Starbucks Pike Place (grande) has more caffeine than Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus): 310mg vs 92mg in the same 16 oz grande. That is a 218mg gap, and since the cans match, the per-serving number is the whole story.
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 Pike Place (grande) vs Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus): the numbers
| Starbucks Pike Place (grande) | Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 310mg per 16 oz grande | 92mg per 16 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 19.4mg | 5.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.3 | 4.3 |
Sources: Starbucks Pike Place (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks Pike Place (grande) caffeine guide against Starbucks menu data (source); Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus)'s figure is verified in our Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) guide against PepsiCo product facts (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: Starbucks Pike Place (grande) packs roughly 3 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 Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) 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
- Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does Starbucks Pike Place (grande) or Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus) have more caffeine? Starbucks Pike Place (grande): 310mg per 16 oz grande versus 92mg per 16 oz can for Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus).
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Pike Place (grande), at about 19.4mg per fluid ounce versus 5.8mg for Mtn Dew Kickstart (Orange Citrus).
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.