Its proprietary McCafé coffee makes McDonald’s one of the largest coffee chains in America, and many people enjoy one of these great-tasting beverages regularly. However many people are becoming more health-conscious about their caffeine intake and want to know what the most caffeinated drink at McDonald’s is. The Iced Mocha is its most caffeinated beverage, but keep reading as we look at how much caffeine it contains and how it compares to many other popular drinks.
The 3 Most Caffeinated Drinks at McDonald’s
1. Iced Mocha
- 167 mg per 16-ounce serving
The Iced Mocha is the most caffeinated beverage that McDonald’s offers and it contains 167 milligrams of caffeine in its 16-ounce serving. This caffeine is due to the espresso-based syrup that it contains.
2. Coffee
- 145 mg per 16-ounce serving
McDonald’s regular coffee is a close second, as a 16-ounce serving contains about 145 mg of caffeine.
3. Frappe
- 90–145 mg per 16-ounce serving
McDonald’s offers different frappes to choose from, many of which can contain as much as 145 mg per 16-ounce serving, making them about equal to a standard coffee.
Other High-Caffeine Beverages
McDonald’s also has several other caffeinated beverages, including the Macchiato, Cappuccino, Latte, and Americano, each of which contains 142 mg of caffeine in a 16-ounce serving. These beverages are only slightly weaker than the top three and will still provide plenty of kick.
Low-Caffeine Beverages
If you are looking to reduce your caffeine intake, the McDonald’s Iced Sweet Tea only contains 50 mg of caffeine in a 16-ounce serving, and the decaf coffee only has 11 mg.
| McDonald’s Beverage | Caffeine per 16-Ounce Serving |
| Iced Mocha | 167 |
| Coffee | 145 |
| Frappe | 90–145 |
| Macchiato | 142 |
| Cappuccino | 142 |
| Latte | 142 |
| Americano | 142 |
| Iced Sweet Tea | 50 |
| Decaf Coffee | 11 |
How Does the Iced Mocha Compare to Other Beverages?
A standard 8-ounce cup of coffee usually has between 90 mg and 140 mg of caffeine, so it’s a little stronger on average than the Iced Mocha if you consume a 16-ounce serving. Regular black tea usually has about 95 mg in a 16-ounce serving, while green tea only has 56 mg. Soft drinks typically have between 30 mg and 40 mg of caffeine in a 12-ounce serving, while energy drinks will have 150 mg or more in a 16-ounce serving.
| Beverage | Serving Size in Ounces | Caffeine Content in Milligrams |
| Regular Coffee | 16 | 180 –280 |
| Black Tea | 16 | 95 |
| Green Tea | 16 | 56 |
| Soft Drinks | 12 | 30–40 |
| Energy Drinks | 16 | 150+ |
How Much Caffeine Is Safe?
Most experts recommend limiting your caffeine intake to 400 mg per day. Too much caffeine can increase your heart rate and dehydrate your internal organs, like the kidneys and bladder. It can also cause nervousness, sleepless nights, and agitation.
Risks Associated With the McCafé Iced Mocha
Besides the high caffeine content, the McCafé Iced Mocha beverage contains a large amount of sugar. Consuming too much sugar each day can lead to obesity, tooth decay, and other health risks. The large McCafé Iced Mocha contains 460 calories, with 9 grams of saturated fat and 62 grams of sugar.
Caffeine at McDonald’s: Summary
The McCafé Iced Mocha is the most caffeinated drink at McDonald’s, and it has 167 mg of caffeine in a 16-ounce serving which can be quite effective as an energy boost. However, the large amount of sugar that it contains makes it less healthy compared to other caffeinated beverages, so it’s best kept as an occasional treat.
Featured Image Credit: shche_ team on Unsplash
