Starbucks Doubleshot vs. Monster: Which One Is Better?
When I first walked into a store to get an energy drink, I was completely perplexed. The ingredient lists for the two beverages looked too similar. Both were quite appealing, and with the two companies being reputable, Starbucks as a leading coffee brand and Monster for having the largest selection of energy drinks, I couldn’t easily pick one over the other.
I did my research, comparing the two, and in this post, I’ll share how they differ, so that by the end of it, you’ll be able to decide which of the two best suits you. Keep reading!
Table of Contents
What are the differences between Starbucks Doubleshot and Monster?
Features |
Starbucks Doubleshot |
Monster |
Ingredients |
Brewed Starbucks Coffee (Coffee water), Reduced-fat Milk, Sugar, Skim Milk, Natural Flavors, Dextrose, Maltodextrin, Taurine, Cellulose Gel, Inositol, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Sodium Ascorbate, Guarana, Cellulose Gum, Seed Extract, Niacinamide, Carrageenan, Tricalcium Phosphate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (vitamin B6), Sucralose Vitamin A Palmitate, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3. |
Brewed Coffee (Coffee, Water), Heavy Cream, Sugar, Condensed Skim Milk, Natural Flavors, Glucose, Sodium Citrate, Maltodextrin, Taurine, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Inositol, Panax Ginseng Extract, Ascorbic Acid (vitamin C), Guarana Extract, Carrageenan, Tricalcium, Phosphate Sodium Alginate, Sucralose, Color Added, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), D-glucuronolactone, L-carnitine L-tartrate, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6). |
Taste profile |
Creamy with chocolate milk taste. |
Fizzy sweet drink with a tangy carbonated taste. |
Caffeine content/ Nutritional value |
This drink has less caffeine. |
This drink has more caffeine. |
Availability/ Accessibility |
This is easy to access from leading online stores or any PepsiCo product sellers. All variations are available all year round |
This is easy to access from leading online stores or any Monster products sellers. All variations are available all year round |
Starbucks Doubleshot vs. Monster: How do they compare?
![Starbucks Monster](https://starbmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-462-1024x461.png)
What it’s made of (ingredients)
Just like the Monster energy drink, the Starbucks Doubleshot also contains caffeine, B-vitamins, Ginseng, Guarana, and Taurine. These are ingredients common to all energy drinks.
The Monster energy drink has heavy cream and a longer ingredient list compared to the Starbucks Doubleshot one, with additional vitamins and micronutrients.
Monster energy drink wins in this category because it includes ingredients that give it a richer profile.
Taste profile
The Starbucks Doubleshot espresso has a creamy taste that makes it a smooth, refreshing drink. It is also mild, not at all bitter or intense.
I found it to be quite balanced—not overly sweet—and without an overpowering coffee taste, I enjoyed every single drop out of the can and got the energy I needed to get through my morning.
The Monster drink was also good at giving me the energy boost I needed. However, it has that carbonated fizzy taste that reminded me I was having an energy drink. It can be great on a hot day, but I found the mix of flavors a bit strange, and the drink a bit too sweet.
Starbucks Doubleshot wins in this category because it is easy to indulge in with no over-the-top taste.
Caffeine content/nutritional value
With 135 mg of caffeine in a 15-ounce can, the Starbucks Doubleshot is right on the mark of what you’d expect from a regular espresso drink at Starbucks. It contains 220 calories, the majority of which come from 26 grams of sugar, which is 52% of the recommended daily intake on a 2,000-calorie diet.
This amount of sugar is little compared to what you get in a similar-sized can of Monster energy drink, which has 54 grams of sugar, exceeding the recommended daily amount. The drink has 160 mg of caffeine, just like the Starbucks Doubleshot, and should not be taken by anyone under the age of 18, as it exceeds the 100 mg of caffeine daily limit, according to paediatrics specialists. The Monster drink will contribute 230 calories. One good thing about this drink is that it has double the recommended daily amounts of Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), and Niacin (Vitamin B3).
Both drinks will give you almost the same caffeine boost, but the Monster energy drink wins when it comes to nutrition because it is laden with essential vitamins.
Availability/ Accessibility
With the PepsiCo network and online stores, you can easily get both Starbucks Doubleshot cans and the Monster energy drink ones.
Both have several varieties to cater to different tastes, with Monster Energy reputed to have more than 30 variants and counting.
It is a draw for the two in this category. Both are easily available at local stores, at leading online stores, and internationally.
Starbucks Doubleshot vs. Monster: A Comparison Review
Starbucks Doubleshot Overview
![Starbucks Doubleshot](https://starbmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-461.png)
If you love the taste of coffee, then this is the energy drink for you. I liked how mild it was; a cold, refreshing can that I can easily pour into a cup at home, at work, or take straight from the can when I’m in a hurry and need to be less zombie by the time I get to my destination.
I got a 12-can pack, which is convenient to keep at home or at the office. stores on shelves, no refrigeration needed. The vanilla option is quite popular, but you can also get the coffee, mocha, or white chocolate options; all are great tasting, and all are best served cold.
What I liked
- Great taste
- Easily available
What I didn’t like
- Limited variations
Who it’s best suited for?
It’s best for coffee lovers who need a hustle-free cup any time of the day.
Monster Overview
![Starbucks Doubleshot vs. Monster](https://starbmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image-463.png)
If you need an energy boost quickly, then consider trying out a Monster drink. Apart from the wide variety of flavors, you can get your Monster can in a variety of sizes, such as 15 fl. oz, 16 fl. oz, 20 fl. oz, or 24 fl. oz, and a number of pack sizes, including 8 can-pack, 10-can-pack, 12 can-pack, or even a 24 can-pack.
If it is your first time, go for the original flavor. It has the simplest and smoothest flavor and will pump you with vigour in a very short time.
I liked that it did not have any nasty aftertaste and had a familiar tangy taste that I expected of an energy drink.
What I liked
- Refreshing on a hot day
- Wide selection of tastes and size
What I didn’t like
- Too sweet
Who it’s best suited for?
Best for active people who need the extra energy boost and don’t mind the extra sugar.
Final Verdict: So, which is Better? Starbucks Doubleshot or Monster?
The Monster energy drink is the winner because it has more ingredients and higher nutritional value compared to the Starbucks Doubleshot energy drink. Monster also has a high number of flavors to cater to every taste imaginable. You can, without spending a lot of money, get a variety of tastes at a go because of the various pack options. The can size options let you choose a smaller can size if you are trying to find what best suits you. Although the taste takes a bit of getting used to, it cannot be mistaken for anything other than an energy drink.
FAQ SECTION
Is Starbucks Doubleshot stronger than Monster?
No, the monster is stronger. It has 160 mg of caffeine compared with Starbucks Doubleshot, which has 135 mg in a 15-fluid-ounce can.
Is Monster healthier than Starbucks Doubleshot?
Yes, Monster is healthier. It has higher amounts of Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), and Niacin (Vitamin B3).
Which one tastes better between Starbucks Doubleshot and Monster?
It depends on your taste preferences. If you love the taste of coffee, you will like the Starbucks Doubleshot. It is easy to indulge in as it has a smooth taste.
If you like your cold drinks sweet and don’t mind them fizzy, then you will like Monster more.