A McDonald’s iced coffee really hits the spot on a hot day — a refreshing drink that goes down perhaps a little too easily. But have you ever wondered just how much caffeine you’re getting?
We’ll take you through the numbers, how McDonald’s iced coffee compares to the competition, and more. So, if you’re monitoring your intake or chasing the perfect afternoon pick-me-up at lunch break, this guide has everything you need to know.
How Much Caffeine Is in Each Size of McDonald’s Iced Coffee?
The McCafé Iced Coffee comes standard with cream and a choice of flavor, but customers can request the beverage without these additions. Unfortunately, according to McDonald’s website, the FDA doesn’t require the company to disclose caffeine levels, so the brand doesn’t give this information.
However,here are third-party estimates for the caffeine content in each of McDonald’s McCafé Iced Coffee sizes when ordered without customization:
- Small Iced Coffee (12 oz): Approximately 133 mg of caffeine.
- Medium Iced Coffee (16 oz): Approximately 200 mg of caffeine.
- Large Iced Coffee (21 to 24 oz): Approximately 235 to 260 mg of caffeine.
Though it may seem obvious, the larger the coffee drink, the more caffeine it will contain, as long as the added size isn’t due to milk, cream, extra ice, or sweeteners.
Is McDonald’s Iced Coffee Stronger Than Other Popular Options?
McDonald’s competes with other coffee shops like Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts in terms of convenience and popularity. But how do the iced coffees compare when it comes to caffeine content?
McDonald’s vs. Starbucks Iced Coffee
Starbucks offers many iced coffee options, and the company shares the caffeine content of its beverage options on its website. Starbucks iced coffee comes without flavor or cream, but customers can add sweetener, cream, or other milk or non-dairy options.
Here is how much caffeine is in Starbucks drinks compared to McDonald’s McCafé iced coffee:
Starbucks Tall Iced Coffee (12 oz)
135 mg of caffeine
It’s the same size as a small McCafé Iced Coffee, which contains an estimated 133 mg of caffeine — essentially the same amount.
Starbucks Grande Iced Coffee (16 oz)
185 mg of caffeine
A medium McCafé Iced Coffee is the same size and contains slightly more caffeine at 200 mg.
Starbucks Venti Iced Coffee (24 oz)
265 mg of caffeine
Depending on the location, this is comparable to the large McCafé Iced Coffee. McDonald's 24 oz large iced coffee is the same size, and the caffeine content is similar. The size and caffeine content are slightly lower for locations that offer a 20 oz large.
McDonald's vs. Dunkin’ Iced Coffee
Another popular coffee chain option is Dunkin', which, like the competition, offers several iced coffee options. Dunkin' also shares the caffeine content of its menu items online. You can customize its iced coffee with additions, but it comes standard without cream or flavor.
Here is how the caffeine in Dunkin’ standard iced coffee compares to McDonald’s:
Dunkin’ Small Iced Coffee (12 oz):
196 mg of caffeine
This caffeine content is significantly higher than that of a similarly sized small McCafé iced coffee.
Dunkin’ Medium Iced Coffee (24 oz)
294 mg of caffeine
Higher than McDonald’s large McCafé Iced Coffee, with the 24-oz version at just 260 mg.
Dunkin’ Large Iced Coffee (32 oz)
396 mg of caffeine
There’s no McDonald’s equivalent. Dunkin’ Iced Coffee contains more caffeine than McDonald’s Iced Coffee at every size option.
Click here for the strongest coffee on the market
McDonald’s Iced Coffee vs. Hot Coffee & Frappés
Now that we know how much caffeine is in McDonald’s iced coffees, you’d expect the same in all its other coffees of the same sizes, right? The answer isn’t as simple as you think.
Let’s take a look at some of the other popular McDonald’s coffee beverages:
McDonald’s Iced Coffee vs. Hot Coffee
One research paper found that a 12 oz hot coffee at McDonald's contains approximately 100 mg of caffeine. This is much lower than McDonald’s iced coffee at an estimated 133 mg per 12 oz serving [1].
McDonald’s Iced Coffee vs. McDonald’s Frappés
McDonald’s offers a few different flavors of frappés on its drinks menu. According to the Caffeine Informer, the caffeine content depends on the flavor and varies between 75 mg and 100 mg in a 12 oz size. So, no matter the flavor, a frappé contains less caffeine than an iced coffee at McDonald’s.
McDonald’s Iced Coffee vs. the Rest
The iced coffee on the McDonald's coffee menu contains the most caffeine of any beverage, but several options offer even less caffeine than those mentioned above.
The cappuccino, espresso, latte, and mocha offer even less caffeine than the hot coffee and the frappé. McDonald's also serves decaf coffee, hot chocolate, and some tea options, all containing negligible amounts of caffeine.
How Does McDonald’s Iced Coffee Fit Into Your Daily Caffeine Intake?
If the information above has got you worried, don’t panic. Here’s what you need to know to enjoy McDonald’s iced coffee and stay within the recommended daily caffeine limits.
Here are the recommended maximum limits for caffeine consumption:
- For healthy adults: 400 mg per day
- For pregnant people: 300 mg per day
- For adolescents: caffeine limit depends on individual weight, but 200 mg is standard [2]
Since McDonald’s iced coffee contains between an estimated 133 mg and 260 mg of caffeine, depending on size, it can easily fit into a day of healthy caffeine consumption. For those worried about caffeine intake or who consume other caffeinated drinks, a smaller size option is a sensible choice.
Customizing Your McDonald’s Iced Coffee
Beyond adjusting the size of iced coffee, McDonald’s offers several ways to customize it and other coffee beverages on the menu.
McDonald’s McCafé Iced Coffee is made with arabica beans and comes with cream and sweetener.
Here are some specific ways to customize it.
1. Sweetener
Unflavored liquid sugar sweetener comes standard in McDonald’s McCafé Iced Coffee, but you can request the drink without it. This change does not impact the overall caffeine content.
2. Flavor
McDonald’s also offers flavored coffee syrups. Caramel and French vanilla are standard options available at most McDonald’s locations. Some locations also provide sugar-free French vanilla and chocolate. You can order McDonald's McCafé iced coffee without adding flavor. Flavor changes do not affect the level of caffeine.
3. Cream
Cream comes standard in McDonald’s McCafé iced coffee. However, you can order it without cream for a non-dairy option and without adjusting the caffeine content.
4. Espresso Shot
For an extra energy boost, it is possible to add an espresso shot, which would add an estimated 71 mg of additional caffeine. McDonald’s McCafé Iced Coffee isn’t available in a decaf option.
5. Toppings
Toppings are not standard for McDonald's McCafé Iced Coffee. At some locations, you can add whipped cream, chocolate, or caramel drizzle.
FAQs: McDonald’s Iced Coffee & Caffeine
Here are some commonly asked questions about McDonald’s iced coffee and general caffeine consumption.
1. How Much Caffeine Is in a Small McDonald’s Iced Coffee?
McDonald’s does not publish the caffeine content of menu items since the FDA doesn’t require it. According to a third-party source, a small McDonald’s McCafé iced coffee contains an estimated 133 mg of caffeine.
2. How Does McDonald’s Iced Coffee Compare to Starbucks?
Starbucks iced coffee has very similar caffeine content to McDonald’s McCafé iced coffee, depending on size.
3. Does McDonald’s Iced Coffee Have More Caffeine Than Hot Coffee?
Yes, according to one research paper, a 12 oz hot coffee at McDonald's contains approximately 100 mg of caffeine. This is lower than McDonald’s Iced Coffee at an estimated 133 mg per 12 oz serving [1].
4. Can I Get a Decaf Version of McDonald’s Iced Coffee?
No, McDonald’s does not offer a decaf version of the McCafé Iced Coffee. There are other decaf coffee options available on the McDonald’s menu.
5. What’s the Strongest Coffee Drink at McDonald’s?
The McDonald's drink with the highest caffeine content is the extra-large McDonald's McCafé iced coffee. This 32-oz drink is only available at some locations and has an estimated 320 mg of caffeine. It is close to the recommended daily limit for healthy adults and over the recommended daily limit for pregnant women [2].
6. Does Adding Cream or Sugar Change the Caffeine Content?
Adding cream or sugar does not change the caffeine level of McDonald’s McCafé iced coffee. This menu item comes standard with cream and liquid sugar sweetener.
7. How Many Calories Are in McDonald’s Iced Coffee?
McDonald’s does share the calorie content of menu items online, and the calorie content of coffee depends on size. Without any modifications, a small McDonald's McCafé iced coffee contains 150 calories, a medium 190, and a large 270.
8. What’s the Difference Between McDonald’s Iced Coffee & Frappés?
McDonald’s McCafé iced coffee is simply iced coffee, cream, and sweetener. It’s easily customizable with flavor shots. McDonald’s McCafé frappés are only available in two flavors and offer few customizations since the drink is pre-mixed. Frappés also have a higher calorie and lower caffeine content than iced coffee.
9. Can I Order Iced Coffee Without Sweeteners at McDonald’s?
Yes, although McDonald’s McCafé iced coffee comes standard with sweetener, you can customize it and order it unsweetened.
10. Is McDonald’s Iced Coffee Good for Weight Loss?
The calories in McDonald's McCafé Iced Coffee depend on the size and any customizations. Ordering without sweetener or cream will lower the overall calorie count while adding additional sweetener or toppings will increase it.
References
- Bose, K., Nutbrown, D., HPLC Analysis of Caffeine in Coffee: How consistent is the concentration of caffeine in coffee, and is it worth the price? (2021) Science Senior Seminar The Neighborhood Academy
- Brorby, G. P., Britt, J., Doepker, C., Goldberger, J., Harvey, S., Henderson, R., Lieberman, H. R., & et. al. (2017). Systematic review of the potential adverse effects of caffeine consumption in healthy adults, pregnant women, adolescents, and children. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 109(1), 585-648.
