Starbucks' 21 Strongest Coffees

Looking for a strong kick to wake you up in the morning and keep you on your feet all day? Do not say more.

Coffee and Starbucks in general have become an integral part of many people’s lives, but with the sharp increase in demand for coffee, many have become accustomed to low to medium doses of caffeine.

If you want something stronger, you’ve come to the right place!

What are the strongest Starbucks coffees?

Starbucks has a range of caffeinated drinks, but some stand out more than others. Coffees like Espresso Roast Clover and Blonde Roast contain over 300mg of caffeine in a tall cup and that’s more than enough to keep you awake for a while. 

But if that’s too strong for you, Starbucks also offers a range of other beverages with varying caffeine content and cup sizes. So let’s dig in and look at some of the best and strongest coffee this famous brand has to offer.

Why now more is less?

Before you start, there are a few things to keep in mind. Take these as precautionary measures before embarking on your search for the strongest coffees available.

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has a guideline on the amount of caffeine an adult should consume per day.

This guideline is important, as coffee is very loosely regulated, despite being a psychoactive drug, in the sense that you don’t get a prescription for it, you just go out and drink all you want.

But there is a recommended daily limit on how much coffee you can drink before showing adverse effects.

The general upper limit is set at 400 mg per day . Most coffees top out at 300mg, but larger cups, like the venti size available at Starbucks, can push caffeine levels well over 400mg.

As coffee consumption increases around the world, more and more people have started to become resistant to higher levels of caffeine. In other words, their bodies have adapted to the high levels of caffeine present in their system.

This tolerance builds up over the years and can change the way your body metabolizes caffeine.

Some of the side effects of drinking too much caffeine can be upset stomach, headaches, increased heartbeat, increased sweating, dizziness, etc.

That being said, you can easily enjoy a short or regular glass of your favorite coffee at any time of day, as everyone processes caffeine differently and therefore has different tolerance levels.

Starbucks’ 21 Strongest Coffees

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world, and with good reason, it’s nothing short of amazing! So if you want a stronger shot to keep you going, here are 21 of the strongest coffees available at Starbucks.

1. Clover Roasted Espresso

This coffee is brewed using the highly publicized and, of course, very expensive, proprietary Clover Brewing System.

With the help of this machine, Starbucks is able to extract all the coffee very precisely without leaving any sediment in the cup.

What you get is a tall glass of black coffee that tastes amazing and has about 380mg of caffeine in a large cup.

Sure some people don’t like black coffee, but you’ll want to try this. It has a very mild coffee flavor and will keep you going for hours.

We would not recommend the Venti cup, because it could cause some adverse effects in people who are new to coffee or have a low caffeine tolerance.

2. Roasted Clover Iced Espresso

At the other end of the spectrum, you have this delicious iced espresso made using the same technology and technique as its hot counterpart.

This iced coffee is refreshing and tastes great even if you’ve left it out for a while.

The large cup of this coffee contains around 380mg of caffeine and can be a great option for people looking for a cool and refreshing drink before starting their day.

We recommend drinking it fresh so as not to dilute the drink through the ice cubes that melt inside.

3. Cold coffee

Continuing with the cold coffees, you can also try the popular cold brew, which is made by letting the coffee rest in cold water for up to 20 hours to extract all the oils and nutrients from the beans.

The coffee then goes through a series of complex processes and you end up with an extremely refreshing and equally delicious glass of cold brew coffee with a great aftertaste. Cold brew offers up to 205mg of caffeine in the large cup. 

Again, we recommend that you drink it as soon as it is served, so that you can enjoy the pure taste of this incredible drink without any adulteration.

4. Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew

This is one of our staff favorites. If you like salted caramel, Starbucks offers a very balanced and refreshing cold brew coffee with a dose of salted caramel.

What makes this coffee so great is that it doesn’t taste over the top unlike what you might find in some coffee shops.

Starbucks has greatly improved this drink over the years and we believe they have perfected it with a very balanced flavor of coffee and caramel.

It’s topped with a salty vanilla cream foam and packs around 185mg of caffeine in a full-size cup, which is great for keeping you satiated and awake.

5. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew

This drink is just like the cold brew we mentioned earlier, but with the addition of vanilla syrup and a dash of sweetened vanilla cream. Vanilla in coffee makes all the difference and is also a not-so-secret ingredient in many amazing coffees.

Sweet undertones mixed with the earthy flavors of vanilla make this frozen drink irresistible.

The caffeine content of this gem of a drink is 185mg in a large serving , which is enough to give you a good boost and keep you on your feet.

You can also size up and get the Venti Cup for more of everything.

6.Nitro Cold Brew

With a whopping 280mg of caffeine in a large cup, this coffee is made for people who want a strong boost at any time of the day.

If you are someone who has developed a tolerance to lower levels of caffeine, this drink is the answer to all your coffee needs. This is a cold stout that is cooled with liquid nitrogen and served with cold milk foam on top.

Of course, you can order the tallest cup on the menu, but we think a Grande will do you justice with 280mg of caffeine; anything else would be overkill, but if you like extra large drinks, you’ll love this.

7. Iced Whipped Espresso

Sometimes simple is best.

This quick and easy drink is made with shots of espresso and milk.

It has around 200mg of caffeine in the large cup and is a great way to introduce anyone to a stronger mix. Starbucks also adds their classic syrup to this drink, giving it a special flavor.

One of the best ways to enjoy this drink is with 2% milk, but you can change its nutritional content by substituting any dairy of your choice.

8. Espresso macchiato

Made with shots of espresso and topped with frothed milk, this drink is a hallmark for many coffee aficionados around the world.

It has all the right flavor points that make a great cup of macchiato. Starbucks offers an authentic taste that resembles an Italian macchiato.

If you’re looking for a low-calorie drink that offers 225mg of caffeine in a triple, this is the one to get. The milk makes the bitterness much more affordable and also adds a great aftertaste.

This is perhaps the most potent caffeinated macchiato Starbucks has to offer right now, so it’s sure to work for you.

9. Pike Place Roast Filter

This drink has been part of Starbucks since 2008 and is an iconic drink that is available worldwide in all Starbucks coffee shops.

It has 310mg of caffeine in a super-sized cup and has a mild coffee flavor due to the Latin American coffee beans.

It also has a pronounced but subtle nutty flavor. You can customize this drink however you like and you can even substitute skim or whole milk for the milk if you like.

10. Caffè Misto

The Caffè Misto is a faithful infusion that is prepared with half a glass of brewed coffee and half a glass of steamed milk. Starbucks gives you the option to add any type of personalization.

For example, you can change the milk content of this drink and you can even choose a different roasted mix.

The basic drink has about 150mg of caffeine in a full size cup and has 110 calories.

You can also add a shot of espresso to make it more powerful if you like a stronger blend. Add flavors and make this classic drink your own.

11. Flat white

The Flat White is a classic everywhere, but Starbuck does it justice like no other. A normal flat white has a much more concentrated shot of espresso that is made using less water.

This gives a much stronger coffee flavor, but is made “mild” by using whole milk.

A large cup will provide you with around 200mg of caffeine, which is more than enough for most people. If you want more, you can opt for other stronger drink options on this list or add an extra shot of espresso.

12. Flat White Honey Almond Milk Ice Cream with Blonde Espresso from Starbucks

If the flat white is too traditional for you, you have to try this amazing concoction made with almond milk and honey.

This drink is just like a flat white, but instead of whole milk, you get delicately flavored almond milk along with just the right amount of honey and a blend of Starbucks famous blonde roast.

With 220mg of caffeine in a large cup, this delicious and healthy drink will keep you going for hours.

13. Starbucks Reserve Latte

For anyone new to Starbucks or highly caffeinated beverages, this is a great gateway.

The Starbucks Reserve Latte is a classic and is made with 2 of Starbucks signature espresso shots along with frothed and steamed milk that floats right on top of the mix.

The large cup contains 140mg of caffeine, which is more than enough to wake anyone up in the morning.

This drink is one of the favorites throughout the year, so you can surely find it in every Starbucks in the world.

14. Espresso Frappuccino

This is one of the drinks that have brought Starbucks to the hearts of millions of people around the world. If you like cold coffee, you will like this drink.

You have a drink made with whole milk, coffee and ice. The texture of this drink is from another world and it is one of our favorites.

It’s so popular that Starbucks even sells it prepackaged in some department stores around the world.

This particular drink has both a roasted Frappuccino and a shot of espresso, making it one of the strongest Frappuccinos Starbucks offers, with 155mg of caffeine in a super-sized cup.

Do you want more? Ask the waiter to add an ingredient to your liking. We strongly recommend that you opt for whipped cream for a more refined look and taste.

15. Iced Caffè Mocha

This is another one of our favourites.

With around 175mg of caffeine in a super-sized cup, this drink has a hint of chocolate and a strong coffee flavor, easily making it a favorite drink for all caffeine and chocolate lovers.

It’s just the right amount of sweet, and while it can be caloric, especially with the whipped cream on top, its flavor and caffeine content make it a very easy recommendation for anyone looking for a great coffee option.

16. Tan Blonde

The blonde roast is another of the strongest coffees available at Starbucks. This cup of coffee is made with Latin American and East African coffee beans, lightly roasted to perfection.

Like other Starbucks drinks, this one is also made using the Clover Brewing machine. The beans are added to the top of the machine and hot water is poured into it. The barista then mixes the solution and lets it sit for a while.

The machine then works by moving the upper solution into the inner chamber by lowering it via an “elevator”, thereby creating a vacuum and sucking out all the coffee without any sediment.

This allows for greater extraction of flavors without the impurities you would normally find in other cups of coffee.

The blonde roast provides up to 370mg of caffeine in a large cup and the venti cup can contain up to 480mg.

If this doesn’t wake anyone up, we don’t know what will. This drink is known for its citrus undertones and smooth taste, so we’re sure many coffee aficionados will love it.

17. Chocolate Almond Milk Iced Espresso

This drink is really delicious. Offering 225 mg of caffeine in the large cup, it is made to delight people of all ages. Starbucks added this flavor to their arsenal relatively recently and it has been a bestseller in many of their stores.

Made with almond milk, espresso shots and chocolate malt powder, it will be the perfect drink for those looking for a healthier alternative to their regular cup of joe.

It is served cold and the aromas are shaken before the almond milk is added to give it a pleasant and uniform flavor.

18. American Coffee

Most people love shots of espresso, but others find it too strong. Well, Starbucks makes killer Americanos that make shots more accessible.

The large cup has about 225mg of caffeine and will be more than enough for most people.

This drink is great for people who want a refreshing, caffeinated drink on the go. The drink is made by pouring a shot of espresso and immediately adding hot water to dilute the solution.

The small glass has 1 shot, the tall 2, the large 3 and the venti 4.

There is also a cold version of this drink that we highly recommend. It is just as refreshing and many people may find it more accessible than its hot counterpart.

19. Cappuccino

The humble cappuccino needs no introduction. It is perhaps one of the best-known coffee-based drinks in the world. Served in every coffee shop, it’s a great way to get acquainted with the world of caffeinated beverages.

With around 150mg of caffeine in a super-sized cup, it’s easily the best way to start your day.

It is made with foamed milk and shots of espresso. While not over the top, it’s certainly a winner for a lot of people because there’s very little that can go wrong.

It’s simple and gives you the boost you need without adding a lot of calories.

20. Java Chip Frappuccino

The iced coffees are the best and Starbuck knows how to make them right.

It is made with mocha sauce and Frappuccino chips. It has a chocolate flavor, and due to the cocoa content, it also has a decent amount of caffeine.

It is less intense than an Espresso Frappuccino, but certainly better than a regular Frappuccino.

The java frappuccino pieces add a bit of texture and crunch to the drink, making it highly desirable for lovers of chocolate-based drinks. It contains about 105 mg of caffeine in a large cup and is also caloric. 

21. Espresso with panna

It is the quintessential cup of coffee served at Starbucks around the world. It is made with a shot of caramel-flavored espresso and topped with whipped cream.

It has hints of vanilla, and with 3 shots of espresso in the triple, it has 225mg of caffeine.

The entire drink has about 50 calories, but you can eliminate or reduce the amount of whipped cream to adjust the nutritional profile of this drink to your diet.

Conclution

Regardless of what you’re served at Starbucks, there’s something for everyone at this coffee shop. Whether you like calorie-dense iced teas or regular coffee, you can choose from a number of coffee options based on your caffeine tolerance.

If you are looking for the strongest coffee on offer, the Espresso Roast Clover will be the best option for you, as it has 380mg of caffeine in the jumbo size cup and can go as high as 470mg in the venti cup. 

You can also get a regular cup of your favorite coffee and add to it by adding extra shots of espresso or flavors to change its caffeine content or flavor profile.

We recommend that you try at least some of these options to achieve the effect you are looking for.

Remember that the recommended daily intake of caffeine highlighted by the FDA is 400 mg for an adult , so you should exercise a little caution before consuming large amounts of coffee in the morning.

Ask the waiter for more help, who will be happy to guide you to your favorite cup of coffee.