Starbucks Pike Place (grande) has more caffeine than Starbucks cold brew (grande): 310mg vs 205mg in the same 16 oz grande. That is a 105mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
Starbucks cold brew (grande) vs Starbucks Pike Place (grande): the numbers
| Starbucks cold brew (grande) | Starbucks Pike Place (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 205mg per 16 oz grande | 310mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 12.8mg | 19.4mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.0 | 1.3 |
Sources: Starbucks cold brew (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks cold brew (grande) caffeine guide against Starbucks menu data (source); Starbucks Pike Place (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks Pike Place (grande) guide against Starbucks menu data (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Starbucks cold brew (grande) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Pike Place (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
- Starbucks Pike Place (grande): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Starbucks cold brew (grande) or Starbucks Pike Place (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks Pike Place (grande): 310mg per 16 oz grande versus 205mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks cold brew (grande).
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Pike Place (grande), at about 19.4mg per fluid ounce versus 12.8mg for Starbucks cold brew (grande).
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.