How Much Caffeine Is in a Shot of Espresso? Your 2025 Guide to Smarter Sipping

Keywords: espresso caffeine content, how much caffeine in coffee, espresso vs coffee caffeine, Heypresso portable espresso, caffeine limits

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Whether you're brewing at home with your Heypresso machine or sipping a café-made flat white, it's important to understand just how much caffeine you’re drinking. That little espresso shot might be small, but it packs a powerful punch.

Here’s everything you need to know about caffeine in espresso — including how different beans, brewing techniques and drinks affect your buzz.

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☕ What Is Caffeine and Why Does It Matter?

Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in coffee beans, tea leaves, and cacao pods. It works by blocking adenosine — the chemical in your brain that makes you feel tired — helping you feel more alert and energised.

Most adults can safely consume up to 400mg of caffeine per day. That’s the equivalent of:

• 4–5 cups of brewed coffee

• 6–7 espresso shots

Everyone reacts differently though, so if you're feeling jittery or struggling with sleep, it might be time to reduce your intake.

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🔍 What Counts as a Shot of Espresso?

A standard espresso shot is about 30ml (1 oz) of concentrated coffee, created by forcing hot water through finely ground beans under high pressure. This quick extraction captures the full flavour — and the caffeine — in seconds.

Espresso Shot Types:

• Single shot (Solo) – 1 oz, standard serving

• Double shot (Doppio) – 2 oz, common base for lattes and cappuccinos

• Ristretto – Uses less water, stronger taste, slightly less caffeine

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⚡ So, How Much Caffeine in a Shot?

On average, a single shot of espresso contains around 63mg of caffeine. But that number isn’t fixed — it can vary from 30mg to 100mg depending on a few key factors:

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🫘 1. Bean Variety

• Robusta beans have nearly double the caffeine of Arabica beans

• Robusta: ~2.7% caffeine

• Arabica: ~1.5% caffeine

If you’re chasing a bigger kick, blends with Robusta beans will deliver.

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🔥 2. Roast Level

• Contrary to popular belief, light roasts have slightly more caffeine than dark roasts

• Longer roasting breaks down caffeine slightly, even though dark roasts taste stronger

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⚙️ 3. Grind, Tamping & Pressure

• Finer grind + tighter tamp = slower extraction, more caffeine

• A 9-bar pressure machine (like Heypresso) extracts an ideal balance of strength and flavour

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💧 4. Water Temperature & Volume

Hotter water extracts more caffeine. A longer pull (with more water) will increase overall content, but might dilute flavour.

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☕ Espresso vs Regular Coffee: Which Is Stronger?

• Espresso is more concentrated — 63mg in just 1oz

• Drip coffee has more caffeine overall — ~95mg in an 8oz cup

But espresso drinks like flat whites, cappuccinos, and lattes often contain 2 shots (126mg), meaning you're getting more caffeine than a typical brewed coffee.

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⚖️ Factors That Impact Caffeine in Your Cup

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🧠 How Caffeine Affects You

In small doses, caffeine improves mood, alertness, and reaction time.

Too much, however, can cause:

• Jitters or anxiety

• Upset stomach

• Insomnia

• Racing heart

• Headaches

If you regularly feel these symptoms after your espresso, try reducing your number of shots or switching to a blend with more Arabica.

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🚀 Know Your Espresso, Control Your Energy

Your average espresso has 63mg of caffeine, but the strength of your shot depends on what you’re brewing, how you're brewing it, and how many shots you’re having.

Here’s what to remember:

• Stick to a 400mg daily limit to avoid side effects

• Use your Heypresso machine to control grind, temperature, and extraction

• Choose lighter roasts if you want more caffeine, and blends with Robusta for an extra kick

• Drink mindfully — notice how your body responds and adjust accordingly

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📸 Show Us How You Brew It

Brewing your own espresso? Testing your limit with a double shot flat white?
We’d love to see it.

Tag @hey.presso on Instagram and show us your espresso game!