Starbucks Tripleshot Energy has more caffeine than Starbucks cold brew (grande) on both counts: 225mg per 15 oz can against 205mg per 16 oz grande, and about 15mg per fluid ounce against 13. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
Starbucks Tripleshot Energy vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| Starbucks Tripleshot Energy | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 225mg per 15 oz can | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 15.0mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 1.8 | 2.0 |
Sources: Starbucks Tripleshot Energy's figure is verified in our Starbucks Tripleshot Energy caffeine guide against Starbucks / Caffeine Informer (source); Starbucks cold brew (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks cold brew (grande) guide against Starbucks menu data (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Starbucks cold brew (grande) when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks Tripleshot Energy 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 Tripleshot Energy: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks cold brew (grande): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
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Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does Starbucks Tripleshot Energy or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks Tripleshot Energy: 225mg per 15 oz can versus 205mg per 16 oz grande for Starbucks cold brew (grande).
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Tripleshot Energy, at about 15.0mg per fluid ounce versus 12.8mg for Starbucks cold brew (grande).
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.
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