Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant that occurs naturally in coffee beans, tea leaves, and other plants. It’s also added to many foods and drinks, including soda, energy bars, and — of course — espresso. So how much caffeine in a shot of espresso? And what are the effects of caffeine? Read on to find out.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is Espresso?
- 2 History Of Espresso
- 3 What Does The ‘Shot’ Of Espresso Mean?
- 4 How Much Caffeine In A Shot of Espresso?
- 5 How Much Caffeine In A Double Shot Of Espresso?
- 6 When Does Caffeine Become Harmful?
- 7 What Causes Caffeine Variation During Extraction Process?
- 8 Espresso With The Least Caffeine
- 9 Espresso With The Highest Caffeine
- 10 FAQ: Caffeine In Espresso
- 10.1 How much caffeine is in a standard espresso shot?
- 10.2 Is espresso healthier than drip coffee?
- 10.3 Is 3 shots of espresso a lot of caffeine?
- 10.4 Is an espresso shot equivalent to a cup of coffee?
- 10.5 How strong are 2 espresso shots?
- 10.6 Is 4 shots of espresso a lot?
- 10.7 Is it OK to drink espresso everyday?
- 10.8 Why can I drink espresso but not coffee?
- 10.9 When should you not drink espresso?
- 10.10 Is 2 espressos a day OK?
- 10.11 How much espresso per day is OK?
- 10.12 How long does 3 shots of espresso stay in your system?
- 10.13 Why is espresso so strong?
- 10.14 Is espresso just strong coffee?
- 10.15 Is espresso just fine coffee?
- 10.16 Will an espresso shot wake me up?
- 10.17 Is espresso coffee healthy?
- 10.18 What is stronger than an espresso?
- 10.19 How many shots of espresso does it take to stay awake?
- 11 Conclusion: Caffeine In Espresso
What Is Espresso?
Espresso is a type of coffee that’s made by forcing small amounts of hot, pressurized water through finely ground coffee beans. This process creates a strong flavor and concentrated form of coffee, which can be enjoyed alone or used as the base for popular drinks like cappuccinos and lattes.

History Of Espresso
Espresso has a long and fascinating history. It is said to have evolved in Italy during the 19th century when Luigi Bezzera invented the innovative coffee machine that used steam pressure to quickly brew coffee. By 1901, Gaggia had further refined the concept of espresso by introducing a lever-operated machine that used even more pressure — up to nine atmospheres — to create a layer of crema on top.
What Does The ‘Shot’ Of Espresso Mean?
A ‘shot’ of espresso refers to the amount of espresso created by a single cycle of an espresso machine. Usually, this is between 1-2 ounces (or 30-60ml) — depending on how much water is used. This shot can be enjoyed alone or added to other drinks for flavor.
How Much Caffeine In A Shot of Espresso?
Espresso contains more caffeine than regular brewed coffee. A single shot of espresso contains about 63mg of caffeine, while a cup of regular coffee typically contains around 95mg. Of course, this amount can vary depending on the brand and type of beans used, as well as the size of the ‘shot’.

How Much Caffeine In A Double Shot Of Espresso?
A double shot of espresso contains around 126mg of caffeine. This is an increase from the 63mg you get in a single shot — but still far less than the 200-300mg you’d find in energy drinks or pre-workout supplements.
When Does Caffeine Become Harmful?
Caffeine can be beneficial in moderation, but too much can lead to side effects like restlessness, insomnia, and jitteriness. The upper limit of caffeine intake is considered to be 400mg per day — which is around four shots of espresso!
Overall, a shot of espresso contains a moderate amount of caffeine that can help boost alertness and energy levels — without the associated risks of over-consumption. So, enjoy your espresso with a little moderation!
What Causes Caffeine Variation During Extraction Process?
The amount of caffeine extracted from espresso depends on a variety of factors, including the type and quality of the beans used, grinding size, water temperature, and extraction time. For instance, finer grind sizes will yield higher levels of caffeine than coarser grinds.
On the other hand, high-quality beans tend to contain more caffeine — so using good-quality beans can help ensure that you get the desired amount of caffeine.
Additionally, water temperature plays an important role — water that’s too hot or too cold can affect extraction and lead to varying levels of caffeine in your espresso.
Finally, the extraction time is also critical — short extractions will result in less caffeine, while longer extractions will release more of it.

Overall, the amount of caffeine in each shot of espresso can vary based on these factors — so be sure to keep an eye on the extraction process to ensure that you’re getting the desired level of caffeine.
Espresso With The Least Caffeine
If you’re looking for a way to enjoy espresso without the associated caffeine, opt for decaffeinated espresso beans.
Decaffeination is a process where the caffeine is removed from coffee beans before they are roasted. This can be done with either chemical or natural methods, making it possible to enjoy your coffee with minimal amounts of caffeine.
Decaffeinated espresso still contains some trace amounts of caffeine, but it’s far less than the regular variety. So if you’re looking to cut down on your caffeine intake, decaffeinated espresso is a great option!
Espresso With The Highest Caffeine
For those looking for a caffeine boost, opt for espresso made with dark-roast beans. Dark roast coffee beans are roasted at high temperatures for longer periods of time, resulting in higher caffeine content — as much as double that of light-roast beans.
Additionally, using freshly ground espresso beans can also help increase the caffeine levels — freshly ground beans will release more caffeine during the extraction process, resulting in a stronger shot.
Overall, dark-roast espresso with freshly ground beans provides the highest amount of caffeine — so if you’re looking for a serious boost, this is your best bet!

FAQ: Caffeine In Espresso
How much caffeine is in a standard espresso shot?
According to USDA nutrition statistics, one ounce of espresso contains 63 mg of caffeine (the amount in one shot). Regular coffee, on the other hand, has 12 to 16 mg of caffeine per ounce on average. That implies espresso has more caffeine per ounce.
Is espresso healthier than drip coffee?
It is also a lot healthier option than the typical forms of coffee that many people consume throughout the day. Instead of adding sweets and creams, espresso may be enjoyed without the unnecessary calories and fats. You can increase your energy without jeopardizing your health.
Is 3 shots of espresso a lot of caffeine?
Limit your espresso consumption to prevent feeling nervous. An average 2-ounce cup of espresso has 128 mg of caffeine, according to the USDA. Given that you’re permitted 400 mg of caffeine per day, that’s around three shots of espresso or four cups of 8 oz. black coffee.
Is an espresso shot equivalent to a cup of coffee?
Each shot of espresso has the caffeine equivalent of one 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee. They are all roughly the same ounce for ounce.
How strong are 2 espresso shots?
One liquid ounce of espresso can contain anywhere from 30 to 50mg of caffeine, according to coffeechemistry.com. That implies a double dose will most likely contain between 60 and 100mg.
Is 4 shots of espresso a lot?
The researchers believe that the caffeine level required for optimal heart health is about four shots of espresso per day, though everyone’s caffeine concentrations will vary. But don’t go overboard.
Is it OK to drink espresso everyday?
Espresso is strong in antioxidants and may be beneficial to your health. In any case, ingesting too much of it might have negative consequences such as anxiety, restlessness, or sleeplessness. Caffeine consumption of 400-600 mg per day, or 2-3 cups of espresso, should have no deleterious consequences.
Why can I drink espresso but not coffee?
However, espresso is recognized for being gentler on the stomach for a few reasons. First, the combination of high pressure and short extraction time results in a different balance of chemical components than a drip or pour over a brew of the same coffee.
When should you not drink espresso?
After 3 p.m., avoid coffee. Some health professionals advise consumers to quit consuming coffee as early as 2 p.m. If you still need a caffeine boost in the late afternoon or evening, try one cup of black tea, which has half the caffeine of coffee, or green tea, which has around one-third the caffeine of coffee.
Is 2 espressos a day OK?
Experts advise drinking no more than 6 espresso shots or 4 cups of coffee per day to reap the benefits of coffee without risking side effects.
How much espresso per day is OK?
The FDA recommends no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, which is approximately 6 espresso shots. Try to stick to less than that to get the health benefits while staying within the healthy limit.
How long does 3 shots of espresso stay in your system?
Caffeine’s full effects will be felt within 15-45 minutes of ingestion. The caffeine will then be broken down by your liver into caffeine metabolites, which you will eventually expel in urine. Caffeine has a half-life of roughly 5-6 hours in a normal adult.
Why is espresso so strong?
A shot of espresso has a stronger taste than a mug of drip coffee. This is most likely due to the lack of a filter, which ensures that none of the flavor-filled oils are wasted. Drip coffee, on the other hand, is milder.
Is espresso just strong coffee?
Espresso and coffee are the same things. Espresso is a coffee kind. It’s a way of brewing coffee that uses high water pressure and finely ground beans to produce a tiny, concentrated shot (the term also refers to the shot itself).
Is espresso just fine coffee?
Espresso is a shot of concentrated coffee created by squeezing very hot water through finely ground coffee beans under high pressure. The definition of espresso highlights two key distinctions between espresso and coffee: the brewing procedure and the grind. Espresso is simply coffee.
Will an espresso shot wake me up?
Espresso has 64mg of caffeine compared to 91mg in 8 ounces of coffee. One shot of espresso can expose you to more caffeine at once than a complete cup of coffee, which, while more caffeinated, will take time to consume.
Is espresso coffee healthy?
Espressos, in particular, are high in antioxidants, which help the immune system. Espresso shots can potentially lower the risk of heart disease and stroke, especially in obese persons. Diabetes can be averted by drinking coffee.
What is stronger than an espresso?
Ristretto has a stronger flavor than espresso. This is because less water is required in the brewing process while using the same amount of ground coffee. The quantity of water used has a significant influence on the flavor characteristic of the coffee.
How many shots of espresso does it take to stay awake?
It depends on the individual, but usually, a single shot of espresso has enough caffeine to provide an energy boost. Multiple shots will make you alert and awake for a longer period of time. It is recommended that you do not exceed 4-5 shots of espresso in a day.
Conclusion: Caffeine In Espresso
Now we believe you know how much espresso in a shot of espresso. Espresso contains a moderate amount of caffeine — around 63mg per single shot and 126mg per double shot. Ultimately, it’s important to keep an eye on extraction time and other factors to ensure that you’re getting the desired amount of caffeine. Enjoy your espresso with a little moderation! Thanks for reading at Dhtavern!
Echo Reed is the owner and head chef of darkhorse restaurant. She has been working in the culinary world for over a decade, and opened her own establishment in 2018. Echo is known for her unique style and approach to cooking, which has won her critical acclaim from food critics and diners alike.