Barista Life Blog · 1 min read

SToK Extra Bold cold brew vs Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream: which has more caffeine?

SToK Extra Bold cold brew carries more total caffeine per serving (170mg per 12 oz serving vs 120mg per 6.5 oz can), but ounce for ounce Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream is actually the stronger drink at about 18mg per fluid ounce against 14. Which one "has more caffeine" depends on whether you measure the container or the concentration.

SToK Extra Bold cold brew vs Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream: the numbers

SToK Extra Bold cold brew Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream
Caffeine per serving 170mg per 12 oz serving 120mg per 6.5 oz can
Caffeine per fl oz 14.2mg 18.5mg
Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) 2.4 3.3

Sources: SToK Extra Bold cold brew's figure is verified in our SToK Extra Bold cold brew caffeine guide against SToK FAQ (source); Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream's figure is verified in our Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream guide against Caffeine Informer / Starbucks nutrition (source).

Which one should you pick?

Pick Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and SToK Extra Bold cold brew 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

FAQ

Does SToK Extra Bold cold brew or Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream have more caffeine? SToK Extra Bold cold brew: 170mg per 12 oz serving versus 120mg per 6.5 oz can for Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream.

Which is stronger per ounce? Starbucks Doubleshot Espresso & Cream, at about 18.5mg per fluid ounce versus 14.2mg for SToK Extra Bold cold brew.

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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