How Much Caffeine Is In 3 Shots Of Espresso

An espresso shot is about 1 oz of coffee and contains about 60 mg of caffeine. So a 3 shot of espresso is about 180 mg of caffeine. This depends on the grind size, drink volume, variety of beans, and extraction time.

Each coffee shop has its own way of brewing espresso. Most coffee shops keep the 1 oz volume per espresso shot. Keep reading this post because our team of baristas discuss how much is enough for your system.

Table of Contents

• Is 3 Shots Of Espresso A Lot Of Caffeine?
• How Much Caffeine Is In 3 Shots Of Espresso At Starbucks?
• Can You Have 3 Shots Of Espresso While Pregnant?
• How Much Caffeine Can You Consume Per Day
• The Bottom Line
• What To Do Next

Is 3 Shots Of Espresso A Lot Of Caffeine?

So, you’re a caffeine addict. You might be wondering: how much caffeine is too much caffeine? Well, that depends on what you’re doing.

If you’re a daily coffee drinker and it’s your only source of caffeine, then a triple shot espresso won’t harm you. That’s because that amount is well within the safe limits you can consume per day. This is just a general recommendation. If you are an adult with no health issues, then 3 shots isn’t going to cause you any problems.

But, this amount of caffeine can be harmful for kids and pregnant women. Also, people with health issues should be careful with caffeine consumption. Individuals suffering from blood pressure, heart disease should ask their doctor’s advice. [1]

How Much Caffeine Is In 3 Shots Of Espresso At Starbucks?

Espresso is a type of coffee that is made by pushing hot water through finely-ground coffee beans. The result is a concentrated beverage with a bold flavor and a good amount of caffeine. 

You may be wondering how much caffeine is in 3 shots of espresso at Starbucks? Starbucks’ standard espresso serving size is 0.75 oz, while the average cup of drip coffee has about 12 oz of liquid. So if you order a triple shot of espresso at Starbucks, you’ll get 2.25 ounces of liquid.

That being said, a triple shot of espresso at Starbucks has about 120 mg of caffeine. Wondering how this adds up to your standard cup of coffee? A regular cup has about 10-15 mg/oz… so that means for every 8 oz cup, you’re getting around 80-120 mg of caffeine. [2]

Can You Have 3 Shots Of Espresso While Pregnant?

For pregnant and breastfeeding women, the advice is not to take more than 200 mg of caffeine in a day. For children under the age of 13, the advice is not to drink coffee or energy drinks. Because these products also contain a lot of caffeine. [3]

How Much Caffeine Can You Consume Per Day

On average, healthy adults can ingest about 400 mg of caffeine per day without any problems.

If you consume too much caffeine, you may experience health problems. What is too much varies greatly from person to person. Not everyone is equally sensitive to the effects of caffeine. 

People who are sensitive or consume large amounts of caffeine, may experience the:

• Restlessness
• Tremors
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Heart palpitations and
• Sleeping problems

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, you better off limiting yourself below 400 mg of caffeine.

Daily caffeine consumption should not exceed 400 mg. This equals to five cups (1.5 oz per cup approx.) of espresso per day, with 80 mg of this stimulant per cup. These are the recommendations of a new report by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA). EFSA warns of the negative consequences that caffeine can have.

But, this measure is indicative because it depends on the weight of each individual. The EFSA places at 5.7 mg of caffeine per kilogram the real limit that a person can consume. Also, no more than 200 mg of caffeine should be consumed at one time.

Other beverages also contain high concentrations of caffeine. A 250 ml can of energy drink has 80 mg of caffeine. Meanwhile, a 220 ml cup of black tea has 50 mg and cola contains 40 mg in a 355 ml can.

Children – between three and ten years old – are also exposed to this stimulant as it is found in some foods such as cocoa. For example, a 50-gram bar of dark chocolate has 30 mg of caffeine. [4, 5]

Coffee is Healthy

Moderate coffee consumption seems to have health benefits. Studies found that non-coffee drinkers had an 11% greater risk of cardiovascular disease.

A striking result that does align with a previous study from 2017. This found that moderate coffee consumption was related to a lower risk of heart disease. But those who consume way too much were also at the highest risk of cardiovascular disease.

The hero in this story is the antioxidant in coffee: called chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid can improve the function of blood vessels. It protects you from clogged veins because it blocks the buildup of a greasy layer against the walls.

But as we said, too much caffeine is again not good for you. Too much caffeine can not only increase the risk of high blood pressure. It also may lead to stiffening of the veins. [6]

The Bottom Line

Many people like their coffee with an extra shot. But it’s important to know the amount of caffeine in espresso shots. The recommended amount of caffeine per day is no more than 400 mg. 

If you are sensitive to caffeine, then you definitely should stay under 100 mg per day. Also note there can be a lot of variation in the amount of caffeine present in your drink.

But, if drinking several espresso shots, make your health a priority. The high levels of caffeine present in espresso may pose health risks to certain people. 

Ask the barista to prepare the coffee with less water or get decaf espresso beans. Also, take note of other food items you consume before and after drinking the espresso.

What To Do Next

Now you know more about espresso and caffeine. You like the extra shot and you know how much caffeine there is in a 3 shot of espresso. It’s your time to brew your espresso. If you’re on the market for an espresso machine, don’t forget to read our buyers’ guides.