Brewed iced tea vs Pure Leaf sweet tea: caffeine compared
Brewed iced tea (16 oz) has 90 mg of caffeine, 36 mg more than Pure Leaf sweet tea (18.5 oz, 54 mg) — 1.7× as much per serving. Per fluid ounce, Brewed iced tea is the stronger drink: 5.6 mg/oz versus 2.9 mg/oz.
| Brewed iced tea | Pure Leaf sweet tea | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving | 16 oz | 18.5 oz |
| Caffeine per serving | 90 mg | 54 mg |
| Per fl oz | 5.6 mg | 2.9 mg |
| Share of 400 mg/day | 22% | 14% |
| Servings to reach 400 mg | 4.4 | 7.4 |
| Hours until under 50 mg | 4.2 h | 0.6 h |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · standard (50 mg) | 6:46 PM | 10:27 PM |
| Last one for an 11 PM bedtime · sensitive (25 mg) | 1:46 PM | 5:27 PM |
| Share of the 200 mg pregnancy limit | 45% | 27% |
One serving of each, over 16 hours
Common questions
Which has more caffeine, Brewed iced tea or Pure Leaf sweet tea?
Brewed iced tea (16 oz) has about 90 mg versus 54 mg in Pure Leaf sweet tea (18.5 oz): 36 mg more, or 1.7× as much.
Which is stronger per ounce, Brewed iced tea or Pure Leaf sweet tea?
Brewed iced tea: about 5.6 mg per fl oz versus 2.9 mg for Pure Leaf sweet tea. Serving size decides the total you actually drink.
How many Pure Leaf sweet tea servings equal one Brewed iced tea?
About 1.7 servings of Pure Leaf sweet tea (18.5 oz) match the caffeine in one Brewed iced tea (16 oz).
When should I stop drinking Brewed iced tea or Pure Leaf sweet tea before bed?
For an 11 PM bedtime with a 50 mg limit and a 5-hour half-life: last Brewed iced tea by 6:46 PM, last Pure Leaf sweet tea by 10:27 PM. Half-life varies from about 1.5 to 9.5 hours between people.
Method
Caffeine per labeled serving, from the same drink table every calculator here uses (FDA/USDA reference amounts and manufacturer labels; see caffeine content of every drink). Brewed drinks vary batch to batch, so read these as typical values. Decay uses a 5-hour average half-life with a 45-minute absorption ramp; cutoff = bedtime − 5 h × log₂(dose ÷ limit). Percentages use the FDA's 400 mg/day figure for healthy adults and the 200 mg/day limit ACOG gives for pregnancy.
Unverified — Brewed iced tea: Strength varies by recipe; no reliable reference value. Treat 90 mg as a rough estimate.
Source — Pure Leaf sweet tea: PepsiCo Product Facts — Pure Leaf Sweet Tea 18.5 fl oz, checked 2026-10-13.