Starbucks Refreshers vs Pepsi: which has more caffeine?

Starbucks Refreshers carries more total caffeine per serving (45mg per 16 oz grande vs 38mg per 12 oz can), but ounce for ounce Pepsi is actually the stronger drink at about 3mg per fluid ounce against 3. 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 Refreshers vs Pepsi: the numbers

Sources: Starbucks Refreshers's figure is verified in our Starbucks Refreshers caffeine guide against Starbucks nutrition listing (source); Pepsi's figure is verified in our Pepsi guide against Caffeine Informer (source).

Which one should you pick?

Pick Pepsi when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Refreshers 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 Refreshers: the full caffeine guide
• Pepsi: the full caffeine guide
• The verified caffeine database
• Every drink compared: the comparisons index
• Compare any two of 120+ drinks

FAQ

Does Starbucks Refreshers or Pepsi have more caffeine? Starbucks Refreshers: 45mg per 16 oz grande versus 38mg per 12 oz can for Pepsi.

Which is stronger per ounce? Pepsi, at about 3.2mg per fluid ounce versus 2.8mg for Starbucks Refreshers.