Starbucks cold brew (grande) has more caffeine than brewed oolong tea on both counts: 205mg per 16 oz grande against 37mg per 8 oz cup, and about 13mg per fluid ounce against 5. 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.
brewed oolong tea vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| brewed oolong tea | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 37mg per 8 oz cup | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 4.6mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 10.8 | 2.0 |
Sources: brewed oolong tea's figure is verified in our brewed oolong tea caffeine guide against USDA FoodData Central (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 brewed oolong tea 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
- brewed oolong tea: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks cold brew (grande): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does brewed oolong tea or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 37mg per 8 oz cup for brewed oolong tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 4.6mg for brewed oolong tea.
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.