Caffeine in Starbucks Iced Coffee

If you’re a coffee enthusiast with a curious mind about your daily caffeine intake or proactively seeking the strongest drinks from Starbucks, you have come to the right place.

Review this reference guide for a comprehensive report on the amount of caffeine in each cold beverage.

Caffeine Information Guide

This quick reference guide to the amount of caffeine in iced coffee beverages from Starbucks is based on standard brewing methods without substitutions or additional flavors.

Starbucks Iced Coffee

Coffees without any add-ins, such as dairy or syrup flavoring, contain a higher amount of caffeine per serving. The reason is simple: there is more room in the cup for the coffee and thus more caffeine.

For example, a tall white chocolate mocha has 75 milligrams of caffeine. By comparison, a tall iced Americano, which is simply made with two shots of espresso topped with cold water and served over ice, has double the amount of caffeine (150mg).

Cold Brew

Most Starbucks Cold Brew coffee beverages are available in four sizes: Tall, Grande, Venti, and Trenta.

The following chart provides a list of how much caffeine is in various Starbucks cold brew coffee beverage options, by flavor and by size.

For consumers who prefer the smooth taste of a nitro cold brew, note that a nitro option is only available in two sizes: Tall (12 fl oz) or Grande (16 fl oz).

As you research which beverage may be your perfect drink, compare a cup of Starbucks coffee to a similar brew from Dunkin’ Donuts.

Check the nutrition information and caffeine amount in a regular black coffee or review the full Dunkin’ coffee menu, including specialty drinks.

Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee: What’s the Difference?

As with hot coffee, not all cold coffee drinks are the same. Brew time and preparation method affect the acidity, smoothness, and taste of the final product. The other notable difference is cost.

Here are a few key differences between a Starbucks iced coffee and a regular cold brew.

Iced Espresso Drinks

Before you visit the local Starbucks coffee shops, check the charts below to learn which iced espresso drink has the most caffeine. Choose a simple iced espresso or opt for a flavorful iced shaken espresso drink with 2% milk or oatmilk.

The Iced Shaken Espresso drinks are available in three sizes: Tall Coffee (12 ounces), Grande Coffee (16 ounces), or Venti Coffee (24 ounces).

To make the drink, a barista brews full-bodied espresso that is shaken, chilled, and blended with a touch of milk (dairy or oatmilk) and sweet syrup.

Frappuccino Blended Beverage

For an iced cold beverage with less caffeine, consider ordering a Frappuccino. These frozen style drinks blend coffee, milk, and ice with a selected flavor of simple syrup.

View the next chart for the approximate amount of caffeine in each size and flavor Coffee Frappuccino from Starbucks.

Amount of Caffeine Decreases With Add-Ins

Ordering milk with your coffee reduces the amount of caffeine per serving. Milk takes up space in the cup of coffee, which leaves less room for the coffee and thus less caffeine.

The same holds true when adding sweeteners, syrups, or cold foam. Coffee drinkers who enjoy a sweeter cup of morning coffee can choose from various flavor options, such as vanilla, caramel syrup, hazelnut syrup, or cinnamon dolce, among others.

Here is a quick summary of the caffeine content, based on a Grande size:

Nutritional information, including caffeine content, is sourced directly from Starbucks. Restaurants and suppliers may change their formulations without notice. As a result, despite our efforts to maintain and update all data on nutritionandingredients.com, the information may no longer be current due to a normal lag time from the date Starbucks or its suppliers change their product formulation until Nutrition & Ingredients staff updates this guide. Check directly with a manager at a Starbucks coffee shop for the most up-to-date information. This new report is provided for general informational purposes only. Consult your physician for dietary and medical advice.

Coffee drink product images courtesy of Starbucks. Original designs created by Nutrition & Ingredients for research and commentary related to fast food reviews.