A double shot of espresso contains around 60-100 mg of caffeine on average. The exact amount can vary based on the coffee beans used, the roasting process, and how the shot is pulled. Generally speaking, a double shot will contain roughly twice as much caffeine as a regular single shot of espresso.
What is a Double Shot of Espresso?
A double shot of espresso is made by pulling two regular single shots of espresso back to back from the same portafilter. This results in around 60-100 ml of concentrated coffee in the cup. The key differences between a single and double shot are:
- Volume – A double shot contains twice as much coffee volume as a single shot.
- Caffeine – With twice as much coffee, a double also contains roughly twice the caffeine of a single shot.
- Strength – A double shot may have slightly less relative strength and concentration since twice as much water is run through the same amount of ground coffee.
Overall, the double shot is simply a larger, more caffeinated version of the standard single espresso.
Caffeine Content of a Double Shot
The caffeine content of a double shot can range from 60-100 mg per serving. However, on average most double espresso shots contain approximately 80 mg of caffeine. By comparison, a single espresso shot generally contains around 30-50 mg.
Factors that influence the caffeine level include:
- Coffee beans – The variety and roasting process used impacts caffeine levels. Lighter roasts tend to be higher in caffeine.
- Barista technique – The grind size, brewing time, and parameters used to pull the shot affects caffeine content.
- Shot volume – A ‘long’ double shot will have slightly less concentration than a ‘short’ double.
Understanding that caffeine content can vary, most specialty coffee shops aim to stay within the 60-100 mg per double shot range. Anything below 60 mg may provide too little stimulation, while above 100 mg may create an unpleasantly jittery feeling.
How Much Caffeine is in Espresso vs. Brewed Coffee?
Espresso contains significantly more caffeine per volume compared to regular brewed coffee. This is because espresso uses a much higher coffee to water ratio. While brewed coffee averages 12-16 mg per fluid ounce, espresso provides around 60-100 mg per ounce.
To compare caffeine content across serving sizes:
| Beverage | Serving Size | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Brewed coffee | 12 oz | 120-180 |
| Single espresso | 1.5 oz | 45-75 |
| Double espresso | 3 oz | 60-100 |
As shown, despite being a much smaller volume, the espresso shots contain similar or greater caffeine as a full mug of 12 oz brewed coffee. So while brewed coffee provides more overall volume, espresso is far more concentrated in terms of caffeine per ounce.
Caffeine Content of Espresso-Based Drinks
Understanding the caffeine content of straight espresso shots provides a baseline for calculating caffeine across espresso-based drinks.
For example:
- A 12 oz Starbucks Caffè Latte contains typically 2 shots of espresso with steamed milk. With around 150mg total, most of the caffeine comes from the espresso.
- A 16 oz Starbucks Caffè Mocha contains 2 shots of espresso plus chocolate syrup and steamed milk. Total caffeine is around 175mg, again mostly coming from the two shots.
- A Small 16 oz Dunkin Donuts Iced Coffee has 198mg caffeine. About half of this comes from its 3-4 shots of espresso.
The espresso is almost always the main caffeine source in popular espresso drinks. Beverages made with just milk and flavor syrups, such a steamed milk or chocolatey drinks, will have minimal caffeine in comparison.
Tips for Increasing Caffeine from Espresso
There are a few ways to boost the caffeine kick from espresso drinks:
- Order a double shot – Doubling up on shots is one of the simplest ways to get more caffeine. A drink with 3-4 shots can provide 150-200mg caffeine.
- Choose a smaller size – Opt for a Tall over a Venti or small over large. Shorter drinks will have more concentrated espresso and caffeine per volume.
- Request extra shots – Adding 1-2 extra shots to any drink substantially increases total caffeine.
- Try a long pull shot – Allowing a shot to run longer extracts more caffeine from the beans (30-50mg vs 15-25mg).
- Choose dark roast beans – Darker roasts may offer slightly more caffeine compared to medium roasts (80mg vs 70mg per double).
Following these tips can help maximize caffeine intake from espresso. However, be mindful of your own caffeine sensitivity and tolerance when deciding how much extra caffeination to add.
Is Caffeine from Espresso Better or Stronger?
While espresso undoubtedly contains more caffeine per ounce compared to drip coffee, the caffeine itself is essentially the same chemical compound (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine).
However, some argue that the caffeine feels stronger from espresso. Reasons for this may include:
- Higher concentration – More caffeine delivered in a smaller volume can increase perceived strength.
- Faster absorption – The high pressure used to extract espresso may allow faster caffeine absorption.
- Pairing with milk – Milk may slow caffeine absorption from drip coffee but not espresso.
- Different composition – Espresso contains more dissolved solids that may interact with caffeine.
While not definitively proven, these factors likely contribute to why caffeine from espresso may provide a quicker and more intense stimulating effect for some coffee drinkers.
Potential Health Effects of High Caffeine Intake
While moderate caffeine intake up to 400mg daily is considered safe for most healthy adults, exceeding this level on a regular basis can lead to negative effects including:
- Jitters, anxiety, nervousness
- Insomnia, sleep disturbances
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Gastrointestinal issues
- High blood pressure
- Withdrawal symptoms (headaches, fatigue, irritability, depressed mood)
Pregnant women and individuals sensitive to caffeine also have increased risk of side effects at much lower intakes.
To reduce chances of adverse effects, aim to cap caffeine from all food and beverage sources to 400mg per day maximum. This equates to approximately 4-5 regular cups of coffee or 2-3 double espresso drinks.
Tips for Limiting Caffeine Intake
Strategies to cut back on excess caffeine include:
- Gradually reduce intake over time.
- Replace some coffee with lower caffeine teas.
- Choose single shots or smaller espresso drinks.
- Avoid energy drinks and caffeine supplements.
- Limit intake after 2pm to avoid disrupting sleep.
- Substitute decaf espresso to get a similar coffee taste and ritual.
Be aware that abruptly stopping heavy caffeine intake can induce withdrawal symptoms. Taper consumption gradually over several weeks instead. Talk to your doctor about managing caffeine-related symptoms.
The Bottom Line
A double shot of espresso contains about 60-100 mg of caffeine. This is roughly double the amount in a single shot, making a double an ideal option for someone looking for a stronger caffeine kick.
While espresso has more caffeine per volume compared to brewed coffee, know that ordering larger sized drinks can make the total caffeine content similar. Understand your own caffeine needs and sensitivities when deciding how many shots to consume.
