There are some mornings where sometimes our alarms hit harder than usual. If you are venturing off to Starbucks today, remember there are pros and cons to each drink on the menu. Starbucks is known to offer some of the highest caffeinated drinks, which can be a great thing if you need that extra boost. We at StudyFinds read through nine different expert sources to come away with the top seven most caffeinated Starbucks drinks to order for a level up in the morning.
Ready for a drink that comes with a jolt of caffeine? Thanks to the great success of Starbuck’s Coffee, Americans can sample their favorite brew at a moment’s notice. We looked to nine expert sources to learn about the most caffeinated Starbucks drinks for when it’s time to amp it up. Let us know your favorite in the comments below!
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The List: Most Caffeinated Starbucks Drinks, According to Coffee Experts
1. Blonde Roast Brewed Coffee – 360 milligrams
A Grande Blonde Roast Brewed Coffee snags the top spot on this list with 360 milligrams of caffeine. So if you are looking for the best pick-me-upper, this is your best bet. Moms Who Think advises to “get ready to buzz like a neon sign!”
Despite its caffeine, the Blonde is more mellow and easy to drink. This is due to its shorter roast time. Seasonal Cravings says it satisfies when it comes to pep in your step.
Tasting Table explains the secret to its caffeine: “The lower the roasting temperature, the more caffeine is retained during the roasting process.” Blonde roasts are roasted between 350 and 375 degrees. Alternatively, darker roasted are roasted up to 446 degrees. Due to its caffeine content, Starbucks only brews it until noon.
2. Pike Place Medium Roast Coffee – 310 milligrams
Wondering where Pike Place got its name? Pike Place is a city in Seattle that hosted the first Starbucks. Seasonal Cravings describes it as a subtly rich Latin American coffee that reduces stress and “pleases taste buds since 2008.”
Pike Place is a medium blend roasted up until the second crack between 410 and 440 degrees. According to Tasting Table “Pike Place can still put plenty of pep in your step — especially since you can buy and brew it in the comfort of your own home.”
This roast’s taste is a combination of nuttiness, praline, and chocolate. If you’re looking to brew your own. Combine cold, filtered water, two tablespoons of coffee, and six ounces of water. Store coffee in an airtight, opaque container at room temperature and use within a week of opening. Daily Meal refers to Pike Place as classic and reliable like your favorite sweatpants, so how could you not have it at home too?
3. Nitro Cold Brew – 280 milligrams
Nitro Cold Brew is made from Starbuck’s original cold brew, so you know it’s tasty. Infused with nitrogen, a size grande is highly leaded. Its creamy frothy texture is what gives it its microbubbles, according to Moms Who Think.
The nitrogen infused in this blend also gives it its sweetness. If 280 milligrams of caffeine isn’t enough, you can bump it up to 325 milligrams by adding the sweet cream, according to Seasonal Cravings. Just be prepared for a serious energy boost!
Nitros started hitting the Starbucks menu in 2016. When the warm weather hits, this drink makes up for 75 percent of sales. If you can’t make it to the chain, but crave the nitro cold brew, Tasting Table says that they also offer it in a can.
4. Dark Roast – 260 milligrams
Surprisingly, a grande dark roast has less caffeine than either the medium or blonde roast, in the same-sized cup. But it is still up there at 260 milligrams of caffeine. Seasonal Cravings is impressed with its bold, full-bodied, and robust flavor.
Most people are thrown off with the word “dark,” but as we mentioned it has less caffeine than light and medium due to the length of time it is brewed. If you are a dark roast fan, Tasting Table informs us that “Starbucks sells dark roast K-Cup pods with added coffee extracts for twice the caffeine.”
With the dark roast, you can have a strong energy boost with zero calories or add sugar for a robust flavor. Even so, it still comes with a delicious toasted marshmallow hint. Daily Meal explains “The Dark Roast Coffee from Starbucks wants you to come to the dark side and stay there.”
5. Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso – 255 milligrams
The Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso hit the menu in early 2024, while its popular relative, the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso was born in 2021. Tasting Table says that the caffeine content in this delicious drink comes from Starbuck’s blonde roast.
Daily Meal says that taking a sip of this “rich and creamy cup of heaven will satisfy cookie cravings and sugar dreams.” For a less caffeinated option, you can always make your own iced shaken espresso at home using the espresso of your choice. Just keep in mind how that swap will affect the taste, as darker roasts with less caffeine also come with bolder flavors.
If you are concerned about sugar, the amount of brown sugar syrup in a Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oat milk Shaken Espresso depends on the size. A tall has three pumps, a grande has four pumps, and a venti has six pumps of brown sugar syrup. As far as the magic ingredients that come together here, “this refreshing drink features a double shot of bold espresso, a splash of oat milk, and a decadent brown sugar flavor syrup,” according to Moms Who Think.
6. Cold Brew – 205 milligrams
Starbucks cold brews are steeped long and cold for their super smooth flavor. They are always switching out delicious varieties and flavors. Depending on the flavor, the caffeine content could be lowered. Seasonal Cravings says these drinks are hand-crafted in smaller batches.
It is called cold brew because instead of being steeped in hot water, it is in cold water. In addition to the seasonal cold brews, they offer nine regular cold brews. So if you are looking for a pick me up with many options, a cold brew is your guy. Tasting Table says that while Starbuck’s cold brew is high in caffeine, its not as high as Dunkin Donut’s cold brew.
A regular cold brew from Starbucks is made for those wanting to skip the sweetness. It is guilt-free while giving you the kick you need. Daily Meal calls it a small-batch, handcrafted delight.
7. Flat White – 195 milligrams
The flat white drink has been around for a while. It sprouted in the 1980s in either Australia or New Zealand, according Tasting Table. It is made with one ristretto espresso shot which consists of 1/2 ounce of espresso. The thing is, Starbucks puts three of them in.
Moms Who Think explains that the milk in a flat white is steamed to create a creamy foam. It is then poured over espresso. The espresso rises to the top of the cup. The result is a rich coffee with a mildly sweet flavor. Flat White is also the introductory drink used for baristas who are learning to make latte art.
Some people wonder, the main difference between a flat white versus latte is the milk-to-espresso ratio and the texture of the steamed milk on top. The flat white is also stronger than a latte because of its higher proportion of coffee-to-milk. Lifeboost confirms a strong 195 milligrams of caffeine.
Can you have too much caffeine?
The safe amount of caffeine consumption varies depending on several factors, including:
- Age: Generally, adolescents and pregnant or breastfeeding women should consume less caffeine due to their increased sensitivity.
- Health conditions: Certain medical conditions like anxiety disorders, heart problems, and high blood pressure can be exacerbated by caffeine intake.
Here are some additional factors to consider:
- Caffeine sensitivity: Some individuals are naturally more sensitive to caffeine’s effects and may need to limit their intake further.
- Medications: Certain medications can interact with caffeine, potentially increasing its effects or causing adverse reactions.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult with their healthcare provider regarding safe caffeine intake levels.
It’s always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate amount of caffeine consumption for your individual needs.
You might also be interested in the following:
Sources:
- Moms Who Think
- Seasonal Cravings
- Tasting Table
- Daily Meal
- Lifeboost
- caffeine informer
- Wander Her Why
- Cheat Day
- Lifeboost
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.