Starbucks cold brew (grande) carries more total caffeine per serving (205mg per 16 oz grande vs 170mg per 12 oz serving), but ounce for ounce SToK Extra Bold cold brew is actually the stronger drink at about 14mg per fluid ounce against 13. 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.
SToK Extra Bold cold brew vs Starbucks cold brew (grande): the numbers
| SToK Extra Bold cold brew | Starbucks cold brew (grande) | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 170mg per 12 oz serving | 205mg per 16 oz grande |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 14.2mg | 12.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.4 | 2.0 |
Sources: SToK Extra Bold cold brew's figure is verified in our SToK Extra Bold cold brew caffeine guide against SToK FAQ (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 SToK Extra Bold cold brew when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Starbucks cold brew (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
- SToK Extra Bold cold brew: the full caffeine guide
- Starbucks cold brew (grande): the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
As an Amazon Associate, Barista Life earns from qualifying purchases.
Gear from this guide
FAQ
Does SToK Extra Bold cold brew or Starbucks cold brew (grande) have more caffeine? Starbucks cold brew (grande): 205mg per 16 oz grande versus 170mg per 12 oz serving for SToK Extra Bold cold brew.
Which is stronger per ounce? SToK Extra Bold cold brew, at about 14.2mg 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.
Get the good coffee stuff
One email a week: what we verified, what is worth buying, and what is not. No spam, unsubscribe any time.