Starbucks cold brew (grande) has more caffeine than International Delight iced coffee on both counts: 205mg per 16 oz grande against 88mg per 12 oz serving, and about 13mg per fluid ounce against 7. 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 cold brew (grande) vs International Delight iced coffee: the numbers
| Starbucks cold brew (grande) | International Delight iced coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 205mg per 16 oz grande | 88mg per 12 oz serving |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 12.8mg | 7.3mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.0 | 4.5 |
Sources: Starbucks cold brew (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks cold brew (grande) caffeine guide against Starbucks menu data (source); International Delight iced coffee's figure is verified in our International Delight iced coffee guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick International Delight iced coffee 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 cold brew (grande): the full caffeine guide
- International Delight iced coffee: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does Starbucks cold brew (grande) or International Delight iced coffee have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 88mg per 12 oz serving for International Delight iced coffee.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 7.3mg for International Delight iced coffee.
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.