Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Other Coffees?

Does cold brew coffee pack a bigger caffeinated punch than other coffee drinks? This might seem surprising, but cold brew usually has less caffeine than drip, pour-overs, or French press hot coffees. This all has to do with how the water temperature affects the coffee extraction process. In most cases, near-boiling water extracts more caffeine from coffee grounds than cold water. But there are other factors at work too, like the amount of grounds you use or how long the water stays in contact with them. Let's take a look at the basics of caffeine extraction and whether cold brew has a bigger kick than other coffee beverages.

Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Regular Coffee?

Cold brew typically has less caffeine than a cup of hot coffee, but more than iced coffee or espresso drinks. This has to do with how the caffeine is extracted from the beans and how each drink is made.

The average 16-ounce glass of cold brew coffee has 205 milligrams of caffeine. Whereas the same amount of a hot cup of coffee usually has 210 to 350 or more milligrams. The reason is the water temperature.

Hot water is better at extracting caffeine from the grounds. Cold water still extracts flavors and caffeine, but it takes longer and usually results in less of a jolt.

However, the amount of coffee grounds and the ratio of grounds to water are also factors in the caffeine content. This is why espresso and iced coffee usually have less caffeine.

A single shot of espresso has a lower ratio of grounds to water. Ice coffee typically starts as drip or pour-over, but is then diluted with ice. The result in both cases is less of that caffeinated punch.

Assuming you are [making the cold brew at home](link to how to make cold brew article), you can boost the caffeine content by using more grounds or letting it brew longer. Adding more coffee obviously alters the ratio of water to grounds, making it more caffeinated. 

Letting it brew longer also improves extraction. But it comes at a risk. Not only does it pull out more caffeine, but it also extracts more flavors. And this can make it overly strong or bitter. 

How Much Caffeine Is In Cold Brew?

The exact amount depends on the brewing process, but you can expect around 205 mg of caffeine per 16-ounce glass of cold-brewed coffee. Concentrated cold brew will have significantly more caffeine. However, diluting it to normal drinking levels will reduce the amount of caffeine. 

In order to make stronger cold-brewed coffee, you need to use a higher ratio of coffee to water. A 1:8 ratio of course ground coffee to water is standard. However, a 1:7 ratio of coffee to water will increase the caffeine by as much as 40 mgs per 16-ounce cup. 

Another factor is extraction time. On average, you should let your coffee ground steep in the water for 20 to 28 hours. While letting it steep longer will make it more bitter, it will also increase the overall caffeine content. 

The exact amount of caffeine depends on the coffee roast, the coffee-to-water ratio, and how long you let it steep. Depending on how strong you like your coffee, you can significantly increase the amount of caffeine.

The type of coffee bean can impact the caffeine levels to a certain extent. Arabica beans typically have less caffeine than robusta beans. However, the roast usually does not impact the caffeine content of the bean.

The grind size will also impact extraction. A finer grind can mean more caffeine per glass, but it also makes it harder to filter the grounds out. And no one wants to drink a gritty cold brewed coffee. So, if you want a bigger punch, use more beans.

How Does Cold Brew Compare To Other Coffee Drinks?

Cold brew coffee typically has less caffeine than most hot beverages but more than iced or espresso drinks. That said, the exact amount depends on the specific cold-brewed coffee you are drinking.

Dunkin' cold brew has 260 mg of caffeine per serving, while Starbucks has 205 mg, Stōk has between 120 and 170 mg, and Chameleon lists 208 mg. You can expect coffee shop cold brews to have around 205 mg as well.

While these are higher than those in other iced coffee drinks and most espresso drinks, the caffeine content in drip coffee and pour-over coffees usually range from 200 to 450 mg.

I don't know about you, but I rarely drink an 8-ounce cup of coffee. Most of my coffee mugs are 16 ounces or larger. So, a hot mug of drip coffee can easily be 600 mg or more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Caffeine In Cold Brew

Does Cold Brew Have Caffeine?

All coffee contains some caffeine. Most cold-brewed coffees have between 120 and 250 mg of caffeine. However, the exact amount depends on the coffee or brand. If you make your own cold-brewed coffee at home, the total caffeine level depends on the ratio of grounds to water and the total brew time.

Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Iced Coffee?

Typically, cold-brewed coffee has more caffeine than iced coffee. Most cold brews average around 200 mg of caffeine, while iced coffees typically have 50% less caffeine. While the concentrated coffee is stronger, pouring it over ice dilutes it.

Does Cold Brew Have More Caffeine Than Espresso?

Most espresso shots have between 65 and 75 mg of caffeine, which is significantly less than most other coffees. But they are also only 1 to 1.5 ounces. While they have less caffeine than cold-brewed coffee or other coffee drinks, they are also much lower in volume. If you add two or three espresso shots to your drink, it will be stronger than an average cold brew coffee.

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