If you’re choosing between Stumptown Cold Brew and Rockstar Original, caffeine is probably the biggest factor. While both drinks can give you an energy boost, they deliver their caffeine in very different amounts and from different sources.

In this guide, we’ll compare Stumptown Cold Brew vs Rockstar Original based only on caffeine content so you can decide which drink fits your needs.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Stumptown Cold Brew	Rockstar Original
Drink Type	Ready-to-drink cold brew coffee	Energy drink
Caffeine Source	Coffee beans	Added caffeine + other stimulants
Typical Serving Size	10.3 fl oz (305 mL)	16 fl oz (473 mL)
Total Caffeine	Around 279 mg	Around 160 mg
Caffeine per fl oz	About 27 mg	About 10 mg
Stronger Choice	✅ Stumptown Cold Brew

How Much Caffeine Is in Stumptown Cold Brew?

A standard bottle of Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee contains approximately 279 mg of caffeine.

This is a very high caffeine level for a single serving. The caffeine comes naturally from slowly brewed coffee beans, creating a concentrated coffee with a bold flavor.

For comparison:

• About 3 cups of regular brewed coffee
• Nearly twice the caffeine of many popular energy drinks
• Enough to exceed 70% of the FDA’s suggested daily caffeine limit of 400 mg

Because of its high caffeine content, many people choose to sip it slowly rather than drink the entire bottle at once.

How Much Caffeine Is in Rockstar Original?

A 16-ounce can of Rockstar Original Energy Drink contains approximately 160 mg of caffeine.

Although Rockstar is marketed as an energy drink, its caffeine content is actually lower than Stumptown Cold Brew.

The caffeine in Rockstar is added during manufacturing instead of coming naturally from coffee.

Caffeine Difference

Here’s the direct comparison.

• Stumptown Cold Brew: 279 mg
• Rockstar Original: 160 mg

Difference: Approximately 119 mg more caffeine in Stumptown Cold Brew.

That’s a significant gap.

If caffeine is your only concern, Stumptown is clearly the stronger drink.

Caffeine Per Ounce

Looking only at total caffeine doesn’t tell the whole story because the serving sizes are different.

Drink	Caffeine per Fluid Ounce
Stumptown Cold Brew	About 27 mg
Rockstar Original	About 10 mg

Stumptown delivers much more caffeine in every sip.

Which Drink Gives a Stronger Energy Boost?

From a caffeine perspective:

Choose Stumptown Cold Brew if you want:

• Maximum caffeine
• Strong coffee-based stimulation
• Higher caffeine concentration
• A drink for early mornings or demanding workdays

Choose Rockstar Original if you want:

• Moderate caffeine
• Less caffeine than concentrated cold brew
• A slower overall caffeine intake because of the larger serving size

Is 279 mg of Caffeine Too Much?

For healthy adults, the FDA considers up to 400 mg of caffeine per day generally safe.

However, 279 mg in one bottle is still a large amount.

Some people may experience:

• Jitters
• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety
• Trouble sleeping
• Restlessness

People sensitive to caffeine may want to drink only part of the bottle.

Is 160 mg of Caffeine High?

Yes.

While 160 mg is much lower than Stumptown, it’s still considered a high-caffeine beverage compared with soda or tea.

Many people tolerate this amount well, but caffeine-sensitive individuals may still notice side effects.

Which Drink Has More Caffeine?

The winner is clear.

Drink	Total Caffeine
🥇 Stumptown Cold Brew	279 mg
Rockstar Original	160 mg

Stumptown contains roughly 75% more caffeine than Rockstar Original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Stumptown Cold Brew have more caffeine than Rockstar?

Yes. A bottle of Stumptown Cold Brew contains about 279 mg, while Rockstar Original contains about 160 mg.

Which is stronger?

Based on caffeine alone, Stumptown Cold Brew is significantly stronger.

Is Rockstar Original low in caffeine?

No. It contains 160 mg of caffeine, which is considered high compared with most soft drinks, but it’s still much lower than Stumptown Cold Brew.

Which is better for people sensitive to caffeine?

Rockstar Original is generally the better option because it contains substantially less caffeine than Stumptown Cold Brew.

Final Verdict

If you’re comparing Stumptown Cold Brew vs Rockstar Original solely on caffeine content, Stumptown Cold Brew is the clear winner.

With 279 mg of caffeine, it provides about 119 mg more caffeine than Rockstar Original’s 160 mg. It also delivers much more caffeine per ounce, making it one of the strongest ready-to-drink coffee beverages available.

If your goal is the highest caffeine boost, choose Stumptown Cold Brew. If you prefer a lower—but still substantial—amount of caffeine, Rockstar Original is the milder choice.