Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Espresso?

Cold brew is tasty, delicious and delightful, but does cold brew have more caffeine than espresso?

The quick and easy answer for those of you that are busy is yes, cold brew does have more caffeine than espresso.

But how much more and why?

Keep reading to find out!

Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Espresso?

Yes, cold brew coffee has a higher caffeine content than espresso and a regular cup of coffee too. Even though caffeine is much easier extracted from coffee using hot water and a shot of espresso has a high concentration of coffee with a coffee to water ratio of 1:1.5 the volume, a single 1 oz (30 ml).

The volume plays a large role in the total amount of caffeine in a beverage.

What is undeniable is that an espresso has more caffeine on a per-volume basis but not in terms of total caffeine content.

For example, here is how much caffeine you can expect in a cold brew coffee at Starbucks:

• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml) Cold Brew: 155 mg; 43 mg per 100 ml (12.91 mg per Oz).
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml) Cold Brew: 205 mg; 42 mg per 100 ml (12.81 per Oz).
• Venti 24 Oz (720 ml) Cold Brew: 310 mg; 43 mg per 100 ml (12.91 mg per Oz).
• Trenta 30 Oz (900 ml) Cold Brew: 360 mg; 40 mg per 100 ml (12 mg per Oz).

A single shot of espresso has 75 mg of caffeine, that’s 75 mg per ounce or 250 mg per 100 ml. In terms of caffeine content, an espresso has more per volume but far less total caffeine content due to the small volume used to make a shot of espresso.

Read: Espresso concentrate

Is Cold Brew Stronger Than Espresso

In terms of flavor, body and taste, an espresso drink served as a single or double shot has a much stronger and more dominating flavor, fuller body and generally speaking a richer taste. As cold brew coffee, while still a very tasty and delicious beverage, it’s a very mellow, very well-rounded and balanced flavor.

So,

as far as flavor goes, an espresso has a much stronger taste. In terms of caffeine, it is not. A cold brew has a notable higher total caffeine content.

Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than A Latte?

Yes, cold brew coffee has more caffeine than both a latte and an iced latte. The short and tall lattes both have a single shot of espresso while a Grande and Venti are brewed with a double shot.

This means the total caffeine content of a latte ranges from 75 mg to 150 mg which is less than the smallest drink size available for a cold brew coffee at Starbucks.

Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Regular Coffee?

Assuming that regular coffee is Pike Place brewed coffee at Starbucks it is fair and absolutely correct to say that regular coffee has more caffeine than cold brew coffee for all drink sizes.

Pike Place Brewed coffee caffeine content for all drink sizes is as follows:

• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml): 235 mg.
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml): 310 mg.
• Venti 20* Oz (600 ml): 410 mg.

Cold Brewed coffee caffeine content is as follows:

• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml) Cold Brew: 205 mg.
• Venti 24 Oz (720 ml) Cold Brew: 310 mg.
• Trenta 30 Oz (900 ml) Cold Brew: 360 mg.

Clearly, each drink size there is more caffeine in brewed coffee at Starbucks. This puts emphasis on how effective hot water extraction is as there is far less coffee use in a brewed coffee than cold-brewed coffee. The coffee to water ratio for brewed coffee is 1:16 while cold brew coffee is a more concentrated 1:8

*Cold and iced beverages a Venti is 24 Oz (720 ml), while for regular hot beverages a Venti is 20 Oz (600 ml).

Read: Cold brew vs Americano

Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Iced Coffee?

Yes, cold brew has more caffeine than iced coffee. An iced coffee contains 2 to 4 shots of espresso, resulting in a total caffeine content of 150 mg to 300 mg of caffeine. While, for the same drink sizes, a cold brew ranges from 155 mg to 360 mg.

How Much Caffeine Is In Cold Brew Starbucks?

The caffeine content in Starbucks cold brew coffee ranges from 155 mg to 360 mg, making a drink with a good caffeine kick.

Cold brew caffeine content at Starbucks:

• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml): 205 mg.
• Venti 24 Oz (720 ml): 310 mg.
• Trenta 30 Oz (900 ml): 360 mg.

Be wary of the large trenta and venti drink sizes as the 310 mg and 360 mg of caffeine are very close to the recommended daily maximum caffeine intake of 400 mg for adults and over the maximum amount for pregnant ladies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Espresso?

Is Cold Brew More Stronger Than Espresso?

Yes, despite the smoother and more balanced rounded flavor, cold brew coffee has a greater caffeine content than even a double shot of espresso. A tall 12 ounce (360 ml) cold brew coffee at Starbucks has 155 mg of caffeine while a doppio, a double espresso has 150 milligrams of caffeine.

The long cold water extraction is good at extracting the caffeine.

How Much Caffeine Is In Cold Brew Compared To Espresso?

Cold-brewed coffee has a lot more caffeine than a single shot of espresso, as a large factor in the amount of caffeine that coffee has is the volume and having a greater liquid volume most coffee drinks have a greater amount of total caffeine than espresso shots.

• Tall 12 Oz (360 ml): 155 mg.
• Grande 16 Oz (480 ml): 205 mg.
• Venti 24 Oz (720 ml): 310 mg
• Trenta 30 Oz (900 ml): 360 mg.

Compared to a shot of espresso which has 75 mg per 1 oz (30 ml) shot. To get more granular, a shot of espresso has more caffeine on a per-ounce basis.

Is Cold Brew Higher In Caffeine?

Yes, cold brew is a highly caffeinated beverage and has more caffeine than other coffee beverages. The reason that it has a high caffeine content is the very focused coffee to water ratio of 1:8.

If you have doubts about this brewing method having high concentrations of caffeine, check the table below.

When compared to popular beverages at Starbucks, cold brew coffee is highly caffeinated.

Read: Cold brew espresso

Does Starbucks Cold Brew Or Espresso Have More Caffeine?

At Starbucks, cold brew coffee has more caffeine than a shot of espresso, and slightly more than a double espresso.

Is Cold Brew The Healthiest Way To Drink Coffee?

Cold brew coffee is every bit as healthy as regular coffee, which is the claim and statement made by Frank Hu, a nutrition expert from the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health.

Personally, I’d edge towards saying that it is a little healthier than other brewing methods due to the high concentration of coffee and the cold water extraction. The cold water extraction may result in more antioxidant content.

How Many Shots Of Espresso Is Cold Brew Equivalent To?

A tall 12 oz (360 ml) serving of cold brew is almost equal to two shots of espresso. A large Venti 24 Oz (720 ml) is the equivalent (more or less) to 4 shots of espresso.

Final Thoughts – Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Espresso?

If you are skimming and skiing down for the answer to does cold brew have more caffeine than espresso, the answer was given above a few times.

Yes! There is significantly more caffeine in cold brew coffee than an espresso shot. The reason being the volume of beverage served.

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Derek Marshall

Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location