Starbucks Pike Place (grande) has more caffeine than Starbucks VIA instant coffee on both counts: 310mg per 16 oz grande against 135mg per 8 oz cup (1 packet), and about 19mg per fluid ounce against 17. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
Starbucks VIA instant coffee vs Starbucks Pike Place (grande): the numbers
| Starbucks VIA instant coffee | Starbucks Pike Place (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 135mg per 8 oz cup (1 packet) | 310mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 16.9mg | 19.4mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 3.0 | 1.3 |
Sources: Starbucks VIA instant coffee's figure is verified in our Starbucks VIA instant coffee caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Starbucks Pike Place (grande)'s figure is verified in our Starbucks Pike Place (grande) guide against Starbucks menu data (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Starbucks VIA instant coffee 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 VIA instant coffee: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks Pike Place (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 VIA instant coffee or Starbucks Pike Place (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks Pike Place (grande): 310mg per 16 oz grande versus 135mg per 8 oz cup (1 packet) for Starbucks VIA instant coffee.
Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Pike Place (grande), at about 19.4mg per fluid ounce versus 16.9mg for Starbucks VIA instant coffee.
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