Pepsi Zero Sugar has more caffeine than brewed green tea on both counts: 69mg per 12 oz can against 28mg per 8 oz cup, and about 6mg per fluid ounce against 4. 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 Zero Sugar vs brewed green tea: the numbers
| Pepsi Zero Sugar | brewed green tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 69mg per 12 oz can | 28mg per 8 oz cup |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 5.8mg | 3.5mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 5.8 | 14.3 |
Sources: Pepsi Zero Sugar's figure is verified in our Pepsi Zero Sugar caffeine guide against PepsiCo product facts (source); brewed green tea's figure is verified in our brewed green tea guide against USDA FoodData Central (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick brewed green tea when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Pepsi Zero Sugar 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 Zero Sugar: the full caffeine guide
- brewed green tea: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does Pepsi Zero Sugar or brewed green tea have more caffeine? Pepsi Zero Sugar: 69mg per 12 oz can versus 28mg per 8 oz cup for brewed green tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? Pepsi Zero Sugar, at about 5.8mg per fluid ounce versus 3.5mg for brewed green tea.
Barista Life runs on coffee people. Browse the Barista Life shop to support the site.