How much caffeine is in 2 shots of espresso at Starbucks?

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Starbucks' official nutritional data, two shots of their standard espresso contain approximately 150 milligrams of caffeine. This makes the concentrated doppio a powerful and quick source of energy for many coffee lovers, but understanding the precise amount is key for managing your daily intake.

Quick Summary

A double shot of espresso at Starbucks contains 150 milligrams of caffeine. The exact amount can vary slightly depending on the specific espresso roast, but this is the reported standard. This concentrated caffeine dose is a common component in many popular Starbucks beverages, from lattes to cappuccinos. Knowing this figure helps manage daily consumption.

Key Points

150mg Standard: Two shots of standard Starbucks espresso, a doppio, contain 150 milligrams of caffeine.
Blonde is Stronger: If ordered with Blonde Espresso, two shots contain approximately 170mg of caffeine.
Not Highest Caffeine: Contrary to its concentrated strength, a double espresso shot has less total caffeine than many brewed coffee sizes at Starbucks, such as a grande Pike Place Roast.
Consistency Assured: Starbucks maintains consistent caffeine levels in its espresso shots through standardized brewing processes.
Total Intake Matters: For drinks like lattes, the espresso shots determine the caffeine content, but the drink is less concentrated due to the added milk.
Daily Moderation: A double espresso is a moderate amount of caffeine, well within the 400mg daily limit recommended by the FDA.

Standard Caffeine Content in a Doppio

At Starbucks, a standard double shot of espresso, also known as a doppio, contains 150 milligrams of caffeine. This consistency is maintained by the company's standardized brewing methods, which ensure that each shot, regardless of the individual barista, meets this specification. A single shot contains 75mg of caffeine, so doubling up gives you exactly 150mg.

Comparing Espresso with Brewed Coffee

While espresso is highly concentrated, it is not always the most caffeinated option per serving size at Starbucks. A standard grande (16oz) Pike Place Roast, for example, contains 310mg of caffeine, which is significantly more than a doppio. The perception of a bigger 'kick' from espresso is often due to the speed of consumption—a small, concentrated espresso is consumed much faster than a large cup of brewed coffee.

Factors Affecting Espresso Caffeine Levels

Though Starbucks maintains a standard, the caffeine content in espresso can be influenced by several variables in general coffee science, from bean type to extraction method.

Coffee Bean Type: Robusta beans naturally contain more caffeine than Arabica beans. While Starbucks primarily uses high-quality Arabica beans, different roasts or blends could have subtle variations.
Roast Level: Contrary to what many believe, lighter roasts can actually have slightly more caffeine than darker roasts. The longer roasting process burns off a small amount of caffeine. Starbucks' Blonde Espresso, for instance, contains 85mg per shot, which is more than their standard 75mg.
Brewing Parameters: Variables like grind size, water temperature, and extraction time can affect how much caffeine is extracted. The tightly controlled processes at Starbucks minimize these fluctuations, ensuring consistency for their customers.

Starbucks Espresso and Caffeine Content Comparison

This table compares the standard caffeine content of two shots of espresso with other popular Starbucks drinks to provide context for your caffeine intake.


Drink (Grande - 16oz)	Espresso Shots	Caffeine (mg)
Caffè Latte	2	150
Cappuccino	2	150
Flat White	2 ristretto shots	195
Caffè Americano	3	225
Pike Place Roast (Brewed Coffee)	N/A	310
Blonde Roast (Brewed Coffee)	N/A	360
Cold Brew	N/A	205
Iced Caramel Macchiato	2	150

Making an Informed Decision

Understanding the caffeine content of your drink allows you to tailor your order to your needs. If you want a more potent, concentrated caffeine boost, the double shot of espresso is an excellent choice. However, if your goal is simply to maximize caffeine intake, a standard brewed blonde roast coffee is the superior option. For those looking for a milder effect, espresso drinks with milk, like lattes or cappuccinos, contain the same amount of caffeine as two espresso shots but are consumed over a longer period.

Conclusion

In summary, the standard caffeine content in 2 shots of espresso at Starbucks is 150mg. This precise measurement makes it easy for consumers to track their intake, whether they enjoy it as a simple doppio or as the base of a more complex beverage. While factors like roast and bean type can affect caffeine levels in a general sense, Starbucks' consistency is reliable. Always consider the total amount of caffeine in your drink, especially when adding extra shots or comparing it to other high-caffeine offerings like cold brew or hot brewed coffee.

The Verdict on Starbucks' Double Espresso

Standard Caffeine: Two shots of standard Starbucks espresso contain 150mg of caffeine.
Blonde Roast: Two shots of Blonde Espresso will contain slightly more caffeine, approximately 170mg.
Drink Variations: The caffeine content from espresso shots remains the same regardless of what milk or flavoring is added to your drink.
High Concentration: Per ounce, espresso has a much higher concentration of caffeine than brewed coffee, despite having a lower overall caffeine count per serving for larger sizes.
Daily Limit: The recommended daily caffeine limit for most adults is 400mg, meaning two espresso shots are a moderate amount of that total.

Authoritative Outbound Link

For further reading on how caffeine affects the body, consult the medical insights provided by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a double shot of Starbucks espresso (150mg) typically has less total caffeine than a standard 16oz cup of Starbucks brewed coffee, like the Pike Place Roast (310mg). However, the espresso is far more concentrated.

A Starbucks latte containing two shots of standard espresso will have approximately 150mg of caffeine, as the milk and flavoring do not alter the caffeine content from the espresso base.

Yes, a shot of Blonde Espresso at Starbucks contains 85mg of caffeine, compared to 75mg in their standard espresso shot. This means two shots of Blonde Espresso provide 170mg of caffeine.

Yes, each additional shot of standard espresso will add another 75mg of caffeine to your beverage. You can customize your drink by asking for extra shots to increase the caffeine boost.

Yes, Starbucks offers decaf espresso. A single decaf shot contains a minimal amount of caffeine, typically around 10mg, with a double shot containing about 20mg.

A doppio is simply the Italian term for a double shot of espresso. At Starbucks, these terms are used interchangeably and both refer to a 1.5 oz serving with 150mg of caffeine.

A grande (16oz) Starbucks Cold Brew has 205mg of caffeine, making it more caffeinated than a double shot of standard espresso (150mg). The extraction process for cold brew naturally results in a higher caffeine content.