Caffeine Content in Common Coffee and Other Drinks

Ever wondered just how much caffeine is really in your morning cup—or that mid-afternoon soda? With so many coffee and energy drinks on the market, it's hard to know which ones pack the biggest punch. Whether you're trying to cut back or just curious, here’s the hard data on what’s actually inside your favorite beverages.

The caffeine content in drinks varies widely: a single shot of espresso contains 40–75mg, while a can of Mountain Dew has 46–55mg and a cup of Starbucks brewed coffee can have up to 330mg. Knowing these numbers helps you make informed choices about your caffeine intake.

How Much Caffeine Is in Coffee?

Coffee is the most common source of caffeine, and the amount varies depending on the type of coffee and how it’s prepared. Here's how the numbers break down:

• Espresso (standard): 40–75mg per shot
• Decaf Espresso: 0–15mg
• Regular Drip Coffee (generic): 95–200mg per cup
• Decaf Drip Coffee: 2–12mg per cup
• Instant Coffee (generic): 27–173mg per cup
• Decaf Instant Coffee: 2–12mg per cup
• McDonald’s Brewed Coffee: 100mg per cup
• McDonald’s Mocha Frappe: 125mg per cup
• Starbucks Latte: 150mg per cup
• Starbucks Brewed Coffee (Grande, 16oz): 330mg
• Starbucks Decaf: 25mg per cup

How Much Caffeine Is in Tea?

Tea also contains caffeine, though generally less than coffee. The type of tea and whether it’s decaf makes a difference:

• Black Tea: 14–61mg per cup
• Decaf Black Tea: 0–12mg per cup
• Green Tea: 24–40mg per cup
• Arizona Iced Tea: 11mg per serving
• Generic Instant Tea: 26mg per cup
• Lipton Brisk (tea): 5–7mg per cup

What About Soft Drinks and Energy Drinks?

Many soft drinks and nearly all energy drinks contain caffeine. These are often consumed for a quick boost, but their caffeine levels can be surprisingly high:

Soft Drinks

• Barq’s Root Beer: 18mg per can
• Coca-Cola Classic: 30–35mg per can
• Coca-Cola Zero: 35mg per can
• Diet Coke: 38–47mg per can
• Diet Pepsi: 27–37mg per can
• Dr. Pepper: 36mg per can
• Mountain Dew: 46–55mg per can
• Pepsi: 32–39mg per can

Energy Drinks

• 5-Hour Energy: 207mg per shot
• AMP Energy: 72–74mg per can
• Cran-Energy: 70mg per can
• Full Throttle: 70–72mg per can
• Monster Energy: 80mg per can
• Red Bull: 76–80mg per can
• Rockstar: 79–80mg per can
• Vault: 47mg per can

And Other Caffeine Sources?

Caffeine isn’t limited to drinks—some foods and medications also contain significant amounts:

• Chocolate Chips (1 cup): 104mg
• Dark Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans: 336mg
• Foosh Energy Mints: 100mg per mint
• Hershey’s Kisses: 9mg per piece
• Excedrin (2 tablets): 130mg
• Excedrin (1 tablet): 200mg

Frequently Asked Questions

How much caffeine is in a standard cup of coffee?

A typical cup of generic brewed coffee contains between 95–200mg of caffeine. A Starbucks brewed coffee (Grande, 16oz) has about 330mg, while decaf coffee generally contains only 2–12mg per cup.

Does espresso have more caffeine than regular coffee?

Not necessarily per cup. A single shot of espresso has 40–75mg of caffeine, which is less than a standard 8–12oz cup of drip coffee (95–200mg). However, espresso is more concentrated by volume.

How much caffeine is in decaf coffee and tea?

Decaf coffee typically contains 2–12mg of caffeine per cup, and decaf tea has 0–12mg. While much lower than regular versions, decaf drinks are not entirely caffeine-free.

Which energy drink has the most caffeine?

5-Hour Energy has the highest caffeine content at 207mg per serving. Among canned energy drinks, Monster, Red Bull, and Rockstar all contain around 76–80mg per can.

Do sodas contain a lot of caffeine?

Yes, many sodas do. Mountain Dew has 46–55mg, Coca-Cola Classic has 30–35mg, and Diet Coke has 38–47mg per can. While not as high as energy drinks, these amounts can add up.

Are there surprising sources of caffeine besides drinks?

Yes. Chocolate chips can have 104mg per cup, dark chocolate-covered coffee beans have a whopping 336mg, and even some candies like Foosh Energy Mints contain 100mg. Excedrin tablets also contain significant caffeine (200mg per tablet).

Recommended FrontStreet Coffees for Caffeine Lovers

For those seeking a strong caffeine kick, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui espresso—bright and intense with notes of citrus and dark chocolate, perfect for espresso-based drinks. Their Classic Blend offers a balanced, bold profile with caramel and nuts, ideal for filter or French press. For something darker, the Black Cocoa Blend brings deep roast notes with hints of cocoa and spice. All deliver robust caffeine content. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.