How many milligrams of caffeine are in an espresso shot

How many milligrams of caffeine are in an espresso shot

Caffeine (serving: 1.5 fl oz)

77 mg

Caffeine (mg / fl oz)

51.3

Caffeine strength

Extreme

Getting your day started with a jolt of caffeine is like breathing to most of us. Whether we choose a coffee-based beverage, tea, soda, or an energy drink the result is the same. We wake up quicker and feel more empowered for the day to come. But what about having an espresso?

Aren’t espresso shots packed with caffeine and the perfect way to energize yourself when you’re feeling a bit groggy? Not exactly. There’s more to an espresso shot than the average 75 mg of caffeine found in a single shot. Let’s dive deeper into the world of this coffee-based drink so you can finally learn the truth about espresso and the amount of caffeine inside each cup.

How many milligrams of caffeine are in an espresso shot

What Is an Espresso?

Many people think espresso is its own form of coffee. This isn’t the case. An espresso shot is made using the same coffee beans, either Arabica or Robusta, as regular black coffee. The difference is in the process. Espresso is made by forcing hot water through coffee beans that have been finely ground. The result is a beverage shot that is stronger than regular coffee and topped with a foam called crema. This foam appears when the air bubbles and soluble oils in the coffee combine.

The big difference between regular coffee and espresso is the grind of the beans and the process in which the espresso shot is made. This amplified coffee is served in shots of roughly 1.5 ounces and averages around 75 mg of caffeine per serving. Espresso can also be used as a base for several of the coffee beverages we all know and love including cappuccinos and lattes.

How many milligrams of caffeine are in an espresso shot
Image credit: Tyler Nix, Unsplash

The Caffeine in an Espresso

As we’ve mentioned, a shot of espresso averages around 75mg of caffeine. You may be curious why we say this amount of caffeine is average. This is due to the factors that must be taken into account when it comes to making a shot of espresso. Let’s take a look at those below.

The Coffee Beans

The first factor when it comes to the caffeine content in your shot of espresso is the coffee beans. Both Arabica and Robusta beans can be used to make espresso but it’s common for Robusta beans to be used. When this is the case, you’ll have a higher caffeine amount. Robusta beans naturally have more caffeine than Arabica. When these beans are used your espresso, a regular cup of coffee, or any coffee beverage you brew up will be more caffeinated.

The Espresso Process

When making espresso, more coffee grounds are used. This will naturally increase the caffeine content. The pressurized water also penetrates the coffee grounds quicker than other brewing processes. This allows for more caffeine to be transferred during the process.

The Size

An 8-ounce cup of regular coffee contains 95 mg of caffeine. This serving size is quite a bit larger than an espresso shot measuring around 1.5 ounces. Due to getting roughly 75 mg of caffeine in such a small serving, people feel they are getting more caffeine than they would by drinking an entire cup of regular coffee.

How many milligrams of caffeine are in an espresso shot
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How You Drink It

You’ll also find the way you drink espresso plays a big role in the amount of caffeine you get from it. An espresso shot is intended to be savored and drunk slowly. It is richer than regular coffee. Unfortunately, not many people in the US take the time to savor their espresso. Unlike a cup of coffee, espresso shots are routinely downed fast and that often leaves drinkers asking for another.

Let’s see how a shot of espresso measures up to other coffee beverages that feature 8-ounce typical servings.

Decaf Coffee (8-ounce serving) 2 mg of caffeine
Instant Coffee (8-ounce serving) 62 mg of caffeine
Espresso (1.5-ounce serving) 75 mg of caffeine
Regular Brewed Coffee (8-ounce serving) 95 mg of caffeine
Cold Brew Coffee (8-ounce serving) 100 mg of caffeine

How many milligrams of caffeine are in an espresso shot

In Conclusion

As you can see, there is more to how the caffeine content in espresso is measured than you may think. When considering all these factors, you may be getting a good dose of caffeine with an espresso shot, but unless you have more than one, you may be better off reaching for a cup of regular brewed coffee if you want a caffeine kick. If you’re simply a fan of espresso, learn to enjoy it. Savor your rich, creamy espresso instead of gulping it down. Then you’ll appreciate the caffeine, and especially the taste, much more.


Featured Image Credit: Kevin Butz, Unsplash

Table of Contents

  • What Is an Espresso?
  • The Caffeine in an Espresso
    • The Coffee Beans
    • The Espresso Process
    • The Size
    • How You Drink It
  • In Conclusion

How much caffeine is in a normal shot of espresso?

Tallying the Caffeine The answer depends on how much of each beverage you're drinking. Espresso has 63 mg of caffeine in 1 ounce (the amount in one shot), according to Department of Agriculture nutrition data. Regular coffee, by contrast, has 12 to 16 mg of caffeine in every ounce, on average.

How many mg is 2 shots of espresso?

Caffeine in Espresso Espresso, Single Shot: 29-100 mg (often around 75 mg) Espresso, Double Shot (Doppio): 58-185 mg (often around 150 mg)

How many mg is 3 shots of espresso?

According to the USDA, a typical 2-ounce cup of espresso contains 128 milligrams of caffeine. Given that you're allowed up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, that averages around 3 shots of espresso, or 4 cups of 8 oz. black coffee.

How much caffeine is in 2 shots of espresso at Starbucks?

Starbucks also serves Espresso coffee in either one or two shots (called solo or doppio). The caffeine content of a double shot espresso at Starbucks is around 150mg. See the complete guide to caffeine content of all Starbucks beverages.