What to Order at Starbucks if You Like Strong Coffee?

January 3, 2026 •

4 min read

According to the FDA, most healthy adults can consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily. Navigating the menu to find a potent pick-me-up can be a challenge, so here is what to order at Starbucks if you like strong coffee and want maximum flavor and caffeine.

Quick Summary

A guide to ordering strong coffee at Starbucks, including drinks with high caffeine content, customization tips for boosting potency, and a comparison of different roasts and espresso options.

Key Points

Blonde Espresso is Higher in Caffeine: Despite its lighter roast, Starbucks Blonde Espresso has more caffeine than the standard espresso blend.
Maximize Shots for Potency: The most straightforward way to get a stronger drink is to add extra shots of espresso to your order.
Cold Brew is a High-Caffeine Option: Cold brew coffee, especially Nitro Cold Brew, provides a potent and smooth caffeine boost due to its long steeping process.
Americano is a Black Coffee Alternative: For a direct and strong espresso flavor, order a Caffè Americano, which is espresso and hot water.
The App is Your Customization Tool: Use the Starbucks app to easily customize and order drinks with specific numbers of shots or different roasts.
Flavor vs. Caffeine is Different: Dark roasts like Caffè Verona offer bold flavor, but a lighter roast like Blonde Espresso provides more caffeine.

Understanding the 'Strong' in Starbucks Coffee

When people say they want 'strong coffee,' they could mean one of two things: a more concentrated flavor profile or a higher caffeine content. Fortunately, Starbucks offers plenty of options to satisfy both preferences. The key is knowing how to navigate the menu and customize your order. For flavor, the roast level and extraction method are paramount, while for caffeine, the number of espresso shots or type of coffee brew is what truly matters.

The Power of Espresso: Concentrated Flavor and Caffeine

Espresso is the foundation of many Starbucks beverages and is one of the most direct ways to get a powerful coffee hit. A single shot of Starbucks espresso contains around 75mg of caffeine. However, the real strength comes from the concentration. Ristretto shots, which are short-pulled for a sweeter, more concentrated flavor, are also an option. Furthermore, Starbucks' Blonde Espresso is known to have a higher caffeine content than their traditional espresso, despite its lighter taste.

Top Espresso-Based Drinks for Strong Coffee Lovers

Quad Espresso: The ultimate no-frills option. Simply four shots of espresso served over ice, or hot if you prefer, for a bold and direct caffeine boost.
Caffè Americano: For a more palatable version of black coffee, an Americano combines espresso shots with hot water. To make it stronger, request extra shots or order it with Blonde Espresso.
Iced Shaken Espresso: This drink is specifically designed for high caffeine. A Venti Iced Shaken Espresso comes with four shots of espresso, compared to only three in a regular Venti iced latte. Ordering it with Blonde Espresso and extra shots will maximize its potency.
Flat White: This drink is made with ristretto shots, which are a concentrated, sweeter form of espresso. A Grande Flat White comes with three shots, making it stronger than a standard latte of the same size.

Beyond Espresso: Cold Brew and Dark Roasts

Espresso isn't the only path to strong coffee. Other brew methods offer significant caffeine and rich flavor profiles.

Strong Brewed Coffee and Cold Options

Cold Brew: The long steeping process for cold brew results in a smoother, naturally sweeter, and often more caffeinated beverage than traditional iced coffee. Ordering a Nitro Cold Brew takes it a step further, as the nitrogen infusion creates a cascading, creamy texture that mellows the bitterness without sacrificing strength.
Dark Roast: The traditional choice for bold flavor, Starbucks' Dark Roasts, such as Caffè Verona, provide a full-bodied, robust taste. While some mistakenly believe darker roasts have more caffeine, they are actually known for a lower acid content and less bitterness, which can create the perception of a stronger brew.

Customization Tips for a Stronger Brew

Don't be afraid to modify your order. Here are a few barista-approved hacks:

Add Shots: The easiest way to boost caffeine is to add an extra shot (or two) of espresso to any drink. This is a common and simple request.
Request Ristretto: For a sweeter, more intense espresso flavor, ask for ristretto shots in your drink. It cuts down on the bitterness and creates a richer base.
Go Blonde: If your primary goal is caffeine, opt for Blonde Espresso. It has a higher caffeine content per shot, so a few extra shots will really do the trick.
Use the App: The Starbucks app allows for detailed customization, including adding extra espresso shots, choosing your roast, or specifying a certain number of pumps for flavor. This is ideal for planning your perfect strong coffee order ahead of time.

Strong Coffee Comparison: Brewed vs. Espresso


Feature	Dark Roast Brewed Coffee	Cold Brew Coffee	Caffè Americano	Iced Shaken Espresso
Preparation	Drip machine brewing, hot	Cold water steeped for 20+ hours	Espresso shots with hot water	Espresso shaken with ice and milk
Flavor Profile	Full-bodied, robust, bold, less acidic	Smooth, low acidity, naturally sweet	Espresso-forward, strong, black coffee	Bold espresso, balanced with sweetness
Caffeine Impact	Solid, steady caffeine kick	Potent, longer-lasting caffeine buzz	Quick, concentrated jolt	Powerful, flavorful caffeine delivery
Customization	Sugar, cream; can vary by location	Sweet cream cold foam, syrups	Extra shots, milk, sugar, iced	Blonde espresso, extra shots, sweet foam

Conclusion: Your Perfect Strong Order Awaits

Whether you prioritize rich, bold flavor or a serious caffeine boost, Starbucks offers a range of options for strong coffee lovers. From the concentrated punch of a Quad Espresso to the smooth, potent energy of a Nitro Cold Brew, the perfect pick-me-up is a few customizations away. Consider your preference for flavor profile and caffeine, and don't hesitate to experiment with different roasts and espresso types. A quick conversation with your barista or a few taps on the app is all it takes to craft your ultimate strong coffee drink.

Final Takeaways

Blonde Espresso has more caffeine per shot than the standard dark roast.
Cold brew offers a smoother, less acidic taste but a high caffeine kick due to its long brewing process.
A Caffè Americano is essentially strong black coffee, made with espresso and water.
For max caffeine, order extra shots in any espresso drink, or opt for a Venti Iced Shaken Espresso, which already comes with four.
Use the app to customize and precisely tailor your strong coffee order, adding extra shots or selecting blonde espresso.
Dark roasts provide bold flavor, which some associate with strength, but they don't necessarily contain more caffeine than lighter roasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

The strongest standard coffee in terms of total caffeine is often a Venti Blonde Roast brewed coffee. However, for sheer concentration, a drink with multiple shots of Blonde Espresso will offer the most potent kick.

You can make any espresso-based drink stronger by adding extra shots of espresso. For drip coffee, request a Dark Roast like Caffè Verona. For cold drinks, a Cold Brew or Nitro Cold Brew offers higher caffeine than standard iced coffee.

Yes, in terms of caffeine content, Blonde Espresso contains more caffeine per shot than Starbucks' traditional dark roast espresso. This is a common misconception, but the lighter roast preserves more caffeine.

A 'Quad' refers to a drink made with four shots of espresso. If you want an undiluted, powerful coffee experience, a Quad Espresso (hot or iced) is a great, straightforward choice.

A Cold Brew is coffee grounds steeped in cold water for a long period, resulting in a smooth, low-acid concentrate. An Americano is espresso shots diluted with hot water, creating a flavor more like traditional brewed coffee but with the intensity of espresso.

Yes, a Flat White is considered a strong coffee because it's made with ristretto shots, which are more concentrated than standard espresso. A Grande Flat White has three shots, while a Grande Latte has two.

Yes, you can customize almost any espresso drink to use Blonde Espresso instead of the standard roast. Simply ask your barista for 'Blonde shots' when you place your order.