Dunkin Refresher (medium) carries more total caffeine per serving (99mg per 24 oz medium vs 54mg per 12 oz can), but ounce for ounce Mountain Dew is actually the stronger drink at about 4mg 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.
Mountain Dew vs Dunkin Refresher (medium): the numbers
| Mountain Dew | Dunkin Refresher (medium) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 54mg per 12 oz can | 99mg per 24 oz medium |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 4.5mg | 4.1mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 7.4 | 4.0 |
Sources: Mountain Dew's figure is verified in our Mountain Dew caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Dunkin Refresher (medium)'s figure is verified in our Dunkin Refresher (medium) guide against Tasting Table / Dunkin figures (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Mountain Dew 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
- Mountain Dew: the full caffeine guide
- Dunkin Refresher (medium): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Mountain Dew or Dunkin Refresher (medium) have more caffeine? Dunkin Refresher (medium): 99mg per 24 oz medium versus 54mg per 12 oz can for Mountain Dew.
Which is stronger per ounce? Mountain Dew, at about 4.5mg 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.