yerba mate has more caffeine than Coca-Cola Classic on both counts: 85mg per 8 oz cup against 34mg per 12 oz can, and about 11mg 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.
yerba mate vs Coca-Cola Classic: the numbers
| yerba mate | Coca-Cola Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 85mg per 8 oz cup | 34mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 10.6mg | 2.8mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 4.7 | 11.8 |
Sources: yerba mate's figure is verified in our yerba mate caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer / compiled (source); Coca-Cola Classic's figure is verified in our Coca-Cola Classic guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
The concentration gap is the striking part: yerba mate packs roughly 4 times the caffeine per ounce. Sipping speed matters at that density; a 8 oz cup finished in minutes hits differently than the same milligrams spread over a slow cup.
Which one should you pick?
Pick Coca-Cola Classic when you want the lighter dose or a slower ramp, and yerba mate 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
- yerba mate: the full caffeine guide
- Coca-Cola Classic: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does yerba mate or Coca-Cola Classic have more caffeine? yerba mate: 85mg per 8 oz cup versus 34mg per 12 oz can for Coca-Cola Classic.
Which is stronger per ounce? yerba mate, at about 10.6mg per fluid ounce versus 2.8mg for Coca-Cola Classic.
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.