Dunkin Refresher (medium) carries more total caffeine per serving (99mg per 24 oz medium vs 95mg per 16 oz grande), but ounce for ounce Starbucks Chai Latte is actually the stronger drink at about 6mg per fluid ounce against 4. 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.
Starbucks Chai Latte vs Dunkin Refresher (medium): the numbers
| Starbucks Chai Latte | Dunkin Refresher (medium) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 95mg per 16 oz grande | 99mg per 24 oz medium |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 5.9mg | 4.1mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 4.2 | 4.0 |
Sources: Starbucks Chai Latte's figure is verified in our Starbucks Chai Latte caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (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 Starbucks Chai Latte 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
- Starbucks Chai Latte: the full caffeine guide
- Dunkin Refresher (medium): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
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FAQ
Does Starbucks Chai Latte or Dunkin Refresher (medium) have more caffeine? Dunkin Refresher (medium): 99mg per 24 oz medium versus 95mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks Chai Latte.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Chai Latte, at about 5.9mg per fluid ounce versus 4.1mg for Dunkin Refresher (medium).
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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