Starbucks Pike Place (grande) carries more total caffeine per serving (310mg per 16 oz grande vs 180mg per 7 oz can), but ounce for ounce RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black) is actually the stronger drink at about 26mg per fluid ounce against 19. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.
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 RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black): the numbers
| Starbucks Pike Place (grande) | RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 310mg per 16 oz grande | 180mg per 7 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 19.4mg | 25.7mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.3 | 2.2 |
Sources: Starbucks Pike Place (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks Pike Place (grande) caffeine guide against Starbucks menu data (source); RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black)'s figure is verified in our RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black) guide against RISE product page (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black) 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
- RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
FAQ
Does Starbucks Pike Place (grande) or RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black) have more caffeine? Starbucks Pike Place (grande): 310mg per 16 oz grande versus 180mg per 7 oz can for RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black).
Which is stronger per ounce? RISE Nitro Cold Brew (Original Black), at about 25.7mg per fluid ounce versus 19.4mg for Starbucks Pike Place (grande).
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