Nutrition Diet: How much caffeine is in one shot of espresso at Starbucks?

October 9, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Starbucks' official nutritional information, a single 0.75-ounce shot of their standard signature espresso contains 75mg of caffeine. Understanding precisely how much caffeine is in one shot of espresso at Starbucks is a critical component of any well-considered nutrition diet plan for coffee drinkers.

Quick Summary

A standard Starbucks espresso shot contains 75mg of caffeine, but this can vary depending on the specific roast and shot type. This article details the different espresso options at Starbucks, compares their caffeine levels to other popular drinks, and offers dietary advice for managing overall caffeine consumption.

Key Points

Standard Espresso Content: A regular, single shot of Starbucks signature espresso contains 75mg of caffeine, while a Blonde espresso shot has 85mg.
Roast Level Matters: Lighter roasts, like Blonde espresso, contain slightly more caffeine by weight than darker, signature roasts.
Total Caffeine vs. Concentration: While espresso is more concentrated per ounce, a standard brewed coffee from Starbucks often contains more total caffeine due to its larger serving size.
FDA Daily Guidelines: Most healthy adults should aim to keep their daily caffeine intake below 400mg, which is roughly equivalent to five to six shots of Starbucks espresso.
Manage Your Diet: To minimize potential side effects, stay well-hydrated, consume fiber-rich foods, and consider low-caffeine alternatives to manage your energy levels effectively.
Shot Customizations: Options like ristretto (less caffeine) and long shots (more caffeine) alter the final amount of caffeine in your drink.

Demystifying Starbucks Espresso: Standard vs. Blonde

When ordering an espresso-based drink at Starbucks, the type of roast can significantly impact the caffeine content. Most standard beverages use the company's dark, signature espresso roast unless a blonde roast is specified. The difference in roast level directly correlates to the amount of caffeine extracted. While a standard shot of signature espresso contains 75mg of caffeine, a single shot of Blonde Espresso delivers a slightly higher jolt of 85mg. This difference, though seemingly minor per shot, can add up, especially in larger drinks or for those with caffeine sensitivities. Furthermore, asking for a decaf shot reduces the caffeine significantly but does not eliminate it entirely, with decaf shots typically containing 10–15mg.

The Science Behind Your Shot: Factors Affecting Caffeine

Beyond the choice between signature and blonde roast, the caffeine in your espresso is determined by several factors in the brewing process.

Bean Type: The specific type of coffee bean used, typically Arabica at Starbucks, influences caffeine. Other bean varieties, like Robusta, contain nearly twice as much caffeine.
Roast Level: Contrary to a common misconception, lighter roasts, like the Blonde Espresso, actually retain slightly more caffeine than darker roasts. The roasting process causes caffeine to be lost, and a longer roast time leads to a little less caffeine per bean.
Grind Size and Tamping: A finer grind and a tighter tamp (packing the coffee grounds) can lead to a slower extraction, which may increase the caffeine content in the final shot.
Extraction Time: The duration the hot water is in contact with the coffee grounds affects how much caffeine is pulled into the shot. Starbucks offers ristretto (short) and long shots, both of which have different extraction times and caffeine levels. A ristretto shot has less caffeine due to its shorter extraction time.
Machine Pressure: The pressure of the espresso machine can impact the efficiency of caffeine extraction.

Espresso vs. Brewed Coffee: A Caffeine Comparison

While an espresso shot is more concentrated, it does not necessarily mean it has more total caffeine than a large brewed coffee. The smaller serving size of an espresso is key here. For example, a single 1 oz shot of espresso contains 75mg of caffeine, whereas a 16 oz (Grande) cup of Starbucks' Pike Place medium-roast brewed coffee has 310mg. The concentration of caffeine per milliliter is higher in espresso, but a much larger volume of brewed coffee is consumed in a single serving. For those managing caffeine, this volume difference is vital to consider.

Comparing Caffeine in Starbucks Drinks


Drink (Grande, 16 fl oz)	Standard Espresso Shots	Caffeine (mg)	Notes
Caffè Latte	2	150 mg	Includes two standard signature espresso shots.
Blonde Caffè Latte	2	170 mg	Made with two Blonde espresso shots.
Pike Place Roast (Brewed Coffee)	N/A	310 mg	Significantly higher total caffeine than a two-shot latte.
Cold Brew	N/A	205 mg	Steeping process yields a potent cold brew.
Flat White	3 (Ristretto)	195 mg	Uses ristretto shots, which have less caffeine per shot.

A Healthy Nutrition Diet and Your Caffeine Intake

For most healthy adults, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends limiting daily caffeine consumption to 400 milligrams. This is equivalent to about five to six shots of standard Starbucks espresso, or roughly four cups of brewed coffee. It's crucial to be mindful that caffeine is also found in other foods and beverages, such as tea, chocolate, and energy drinks, and that your personal tolerance is a key factor.

Tips for Managing Caffeine Intake

Track Your Consumption: Be aware of all your caffeine sources throughout the day, including sodas, energy drinks, and certain over-the-counter medications.
Gradual Reduction: To avoid withdrawal symptoms like headaches, cut back on consumption slowly over time.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help flush your system and may alleviate caffeine-induced jitters.
Eat Fiber-Rich Foods: A balanced diet with fiber can slow down the absorption of caffeine, reducing its impact.
Explore Alternatives: Consider switching to lower-caffeine options like green tea or caffeine-free herbal teas.

Conclusion

Knowing how much caffeine is in one shot of espresso at Starbucks is the first step toward making informed dietary choices. A single 0.75-ounce shot of signature espresso contains 75mg of caffeine, while a Blonde shot contains 85mg. By understanding these figures and the various factors that influence them—from roast type to extraction method—you can better control your intake. For a healthy nutrition diet, it is important to balance your caffeine consumption with FDA guidelines, stay hydrated, and consider alternatives to ensure you get your energy boost without unwanted side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

The number of espresso shots in a Starbucks latte depends on the size. A Tall latte typically has one shot, while Grande and hot Venti sizes usually have two. Iced Venti lattes and certain specialty drinks like Americanos or shaken espressos may contain more shots.

Yes, Starbucks decaf espresso contains a small amount of caffeine. A shot of decaf espresso typically has around 10 to 15mg of caffeine.

Per ounce, an espresso shot has a much higher concentration of caffeine. However, a larger cup of brewed coffee contains more total caffeine overall. For example, a Grande Pike Place roast has significantly more caffeine (310mg) than a Grande latte with two espresso shots (150mg).

A single shot of Blonde espresso at Starbucks contains 85mg of caffeine, which is slightly more than the 75mg in a standard signature espresso shot.

For those looking to reduce caffeine, good alternatives include herbal tea, green tea, matcha, chicory coffee, and fruit smoothies.

The FDA recommends that most healthy adults limit their daily caffeine intake to 400mg. This figure may be lower for pregnant women or individuals with certain health conditions.

If you feel jittery from too much caffeine, you can mitigate the effects by staying hydrated with water, eating a fiber-rich snack, and engaging in light exercise like walking.

A ristretto shot is pulled with less water and a shorter extraction time. This results in a shot that is more concentrated in flavor but contains less caffeine than a standard shot.