The Strongest Starbucks Drinks That Will Actually Keep You Awake, Ranked
I am completely unashamed to say that Starbucks is one of my favorite places on earth for a multitude of reasons. Aside from the fact that I can literally get whatever my heart desires, Starbucks’ strong, caffeinated drinks are like heaven — and to be honest, that's all I ever really need for a successful day. If life is getting you down, or if you just need coffee to give you a little extra energy, this list of the strongest Starbucks drinks will most definitely pick you up.
It's pretty hard for me to pick my favorite Starbucks drink because it all depends on what I'm in the mood for. When I'm feeling like getting a little cozy, I'll most likely order a soy latte — and if I'm feeling super active, there's definitely a chance I'll be ordering something with matcha or espresso in it. My order always depends on my mood and — most importantly — how much caffeine I'm looking for.
Since caffeine pretty much fuels my entire day, I looked into which drinks I can rely on to have the most oomph to them. Aside from keeping you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, the most caffeinated drinks at Starbucks are also guaranteed to be really freaking delicious.
Hot Coffee
Believe it or not, it’s not the souped-up cold brews or espresso shots that’ll give you the biggest buzz at Starbucks. If you want the strongest drink to start your morning, just stick to their hot brewed coffee. A grande Blonde Roast will hit you with 360 whopping milligrams of caffeine. If that’s a little extra for you, try the Pike Place Roast, which comes in at 310 milligrams for the same size. You can also go for the Dark Roast, which sits a little lower at 260 milligrams. A hot cup of joe might not be the most glamorous thing on the coffee giant’s menu, but it’ll get your day started off on the right foot for sure.
Nitro Cold Brew
Everyone loves a classic cup of cold brew, and it's even better when it’s infused with nitrogen. According to Starbucks, adding nitrogen to cold brew gives it a naturally sweeter flavor and a softer, more velvety texture. It'll give you a ton of energy, too, with an impressive 280 milligrams of caffeine in a grande. If you’d rather enjoy your Starbucks at home, you can get the Nitro Cold Brew in a can, too. The 9.6-ounce cans have 155 milligrams of caffeine and come in three different flavors: Black, Dark Caramel, and Vanilla Sweet Cream. You can find them at grocery stores across the country.
Iced Blonde Caffè Americano
Ah, the famous Blonde espresso. It's light, sweet, and you don't realize that it packs a punch until you've already downed a decent amount of it. According to Starbucks, when multiple shots of the Blonde are combined with water, it gets kind of creamy — and with a little added ice, you'll have yourself an Iced Blonde Caffè Americano. With such a sweet and delicious taste and 255 milligrams of caffeine, you won't even realize you're getting a massive caffeine buzz. If you’re looking for a little less of a boost, try a regular Caffè Americano. A grande has 225 milligrams of caffeine, and you can get it iced or hot.
Cold Brew
An OG favorite, a Grande Starbucks’ Cold Brew will give you 205 milligrams of caffeine. According to the Starbucks website, the brew is made daily in small batches and steeped for over 20 hours. Catch me in the middle of winter in 15-degree weather, and I’ll still be sipping on this.
Iced Latte Macchiato
The Iced Latte Macchiato is a totally new twist on an old favorite. Per the Starbucks website, the refreshing drink is a dangerously tasty combination of espresso shots, whole milk, and ice, resulting in a super roast-y taste. With 225 milligrams of caffeine, this drink is not only super tasty, but it also packs an icy punch to conquer any rough day, math test, or hangover.
Starbucks Double Shot Energy
Labeled as an "energy coffee beverage" the Starbucks Double Shot Energy is a ready-to-drink beverage that you can store in your bag for later. According to the Starbucks website, it comes in several flavors including Vanilla, Mocha, Coffee, White Chocolate, and Mexican Mocha. It's enhanced with ginseng, guarana, Vitamin B, and, of course, Starbucks coffee. It has a hefty 146 milligrams of caffeine to get you through the day, so it should definitely be a top contender for any and all of your on-the-go energy needs.
Starbucks Plus K-Cups
If your body is craving some good old-fashioned caffeine without having to leave the house, rejoice, because Starbucks Plus K-Cups have double the caffeine of a regular Starbucks K-Cup. Starbucks Plus K-Cups include a whopping 260 milligrams of caffeine, so they're definitely strong AF. Plus, there’s plenty of variety: They come in Blonde Roast, Medium Roast, and Dark Roast.
Teavana Shaken Iced Black Tea
Maybe coffee isn't totally your thing, and that's completely OK! You don't have to miss out on all of the caffeinated fun. According to Starbucks' website, Teavana Shaken Iced Black Tea consists of lightly sweetened black tea that's shaken with ice. It's refreshing, and it even has 25 to 30 milligrams of caffeine to give you a boost. Although it isn't nearly as caffeinated as a coffee beverage, it's still something to keep you going through the day.
In short, there are plenty of highly-caffeinated Starbucks drinks, and not all of them are espresso-based. Whether you're in the mood for something iced, hot, or on-the-go, there's something caffeinated for everyone. If you have specific questions regarding caffeine and health, you should contact the National Coffee Association.
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