Who doesn’t love Starbucks? It’s probably the first coffee chain that gave me that introduction to coffee before the speciality coffee scene took over.
Their seasonal drinks, the quick coffee options, plus the convenience that it brings in the mornings when you are in a rush, is hard to dismiss.
On days when I wake up late, it’s either I’ll make an instant coffee, use my Keurig, or simply go to Starbucks on my way to work. Most of the time, I choose Starbucks since it is the fastest choice among the three.
I am a fan of strong coffees. For this reason, I went through Starbucks’ menu on its website to see what the strongest Starbucks drinks are.
18 Of The Strongest Starbucks Drinks You Should Try
Starbucks is particularly popular for its coffee-based beverages. If you love caffeine, below are the strongest Starbucks drinks that you should try:
1. Blonde Roast Filter Coffee
This one is the strongest drink that Starbucks has ever got. With 475mg of caffeine, it is meant to kickstart anyone’s lazy morning.
What surprised me about this drink is that it tastes so light despite the amount of caffeine.
If you are not a fan of black coffee, you can ask the barista to add vanilla to your drink. Vanilla makes coffee milkier without the milk, so it is perfect if you want to try the strongest Starbucks drinks.
Additionally, this coffee is one of the healthy blend choices. It has no sugar and fat, making it perfect for all health-conscious folks out there.
2. Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso
Do you need something to keep you awake throughout the day? How about a Starbucks drink with four shots of blonde espresso?
Blonde espresso is stronger than regular espresso, so the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso will have extra punch.
This drink is shaken with oat milk, six pumps of brown sugar, and ice. It is topped with a dash of cinnamon for a bit of spice before being served.
Even better, this caffeine drink is vegan friendly since it uses oat milk.
3. Nitro Cold Brew
The Nitro Cold Brew from Starbucks is a simple mix of cold brew coffee and nitrogen oxide bubbles. Since the coffee is a cold brew, this caffeine drink tastes sweet and smooth even without adding sugar.
Regardless of the simplicity of this drink, it belongs among the strongest Starbucks drinks.
The nitrogen makes a smooth layer of crema. Apart from that, it makes the coffee very cold that you do not need ice in the drink.
4. Clover Brewed Coffee
Starbucks has a brewing system called the Clover Brewing System. It is a vacuum-press technology that lets baristas make coffee with more dimensions and layers than other Starbucks drinks.
Some examples of coffee brewed using the Clover Brewing System are the Clover-brewed French, Sumatra, and Italian Roasts. They have a caffeine content of no less than 380mg.
5. Honey Almondmilk Flat White
A grande Honey Almondmilk Flat White contains three shots of ristretto. This is one shot more than the espresso content of other grande drinks at Starbucks.
It has 225mg of caffeine that will surely keep you energized on a busy day.
If 225mg of caffeine is a little too much for you, you can ask the barista to replace the ristretto shots with a blonde roast to reduce the caffeine to 200mg.
6. Pike Place Brewed Coffee
This one is a smooth and versatile blend of Latin American coffees served at Starbucks. It uses medium roast coffee, which gives the final brew rich chocolate and toasted nuts flavors.
7. Caffe Americano
Caffe Americano is a simple yet one of the strongest Starbucks drinks. It is a mix of espresso shots and water that the barista will serve either hot or cold.
This drink has a light layer of crema, which gives the drink a fuller flavor and longer aftertaste.
A grande Americano has three espresso shots, with each shot having 225mg. If you need more boost, you can ask your barista to add an extra shot.
8. Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee
The cold brew beverages that Starbucks serves are brewed in small batches every day. The coffee grounds are slowly steeped in cool water for 20 hours.
Cold brewing coffee grounds result in a smooth flavour with just a little bitterness.
Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee is served over ice, unlike the Nitro Cold Brew, which uses nitrogen to cool your coffee.
9. Caffe Mocha
If you are not a fan of coffee but want the kick of caffeine, Starbucks’ mocha drinks are perfect for you. The chocolate content of the Caffe mocha overpowers the bitterness of coffee, making it highly palatable.
You can also add an extra zip of peppermint for some extra zing. Considering how delicious this beverage is, you may not even notice that it is one of the strongest Starbucks drinks.
10. Iced Coffee
Sweetened coffee served over ice is one way to refresh after a long day.
Starbucks’ iced coffee is a simple beverage, yet it gives you a decent boost of caffeine. In fact, a grande iced coffee has 165mg of caffeine.
If you get a sweet version of the Starbucks Iced Coffee, the caffeine will reduce to 120mg.
11. Nitro Cold Brew With Sweet Cream
If you want the sweeter version of the Cold Brew, you should definitely try the Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew With Sweet Cream.
While the sweet cream adds some calories, the caffeine is 200mg high. The amount of caffeine makes this beverage one of the strongest Starbucks drinks.
12. Featured Dark Roast
This beverage is the darkest roast that Starbucks has. The roast level of the coffee beans used gives the drink a punchier flavour.
The Featured Dark Roast is a bit more bitter than other Starbucks drinks. But you will still enjoy this drink, especially the alertness that its caffeine can deliver.
A 12 fl oz serving of this coffee has 195mg of caffeine. Not only is it a bitter beverage, but it is also one of the strongest Starbucks drinks.
13. Coffee Frappuccino Blended Coffee
Frappes are one of the most popular beverages at Starbucks. Such is especially true for people who do not fancy the taste of straight-up coffee.
You may think that this frappuccino is low in caffeine, considering the amount of cream, milk, and whipped cream it has.
But surprise, surprise! The espresso shot in this drink contains 75mg of espresso. It is the simplest of all frappes and is one of the strongest Starbucks drinks.
Moreover, it is essential to note that the more complex your frappe is, the less caffeine it will contain.
14. Cold Brew With Cascara Cold Foam
It seems like cold brew blends are iconic beverages at Starbucks. If you loved the unsweetened Cold Brew, the sweet version is definitely a must-try.
This drink uses Cascara syrup as its sweetening agent. Since this is steeped using cool water, the caffeine from the coffee grounds can release fully.
As mentioned, Starbucks steeps its Cold Brew for 20 hours. For this reason, the caffeine has a lot of time to infuse into the drink.
That said, Cold Brews are among the strongest Starbucks drinks.
15. Starbucks Blonde Caffe Americano
A regular Caffe Americano has one shot of espresso and hot water. However, Starbucks took it to a whole new level with the Blonde Caffe Americano.
This coffee drink has iced and hot variations. It is a little mellower than the regular Americano and has a hint of caramel.
Every 12 fl oz of the Blonde Americano will provide your body with 170mg of caffeine, making it one of the strongest Starbucks drinks.
16. Iced Shaken Espresso
This Starbucks drink has three Starbucks Signature Espresso shots served over ice. It has a pump of the cafe’s classic syrup for some sweetness and a splash of milk.
Espresso and milk are an excellent combination as milk can dilute the strong taste of the espresso shot.
Moreover, the Iced Shaken Espresso is formerly known as Starbucks Doubleshot on Ice. Being one of the strongest Starbucks drinks, it contains 225mg of caffeine.
17. Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso
The recipe for this beverage calls for three blond roast espresso shots shaken with ice and chocolate malt powder. The shaking process makes this drink frothy.
Your barista will top the drink with some almond milk for a creamier flavor.
This drink sounds light and refreshing, considering the components needed to make it. But what surprised me is that it contains 255mg of caffeine, which will surely keep you awake for a couple of hours.
18. Iced Latte Macchiato
According to Starbucks’ website, the Iced Latte Macchiato combines three shots of espresso, whole milk, and some ice. The resulting brew is a cold coffee with a highly roast-y taste.
This Starbucks drink is undoubtedly delicious and has some serious punch in every sip. It also packs 225mg of caffeine, which will give you a punch to keep you awake.
Benefits Of Caffeine
The strongest Starbucks drinks are not only delicious, but their caffeine content also has many benefits apart from alertness.
Weight Loss
Caffeine may aid people in losing weight since it is an appetite suppressant. It also stimulates thermogenesis, meaning it helps the body generate more energy from digesting food.
But the appetite suppressing effects of caffeine will not last for long. Once your body gets used to caffeine, it will not affect your appetite no matter how many cups of coffee you drink.
Improves Brain Function
Caffeine improves your brain function by affecting the adenosine receptors in your brain. The polyphenol content of caffeine also acts on different brain pathways, which results in better brain function.
Reduces The Risk Of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease
According to studies, a lifelong consumption of caffeine may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. People who regularly consume caffeine also have a lower risk of having Alzheimer’s disease.
How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?
We cannot deny how good Starbucks coffee are. Whether you need them to wake you up in the morning or to keep you alert at work, Starbucks coffee seem to be the perfect answer.
However, there is always a limit to anything you take. While caffeine can stimulate energy, taking too much in can overdo it.
According to Beth Czerwony, RD, a registered dietitian, “Caffeine is a stimulant, and it affects your body in several ways.” She added, “How much caffeine is too much? You have to weigh the risks and benefits.”
Caffeine is beneficial in the sense that it boosts energy and keeps you alert. But too much caffeine consumption can cause anxiety, insomnia, and palpitation.
If you have a sensitive stomach, drinking too much caffeinated beverage can aggravate your stomach acid production. This can lead to stomach upset and heartburn.
In worst cases, too much caffeine can cause caffeine toxicity. Very high levels of caffeine can be potentially deadly, as it can bring you heart rhythm problems.
That said, a healthy adult should only consume less than 400mg of caffeine in a day. On the other hand, teens should limit their caffeine intake to about 100mg every day.
In Summary
Starbucks is one of the most popular coffee shops worldwide. It makes excellent coffee and other non-caffeinated beverages.
If you are a fan of caffeine, the list above will help you find the best-tasting and strongest Starbucks drinks. Their caffeine content range from 475mg to 75mg, so you will undoubtedly find one that suits your preference.
It is essential to limit your caffeine intake. 475mg of caffeine is okay when taken once in a while.
However, too much caffeine can cause health problems. But if taken in moderation, caffeine can improve your brain function, increase alertness, and just make you finish that one task you’re dying to finish!
That said, the strongest Starbucks drinks are not only delicious, they’re truly needed in this hectic world that we live in!