Pepsi vs Gold Peak Sweet Tea: which has more caffeine?

Gold Peak Sweet Tea carries more total caffeine per serving (48mg per 18.5 oz bottle vs 38mg per 12 oz can), but ounce for ounce Pepsi is actually the stronger drink at about 3mg per fluid ounce against 3. 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.

Pepsi vs Gold Peak Sweet Tea: the numbers

Sources: Pepsi's figure is verified in our Pepsi caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Gold Peak Sweet Tea's figure is verified in our Gold Peak Sweet Tea guide against Caffeine Informer (source).

Which one should you pick?

Pick Pepsi when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Gold Peak Sweet Tea 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

• Pepsi: the full caffeine guide
• Gold Peak Sweet Tea: the full caffeine guide
• The verified caffeine database

FAQ

Does Pepsi or Gold Peak Sweet Tea have more caffeine? Gold Peak Sweet Tea: 48mg per 18.5 oz bottle versus 38mg per 12 oz can for Pepsi.

Which is stronger per ounce? Pepsi, at about 3.2mg per fluid ounce versus 2.6mg for Gold Peak Sweet Tea.