Which has higher caffeine: Coffee, Tea, or Energy Drinks?

December 18, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2024 study, the average caffeine content in Americano coffee was significantly higher than homemade coffee, highlighting how preparation methods affect potency. When determining which has higher caffeine, the answer depends on several factors, including the type of beverage, the brewing method, and the serving size.

Quick Summary

The caffeine content varies greatly among popular beverages like coffee, tea, and energy drinks. A simple comparison based on milligrams per fluid ounce reveals espresso is the most concentrated, while a standard cup of cold brew or drip coffee often contains more total caffeine per serving. Factors like brewing time, bean type, and processing method all play a role in the final potency.

Key Points

Espresso vs. Drip Coffee: A single shot of espresso has less total caffeine than an eight-ounce cup of drip coffee, but a higher concentration per ounce.
Cold Brew Packs a Punch: Due to its long steeping time, cold brew coffee typically has a higher total caffeine content per serving than both drip coffee and espresso.
Tea’s Calming Effect: Black and green tea provide a smoother, less jittery energy boost because they contain L-theanine, which modulates caffeine's effects.
Energy Drinks vs. Coffee: Energy drinks often contain synthetic caffeine and high sugar content, leading to a quick but often followed by a crash, unlike the more stable boost from coffee.
Matcha's Hidden Strength: Because you consume the entire tea leaf, a serving of matcha green tea can contain more caffeine than a standard cup of black or green tea.
Control Your Dose: Factors like brewing temperature, steeping time, and roast level allow you to customize and control the caffeine level of your brew.
Moderate Your Consumption: Health experts recommend limiting daily caffeine intake to under 400 mg for healthy adults to avoid negative side effects.

Demystifying the Caffeine Concentration

Understanding caffeine content is not a simple matter of pitting one drink against another. The concentration of caffeine per ounce (mg/oz) is just as important as the total amount of caffeine in a typical serving. For example, a single, one-ounce shot of espresso is far more concentrated than a full eight-ounce cup of drip coffee. However, because most people consume larger servings of drip coffee, the total caffeine intake is often higher from a regular cup of joe. In contrast, energy drinks often contain synthetic caffeine and are laden with sugar and other additives, offering a different kind of jolt.

The Brewing Method Matters

Your preparation method is a major factor in the final caffeine level. For coffee, a longer brewing time generally results in higher caffeine extraction. Cold brew, for instance, is steeped for 12 to 24 hours in cold water, leading to a much higher total caffeine content per serving compared to drip coffee, despite its smoother taste. Conversely, espresso is made by forcing hot, pressurized water through finely-ground beans, delivering a concentrated shot of caffeine in a small volume. For tea, hotter water temperatures and longer steeping times also increase caffeine extraction.

A Look at Different Beverage Types

Coffee

Drip/Filtered Coffee: A standard eight-ounce cup typically contains 95 to 165 milligrams of caffeine. This can vary based on bean type (Arabica vs. Robusta) and roast level.
Espresso: A single one-ounce shot packs around 63 milligrams of caffeine, making it highly concentrated. Double shots are common in lattes and cappuccinos, doubling the caffeine dose.
Cold Brew: A sixteen-ounce glass can contain between 180 to 200 milligrams of caffeine or more due to the long, slow extraction process.

Tea

Black Tea: An eight-ounce cup generally contains 40 to 70 milligrams of caffeine. It has more caffeine than green tea due to longer oxidation.
Green Tea: An eight-ounce cup offers a lower dose of 20 to 45 milligrams, providing a milder, calmer energy boost. Matcha, a powdered green tea where the whole leaf is consumed, can have a significantly higher caffeine content per serving.

Energy Drinks and Sodas

Energy Drinks: These beverages are engineered for a quick, high-caffeine boost. A typical eight-ounce can may contain 70 to 160 milligrams of caffeine, often alongside added sugars and other supplements.
Colas: Regular sodas like Coca-Cola or Pepsi contain relatively low caffeine levels, typically around 30 to 40 milligrams per twelve-ounce can.

Caffeine Comparison Table


Beverage	Standard Serving Size	Average Caffeine Content (mg)	Notes
Espresso	1 oz shot	~63 mg	Highest concentration per ounce.
Drip Coffee	8 oz cup	95–165 mg	High total caffeine in a typical serving.
Cold Brew	16 oz glass	180–200+ mg	High total caffeine due to long steeping.
Black Tea	8 oz cup	40–70 mg	Moderate caffeine with L-theanine.
Green Tea	8 oz cup	20–45 mg	Lower caffeine; includes L-theanine for calm alertness.
Matcha	8 oz cup	35–88+ mg	Consumes whole leaf, boosting caffeine.
Energy Drink	8 oz can	70–160 mg	Often includes sugar and synthetic caffeine.
Cola	12 oz can	30–50 mg	Lowest caffeine among popular options.

How Your Body Processes Caffeine

Beyond the numbers, the physiological effect of caffeine differs depending on the source. The caffeine in coffee is absorbed quickly, leading to a faster and more intense energy spike. In contrast, the L-theanine in tea works synergistically with caffeine to provide a smoother, more sustained energy boost and increased focus without the jitters. Energy drinks, with their added sugars, can create an immediate sugar rush followed by a crash, making the experience less stable than a cup of black coffee.

Factors Influencing Caffeine Levels

Bean/Leaf Type: Robusta coffee beans contain almost twice the caffeine of Arabica beans. Similarly, the variety of tea plant and leaf quality affect its natural caffeine content.
Roast Level: Lighter roasts retain more caffeine by weight than darker roasts because the roasting process burns away some of the compound.
Grind Size: A finer grind exposes more surface area to water, leading to faster and more efficient caffeine extraction.
Brewing Temperature: Higher water temperatures extract caffeine more effectively. That’s why cold brew takes much longer to achieve its potency.

Conclusion

While a single shot of espresso has the highest caffeine concentration per ounce, a standard serving of cold brew coffee or high-caffeine energy drinks often delivers a higher total dose. The choice depends on your preference for a quick, concentrated jolt or a smoother, sustained energy lift. For the healthiest option, black or green tea offers a gentler effect paired with antioxidants. When choosing a beverage, consider not just the caffeine but also the serving size, brewing method, and accompanying ingredients like sugar.

The Health Implications of High Caffeine Intake

Understanding which has higher caffeine content is not just about a boost but also about managing health. While moderate consumption is generally safe for healthy adults, excessive amounts—typically over 400 mg daily—can lead to adverse effects. These can include anxiety, increased heart rate, blood pressure spikes, and disrupted sleep patterns. The side effects of energy drinks are often amplified by their high sugar content, which can cause blood glucose spikes and subsequent energy crashes. Always be mindful of your daily total caffeine intake across all sources, including coffee, tea, and other caffeinated products.

Key Takeaways for Managing Your Caffeine

Moderation is key. A daily intake of up to 400 mg is generally considered safe for healthy adults.
Serving size matters most for overall intake, while concentration affects the speed of the buzz.
Choose tea for a smoother energy boost thanks to the presence of L-theanine.
Energy drinks offer high caffeine but with synthetic additives and large amounts of sugar.
Be aware of hidden sources of caffeine, including certain medications and even some foods like chocolate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a double espresso (two shots) contains approximately 126 mg of caffeine, which is typically more than a standard eight-ounce cup of regular drip coffee (95-165 mg, average ~120 mg).

Cold brew has a high caffeine content because it is steeped for an extended period (12-24 hours) in cold water. This long extraction process allows more caffeine to be drawn out of the coffee grounds, resulting in a higher total amount per serving.

While it's the same molecule, the effect differs. Tea also contains the amino acid L-theanine, which works with caffeine to promote a state of calm alertness, preventing the jitters often associated with coffee.

Not always. An eight-ounce can of some energy drinks may have a similar caffeine amount to a small cup of coffee, but some large cans or 'energy shots' can contain significantly more. It's crucial to check the label for exact caffeine content.

No, this is a common myth. Light roasts actually retain slightly more caffeine by weight than darker roasts because the roasting process reduces the mass of the bean and burns off some of the caffeine.

Matcha green tea has the highest caffeine content among teas because you consume the entire powdered leaf, not just a water infusion. Black tea generally has more caffeine than green or white tea brewed traditionally.

Most health authorities, including the European Food Information Council (Eufic), suggest that up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is safe for healthy adults.