yerba mate has more caffeine than Mountain Dew on both counts: 85mg per 8 oz cup against 54mg per 12 oz can, and about 11mg per fluid ounce against 4. 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 Mountain Dew: the numbers
| yerba mate | Mountain Dew | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine per serving | 85mg per 8 oz cup | 54mg per 12 oz can |
| Caffeine per fl oz | 10.6mg | 4.5mg |
| Servings to reach 400mg (FDA context) | 4.7 | 7.4 |
Sources: yerba mate's figure is verified in our yerba mate caffeine guide against Caffeine Informer / compiled (source); Mountain Dew's figure is verified in our Mountain Dew guide against Caffeine Informer (source).
Which one should you pick?
Pick Mountain Dew 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
- Mountain Dew: the full caffeine guide
- The verified caffeine database
- Every drink compared: the comparisons index
FAQ
Does yerba mate or Mountain Dew have more caffeine? yerba mate: 85mg per 8 oz cup versus 54mg per 12 oz can for Mountain Dew.
Which is stronger per ounce? yerba mate, at about 10.6mg per fluid ounce versus 4.5mg for Mountain Dew.
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.