As Starbucks coffee fans, knowing which beverages pack the most punch is essential when you need that extra boost. At Coffee Savvy, we understand the importance of making informed choices about caffeine consumption.
On this page, we’ll explore Starbucks’ lineup of high-caffeine drinks, giving you the knowledge you need to enjoy your caffeine fix responsibly and healthily. Whether you’re seeking a potent espresso shot or a robust brewed coffee, we’ve covered you with the latest information and insights.
1. Starbucks Blonde Roast
Caffeine levels
- Short: 180mg
- Tall: 270mg
- Grande: 360mg
- Venti: 475mg
Starbucks Blonde Roast is a light roast coffee known for its soft, mellow flavor. It’s a blend of 100% Arabica beans from Africa and Latin America, roasted to a light brown color at 196°C (385°F), reaching the first crack stage in the roasting process. This roast level gives the coffee a delicate profile with bright, crisp acidity and a lightly toasted taste.
The Blonde Roast is characterized by its underdeveloped sweetness, which allows the natural grassy flavors of the green coffee beans to shine through. It’s popular for those who enjoy a lighter, less intense coffee experience. The roast also produces a smooth, creamy mouthfeel and a clean finish.
Introduced by Starbucks in 2012 and later as a Blonde Espresso Roast in 2017, the Blonde Roast has been a favorite for its lighter and mellower taste, highlighting milk’s sweetness in coffee beverages. Despite its lighter flavor, it’s important to note that the Blonde Roast can pack a stronger caffeine punch compared to darker roasts.
2. Starbucks Medium Roast
Caffeine levels
- Short: 155mg
- Tall: 235mg
- Grande: 310mg
- Venti: 410mg
Starbucks Medium Roast coffees are renowned for their smooth and balanced flavor profiles. They are crafted from a blend of beans from Latin America and Africa, roasted to a medium level to bring out rich, approachable flavors. The medium roast level also preserves many of the unique flavors of the coffee’s origin while beginning to develop the deep caramel sweetness associated with longer roasting times.
One of the most popular Starbucks Medium Roast coffees is the Pike Place Roast, characterized by its hints of cocoa and toasted nuts. Medium roast coffee typically has a brown color and rarely an oily surface, offering a medium acidity and body and a rounded flavor profile.
Starbucks Medium Roasts are a great choice for coffee drinkers who enjoy a cup that’s neither too mild nor too intense but just right in terms of flavor and strength.
3. Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew
Caffeine levels
- Tall: 215mg
- Grande: 280mg
Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew is a signature beverage with a unique twist on traditional cold coffee. It starts with Starbucks’ classic Cold Brew, which is already known for its smooth and rich flavor from being slow-steeped for 20 hours.
This carefully crafted base is then infused with nitrogen as it’s poured, creating a cascade of tiny microbubbles that give the drink its distinctive, frothy texture. The nitrogen adds a creamy head of foam and enhances the coffee’s natural sweetness, resulting in a subtly sweet and incredibly smooth taste.
Unlike regular cold brews, the Nitro Cold Brew is served without ice to preserve its creamy consistency and full-bodied flavor. It’s a refreshing and innovative option for coffee enthusiasts looking for something different from their usual cold brew.
4. Starbucks Cinnamon Caramel Cream Nitro Cold Brew
Caffeine levels
- Tall: 185mg
- Grande: 265mg
The Starbucks Cinnamon Caramel Cream Nitro Cold Brew is a captivating beverage that marries the velvety smoothness of Nitro Cold Brew with the warm, indulgent flavors of cinnamon and caramel.
This drink begins with Starbucks’ signature Nitro Cold Brew, a coffee that’s been slow-steeped for 20 hours and then infused with nitrogen to create a silky texture and a frothy, cascading top. To this rich base, a generous amount of Cinnamon Caramel Syrup is added, infusing the brew with the cozy sweetness of cinnamon rolls.
The crowning glory of this concoction is the cinnamon caramel cold foam, made using the same syrup and then delicately placed atop the beverage. A final sprinkle of Cinnamon Dolce topping adds a touch of spice and completes the drink with a festive flair. This beverage, which debuted as part of Starbucks’ spring menu, has been crafted to be a year-round offering, ensuring that fans of this sweet and spicy treat can enjoy it no matter the season.
5. Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew
Caffeine levels
- Tall: 200mg
- Grande: 265mg
The Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew is a luxurious take on the classic Nitro Cold Brew.
It’s served cold, straight from the tap, and features Starbucks’ rich and smooth Nitro Cold Brew topped with a delicate float of house-made vanilla sweet cream. This addition creates a visually stunning cascade of coffee that’s more sippable than ever. The vanilla sweet cream adds a touch of sweetness and richness to the coffee, complementing the natural flavors and creating a harmonious balance.
It’s a relatively indulgent treat that doesn’t overdo it on the sweetness. The result is a velvety, creamy coffee beverage that offers a sophisticated twist on traditional cold brews.
6. Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew
Caffeine levels
- Tall: 200mg
- Grande: 265mg
The Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew is a luxurious take on the classic Nitro Cold Brew.
It’s served cold, straight from the tap, and features Starbucks’ rich and smooth Nitro Cold Brew topped with a delicate float of house-made vanilla sweet cream. This addition creates a visually stunning cascade of coffee that’s more sippable than ever. The vanilla sweet cream adds a touch of sweetness and richness to the coffee, complementing the natural flavors and creating a harmonious balance.
It’s a relatively indulgent treat that doesn’t overdo it on the sweetness. The result is a velvety, creamy coffee beverage that offers a sophisticated twist on traditional cold brews.
7. Starbucks Dark Roast
Caffeine levels
- Short: 130mg
- Tall: 195mg
- Grande: 260mg
- Vent: 340mg
Starbucks Dark Roast coffees are known for their bold, robust flavors and a fuller body that many coffee enthusiasts crave.
These coffees are crafted from a blend of beans from Latin America and Asia/Pacific, which are darkly roasted to produce a rich and caramelly sweetness. The dark roast process creates a dense, full-bodied brew with a stout taste that stands up well to milk, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy lattes or cappuccinos at home.
Among the popular options within the Starbucks Dark Roast spectrum are the Sumatra, Espresso Roast, and Caffè Verona. Each offers a unique flavor profile, from the earthy and herbal notes of Sumatra to the rich and bold characteristics of Espresso Roast and the chocolatey undertones of Caffè Verona.
Starbucks Dark Roasts are perfect for coffee lovers who appreciate a strong, pronounced coffee experience with a lingering finish.
8. Starbucks Oleato Iced Shaken Espresso with Oatmilk & Toffeenut
Caffeine levels
- Tall: 170mg
- Grande: 255mg
- Vent: 340mg
The Starbucks Oleat Iced Shaken Espresso with Oatmilk & Toffeenut is a delightful fusion of flavors and textures, offering a coffee-forward experience that’s both refreshing and indulgent.
This beverage features Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso Roast, known for its smooth and mellow profile, which is shaken with ice to create a light and frothy base. The espresso is then sweetened with notes of warm toffeenut, adding a rich, nutty flavor that complements the coffee’s natural tones.
Creamy oatmilk is infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil, introducing a subtle, savory depth that enhances the overall taste. The drink is finished with a lush vanilla sweet cream infused with olive oil, adding a luxurious creaminess and a hint of sweetness.
9. Starbucks Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
Caffeine levels
- Tall: 170mg
- Grande: 255mg
- Vent: 340mg
The Starbucks Iced Apple Crisp Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a delightful autumnal treat that captures the essence of fall in a cup.
This beverage starts with Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso, which is known for its smooth and sweet profile. The espresso is shaken with a special blend of apple and brown sugar flavors, creating a rich and layered taste reminiscent of a freshly baked apple crisp.
The shaken espresso is poured over ice and topped with creamy oat milk, adding a smooth texture and a hint of nuttiness that perfectly complements the apple and cinnamon notes. The result is a cold, refreshing, and slightly sweet drink perfect for savoring on a crisp fall day. It’s a flavorful yet balanced choice for those looking to indulge in the seasonal flavors of apple and cinnamon combined with the robust character of espresso.
10. Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
Caffeine levels
- Tall: 170mg
- Grande: 255mg
- Vent: 340mg
The Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a delightful blend of flavors and textures that has become a favorite among coffee aficionados. This handcrafted beverage starts with a base of Starbucks Blonde Espresso, which is known for its smooth and subtly sweet profile.
The espresso is then sweetened with light brown sugar, adding a rich, molasses-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with the coffee. After the sugar is fully dissolved, the espresso is combined with oat milk and ice in a cocktail shaker or mason jar and shaken vigorously for about 20 seconds. This shaking process not only chills the drink but also creates a frothy, creamy texture that’s a signature of this beverage.
Once shaken, it’s poured into a tall glass and finished with a dash of cinnamon, which adds a warm, spicy note to the drink. The Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a modern twist on traditional coffee drinks, offering a refreshing and satisfying experience with every sip.