Ever wondered why Starbucks nitro cold brew gives you a stronger energy boost than a regular iced coffee?
Nitrogen infusion creates a smoother, creamier texture, but nitro cold brew is also one of Starbucks’ most caffeinated drinks—even stronger than regular cold brew.
Quick Answer: How much caffeine is in Starbucks nitro cold brew?
A Tall (12 oz) nitro cold brew contains 215 mg of caffeine, while a Grande (16 oz) has 280 mg.
That’s significantly more caffeine than a standard iced coffee or cold brew, making it one of Starbucks’ strongest coffee options.
Venti (24 oz) and Trenta (30 oz) sizes aren’t available to maintain the beverage’s optimal quality and smooth texture.
To compare, here’s how Starbucks nitro cold brew caffeine levels stack up against other Starbucks drinks:
| Drink | Tall (12 oz) | Grande (16 oz) |
| ☕ Nitro Cold Brew | 215 mg | 280 mg |
| ❄️ Regular Cold Brew | 200 mg | 265 mg |
| ☕ Iced Coffee | 120 mg | 165 mg |
| 🥤 Espresso Frappuccino (Source) | 125 mg | 155 mg |
In this guide, I’ll compare Starbucks nitro cold brew caffeine levels, explain why it’s so strong, and help you decide if it’s the right drink for your caffeine needs.
Let’s get started!
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The caffeine content of Starbucks’ nitro cold brew variants
The nitro cold brew is unique compared to Starbucks’ regular cold brew beverages because it contains nitrous gas to make it smoother and creamier.
Although all nitro cold brew variants have caffeine, they differ based on the variant, as I’ll get into below.
Here’s a quick overview of the Starbucks nitro cold brew caffeine content:
| Drink | Tall (12 oz) | Grande (16 oz) |
| Nitro Cold Brew | 215 mg | 280 mg |
| Salted Caramel Cream Nitro Cold Brew | 200 mg | 270 mg |
| Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew | 200 mg | 265 mg |
| Nitro Cold Brew with Cinnamon Oatmilk Foam | 190 mg | 275 mg |
| Nitro Cold Brew with Dark Cocoa Almondmilk Foam | 195 mg | 280 mg |
| Nitro Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew | 210 mg | 290 mg |
Note: Starbucks offers nitro cold brew and its variations only in Tall (12 oz) and Grande (16 oz) sizes to ensure optimal beverage quality and maintain its signature frothy texture.
That’s why a Venti nitro cold brew and a Trenta nitro cold brew are unavailable.
Starbucks nitro cold brew
This plain cold brew contains brewed coffee, but it’s been slow-steeped to make it smoother and more delicious.
Adding nitrogen boosts its sweetness without the need for any sugar, so it’s great for low-calorie coffee lovers:
| Size | Caffeine (mg) | Availability |
| ☕ Tall (12 oz) | 215 mg | Available |
| ☕ Grande (16 oz) | 280 mg | Available |
| ☕ Venti (24 oz) & Trenta (30 oz) | Not available | Nitro cold brew is not served in Venti or Trenta sizes. |
Note the considerable difference in caffeine content between the tall and grande. Keep that in mind the next time you order at Starbucks.
Why is nitro cold brew so strong?
Starbucks nitro cold brew has a bolder, more intense flavor than regular iced coffee due to:
– Higher coffee-to-water ratio. The concentrated cold brew base enhances strength and richness.
– Nitrogen infusion. It creates a creamy, velvety texture that enhances the perception of strength.
– Served without ice. Keeps the coffee undiluted, maintaining full flavor from start to finish.
Starbucks salted caramel cream nitro cold brew
The salted caramel nitro cold brew is sweet with cold foam, so it’s perfect for hot summer days when you need refreshment.
You can enjoy it in tall (12 oz or 355 ml) or grande (16 oz or 473 ml) sizes. The tall one contains 200 mg of caffeine, and the grande contains 270 mg.
Nitro cold brew with cinnamon oat milk foam
This is another low-cal nitro brew that contains the following ingredients:
- Sweet cinnamon
- Oatmilk cold foam
- Vanilla syrup
It contains 190 mg of caffeine if you purchase a tall 12-oz (355 ml) cup.
On the other hand, a grande contains 275 mg, making it perfect for a big burst of caffeine to start your day.
Vanilla sweet cream nitro cold brew
This smooth, velvety coffee contains a float of vanilla sweet cream. It’s great for days when you want something a little more exciting than a regular cold brew.
A tall 12-oz (355 ml) cup contains 200 mg of caffeine, while a 16-oz (473 ml) grande contains 265 mg of caffeine.
You can learn how to make your own vanilla sweet cream cold foam at home by following this recipe!
Nitro cold brew with cascara cold foam
Cascara is the dried skin of coffee cherries. This smooth, cold brew contains cascara-flavored cold foam in the form of cascara syrup and:
- Dark brown sugar
- Maple syrup
This nitro cold brew comes in two sizes. Here’s what to know about their respective caffeine content:
- Tall (12 oz or 355 ml): 145 mg
- Grande (16 oz or 473 ml): 190 mg
Nitro cold brew with cinnamon almond milk foam
Another low-calorie cold brew drink with just 40 calories, this nitro cold brew variant contains delicious ingredients, so it’s great if you want a more flavorful coffee than a regular cold nitro brew.
The ingredients include:
- Almond milk cold foam
- Vanilla syrup
- Sweet cinnamon
A nitro cold brew with cinnamon almond milk foam is available in tall (12 oz or 355 ml) and grande (16 oz or 473 ml) sizes.
The tall cup has 190 mg of caffeine, and the 16-oz cup contains 275 mg.
Nitro cold brew with dark cocoa almond milk foam
If you want a nitro cold brew with bolder flavors and chocolate, this one contains the following:
- Sweet mocha sauce
- Almond milk cold foam
- Cocoa powder
The tall (12-oz or 355 ml) size contains 195 mg of caffeine, while the grande (16 oz or 473 ml) has 280 mg.
If you don’t have a sweet tooth, this nitro cold brew may appeal to you because the combination of coffee and cacao makes it slightly bitter and gives it a bit more texture.
Starbucks nitro honey almond milk cold brew
Although this cold beverage has almond milk like some other nitro cold brew variants, it’s blended with honey, so it tastes sweet and creamy.
It comes in tall (12 oz or 355 ml) and grande (16 oz or 473 ml), with the tall version containing 210 mg of caffeine and the grande containing 290 mg.
Starbucks canned nitro cold brew
In addition to the nitro cold brew versions you can order at Starbucks, you can also buy canned nitro brew coffees from Starbucks or grocery stores.
The moment you open the cans, the nitro produces a creamy foam that makes your coffee a real treat to drink.
Here is the Starbucks nitro cold brew can caffeine content overview:
| Drink | Serving Size | Caffeine Content |
| Nitro Dark Cocoa Sweet Cream | 9.6 fl oz | 110 mg |
| Nitro Vanilla Sweet Cream | 9.6 fl oz | 110 mg |
| Nitro Sweet Cream | 9.6 fl oz | 110 mg |
| Nitro Black Unsweet | 9.6 fl oz | 155 mg |
| Nitro Dark Caramel | 9.6 fl oz | 155 mg |
Here’s some more information:
- Black unsweetened. This contains 155 mg of caffeine per 9.6 oz (284 ml) can, along with just ten calories. It’s made with pure coffee.
- Dark caramel. This canned nitro cold brew contains 155 mg of caffeine and 45 calories. While the unsweetened black variety doesn’t contain any sugar, this one contains 8 g (0.28 oz) per can.
- Vanilla sweet cream. This can of cold coffee contains 110 mg of caffeine. It has the most calories and sugar out of all the canned varieties, with 70 calories and 11 g (0.39 oz) of sugar per can.
Starbucks nitro cold brew vs. other Starbucks drinks
If you want to try a Starbucks nitro cold brew but are worried about the caffeine content, you might wonder how it stacks up against other Starbucks beverages and if the cold brew process results in higher caffeine content.
To find out, it’s important to know how a Starbucks nitro cold brew is made.
A Starbucks nitro cold brew contains an unsweetened black cold brew that gets slow-steeped for 24 hours before nitrogen is added to it to produce micro-bubbles.
The reason the coffee grounds get steeped so long is for the cold water to absorb the flavor and caffeine. Once it’s been steeped in cold water, the coffee gets strained:
Brewing coffee with cold water reduces the extraction of caffeine compared to brewing coffee with hot water.
However, the amount of caffeine in cold brews is nothing to sneeze at: It has a higher coffee-to-water ratio (up to 2.5 times more coffee) than what you’ll find in the regular hot brewing process.
The long process of steeping the coffee also helps to boost the caffeine content, while the lack of ice in a nitro cold brew means that there’s more water than coffee.
This means it will be stronger.
A Starbucks nitro cold brew usually contains more caffeine than some other popular Starbucks coffee beverages.
Here’s a quick comparison of nitro cold brew with regular cold brew varieties, as well as some hot beverages you can order at Starbucks:
- Starbucks cold brew coffee. This drink contains a bit less caffeine than a plain nitro cold brew. A tall (12-oz or 355 ml) coffee contains 155 mg instead of the 215 mg you’ll find in a nitro cold brew.
- Vanilla sweet cream cold brew. This beverage contains 145 mg of caffeine, while a Vanilla Sweet Cream nitro cold brew has 200 mg.
- Starbucks cold brew coffee with milk. A tall beverage (12-oz or 355 ml) contains 155 mg. This is the same amount of coffee you’ll consume when drinking some canned nitro brew beverages.
- Starbucks cinnamon almond milk macchiato. In a tall (12-oz or 355 ml) size, this hot beverage contains 75 mg of caffeine. This is much less than the nitro cold brew with Cinnamon Almond Milk Foam, which has 190 mg.
- Salted caramel cream cold brew. This cold coffee contains 145 mg of caffeine, while the Salted Caramel Cream nitro cold brew has 200 mg.
- Cold brew with dark cocoa almond milk foam. This beverage, which doesn’t contain nitro, has 160 mg of caffeine, while the nitro cold brew with dark cocoa almond milk foam contains 195 mg.
- Cold brew with cascara cold foam. This drink contains 145 mg of caffeine, while the nitro version has 200 mg.
If you’re interested in learning more about how hot and cold beverages are made and want more details about their differences, you should read my comprehensive guide, “Cold Brew vs. Hot Brew: All the Differences You Need to Know.”
FAQs about Starbucks nitro cold brew caffeine content
Before I close off this article, let’s quickly go over a few key questions people have when researching Starbucks nitro cold brew.
Who knows, maybe this will answer one of the questions you had as well!
Why doesn’t Starbucks sell nitro cold brew in a Venti size?
This decision is primarily to ensure customers experience the beverage’s optimal quality.
The unique “nitro cascade”—the frothy texture and cascading bubbles characteristic of Nitro Cold Brew—diminishes in larger volumes, leading to a less satisfying experience. (Source)
Is nitro cold brew stronger than espresso?
Yes. A Grande nitro cold brew has 280 mg of caffeine, while a single espresso shot only has 75 mg.
Does nitro cold brew have more caffeine than regular cold brew?
Yes. A Grande nitro cold brew contains 280 mg of caffeine, while a Grande cold brew has 205 mg.
Is Starbucks’ nitro cold brew available iced?
No. Nitro cold brew is served cold but without ice to preserve its creamy texture and nitrogen infusion.
Final thoughts
Starbucks nitro cold brew offers a smooth, creamy texture with a powerful caffeine kick—perfect for those who want a strong coffee without the bitterness.
With 280 mg of caffeine in a grande, it’s one of Starbucks’ most energizing drinks, making it a great choice for an extra boost.
Have you tried Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew? Did you notice the extra caffeine kick? Let me know in the comments below!
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