Starbucks Pike Place (grande) has more caffeine than Dunkin Refresher (medium) on both counts: 310mg per 16 oz grande against 99mg per 24 oz medium, and about 19mg per fluid ounce against 4. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
Starbucks Pike Place (grande) vs Dunkin Refresher (medium): the numbers
| Starbucks Pike Place (grande) | Dunkin Refresher (medium) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 310mg per 16 oz grande | 99mg per 24 oz medium |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 19.4mg | 4.1mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.3 | 4.0 |
Sources: Starbucks Pike Place (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks Pike Place (grande) caffeine guide against Starbucks menu data (source); Dunkin Refresher (medium)'s figure is verified in our Dunkin Refresher (medium) guide against Tasting Table / Dunkin figures (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: Starbucks Pike Place (grande) packs roughly 5 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 16 oz grande finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Dunkin Refresher (medium) 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 Pike Place (grande): the full caffeine guide
- Dunkin Refresher (medium): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Starbucks Pike Place (grande) or Dunkin Refresher (medium) have more caffeine? Starbucks Pike Place (grande): 310mg per 16 oz grande versus 99mg per 24 oz medium for Dunkin Refresher (medium).
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Pike Place (grande), at about 19.4mg 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.