20 Strongest Starbucks drinks I turn to when I need more caffeine

20 Strongest coffee drinks on Starbucks Menu

This list is based on the caffeine in the most-ordered version of each drink. The amount can change depending on size.

1. Blonde Roast Espresso Beans 

One of the first things my trainer told me was that light roasts can have more caffeine than dark roasts, and I remember thinking that sounded backwards.

It seemed contradictory at first, since dark roasts taste bolder, but bold flavor and caffeine are not the same thing.

I used to skip the Blonde Roast section at Starbucks because I assumed darker automatically meant stronger.

The Blonde Roast is Starbucks' version of a light roast, roasted at lower temperatures for less time.

Lighter roasts contain more caffeine because the moisture and oils are retained, meaning you’ll get more caffeine in the espresso shots.

A doppio blonde espresso, made with two shots, has 170 mg of caffeine, compared with 150 mg in the signature roast.

The lemon and fruit notes make it an easy coffee to pair with a Lemon Loaf or a croissant, especially if I want something bright with it.

2. True North Blonde Roast Filter Coffee 

Known as the popular ‘Veranda’ outside of Canada, the True North Blonde Roast Filter Coffee is one of the strongest beverages you can get at Starbucks.

It may be smooth and mellow in flavor, but it’s definitely not lacking in caffeine content. In fact, baristas often use a smaller scoop of beans because of their strength when brewed.

Starbucks' nutritional information website lists 475 mg of caffeine in a venti size.

This is one of the most popular hot drinks on Starbucks menu appealing Starbucks coffees for me, not only because of its tangy citrus notes, but because the caffeine hits hard.

3. Starbucks Clover Brewed Coffee 

Clover coffee machines use a unique kind of immersion brewing to skip batch brewing and create an intense, full-bodied cup of coffee.

A Clover brewed coffee is only available in stores that have the Clover machine, though they’ve recently made a big comeback.

The machine gives a lot more control over the brew than a standard drip setup, and that is a big part of the appeal.

What I love about this, is I can specifically request to have a stronger brew, and the barista will do it.

The Clover brewed coffee is available in dark roast, medium roast, and light roasts, with the levels of caffeine ranging from lower to higher, respectively.

4. Iced Shaken Espresso (Doubleshot On Ice) 

Originally named Doubleshot on Ice, it was renamed because customers and baristas kept assuming it only meant 2 shots, when it was actually 5 for a Venti.

This simple yet effective drink is strong, with a hint of sweetness and creaminess.

The espresso shots are poured over ice, shaken, and then poured into more ice and topped with milk and syrups.

Containing up to 375 mg of caffeine, it’s strong and highly customizable.

5. Blonde Caffè Americano 

Americanos are already strong, but I always notice a little extra bite when they’re made with Blonde espresso.

A Blonde Caffè Americano has up to 340 mg of caffeine, and I like how easy it is to customize.

Add an extra shot of espresso, and it’ll taste more robust, due to the espresso replacing some of the water.

When I add a shot, the Blonde roast still stays smooth enough that it does not turn harsh or bitter on me.

6. Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso 

Every sip of the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Shaken Espresso brings a steady hit of caffeine and caramelized sweetness.

This vegan friendly Starbucks drink features 4 shots of blonde espresso, 6 pumps of brown sugar syrup, and is topped with oat milk.

Creamy oat milk suits the espresso’s texture, and a Venti has 340 mg of caffeine.

I love this one as a midday treat to give me the energy I need to get through the afternoon slump.

I ask for half the oat milk if I want a more robust coffee taste.

7. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew 

With aesthetic appeal and smooth flavor, the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is one of my favorites when I want something “softer” in taste but still provides a high-octane boost of energy.

Sometimes I want something with very low acidity and not much sourness, and that is usually when I reach for cold brew.

This Starbucks cold brew works for that, and at 320 mg in a venti it brings plenty of caffeine while staying smooth and sweet-leaning.

The first time I tried it, the drink was surprisingly bitter until I actually shook it properly, so I never skip that step now.

The Vanilla Sweet Cream Starbucks Cold Brew is made as standard and is then topped off with vanilla syrup and vanilla sweet cream, cold foam, or cascara cold foam.

8. Pike Place Filter Coffee 

Filter coffee, or brewed coffee in the U.S., has more caffeine than a lot of people expect, and that still catches people off guard.

I used to assume an Americano had more caffeine per volume, but that turned out to be wrong.

Pike Place is a medium-roast coffee that is very easy to drink for me, but I know that’s perhaps a controversial take.

I have ordered it enough times to know the smooth, rich roast well, and it has been around for about 15 years now.

It is also nice knowing I can get up to 410 mg of caffeine in a Venti when I need it.

9. Cold Brew Coffee 

I’m a fan of pretty much all of Starbucks cold brews, but sometimes I can do without the extra sugary syrups.

Starbucks cold brew coffee drinks are brewed differently from the rest of Starbucks' coffee, since they steep for longer.

To retain the same flavor found in brewed coffee, the coffee beans are steeped for anywhere from 8 to 20 hours.

Their classic Cold Brew Coffee uses a darker roast, which gives it layered cocoa and nutty flavors.

If I’m on keto or simply watching my calorie intake, this 360-mg powerhouse is at the top of my list.

10. Iced Caffè Americano 

The Iced Americano is often linked to WWII, when American soldiers in Italy watered down the strong espresso shots they were served.

It gives you a strong caffeine kick without much else getting in the way.

Iced Americanos have saved my sanity more than once, and I usually find the espresso flavor comes through more clearly iced than hot.

They also work well as a summer drink, since they still feel espresso-forward without being heavy.

Starbucks tends to use more shots of coffee in their iced drinks, which means the iced Americano has a more intense flavor.

Because of the extra shots, an Iced Americano packs 300 mg of caffeine.

11. Nitro Cold Brew 

The Nitro Cold Brew became practically an overnight sensation, and the first time I tried it, the texture was what stood out most.

It reminds me of a Guinness with its velvety smooth texture, robust taste, and its mood-boosting properties.

This slick cold brew isn’t served any higher than a grande at 280 mg of caffeine, though I’ve opted to get it in a pint glass when I’m enjoying it at the cafe.

Infused with nitrogen, nitro cold brew is served through a tap and is noticeably smoother and a little sweeter than regular cold brew.

12. Nitro Cold Brew With Dark Cocoa Almond Milk Foam

I’m a huge fan of nut milks with Nitro Cold Brew.

They sit neatly with the texture and bring out the nutty side of the brew, which I really notice in the first few sips.

The Nitro Cold Brew with Dark Cocoa Almond Milk Foam is made with the regular Nitro Cold Brew and cold foam made with almond milk and 2 pumps of mocha.

The result is a buttery, almost cozy taste when combined with the rich cold brew clocking in at 280 mg of caffeine.

13. Iced Caffè Mocha 

The first time I tried a mocha, I was surprised by how well the chocolate and espresso worked together.

It’s made with espresso, chocolate malt powder, milk, and it then topped with whipped cream.

I have never really ordered a mocha just for an energy boost, but the 265 mg of caffeine and the sugar make it feel like a drink that can carry me through a long to-do list.

While the Starbucks Mocha comes in hot, frappucino, and iced, I prefer the latter.

It tastes a bit like rich chocolate milk for adults, especially with whipped cream or cold foam.

14. Iced Coffee 

The Starbucks Iced Coffee reminds me of a glass of cola, which sounds odd until you taste that slightly roasted edge.

Rather than espresso, Starbucks mixes its iced coffee blend double-strength so the flavor does not get watered down, and I was surprised by how sweet it tasted with 6 pumps of Classic Syrup in a Venti.

However, for those who aren’t too keen on the strong espresso flavor of an Americano, it’s a fantastic alternative.

The largest variation of this, Trenta, gives you 235 mg of caffeine and several pumps of sugar syrup.

I’ve ordered the Iced Coffee with a shot of blonde espresso before, and it adds both caffeine and a more layered flavor.

15. Blonde Caffè Latte 

The latte is one of Starbucks’ best-selling drinks, and switching to a Blonde Caffè Latte is an easy way to raise the caffeine.

The mix of steamed milk and Blonde espresso works for me any time of day.

I enjoy having fun customizing it in virtually endless ways, from Pumpkin Spice sauce and cold foam to extra shots of mocha and white chocolate syrups.

The regular latte keeps the espresso more front and center, while Blonde espresso blends into the milk a little more smoothly.

While the Venti has 225 mg of caffeine, I usually add an extra shot because otherwise the drink can feel a bit too milky for my taste.

16. Caffè Americano 

Americanos are often called one of the strongest coffee drinks at Starbucks. The drink is usually linked to the 1940s, when American soldiers found Italian espresso too strong.

What’s interesting about the Americano, is the barista has a ton of control over how it tastes. That means that your Americano could taste vastly different, depending on which location you go.

In size terms, Tall, Grande, and Venti Americanos come with 2, 3, and 4 shots. A grande Americano has 225 mg of caffeine.

I like mine with ristretto shots, an extra shot, and light water, or sometimes extra room.

17. Iced Caramel Macchiato 

A sweet, decadent drink can still be packed with caffeine.

Starbucks makes it by pouring fresh espresso shots into steamed milk and adding vanilla syrup and caramel drizzle on top. When I was a barista, I learned they also put caramel drizzle at the bottom of the cup, too.

A grande contains 150 mg of caffeine, and adding a shot or switching to ristretto shots makes the drink feel even richer.

Switching to blonde espresso gives it a smoother, slightly sweeter finish and more caffeine.

18. Triple Shot Espresso 

For a long time, there were mornings when a Triple Shot Espresso was the only thing that made starting the day feel possible.

A blonde triple shot espresso contains up to 235 mg of caffeine.

It is just espresso shots in a cup, which is exactly why I reach for it when I want maximum caffeine quickly.

The earthy aroma and robust flavor can certainly be overpowering, but adding a bit of breve can round it out.

Alternatively, it tastes great on ice, and as it waters down, the bold flavor isn’t quite as much of a surprise.

19. Espresso Frappuccino Blended 

Most blended frappuccinos at Starbucks contain very little caffeine, but most people order them more for the sugary flavors anyway.

Frappuccinos use a special kind of frap roast, which is instant coffee mixed into a cold blended drink.

It contains less caffeine content, but gives the Starbucks drinks a smoother taste.

The espresso Frappuccino is the only exception. These are espresso shots blended together with the frap roast and coffee base to create a stronger Frappuccino.

It contains 185mg of caffeine, which is higher than the others.

For a cool treat that still has more staying power than it looks like it should, this is the one I’d pick.

20. Flat White 

The flat white has been around longer in Australia than it has in the U.S., where it did not really hit big until about 10 years ago.

Simply put, it’s a mix of espresso shots with smooth, textured milk giving it a velvety taste.

It’s stronger than a latte because the milk isn’t suppressing the coffee flavor and gives you a stronger taste.

Overall, a flat white at Starbucks gives you 130 mg of caffeine, which is a solid amount for a smaller drink.

Its texture and strength make it a classic drink when I want something steady rather than flashy.

What makes these Starbucks strongest coffees? 

The strongest coffee, True North Blonde filter coffee, is brewed to give it a clean coffee flavor and plenty of caffeine.

All the blonde roast coffees in Starbucks contain approximately 10% more caffeine.

If you want stronger than strongest, order a espresso roast Clover coffee (if available at the Starbucks location in question).

The caffeine in these Starbucks drinks stays high because of the way they are brewed and the number of espresso shots used.

I’m talking nearly 500mg in one Clover coffee.

You’ll find that the other strong Starbucks drinks, such as the Americano or cold brew, become stronger when you add stronger roasts to them.

Mixing up your coffee and trying lighter roasted beans can give you the extra boost while keeping the flavors you enjoy.

Even a sweet drink like the iced white chocolate mocha can become one of the strongest on the Starbucks menu with extra shots added, so sweetness does not always mean low caffeine.

Consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine a day can cause trouble sleeping, anxiety, irritability, stomach issues, and heartburn, so it’s important to watch consumption.

FAQs

Which Starbucks drink gives you the most energy?

There are a lot of caffeinated Starbucks drinks, but the Nitro Cold Brew with Vanilla Sweet Cream is listed among the highest caffeine options, along with a good hit of sugar. 

What is a sweet, strong coffee at Starbucks?

The iced caramel macchiato is a good mix of sweet and strong. The vanilla and caramel stay obvious, while the coffee still gives it a decent caffeine lift.

Is espresso stronger than coffee?

An espresso shot contains about 63 mg of caffeine per 1 ounce, whereas coffee contains about 12 to 16 mg per ounce. A straight espresso shot is stronger than regular coffee.

Does a darker roast mean stronger coffee?

Not necessarily. A darker roast is roasted longer at higher temperatures, which changes the flavor more than it changes the caffeine in the cup. Lighter roasts are often considered stronger in caffeine, while darker roasts taste stronger.

Starbucks has plenty of strong drinks, so it can be hard to know where to start.

My two go-to orders are the Iced Shaken Espresso and the Americano. The Iced Shaken Espresso is easy to customize, and I can add more or less milk as I want.

The Americano is strong in flavor and high in caffeine, with clean, robust flavors.

Across these 20 caffeine-filled drinks, there is usually something for most coffee moods.