Starbucks cold brew (grande) has more caffeine than Red Bull on both counts: 205mg per 16 oz grande against 80mg per 8.4 oz can, and about 13mg per fluid ounce against 10. 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 Red Bull: the numbers
| Starbucks cold brew (grande) | Red Bull | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 205mg per 16 oz grande | 80mg per 8.4 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 12.8mg | 9.5mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.0 | 5.0 |
Sources: Starbucks cold brew (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks cold brew (grande) caffeine guide against Starbucks menu data (source); Red Bull's figure is verified in our Red Bull guide against Red Bull label / Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Red Bull 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
- Red Bull: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
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Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does Starbucks cold brew (grande) or Red Bull have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 80mg per 8.4 oz can for Red Bull.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 9.5mg for Red Bull.
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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