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Craving a bigger caffeine kick? Starbucks has you covered with options that pack double the caffeine punch compared to regular drip coffee. Ready to discover which of their brews will give you the most energy boost?
Quick Answer: the Strongest Starbucks Coffees
- Starbucks Clover Brewed Coffee (280 mg / 12 ounces)
- Blonde Roast Brewed Coffee (270 mg / 12 ounces)
- Pike Place Roast Brewed Coffee (235 mg / 12 ounces)
- Nitro Cold Brew (215 mg / 12 ounces)
- Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream or Cascara Cold Foam (200 mg / 12 ounces)
- Featured Starbucks Dark Roast Coffee (195 mg / 12 ounces)
- Starbucks Blonde Caffè Americano (170 mg / 12 ounces)
- Starbucks cold brew coffee (155 mg / 12 ounces)
- Starbucks Caffe Americano (150 mg / 12 ounces)
- Cold Brew with Sweet Cream or Cascara Cold Foam (145 mg / 12 ounces)
- Starbucks iced coffee (120 mg / 12 ounces)
What Makes These Starbucks Strongest Coffees?
Dive into the world of caffeine! We’ve ranked coffees based on their caffeine kick in a tall (12-ounce) cup, all thanks to the Starbucks menu. While sizes may vary, this list gives you a good caffeine comparison starting point.
If you’re on the hunt for the most intense flavors in coffee – those bold brews that really pack a punch – that’s a whole different adventure. Maybe that’s a journey we’ll take together next. But for now, let’s savor what we’ve got.
The Strongest Coffees at Starbucks
1. Starbucks Clover Brewed Coffee (280 mg / 12 ounces)
Clover coffee’s caffeine varies by blend, usually falling within a specific range.
- Short (8 ounces): 155–190 mg
- Tall (12 ounces): 255–280 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 340–380 mg
- Venti (20 ounces): 425–470 mg
Since 2007, more Starbucks now have special clover machines, making your coffee experience even better!
One of the coolest new things in coffee shops is this machine that works like a high-tech French press. It uses a special vacuum method and keeps the perfect time and temperature while brewing. This technique really highlights the distinct tastes of different coffee blends. Honestly, the flavor it creates is amazing, probably the best you can get at Starbucks (okay, I admit I’m a bit biased).
Choosing your first Clover coffee brew? I started with Sumatran coffee beans and loved them! They’re the same ones that give Starbucks espressos their signature earthy flavor. Highly recommended for a rich and unique taste.
Dreaming of brewing Clover coffee in your kitchen? Unfortunately, that’s a no-go since Starbucks has the Clover machines all to themselves. But don’t worry! You can get pretty close with an AeroPress, and it won’t break the bank.
2. Blonde Roast Brewed Coffee (270 mg / 12 ounces)
If you’re after a caffeine kick but can’t find Clover coffee, try their blonde roast! It’s packed with energy, thanks to a mix of beans from Latin America and East Africa, lightly roasted for a smooth taste. It’s a delicious way to boost your day!
- Short (8 ounces): 180 mg
- Tall (12 ounces): 270 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 360 mg
- Venti (20 ounces): 475 mg
3. Pike Place Roast Brewed Coffee (235 mg / 12 ounces)
Pike Place is Starbucks’ go-to blend, a favorite for years. When you ask for a regular coffee there, chances are, you’re sipping on Pike Place. It’s a perfect middle ground, not too light or dark, and packs more caffeine than most options, except their Clover coffee or blonde roast. It’s the classic choice for coffee lovers!
- Short (8 ounces): 155 mg
- Tall (12 ounces): 235 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 310 mg
- Venti (20 ounces): 410 mg
4. Nitro Cold Brew (215 mg / 12 ounces)
Nitro cold brew at Starbucks is a cool treat (yes, pun intended)! It’s cold brew coffee charged with nitrogen, creating a creamy texture and tiny bubbles, much like Guinness beer. It’s a unique and bubbly experience for coffee lovers!
- Tall (12 ounces): 215 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 280 mg
Love nitro? Dive into my easy guide on whipping up nitro cold brew at home. Perfect for beginners!
5. Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream or Cascara Cold Foam (200 mg / 12 ounces)
Dive into the world of nitrogen-infused cold brew with a twist! By mixing in delicious flavored sweet creams or cold foam crafted from cascara (that’s the syrup from the coffee cherry), you’re in for a treat. Sure, it might have a tad less caffeine than the standard nitro cold brew, but the creamy addition is totally worth it. Get ready to explore a creamy, dreamy coffee experience.
- Tall (12 ounces): 200 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 270 mg
6. Featured Starbucks Dark Roast Coffee (195 mg / 12 ounces)
If you’re into coffee that’s less tangy, tastes bolder, and feels richer in your mouth, you might be a fan of Starbucks dark roast. It packs more punch than light and medium roasts, though it has a bit less caffeine.
- Short (8 ounces): 130 mg
- Tall (12 ounces): 195 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 260 mg
- Venti (20 ounces): 340 mg
7. Starbucks Blonde Caffè Americano (170 mg / 12 ounces)
Let’s dive back into blonde roasts, focusing on the Americano—a unique espresso creation that mixes espresso with hot water. Typically, espresso uses dark roasts, making this a rare treat. The result? A smooth, sweet taste that’s absolutely delightful. Plus, there’s the bonus of extra caffeine. Who could say no to that?
- Short (8 ounces): 85 mg
- Tall (12 ounces): 170 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 255 mg
- Venti (20 ounces): 340 mg
8. Starbucks cold brew coffee (155 mg / 12 ounces)
Everyone loves cold-brew coffee. It’s super simple to whip up in your kitchen. Yet, there are days when you’d rather have a barista craft it perfectly for you.
- Tall (12 ounces): 155 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 205 mg
- Venti (20 ounces): 310 mg
- Trenta (30 ounces): 360 mg
9. Starbucks Caffe Americano (150 mg / 12 ounces)
Meet the classic Americano, crafted with a rich dark roast just like your favorite coffee spots. Love your espresso with a water twist and no milk? The Americano is your perfect match.
- Short (8 ounces): 75 mg
- Tall (12 ounces): 150 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 225 mg
- Venti (20 ounces): 300 mg
10. Cold Brew with Sweet Cream or Cascara Cold Foam (145 mg / 12 ounces)
We’ve dived deep into this topic: it’s all about cold-brew coffee mixed with delicious flavored sweet creams or unique cascara cold foam. Perfect for beginners!
- Tall (12 ounces): 145 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 185 mg
- Venti (20 ounces): 275 mg
- Trenta (30 ounces): 315 mg
11. Starbucks iced coffee (120 mg / 12 ounces)
At the bottom of our list, we find Starbucks iced coffee. With less than half the caffeine of the top contenders like Clover coffee and blonde roast, it’s on the milder side. Sure, Starbucks offers even less caffeinated choices, but with only about 25 mg more caffeine than a regular 8-ounce cup of coffee, it’s perfect for those who don’t want to stay awake all night.
- Tall (12 ounces): 120 mg
- Grande (16 ounces): 165 mg
- Venti (20 ounces): 235 mg
- Trenta (30 ounces): 285 mg
If you prefer milder coffee, consider trying a cafe latte or cappuccino. Starbucks serves these with a lot more milk than classic coffee shops, making them light on caffeine (just 75 mg for a tall). Perfect for those who enjoy a gentler kick!
Which Is the Strongest Starbucks Coffee Drink?
Starbucks’ Clover brews pack a punch! With the Clover brewing system, their coffee is super strong in caffeine. A tall cup can hit you with up to 280 mg of caffeine, but sometimes, it’s a tad lighter at 255 mg. Perfect for a serious wake-up call!
If your Starbucks lacks Clover, go for the blonde roast. It’s light, tasty, and packs 270 mg of caffeine in a tall cup. Perfect for a caffeine kick!
Why Aren’t Espresso Drinks the Strongest Coffees at Starbucks?
Espresso packs a bigger punch than regular coffee, but in a tiny package! While a shot of espresso is just one ounce with around 65 mg of caffeine, an 8-ounce cup of coffee has about 95 mg. So, espresso is stronger, but you get less of it.
At Starbucks, whether you order a small (short) or medium (tall) espresso, you’ll get one shot of espresso. Choose a large (grande) or extra-large (venti), and you’ll enjoy two shots. But, if you mix a shot with milk or water up to 12 ounces, it’ll have less caffeine than a standard brewed coffee!
Surprisingly, whether you order a short or tall, you get the same number of espresso shots. And it’s the same deal between a grande and a venti! That’s why the order of our list might change if you pick sizes other than tall.
What Doesn’t Kill You Should Be Made Stronger
Starbucks has some strong coffee options that pack double the caffeine punch of normal brews. But if you’re chasing a serious caffeine boost, consider making your coffee at home for an even bigger kick.
Dive into the universe of home coffee brewing, from potent k-cups to AeroPress espresso. Starbucks is great, but imagine the delicious coffee you can create with an affordable espresso machine or a budget-friendly coffee maker.
Dive into my deep dive on Starbucks’ Mastrena espresso machine. Plus, discover budget-friendly picks for your own coffee corner.
