Starbucks cold brew (grande) vs Sun Drop: which has more caffeine?

Starbucks cold brew (grande) has more caffeine than Sun Drop on both counts: 205mg per 16 oz grande against 64mg per 12 oz can, and about 13mg per fluid ounce against 5. 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 Sun Drop: the numbers

Sources: Starbucks cold brew (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks cold brew (grande) caffeine guide against Starbucks menu data (source); Sun Drop's figure is verified in our Sun Drop guide against Caffeine Informer (source).

Which one should you pick?

Pick Sun Drop 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
• Sun Drop: the full caffeine guide
• The verified caffeine database

FAQ

Does Starbucks cold brew (grande) or Sun Drop have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 64mg per 12 oz can for Sun Drop.

Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks cold brew (grande), at about 12.8mg per fluid ounce versus 5.3mg for Sun Drop.