Starbucks’ shaken espresso is a popular caffeinated beverage option. But how much caffeine does it actually contain? Let’s take a closer look.
What is a shaken espresso?
A shaken espresso is an espresso-based drink from Starbucks that is shaken with ice to create a frothy, foamy texture. It contains espresso shots shaken vigorously with ice and milk. This drink can be ordered straight up as a solo espresso or with added syrups and toppings.
Some common versions of the shaken espresso at Starbucks include:
- Iced Shaken Espresso – Espresso shaken with ice and served over ice
- Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso – Shaken espresso with brown sugar syrup and oatmilk
- Iced White Mocha – Shaken espresso with white mocha sauce
- Iced Cinnamon Almondmilk Shaken Espresso – Shaken espresso with cinnamon and almondmilk
The shaking process aerates the espresso and milk to create a light, foamy texture.
Caffeine content in Starbucks shaken espresso
The caffeine content of a shaken espresso depends on the number of shots used.
At Starbucks, a single shot of espresso contains approximately 75 mg of caffeine. A double shot of espresso contains about 150 mg of caffeine.
| Drink | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|
| Solo shaken espresso (1 shot) | 75 |
| Doppio shaken espresso (2 shots) | 150 |
| Triple shaken espresso (3 shots) | 225 |
As you can see, the caffeine content scales up based on the number of shots.
A solo shaken espresso made with one shot contains around 75 mg of caffeine. This is similar to a small 8 oz brewed coffee from Starbucks.
A doppio shaken espresso with two shots contains about 150 mg of caffeine. This is comparable to a Grande 12 oz brewed coffee.
Finally, a triple shaken espresso made with 3 shots contains approximately 225 mg of caffeine. This would provide even more caffeine than a typical brewed coffee.
Caffeine content of popular shaken espresso drinks
Some popular versions of the shaken espresso contain additional ingredients like syrups, milk, and toppings. But in most cases, the base caffeine content from the espresso shots remains the same.
Here’s how some of Starbucks’ most popular shaken espresso drinks compare:
| Drink | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|
| Iced Shaken Espresso solo (1 shot) | 75 |
| Iced Shaken Espresso doppio (2 shots) | 150 |
| Iced White Mocha solo (1 shot) | 75 |
| Iced White Mocha doppio (2 shots) | 150 |
| Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso solo (1 shot) | 75 |
| Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso doppio (2 shots) | 150 |
As you can see, the added syrups and milks do not change the caffeine content from the espresso itself.
Factors that influence caffeine levels
While the number of shots is the primary factor affecting caffeine levels in shaken espressos, there are a few other things that can influence the caffeine content:
- Espresso roast – Darker roasts are slightly less caffeinated than lighter roasts. Starbucks uses a medium roast.
- Size – The caffeine content is based on standard solo (1 shot) and doppio (2 shot) sizes. Larger sizes with additional shots will be more caffeinated.
- Milk – Adding milk or milk alternatives like almondmilk or oatmilk can slightly decrease the caffeine concentration, but the total amount remains the same.
- Individual sensitivity – People metabolize caffeine at different rates, so the effects of the same amount of caffeine can vary.
How does it compare to other drinks?
Compared to other Starbucks espresso drinks, the shaken espresso contains a similar amount of caffeine:
| Drink | Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|
| Solo shaken espresso | 75 |
| Solo Caffè latte | 75 |
| Solo Cappuccino | 75 |
| Solo Flat white | 75 |
The shaken espresso also generally contains less caffeine than brewed coffee. An 8 oz Pike Place roast coffee has 155 mg of caffeine, while a 12 oz has 235 mg.
So in terms of caffeine content, the shaken espresso is most comparable to other espresso-based drinks. It provides a bit less of a caffeine jolt than traditional brewed coffee.
Is it enough caffeine?
Whether or not the shaken espresso has enough caffeine for you depends on your individual needs and tolerance.
Here are some general caffeine guidelines to consider:
- 30-50mg = Low caffeine
- 50-100mg = Moderate caffeine
- 100-200mg = High caffeine
- 200+ mg = Very high caffeine
With 75mg of caffeine per solo shot, the shaken espresso would be considered a moderate-to-high amount of caffeine. It’s less than the 235mg in a large brewed coffee but more than the 47mg in a Chai tea latte.
Those who consume caffeine daily typically have a higher tolerance and may need 2-3 shots to get their desired energizing effects. People who are sensitive to caffeine may prefer sticking with 1 solo shot or less.
Pregnant women are advised to limit caffeine intake to 200mg or less per day. So a triple shaken espresso may put them over the recommended limit.
Tips for reducing caffeine content
If you love the taste of shaken espressos but want to limit your caffeine intake, here are some tips:
- Ask for a single solo shot instead of a double doppio shot to cut the caffeine in half.
- Substitute decaf espresso shots to remove caffeine completely while maintaining the rich espresso flavor.
- Order a shaken espresso made with half caffeinated & half decaf shots to reduce the overall caffeine amount.
- Add extra milk or request a “light espresso” preparation to dilute the caffeine concentration.
- Stick to syrup-only shaken espressos like the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso without any espresso shots.
- Pair your shaken espresso with a lower caffeine drink like herbal tea to balance out the caffeine intake.
Making these adjustments to your order can help you achieve the flavor you love while controlling your overall caffeine consumption.
The bottom line
So how much caffeine is actually in Starbucks’ shaken espresso? The key facts are:
- A solo shaken espresso made with 1 shot contains around 75mg of caffeine.
- A doppio shaken espresso made with 2 shots contains around 150mg of caffeine.
- Added syrups and milk do not change the base caffeine from the espresso shots.
- Caffeine content scales up with additional shots. A triple espresso would contain around 225mg of caffeine.
- Shaken espressos contain less caffeine than brewed coffee but more than most tea drinks.
- Those sensitive to caffeine may prefer sticking to solo shots or substituting decaf shots.
Overall, the shaken espresso offers a moderate caffeine boost from its concentrated espresso shots. Knowing the caffeine content can help you decide whether to order it solo, doppio, or triple!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about the caffeine content in Starbucks’ shaken espressos:
Does the ice or cold temperature affect the caffeine level?
No, the ice and cold temperature do not impact the caffeine content. The amount of caffeine comes from the espresso shots themselves.
Do the syrups or toppings contain any additional caffeine?
No, ingredients like mocha sauce, cinnamon, brown sugar syrup, and milk do not contain meaningful amounts of caffeine. They add flavor but do not boost the caffeine.
Is blonde espresso more caffeinated than regular espresso?
Starbucks blonde espresso roast does contain slightly more caffeine than the regular espresso roast (about 80-85mg vs. 75mg per shot). However, most shaken espresso beverages are made with the standard espresso roast.
Does a larger size have more caffeine?
Yes, larger Starbucks shaken espresso sizes that contain additional shots will proportionally increase the caffeine content. For example, a Venti 5-shot shaken espresso would contain about 375mg of caffeine.
Can kids and teenagers drink shaken espressos?
Caffeine is generally not recommended for children under 12. Teenagers may be able to consume shaken espressos in moderation but likely do not require high amounts of caffeine. An occasional solo shaken espresso is lower risk for teens.