If you’ve ever sipped a small cup of Cuban coffee and felt instantly awake, you might wonder just how much energy it packs. If you’re curious about Cuban coffee caffeine, this guide will break it all down.
Cuban Coffee Caffeine Content
A standard 2-ounce serving of Cuban coffee contains around 60 to 90 milligrams of caffeine. That’s about the same as a shot of espresso, but because it’s sweetened and thicker, Cuban coffee often feels stronger.
The caffeine content depends on a few key factors:
- The brewing method: Cuban coffee is made in a moka pot, which uses steam pressure to extract strong, concentrated coffee.
- The beans used: Most Cuban coffee blends use dark roast Arabica beans or an Arabica-Robusta mix. Robusta beans can nearly double the caffeine content compared to pure Arabica.
- Serving size: Cuban coffee is small and concentrated, typically 1–2 ounces per cup (tacita).
Caffeine breakdown per 2 oz cup (approximation):
- 100% Arabica blend: 60-70 mg caffeine
- 70/30 Arabica-Robusta blend: 80-90 mg caffeine
You can adjust the caffeine content by tweaking how you brew:
- To lower caffeine, use all-Arabica beans or shorten brew time slightly.
- To increase caffeine, use a darker roast with some Robusta content and fill the moka pot filter basket completely.
Is Cuban Coffee Strong?
Yes, Cuban coffee is a strong type brew. Here is a detailed comparison to other brew types per cup and per oz.
| Brew Type | Typical Serving Size | Caffeine (per serving) | Caffeine (per oz) |
| Cuban Coffee | 2 oz (tacita) | 60-90 mg | 30-45 mg |
| Espresso | 1 oz shot | 60-65 mg | 60-65 mg |
| Drip Coffee | 8 oz cup | 95-120 mg | 12-15 mg |
| French Press | 8 oz cup | 100-120 mg | 12.5-15 mg |
| Turkish Coffee | 2.5 oz | 50-60 mg | 20-24 mg |
How Much Cuban Coffee Should You Drink?
According to most health guidelines, adults can safely consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, roughly equal to 4 to 5 small cups of Cuban coffee.
However, it’s not just the caffeine you should think about. Traditional Cuban coffee is made with 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar per ounce, which adds calories and sweetness.
If you’re tracking your calories or sugar intake, try using less sugar in your espuma or mix your Cuban coffee with a bit of steamed milk to soften its intensity.
Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you’re sensitive to caffeine or managing specific health conditions, consult your doctor before adjusting your coffee intake.
You may find this interesting: Check out the ICED Cuban coffee recipe.
FAQ
How much caffeine does Cortadito Cuban coffee have?
A cortadito typically contains 60-90 mg of caffeine per 4-ounce serving. The milk makes it smoother but doesn’t reduce the caffeine from the Cuban espresso base.
How much caffeine does Colada Cuban coffee have?
A colada is a large batch of Cuban coffee meant for sharing. A 6-ounce colada (about 3 small cups) contains 180-270 mg of caffeine total.
How much caffeine does Café con Leche have?
A café con leche uses strong Cuban coffee mixed with hot milk, often at a 1:1 ratio. It contains about 60-90 mg of caffeine per cup, depending on the amount of coffee used.
Key Takeaways
Cuban coffee may come in a small cup, but it delivers a serious caffeine kick and a lot of flavor in every sip.
- A typical 2-ounce serving of Cuban coffee contains 60-90 mg of caffeine, similar to an espresso shot.
- The caffeine level depends on the beans (Arabica or Robusta blend), brew method (moka pot), and serving size.
- You can adjust the caffeine by using more or less Robusta coffee or changing the brew time.
- Cuban coffee feels stronger than espresso because it’s denser and sweetened with sugar foam (espuma).
- Compared to other brews, Cuban coffee has more caffeine per ounce than drip or French press coffee.