Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino has more caffeine than Mountain Dew on both counts: 90mg per 16 oz grande against 54mg per 12 oz can, 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.
Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino vs Mountain Dew: the numbers
| Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino | Mountain Dew | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 90mg per 16 oz grande | 54mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 5.6mg | 4.5mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 4.4 | 7.4 |
Sources: Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino's figure is verified in our Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source); Mountain Dew's figure is verified in our Mountain Dew guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Mountain Dew when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino 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
- Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino: the full caffeine guide
- Mountain Dew: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
As an Amazon Associate, Barista Life earns from qualifying purchases.
Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino or Mountain Dew have more caffeine? Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino: 90mg per 16 oz grande versus 54mg per 12 oz can for Mountain Dew.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino, at about 5.6mg per fluid ounce versus 4.5mg for Mountain Dew.
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.
Get the good coffee stuff
One email a week: what we verified, what is worth buying, and what is not. No spam, unsubscribe any time.