Starbucks cold brew (grande) has more caffeine than Starbucks Caramel Macchiato: 205mg vs 150mg in the same 16 oz grande. That is a 55mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| Starbucks Caramel Macchiato | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 150mg per 16 oz grande | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 9.4mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.7 | 2.0 |
Sources: Starbucks Caramel Macchiato's figure is verified in our Starbucks Caramel Macchiato caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (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 Starbucks Caramel Macchiato 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
- Starbucks Caramel Macchiato: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks cold brew (grande): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does Starbucks Caramel Macchiato or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 150mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks Caramel Macchiato.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 9.4mg for Starbucks Caramel Macchiato.
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