The Complete Guide to Starbucks Caffeine

Starbucks has some of the highest caffeine amounts of any coffee chain.

These charts were compiled using data from Starbucks in-store leaflets, their website, their app, and from independent laboratory tests.

Now showing listings for their Blonde Espresso based beverages and their Clover Brewed® coffee beverages.

Starbucks Hot Beverage Caffeine

Note: The caffeine amounts in Teavana retail teas are found here.

Starbucks K-Cups

Starbucks standard K-Cup coffee pods have on average 130 mg of caffeine per 8 fluid ounce cup. Starbucks Plus (2x caffeine) pods have 260 mg per 8 fluid ounce cup. The Plus variety contains coffee and additional coffee extracts.

Lighter roasts will contain slightly more and darker roasts, slightly less. But, all coffee pods will vary in caffeine so 130 mg and/or 260 mg is the average amount to expect.

How Many Shots?

The caffeine amounts of the espresso-based drinks show that a Tall Latte (and Cappuccino) has just a single shot of coffee. For a 12 oz cup size – this is quite weak and has considerably less caffeine than a brewed coffee of the same size.

Most conscientious coffee vendors serve at least a double-shot in drinks over 8 ounces. Most provide double-shots (by default) in regular takeaway cups. This is because many takeaway cups tend to have more volume than their china or crockery counterparts.

Frappuccinos, Iced Coffees, Iced Teas, Refreshers

Caffeine in Starbucks Via, Bottled, and Canned Drinks

* Canned and bottled Starbucks’ drinks are produced and distributed by PepsiCo.

Please visit our complete caffeine database for all other beverages.

Tazo Tea Caffeine: Retail vs Outlet

The caffeine amounts for Tazo Brewed Tea are high.

Independent Lab tests have shown that Tazo Earl Grey has about 40-59mg caffeine (when brewed in 6oz water).

Tazo China Green Tips has 23-41mg caffeine. Apparently, Starbucks cafes use a different size teabag in-store compared to the retail packets (but we have been unable to confirm).

See more about caffeine in black tea here.

Tazo Replaced by Teavana

Starbucks has begun phasing out Tazo Tea and replacing it with Teavana after they acquired the brand last year. We’ve removed Tazo from our table above, but here they are for your reference.

How Accurate Are These Amounts?

Starbucks makes it clear that “caffeine information is approximate and is based on limited analytical data.” and also that “Values can vary greatly based on the variety of the coffee and the brewing equipment used.”

Here are a few independent tests that showed some discrepancies from what Starbucks lists.

An interesting example: If you look at the brewed coffee varieties you would think that the blends that have more caffeine in the Grande size would also have more caffeine in the Short size. This isn’t always the case according to Starbuck’s data, but this would make sense logically.

Beware: Decaffeinated Drinks Still Contain Caffeine

Decaffeinated isn’t the same thing as caffeine-free.

An independent lab test of Starbucks coffee showed the following:

• Decaf Brewed Coffee – 12.0–13.4 mg/16 fl oz serving (Starbucks have decided to list considerably more caffeine than this – 25mg per 16 fl oz).
• Decaf Espresso – 3.0–15.8 mg/shot.

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