What beverages contain caffeine? A comprehensive guide

November 16, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2018 review published in Nutrients, coffee accounts for the majority of daily caffeine intake for middle-aged adults in the United States, while tea and soft drinks are major sources for adolescents. Many beverages, some surprisingly, contain caffeine, a natural stimulant found in over 60 plants.

Quick Summary

A detailed overview of beverages with natural and added caffeine, including varying concentrations across different drinks, processing methods, and how they impact the body.

Key Points

Coffee and Tea Are Primary Sources: Most people get their caffeine from coffee and tea, with coffee generally having a higher content per serving.
Caffeine Content Varies Significantly: Factors like brewing method, plant variety, and serving size heavily influence the final caffeine amount in a beverage.
Synthetic Caffeine is Common: Energy drinks and many sodas contain synthetic caffeine, which is chemically similar to natural caffeine.
Decaf Isn't Caffeine-Free: Beverages labeled 'decaffeinated' still contain a small amount of caffeine, often up to 15 mg per serving for coffee.
Chocolate Drinks Contain Natural Caffeine: Cocoa beans naturally contain caffeine, so chocolate-based beverages like hot chocolate and chocolate milk are also caffeinated.
Moderate Intake is Generally Safe: For most healthy adults, up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is not associated with adverse side effects.
Energy Drinks Can Be Very High in Caffeine: Some energy drinks have extremely high levels of caffeine and can be dangerous, especially when mixed with alcohol.

Understanding the Natural Sources of Caffeine

Caffeine is a naturally occurring compound found in the leaves, seeds, and fruits of various plants, acting as a natural pesticide. This is the origin for the caffeine in some of the world's most consumed beverages.

Coffee: The king of caffeine

Derived from the roasted beans of the Coffea plant, coffee is arguably the most recognized source of caffeine. The caffeine content can vary significantly based on factors like the type of bean (Robusta has more than Arabica), the brewing method, and the serving size.

Drip or filtered coffee: An 8-ounce cup typically contains 95 to 200 mg of caffeine.
Espresso: A standard 1-ounce shot has around 63 mg of caffeine, but coffee-shop sizes can have significantly more depending on the number of shots.
Decaffeinated coffee: Contrary to its name, decaf coffee is not entirely caffeine-free; an 8-ounce cup may still contain between 0 and 15 mg.

Tea: A diverse source of stimulation

Tea, sourced from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, offers a wide spectrum of caffeine content. The level depends on processing, brewing time, and water temperature.

Black tea: An 8-ounce cup contains about 40 to 70 mg of caffeine.
Green tea: An 8-ounce cup provides a milder dose, typically ranging from 25 to 50 mg.
Matcha: This powdered green tea contains more caffeine than standard green tea due to the consumption of the entire leaf.
Yerba Mate: This South American herbal tea is naturally caffeinated and can contain 40 to 80 mg per 8-ounce serving.

Cocoa: Chocolate and related drinks

The cacao bean, used to make chocolate, also naturally contains caffeine, along with the stimulant theobromine. The caffeine content in chocolate beverages varies with the cocoa percentage.

Hot chocolate: The caffeine content is relatively low, around 5 to 10 mg per 250ml serving.
Chocolate milk: A 200ml serving can contain about 34 mg of caffeine.

Added Caffeine: Processed and formulated beverages

Manufacturers often add synthetic or extracted caffeine to beverages to enhance their stimulating effects. This allows for more precise and often higher doses.

Energy drinks: Powering up with added stimulants

These drinks combine synthetic caffeine with other ingredients like taurine and B vitamins. They have a wide range of caffeine levels, and serving sizes can be misleading.

Red Bull: A 250ml can typically contains 80 mg of caffeine.
Monster: A standard 16-ounce can can contain as much as 160 mg of caffeine.
5-Hour Energy: The highly concentrated shots contain significantly more caffeine per ounce, with the extra strength version having 70 mg per ounce.

Soft drinks: The surprising soda source

Many sodas, especially colas, contain added caffeine. The amount is usually less than in coffee but still contributes to daily intake.

Cola: A standard 12-ounce can typically contains 30 to 40 mg of caffeine.
Mountain Dew: A 12-ounce serving can contain around 54 mg.

Comparison Table: Caffeine Content in Common Beverages


Beverage (Serving Size)	Average Caffeine Content	Notes
Brewed Coffee (8 oz)	95-200 mg	Content varies by bean type and brewing method
Espresso Shot (1 oz)	63 mg	Basis for many coffee-shop drinks
Energy Drink (8.4 oz)	80 mg	Varies widely by brand and serving size
Black Tea (8 oz)	40-70 mg	Dependent on brewing time and leaf processing
Green Tea (8 oz)	25-50 mg	Generally lower caffeine than black tea
Cola Soda (12 oz)	30-40 mg	Added synthetic caffeine
Hot Cocoa (8 oz)	5-10 mg	Natural caffeine from cocoa beans

Health implications and consumption tips

While moderate caffeine intake (up to 400 mg daily for most adults) is generally safe, excessive consumption can lead to side effects like anxiety, insomnia, or a fast heart rate. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and other health organizations provide guidelines for caffeine consumption, particularly for sensitive groups like pregnant women and children.

Reading labels: Always check ingredient lists and nutrition facts, especially for energy drinks, as caffeine levels can vary.
Mindful intake: Be aware that multiple sources throughout the day, such as a morning coffee followed by an afternoon soda, can add up quickly.
Hidden sources: Remember that caffeine also exists in unexpected places like some over-the-counter medications and flavored water.

Conclusion

Caffeine is present in a wide range of beverages, from the well-known daily cup of coffee and tea to the less-obvious sources like chocolate drinks and specific sodas. Its presence is either natural, stemming from the plants from which these drinks are derived, or synthetic, added during processing, especially in energy drinks. Understanding what beverages contain caffeine and the approximate levels helps individuals manage their intake, balance potential health effects, and make more informed dietary choices. Whether seeking a strong morning jolt or a mild afternoon pick-me-up, knowing your sources is key to a healthy relationship with caffeine. For more detailed nutritional information on specific foods and drinks, consult reputable sources like the USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions

Green tea generally has significantly less caffeine than coffee. An 8-ounce cup of green tea contains 25 to 50 mg of caffeine, whereas the same amount of brewed coffee contains 95 to 200 mg.

Chemically, the caffeine in energy drinks (which is often synthetic) is the same as the naturally occurring caffeine in coffee. However, energy drinks often contain additional stimulants and high levels of sugar that differ from a typical cup of coffee.

Decaffeinated coffee is not 100% caffeine-free. While it has a minimal amount, usually 0 to 15 mg per 8-ounce serving, it is not suitable for those who must completely avoid caffeine.

No, not all soft drinks contain caffeine. Most cola-flavored sodas and some others, like Mountain Dew, contain added caffeine. Many other varieties, such as ginger ale or root beer, are typically caffeine-free.

The brewing process for tea can greatly affect its caffeine content. Longer brewing times and hotter water temperatures can extract more caffeine from the leaves, resulting in a higher caffeine concentration in the final drink.

For most healthy adults, a caffeine intake of up to 400 mg per day is generally considered safe. Amounts higher than this can lead to negative side effects such as insomnia, nervousness, and a fast heart rate.

Yerba mate is a traditional South American herbal tea, brewed from the leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, and is naturally caffeinated.