Nutrition Diet Guide: What alcohol has caffeine? Decoding Caffeinated Beverages

October 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the CDC, people who mix alcohol with energy drinks are more likely to engage in binge drinking and other risky behaviors. Understanding what alcohol has caffeine? is therefore a critical step in making informed choices and prioritizing your health over a temporary, often-misleading, energetic buzz.

Quick Summary

This guide reveals which beverages contain both alcohol and caffeine, from popular mixed drinks to specific beer styles. It details the significant health risks of combining stimulants with depressants, including masked intoxication and increased consumption, to help individuals make safer, more conscious dietary decisions.

Key Points

Masks Intoxication: The stimulant effect of caffeine can conceal how drunk you are, promoting higher alcohol consumption and increased risk.
FDA Banned Pre-Mixes: In 2010, the FDA banned pre-packaged caffeinated alcoholic beverages, citing health risks associated with masking intoxication.
Handcrafted Cocktails Still Contain Caffeine: Cocktails mixed in-house, like the Espresso Martini or Vodka Red Bull, still combine alcohol with caffeinated ingredients.
Coffee Stouts Vary: The caffeine content in coffee-flavored craft beers is not uniform and depends on the specific brewing process, so always verify the content.
Health Risks Include Binge Drinking: Mixing caffeine and alcohol significantly increases the likelihood of binge drinking and subsequent risks, such as alcohol poisoning.
Cardiovascular Strain: Combining both alcohol and caffeine can elevate blood pressure and heart rate, putting dangerous stress on the heart.
No Sobering Effect: Caffeine does not reduce your blood alcohol concentration or speed up the metabolization of alcohol; it only makes you feel more alert while remaining impaired.

The Surprising Caffeinated Cocktails

While pure, distilled alcohol like vodka or gin does not naturally contain caffeine, a wide array of popular cocktails are made with caffeinated ingredients. These are typically created by mixing a caffeinated beverage with a spirit, making them legal and widely available, unlike the banned pre-packaged versions. The caffeine in these drinks comes from added energy drinks, coffee, or coffee liqueurs.

Espressos and Liqueurs

Some of the most famous caffeinated drinks are those based on coffee. The Espresso Martini is a prime example, typically containing a shot of espresso alongside vodka and coffee liqueur. A Caffè Corretto is an Italian tradition involving a shot of espresso with a small amount of liquor. Liqueurs like Kahlúa also contain a small amount of caffeine from the coffee beans used in their production. For example, a single Espresso Martini can contain upwards of 60mg of caffeine, depending on the coffee source and preparation.

Energy Drinks and Cola Mixers

Another major source of caffeine in alcoholic drinks is the addition of energy drinks or cola. The Vodka Red Bull is a classic, combining vodka with a can of Red Bull, which typically contains around 60mg of caffeine. A simple Rum and Coke, while containing less caffeine than its energy drink counterparts, still has a small amount from the cola mixer. These drinks, popular in social settings, are often consumed for the perceived effect of staying alert while drinking.

Caffeine in Specialty and Craft Beers

For those who prefer beer, it's worth noting that certain stouts and porters can also contain caffeine. While the vast majority of beers are caffeine-free, some craft brewers add real coffee beans or espresso to create a distinct flavor profile. The caffeine content in these can vary widely, from negligible to concentrations comparable to a cup of coffee. It is important to check with the brewer or look for coffee-related words in the beer's name if you have a caffeine sensitivity. Beers like 'Java Stout' or 'Coffee Porter' are clear indicators. Nitrogenated stouts, like Guinness, are often mistaken for coffee-containing drinks due to their appearance but are, in fact, caffeine-free.

The Dangerous Mix: Why Combining Caffeine and Alcohol is Risky

Mixing a depressant (alcohol) with a stimulant (caffeine) creates a complex and dangerous physiological conflict. The stimulating effect of caffeine can mask the signs of intoxication, such as drowsiness and sluggishness, making you feel less drunk than you actually are. This false sense of alertness can have several serious consequences:

Increased Binge Drinking: Feeling more awake encourages people to drink more, and for longer, leading to higher overall alcohol consumption.
Higher Risk of Alcohol Poisoning: By overriding your body's natural warnings, you are more likely to consume a dangerously high amount of alcohol, which can lead to alcohol poisoning.
Increased Heart Strain: Both caffeine and alcohol can put a strain on your cardiovascular system. The combination can lead to increased blood pressure, a faster heartbeat, and an irregular rhythm.
Dehydration: Both substances are diuretics, causing your body to lose more water through urination. Combining them amplifies this effect, increasing the risk of dehydration.
Poor Judgment and Risk-Taking Behavior: The perceived alertness doesn't improve judgment. Studies show that individuals who mix alcohol and caffeine are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including drunk driving and unprotected sex.

Comparison of Caffeinated Alcoholic Drinks


Drink	Primary Caffeine Source	Typical Caffeine Content (Approx.)	Type of Preparation	Notes
Espresso Martini	Espresso shot, coffee liqueur	60-65mg per drink	Mixed cocktail	Caffeine amount varies by recipe.
Vodka Red Bull	Canned energy drink	60mg per drink	Mixed cocktail	Ratio of ingredients can alter content.
Irish Coffee	Hot coffee	80mg per drink	Mixed cocktail	Uses standard brewed coffee.
Coffee Stout/Porter	Roasted coffee beans	Negligible to significant	Specialty beer	Caffeine content depends on the brewer.
Rum and Coke	Cola	10mg per drink	Mixed cocktail	Caffeine level is relatively low.

The Fate of Pre-packaged Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverages

For a period, pre-mixed caffeinated alcoholic beverages (CABs) were a popular trend, particularly among younger drinkers. Products like Four Loko gained notoriety for their potent combination of alcohol and caffeine. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other health authorities recognized the significant public health risks, particularly the masking of intoxication, and banned the addition of caffeine to these beverages in 2010. The ban effectively removed these pre-mixed cans from the market, although the practice of mixing alcohol with energy drinks or coffee remains a widespread and unregulated behavior.

Conclusion: Informed Choices for a Healthier Diet

Understanding what alcohol has caffeine? is more than just a piece of trivia; it's a vital component of making healthy and safe dietary choices. While the marketing of stimulating alcoholic beverages may appeal to a desire for prolonged social energy, the reality is that the combination is fraught with health risks, from increased binge drinking to cardiovascular strain. Whether it's a specialty beer or a handcrafted cocktail, being aware of all ingredients is essential. Consumers should never rely on caffeine to counteract the effects of alcohol. For a healthier diet and a safer night out, the best approach is moderation, being aware of all ingredients in your drinks, and sticking to alcohol-free alternatives if you want to stay alert.

Learn more about the risks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, drinking coffee or any other form of caffeine will not help you sober up. While caffeine can make you feel more alert, it does not reduce your blood alcohol content. It simply masks the depressant effects of alcohol, which can be dangerous.

An Espresso Martini is a cocktail typically made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and a shot of espresso. It can contain approximately 60-65mg of caffeine, but the amount can vary depending on the specific ingredients and proportions used.

No, not all coffee-flavored beers contain caffeine. Many breweries use roasted malts or other non-caffeinated ingredients to achieve a coffee-like flavor. Only beers brewed with actual coffee beans or espresso will contain caffeine, and the amount varies.

The FDA banned pre-mixed caffeinated alcoholic beverages in 2010 because the combination of caffeine and alcohol was deemed an 'unsafe food additive.' The ban was enacted due to significant health concerns, particularly the masking of intoxication that led to risky behavior and binge drinking.

The health risks of mixing caffeine and alcohol include a higher likelihood of binge drinking and alcohol poisoning, increased heart strain and irregular heartbeat, greater dehydration, and poor judgment, which can lead to risky behaviors.

A pre-mixed caffeinated alcoholic drink is a packaged product containing both alcohol and added caffeine, which is illegal in the U.S. A cocktail like a Vodka Red Bull is made by a bartender mixing two separate, legal ingredients (a spirit and a caffeinated mixer) on-site.

While a Rum and Coke does contain caffeine from the cola, the amount is relatively low compared to drinks made with energy drinks or espresso. A typical Rum and Coke might contain around 10mg of caffeine, far less than an Espresso Martini or Vodka Red Bull.