The results of a survey, conducted by the National Coffee Association, showed that about 54% of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee. Clearly, most of us love coffee — but exactly how much caffeine are we actually consuming when we indulge in our favorite coffee beverage?
To figure this out, I found the average amount of caffeine per espresso shot, which, according to Kicking Horse Coffee, is about 80mg of caffeine per double shot, meaning there’s about 40mg of caffeine per single shot of espresso. Kicking Horse Coffee also provides data on the caffeine content of drip coffee, estimating that a 12oz coffee has about 120mg of caffeine in it, so 1oz of drip coffee has approximately 10mg of caffeine. Plus, for the purpose of this article, I’m going to say that a small (8oz) and medium (12oz) size drink usually has two shots of espresso and a large (16oz) drink usually has three shots.
So, you do the math and figure out how much caffeine you actually consume. Just kidding, I’ll do the math. Read on to figure out exactly what goes into, caffeine-wise, our coffee drinks.
Espresso
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Some people like their espresso straight up, with no garnishes or milk or foam, nada. While very strong tasting, getting your caffeine fix this way is super effective, as you can just toss it back and be done with it. Plus, in most European countries, like Italy for example, it’s very common for people to order their espresso straight up and slowly sip it at the espresso bar.
One shot = 40mg of caffeine
Two shots = 80mg of caffeine
Americano
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The Americano is a coffee drink that consists of espresso and hot water. It is rumored to be named the “Americano” after being created in WWII, when American soldiers just couldn’t deal with Europe’s way of drinking plain espresso, so they added water to dilute it and make it easier to drink.
Small/Medium = 80mg of caffeine
Large = 120mg of caffeine
Cappuccino
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Cappuccinos consist of espresso, a tiny bit of steamed milk, and then loads of foam. As one of the more indulgent coffee drinks, I sincerely hope you’re eating a croissant with it.
Small/Medium = 80mg of caffeine
Large = 120mg of caffeine
Latte
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Lattes are probably the most popular coffee drink, and there’s a reason for that — they’re damn good. Nothing better than some espresso with loads of warm milk and a little bit of foam on top to start your day off.
Small/Medium = 80mg of caffeine
Large = 120mg of caffeine
Mocha
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A mocha is basically a latte, just with chocolate syrup (or powder, or whatever, depending on where you get your drink) added to, and then thoroughly mixed with, the espresso before the milk and foam are added.
Small/Medium = 80mg of caffeine
Large = 120mg of caffeine
Caffe con Leche
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A Spanish coffee drink, the caffe con leche is literally a drink that’s half coffee and half hot milk, thus making it surprisingly creamy and delicious and easy to drink.
Small = 40mg of caffeine
Medium = 60mg of caffeine
Large = 80mg of caffeine
Caffe Breve
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Want some coffee with your cream? The caffe breve is a coffee drink that’s espresso, with steamed half n’ half and then a bit of milk foam on top, which is sometimes just what you need to numb the pain that is waking up in the morning.
Small/Medium = 80mg of caffeine
Large = 120mg of caffeine
Red Eye
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If you’re in college, then you know what the Red Eye is and that it is the ultimate caffeinated drink. Daunting, yes, but sometimes this coffee drink, of drip coffee with espresso shots, is the only way you’re able to stay up to finish that damn paper you put off until the last minute for some reason, again. You wonder, as you sip, why the hell you keep doing this to yourself, but alas, the universe does not respond.
Small = 160mg of caffeine
Medium = 200mg of caffeine
Large = 180mg of caffeine
Espresso Macchiato
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The espresso macchiato is basically just a shot of espresso, but with a little dollop of milk foam on top. Drinking espresso this way still gives you that super strong espresso taste, but just with a tiny bit of creaminess to make it all that much more pleasant.
Small/Medium = 80mg of caffeine
Large = 120mg of caffeine
Drip Coffee
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Other than the red eye, good ol’ plain drip coffee is one of the coffee drinks that have a higher caffeine content. So, if your motivation for having a coffee drink is based purely on your need for caffeine, drip coffee is the way to go. Plus, it’s usually a lot cheaper than any kind of fancy espresso drink.
Small = 80mg of caffeine
Medium = 120mg of caffeine
Large = 160mg of caffeine
Of course, actual caffeine content varies from brand to brand of coffee— but nonetheless, this is a good guide to go by for when you need caffeine to get your sh*t done.