Rockstar Original carries more total caffeine per serving (160mg per 16 oz can vs 140mg per 14 oz medium), but ounce for ounce Tim Hortons brewed coffee is actually the stronger drink at about 10mg per fluid ounce against 10. 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.
Tim Hortons brewed coffee vs Rockstar Original: the numbers
| Tim Hortons brewed coffee | Rockstar Original | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 140mg per 14 oz medium | 160mg per 16 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 10.0mg | 10.0mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 2.9 | 2.5 |
Sources: Tim Hortons brewed coffee's figure is verified in our Tim Hortons brewed coffee caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer (source); Rockstar Original's figure is verified in our Rockstar Original guide against Rockstar product page (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Tim Hortons brewed coffee when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and Rockstar Original 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
- Tim Hortons brewed coffee: the full caffeine guide
- Rockstar Original: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
- Compare any two of 120+ drinks
FAQ
Does Tim Hortons brewed coffee or Rockstar Original have more caffeine? Rockstar Original: 160mg per 16 oz can versus 140mg per 14 oz medium for Tim Hortons brewed coffee.
Which is stronger per ounce? Tim Hortons brewed coffee, at about 10.0mg per fluid ounce versus 10.0mg for Rockstar Original.
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