McDonald's Sweet Tea (large): 100mg per 32 oz cup versus 95mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks Chai Latte.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Chai Latte, at about 5.9mg per fluid ounce versus 3.1mg for McDonald's Sweet Tea (large).
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