Red Bull has more caffeine than southern sweet tea on both counts: 80mg per 8.4 oz can against 41mg per 16 oz glass, and about 10mg per fluid ounce against 3. The serving sizes differ, so the table below shows both ways of counting.
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.
southern sweet tea vs Red Bull: the numbers
| southern sweet tea | Red Bull | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 41mg per 16 oz glass | 80mg per 8.4 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 2.6mg | 9.5mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 9.8 | 5.0 |
Sources: southern sweet tea's figure is verified in our southern sweet tea caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Red Bull's figure is verified in our Red Bull guide against Red Bull label / Caffeine Informer (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: Red Bull packs roughly 4 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 8.4 oz can finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick southern sweet tea when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Red Bull 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
- southern sweet tea: the full caffeine guide
- Red Bull: 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 southern sweet tea or Red Bull have more caffeine? Red Bull: 80mg per 8.4 oz can versus 41mg per 16 oz glass for southern sweet tea.
Which is stronger per ounce? Red Bull, at about 9.5mg per fluid ounce versus 2.6mg for southern sweet tea.
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