How Much Caffeine Is In A Double Shot?

Learning how much caffeine is in a double shot will help you to stay within the recommended daily limits and avoid the unpleasant effects of caffeine toxicity.

The amount varies due to a few key factors, but not by much; we will talk about what affects the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee and in an espresso in this article.

For those of you who are in a rush – there is between 130 mg to 150 mg per espresso double shot.

Keep reading to get the details!

How Much Caffeine In An Espresso Shot At A Regular Coffee Shop

An espresso at a regular coffee shop has 65 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce (30 ml) in comparison to a regular cup of coffee, which has 12 to 16 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce (30 ml).

This means that there is more caffeine in espresso on a once for ounce basis since a shot of espresso contains 65 mg per fluid ounce (30 ml) whereas a regular cup of coffee has from 12 to 16 milligrams of caffeine per ounce, but you are drinking more, typically 8 to 12 ounces (240 ml to 360 ml) and thus has 96 milligrams at the lower end of the scale and an 8 ounce cup size to192 milligrams at the higher end and a 12 ounce cup size.

There is also a variation in amount of caffeine depending on the brewing method, the type of coffee beans, the roast level and the size of the drink served.

Read: How much caffeine is in the Starbucks Doubleshot Energy?

How Much Caffeine In Espresso Shot Starbucks?

At Starbucks, an espresso shot, well brewed with their Pike Palace and served by their barista, has 75 mg of caffeine, a little more than the average shot of coffee.

Starbucks Espresso And Cream Caffeine

There is the same amount of caffeine in this drink as there is without milk or cream. The addition of cream does not alter the caffeine content in any way at all.

How Much Caffeine Is In A Double Shot Of Espresso?

It stands to perfect reason that a double shot of espresso at a regular coffee shop has twice as much caffeine as a single espresso. That is perfect thinking as twice as much coffee grounds are used to brew it. The average double shot of espresso has 130 milligrams of caffeine.

At Starbucks, when using their Pike Place coffee beans, a double espresso has 150 milligrams.

Read: Starbucks Doubleshot espresso calories

How Much Caffeine Should You Have In A Day?

The FDA and other government health agencies around the world like the NHS in the UK state 400 milligrams as the maximum limit that you should have in a single day.

That is a pretty safe limit and most people and people won’t go over that or may do so only by small margin when drinking coffee in a normal regular manner. It is 4 or 5 cups of regular coffee per day.

The amount of course depends on each individual’s caffeine tolerance, sensitivity. Certain medical conditions will affect how much caffeine you can have in a single day, pregnancy for example, during pregnancy it is suggested that you consume no more than 200 milligrams per day.

2 Shots Espresso Caffeine Pregnancy

Studies suggest that consumption of caffeine during the early stages of pregnancy has a greater effect than the later stages.

Higher amounts of caffeine may augment the risk of miscarriage or still birth.

If you are to consume caffeinated drinks, limit your caffeine intake to half the recommended 400 milligrams per day.

2 Shots of espresso at Starbucks has 150 mg and 130 mg at a regular coffee shop and thus keeps you under the 200 milligram daily limit.

Read: Starbucks Doubleshot Energy Caffeine

Frequently Asked Questions About How Much Caffeine Is In A Double Shot

Is 2 Shots Of Caffeine A Lot?

A standard serving of espresso, that is well brewed and adhering to a good coffee to water ratio of 1:1.5 or 1:2 will have approximately 65 mg, and thus 130 mg for a double shot.

At Starbucks, a single shot of espresso has 75 milligrams of caffeine and thus a Starbucks double shot of espresso will have 150 milligrams.

There is an obvious variation in the amount of caffeine depending on a number of variables, including the coffee beans used, the roast, the extraction rate, temperature to name a few.

Is 150 mg Of Caffeine A Lot?

Yes, even for regular coffee drinks and coffee lovers that drink, one, two, three and even more cups of coffee per day will find 150 milligrams of caffeine to be an adequate and notable amount for caffeinated beverages.

It is the equivalent of two shots of espresso or a reasonably well caffeinated drink and slightly more than a 15 ounce (450 ml) which has 135 milligrams of caffeine.

150 mg is well below, less than half of the recommended daily maximum caffeine consumption per day of 400 milligrams.

How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?

More than 400 milligrams of caffeine is considered to be too much by doctors and medical professionals as well as government health agencies. Naturally, at Latte Love Brew we strongly advise that you stick to those suggested caffeine levels.

400 milligrams of caffeine is the equivalent of more than 2 double shots of espresso at Starbucks or 5 single shots of espresso from Starbucks, or 4 regular 8 ounce (240 ml) of coffee, or 3x 12 ounces (360 ml) latte.

It is suggested that children and teenagers do not exceed 100 milligrams of caffeine per day.

How Much Long Does A Caffeine Crash Last?

A caffeine crash is usually the result of drinking caffeine too close to your bedtime and causing sleeplessness. Caffeine has a half-life of 6 hours, meaning half the caffeine from the coffee or energy drink that you had is still in your system 6 hours later and a quarter of it is still there 12 hours later. 

The effect of caffeine varies from person to person and depends on each person’s sensitivity. For some people 20 milligrams is a lot, for others 150 to 200 milligrams is normal.

When the stimulation weans a person can feel sluggish, unfocused and less alert and fatigued. Extreme fatigue, irritability, headache or unable to concentrate when the effects of caffeine wear off are a sign of a caffeine crash or addiction.

How Long Does Caffeine Stay In Your System?

The effects of caffeine are felt usually after 15 min to 20 mins after consumption depending on the person and usually reach their peak within 60 min.

Caffeine stays in your system for a long time, it halves every 6 hours and can take as long as 10 to 12 hours to leave your body completely.

How Much Caffeine Is In A Double Shot Coffee?

A double shot of espresso will have an average of 130 mg to 150 mg of caffeine. At Starbucks a double espresso, also known as a doppio has 150 mg of caffeine.

Is 200 Mg Of Caffeine A Lot?

200 mg of caffeine is bang on the limit that pregnant ladies should consume in a single day and half of what non-pregnant ladies and adults can consume in a single day. 200 mg in a single drink will provide a good level of stimulation.

How Long Does 2 Shots Of Caffeine Last?

2 shots of caffeine will last on average 5 to 6 hours for a the average person. The exact time will vary slightly form person to person based on their own metabolism and their own metabolic rate.

Final Thoughts – How Much Caffeine Is In A Double Shot?

If you have read this far, you know exactly how much caffeine is in a double shot of espresso from a regular coffee shop and from the world’s leading coffee outlet – Starbucks.

Drink sensible and stick to the 400 mg daily limit as advised by the FDA and 200 mg if you are expecting.

Join our fun, free and very friendly coffee community where we discuss everything about coffee and great beans to try out!

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