Barista Life Blog · 1 min read

Pepsi vs Dunkin Refresher (medium): which has more caffeine?

Dunkin Refresher (medium) has more caffeine than Pepsi on both counts: 99mg per 24 oz medium against 38mg per 12 oz can, and about 4mg per fluid ounce against 3. 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.

Pepsi vs Dunkin Refresher (medium): the numbers

Pepsi Dunkin Refresher (medium)
Caffeine per serving 38mg per 12 oz can 99mg per 24 oz medium
Caffeine per fl oz 3.2mg 4.1mg
Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) 10.5 4.0

Sources: Pepsi's figure is verified in our Pepsi 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 Pepsi 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

FAQ

Does Pepsi or Dunkin Refresher (medium) have more caffeine? Dunkin Refresher (medium): 99mg per 24 oz medium versus 38mg per 12 oz can for Pepsi.

Which is stronger per ounce? Dunkin Refresher (medium), at about 4.1mg per fluid ounce versus 3.2mg for Pepsi.

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.

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