A venti Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks contains two shots of espresso. The venti size is Starbucks’ largest hot cup size at 20 oz. Understanding the number of espresso shots in each Starbucks drink can help customers modify and customize their orders.
The Basics of a Venti Caramel Macchiato
A venti Caramel Macchiato is made with the following ingredients:
- 2 shots of espresso
- Steamed milk
- Vanilla-flavored syrup
- Caramel sauce
- Milk foam
The espresso shots provide the underlying coffee flavor. Steamed milk makes up the majority of the drink. Vanilla syrup sweetens the espresso. Caramel sauce adds another layer of sweetness and a buttery caramel taste. Milk foam is spooned on top to finish it off.
Breakdown of Espresso Shots in Starbucks Drink Sizes
The number of espresso shots at Starbucks depends on the size of the drink ordered. Here is a breakdown of the number of shots in each hot coffee drink size:
| Drink Size | Espresso Shots |
|---|---|
| Tall | 1 |
| Grande | 2 |
| Venti | 2 |
As you can see, venti drinks contain two shots of espresso, the same as a grande. Tall sizes get one shot. So a tall Caramel Macchiato would contain a single espresso shot, while the venti gets two.
Rules for Additional Shots
Customers can customize their Starbucks order and add extra espresso shots for a stronger coffee taste. Here are some rules for additional shots:
- Adding one extra shot is referred to as adding “one shot”
- Adding two extra shots is called “double shot”
- Drinks larger than a tall size can get up to 4 total shots max
- Tall size drinks can get up to 3 shots max
- Each additional shot costs around $0.75 extra
So in a venti Caramel Macchiato, you could add one extra shot to make it “three shot” for a total of 3 shots. Or make it a “quad shot” venti Caramel Macchiato for 4 total shots.
Modifying Other Drink Components
In addition to adding extra espresso shots, Starbucks allows other modifications to drinks as well:
- Milk: Non-dairy milks like soy, almond or oat milk can be substituted for regular dairy milk.
- Syrups: The type and amount of syrups can be customized, such as adding extra pumps of vanilla or substituting a different syrup flavor.
- Whipped cream: Whipped cream can be added or removed.
- Temperature: Drinks can be made hot, iced, or blended.
Knowing the different ways to modify a Starbucks drink empowers customers to get their coffee made just the way they like it.
Impact of Espresso Shots on Caffeine Content
The number of espresso shots affects the caffeine content in Starbucks coffee drinks. Here’s how the caffeine content changes with extra shots:
| Drink | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|
| Tall Caramel Macchiato (1 shot) | 75 |
| Grande Caramel Macchiato (2 shots) | 150 |
| Venti Caramel Macchiato (2 shots) | 150 |
| Venti Caramel Macchiato (4 shots) | 300 |
As shown, doubling the number of espresso shots approximately doubles the caffeine content. So a quad shot venti Caramel Macchiato would contain around 300mg caffeine, twice as much as the standard version.
Caffeine Content by Starbucks Drink
The caffeine content varies by drink based on size, number of shots and other factors. Here are some approximations:
- Cappuccino: 75-150 mg
- Latte: 75-150 mg
- Americano: 225-300 mg
- Drip coffee: 310-475 mg
- Espresso: 75-90 mg per shot
Extra shots can turn a typical coffee drink into a high-caffeine powerhouse. Knowing the caffeine numbers helps consumers pick the right drink for their energy needs.
Saving Money by Customizing Drinks
Some simple customizations can actually save money compared to ordering standard menu drinks. Here are some tips for saving money with modifications:
- Order brewed coffee and add your own cream/milk and sugar. Much less expensive than a latte or mocha.
- Order a single shot in a larger size cup and add dairy or extras yourself to mimic a latte.
- Substitute cheaper syrups instead of more expensive sauces, such as using classic syrup instead of the caramel, hazelnut or mocha sauces.
With some easy tweaks, you can order your drink “off-menu” and customize it down to the last detail while staying on budget.
Replicating Specialty Drinks at Home
It can be fun to recreate your favorite Starbucks drink at home. With a few tips, you can come pretty close using your own brewing equipment.
Iced Caramel Macchiato
To make an iced Caramel Macchiato like Starbucks’:
- Brew double strength coffee and let it chill.
- Pour chilled coffee over ice.
- Add milk, vanilla and caramel syrups to taste.
- Top with milk foam made from milk frothed in a frother or shaken in jar.
- Drizzle caramel sauce on top.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
For a homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte:
- Make an espresso shot or very strong coffee.
- Heat milk, then froth it.
- Combine espresso, steamed milk, pumpkin pie spice and sugar.
- Top with whipped cream and ground cinnamon.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with combining coffee, espresso, milk, spices, flavorings and toppings until you nail your favorite Starbucks drink at home.
Conclusion
A venti Caramel Macchiato from Starbucks contains two shots of espresso. While a standard venti size includes two shots, customers can customize and add extra shots for stronger coffee flavor and greater caffeine content. Understanding the number of shots in each drink size provides greater transparency and allows customers to tweak their orders to get their perfect cup of coffee.