If you’re among the 90% of American adults who rely on caffeine to get through the day, Starbucks has you covered.
Whether you need a morning kickstart or a midday pick-me-up, you’ll find the right fuel on their extensive menu.
I have ranked all Starbucks teas by caffeine level from highest to lowest. So whether you are looking for an energy boost or a calming evening tea, this guide with help you choose just the right tea drink.
The road through a tough day runs by the Starbucks drive-thru!
Caffeine in Starbucks Teas
Tea is more than a side hustle for Starbucks. Since acquiring icons Tazo in 1999 and Teavana in 2012, they’ve become major players.
Now Starbucks is bringing you the best in green, black, and matcha teas — each with progressively more caffeine based on how they’re cultivated and processed.
Starbucks’ tea drinks are divided into three categories for easy ordering:
- Hot tea
- Iced tea
- Frappucinos
The caffeine content of each drink varies based on the type and concentration of tea versus other ingredients from milk and cream to fruit flavors — the levels may surprise you!
And as always, to add even more caffeine, you can customize most drinks with shots of espresso in your choice of blonde to dark roasts.
So do all Starbucks teas have caffeine?
No, there are also hot and iced caffeine-free herbal teas available. I will cover all of them later in this guide.
Starbucks Teas with Caffeine – Ranked from Highest to Lowest
Here are all of the Starbucks tea drinks ranked based on their caffeine content. I have included the amount of caffeine for each drink in Grande size (16 oz).
1. Chai Tea Latte – Hot or Iced (Grande: 95mg)
My favorite Starbucks tea, the Chai Latte boasts a traditional black tea base brimming with exotic spices. Blended with steamed milk and topped with a luscious layer of foam, it’s like a warm embrace.
The 95 mg of caffeine in a Grande provides a much-needed energy boost — add a shot of espresso to make it a Dirty Chai with an additional 75 mg of caffeine. The coffee and cinnamon are a match made in heaven!
If you like your drink cold, the Iced Chai Tea Latte is one of the most refreshing options for a hot summer day and has the same amount of caffeine.
2. Matcha Green Tea Latte – Hot or Iced (Grande: 80mg)
Matcha fans can get their green tea fix at Starbucks with a Matcha Latte.
Made with the finest matcha powder straight from Japan, it’s bursting with creamy verdant flavor and 80 mg of caffeine. Enjoy it hot or iced!
Try a plain Iced Matcha or ask for plant-based milk (e.g. soy milk, almond milk) if you want to skip the dairy.
3. Iced Matcha Lemonade (Grande: 80mg)
Teavana matcha powder and lemons collide in Starbucks’ Iced Matcha Lemonade. Shaken with gusto and served over ice, it’s the foil for a hot summer day.
The 80 mg of caffeine is invigorating without weighing you down. Light and sweet, it’s the ultimate refreshment!
4. Matcha Crème Frappuccino Blended Beverage (Grande: 70mg)
Attention tea fanatics, there’s a Frappuccino just for you!
This frosty fusion of matcha and milk blended with Starbucks’ Crème syrup and ice has a not-so-subtle milkshake vibe.
Topped with a mountain of whipped cream, it’s the sweetest and most satisfying 70 mg of caffeine on the tea drink menu.
5. Chai Crème Frappuccino (Grande: 40mg)
Another sweet treat, the Chai Crème Frappuccino has only 40 mg of caffeine. It’s made by blending Starbucks’ spicy classic chai, Crème syrup, milk, and ice.
This delicious drink is topped off with whipped cream and a dash of cinnamon.
6. Most Black Teas – Hot & Iced (Grande: 40mg)
Includes: Chai Tea, Earl Grey Tea, London Fog Tea Latte, Royal English Breakfast Tea, Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte, Iced Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte, and Iced London Fog Tea Latte
Black tea is a caffeinated classic, and it’s everywhere on the Starbucks menu. With seven flavors to choose from, a 16-ounce Grande offers an average of 40 mg of caffeine.
Note, however, that a plain Chai Tea has half the amount of caffeine compared to Chai Latte because it’s brewed black tea versus a more potent black tea concentrate.
7. Jade Citrus Mint Tea (Grande: 40mg)
Spring days were made for a spot of Jade Citrus Mint Tea.
A brisk green tea with lemon verbena and a kiss of spearmint, it clears a cluttered mind. 40 milligrams of caffeine improve your focus without giving you the jitters — it’s a soothing anytime treat.
8. Iced Black Tea & Iced Black Tea Lemonade (Grande: 25mg)
Simple can be sublime. If you like Starbucks for lunch, there’s no better complement to the Ham and Swiss Baguette than an Iced Black Tea or Black Tea Lemonade.
With 25 mg of caffeine, they’re clean but lively sips.
9. Iced Green Teas (Grande: 25mg)
Includes: Iced Green Tea, Iced Peach Green Tea, Iced Green Tea Lemonade, and Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade
Starbucks’ lineup of iced green teas never fails to impress. Freshly brewed and packed with ice, they’re unpretentiously refreshing.
The Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade with honey is nothing short of divine. Its 25 mg of caffeine may be less than you need to kickstart your day, but it’s plenty for an afternoon boost.
10. Hot Green Teas (Grande: 16mg)
Includes: Emperor’s Clouds and Mist, and Honey Citrus Mint Tea
Relax and unwind with Starbucks hot green teas. With 16 measly milligrams of caffeine, they won’t ruin a good night’s sleep.
The Emperor’s Clouds and Mist is a sophisticated choice with a slightly smoky flavor you won’t find in most green teas.
Or why not try the customer-inspired Honey Citrus and Mint Tea, also known as the Medicine Ball — a sweet and citrusy potion so good that it’s now on the permanent menu.
Caffeine-Free Starbucks Teas
If the only good caffeine is no caffeine, you’re not without choices at Starbucks.
Naturally caffeine-free — never chemically decaffeinated — here are my favorites from the herbal tea menu.
Mint Majesty
Kiss stress goodbye with Starbucks’ Mint Majesty. A citrusy blend of mint and lemon verbena, it has zero caffeine and calming properties.
Peach Tranquility
Peach Tranquility is a gentle chamomile tea enhanced with rose hips and lemon verbena — a detoxifying herb with known sleep benefits.
Packed with peach and candied pineapple flavors, it’s delightfully sweet without a grain of added sugar.
Iced Passion Tango Tea & Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade
If you are looking to cool down with a caffeine-free iced tea check out these refreshing options.
Made with healthy herbal ingredients including hibiscus and lemongrass, the Iced Passion Tango Tea is not only free of caffeine, but it’s also free of calories. And even if you choose the lemonade version there are only 50 calories.
Starbucks Tea Caffeine FAQ
Which Starbucks tea has the most caffeine?
Starbucks Chai Tea Latte and Iced Chai Tea Latte have the highest caffeine content.
How much caffeine is in Starbucks Chai Tea Latte?
Grande-sized Starbucks Chai Tea Latte (both hot and iced) has 95 mg of caffeine. That’s about as much as in an average cup of coffee.
You can also choose a Tall-sized drink with 70 mg of caffeine, or a Venti-sized drink with 120 mg of caffeine. The hot Chai Latte is also available in Short size with 50 mg of caffeine.
Does Starbucks green tea have caffeine?
Starbucks has several different types of drinks that are made with green tea or matcha green tea powder and all of them contain some caffeine.
For example, a Grande-sized Matcha Green Tea Latte has 80 mg of caffeine, while iced green teas only have 25 mg and hot green teas only 16 mg of caffeine.
Caffeine is a natural stimulant with both risks and benefits that can make or break your day.
How much is too much or too little? Only you can decide!
But Starbucks is here to help.
Now you know exactly how much caffeine is in each Starbucks tea so you can choose the right drink for each occasion.
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