Skip to main content

How much caffeine is actually in a shot of espresso?

This is how much caffeine you're getting from your espresso fix

espresso cup
Chevanon Photography / Pexels

Espresso is a delicious form of freshly brewed coffee that uses high water pressure and finely ground beans to make a concentrated shot of espresso. From here, the options are endless — either enjoy espresso alone or use it in a handcrafted espresso beverage like an Americano or Cappuccino. Although it’s delicious, espresso can quickly add caffeine content, especially if you’re consuming multiple shots. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you wanted about “how much caffeine is in a shot of espresso’? So you know exactly how to safely enjoy your favorite espresso without going over the recommended daily limit of caffeine.

How much caffeine is in a shot of espresso?

espresso shot
Olha Ruskykh / Pexels

According to the USDA, the average shot of espresso contains about 63 milligrams of caffeine. If you’re enjoying a single espresso shot on its own, this is the perfect amount of caffeine to start your morning. In comparison, the average cup of medium-roast coffee contains 80 to 95 mg of caffeine. Two shots of espresso will put your caffeine total above one cup of coffee — hence, where espresso gets its “jolt of energy” reputation.

Recommended Videos

Even within the different variations of espresso shots, caffeine content varies. For example, Ristretto is a form of espresso that is highly concentrated and brewed with less water. This means this type of espresso contains more caffeine per ounce than other types. When ordering espresso shots on your next Starbucks run, each shot contains about 75 mg. If you opt for blonde espresso at Starbucks, each shot contains 85 mg of caffeine.

Is 200 mg of caffeine a lot?

espresso beans
nousnou iwasaki / Unsplash

Caffeine is a stimulant that affects every person differently. A variety of things (such as metabolism, medications, tolerance, etc) can affect how you respond to caffeine. For some people, even the smallest bit of caffeine can lead to unpleasant side effects such as dehydration, anxiousness, shakiness, and trouble sleeping. On the other hand, some people can tolerate larger doses of caffeine without side effects.

For reference, the FDA recommends that adults do not consume more than 400 mg of caffeine daily. Espresso drinks with a double or triple shot of espresso could already put you at half of your daily recommended limit. With this in mind, it’s important to pay attention to how your body responds to caffeine and to space your caffeine out rather than consuming your daily limit all in the morning. In addition, consuming caffeine too late in the day could interfere with your ability to sleep.

If you love the taste of espresso but not the effects of caffeine, there’s still hope! Choose decaf espresso shots, which go through a process that removes most of the caffeine from the coffee beans. This means each shot only contains an average of 3 to 15 mg of caffeine but still tastes equally as delicious.

Naming espresso shotsespresso cup

Heading to the coffee shop? Espresso tends to be masked under other names, which can be helpful to know when ordering. Some common names include:

  • Doppio: Doppio means “double” in Italian, which refers to a double shot of espresso. In some less formal shops, you may just hear it called a double espresso. This can be ordered traditional (as hot espresso) or as an iced doppio espresso.
  • Lungo: A Lungo shot espresso is a “long” shot of espresso that uses the same amount of coffee grounds but uses twice as much hot water. This results in a stronger, more bitter taste, which some coffee lovers enjoy.
  • Ristretto: A smaller, more concentrated espresso with a more intense, less bitter flavor.

If you’re looking for more of a beverage than a straight shot of espresso, try one of these espresso beverages:

  • Americano: Shot of espresso mixed with water (can be ordered iced or hot) and contains about 75 to 300 mg caffeine (depending on size)
  • Red Eye: Cup of coffee with a shot of espresso mixed in
  • Cappuccino: Equal parts of one shot of espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk  (depending on size, could range from 75 to 150 mg of caffeine)

Note: Many of these contain several shots of espresso and vary quite a bit depending on the coffee shop. So, be sure to ask how many shots are used in your drink to know how much caffeine you’ll be consuming.

Consuming espresso safely

espresso cup
Matt Hoffman / Unsplash

Consuming espresso regularly is safe, but it’s important to be mindful of how much caffeine you’re consuming daily. If you’re also consuming energy drinks, sodas, or teas — be mindful of how quickly the mg of caffeine can add up. When ordering shots of espresso or espresso beverages, don’t be afraid to ask your barista exactly what will used in your drink. Happy brewing!

Emily Caldwell
Emily is an accomplished freelance journalist with over seven years of experience in food, beverage, health, fitness, and…
Elevate your coffee game with these 5 best manual grinders
Once you grind your own beans, you won't go back
coffee grinder

There's a time and a place for pre-ground bagged coffee, which offers convenience for those busy mornings when you want a fast cup of coffee. But true coffee enthusiasts swear by grinding their beans. Grinding your own coffee beans sounds like a big hurdle if you've never done it before, but it's fairly simple once you get the hang of it. Not only does grinding your coffee beans result in a better-tasting and fresher cup of coffee, but it also allows you more flexibility to fine-tune your brew to perfection. Check out the 5 best manual coffee grinders in 2024 as you embark on your newfound coffee journey.
5 best manual coffee grinders

A manual coffee grinder is a must if you want to start grinding your coffee beans. These grinders are compact and lightweight and offer manual control over the grinding process. Below are some favorites, selected based on their performance and ease of use.
VSSL Java coffee grinder

Read more
Exploring volcanic coffee: Why soil and climate matter for flavor
Why coffee from volcanic regions differ from other specialty coffees
Volcanica Coffee

As you may have guessed, volcanic coffee is grown in regions near active volcanoes. The soil used to grow volcanic coffee creates the ideal environment for growing coffee plants. With rich soil and perfect climate conditions, companies like Volcanica Coffee have identified a rich opportunity to create delicious coffee by growing coffee in these volcanic regions. But what makes volcanic coffee, also sometimes known as Hawaiian coffee, different from other specialty coffees?

To learn more, we got the inside scoop from Maurice Contreras, CEO and Founder of Volcanica Coffee. We asked him all about what sets volcanic coffee apart from other coffees and why the nutrients in the soil make an impactful difference in the coffee's final flavor. Here's what he had to share about volcanic coffee.
What distinguishes the flavor profile of coffee beans grown in volcanic regions?

Read more
Brew a bolder cup: How to make pour-over coffee stronger
Learn how to perfect the process
Pour-over coffee

If you like your morning pour-over coffee bold and strong, it can take some trial and error to adjust your brew to your liking. The art of pour-over coffee is unique, creating a balanced, rich, and complex coffee flavor that stands out from other brewing methods. But what do you do when your pour-over coffee keeps coming out too weak?

Making a few small adjustments to your pour-over brewing process can easily improve the strength of your final cup of coffee. For example, you can adjust your water-to-coffee ratio, grind your own beans, and ensure the proper water temperature for your brew. Here are our best suggestions on how to make pour-over coffee stronger.
How to make pour-over coffee stronger

Read more