Today we will discuss do coffee liqueurs have caffeine.Coffee liqueurs are popular alcoholic drinks with a sweet, indulgent coffee flavor. But with coffee being a natural source of caffeine, an important question arises – do coffee liqueurs contain caffeine, too?
This in-depth guide will explore whether popular coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa and Tia Maria contain caffeine. We’ll also look at the caffeine content of other coffee-flavored liquors.
An Overview Of Coffee Liqueurs
Coffee liqueurs are liqueurs that have been flavored with coffee or artificial coffee flavors. The most popular coffee liqueur brands include:
KahlúaÂ
The most popular coffee liqueur, made with rum, sugar and Arabica coffee. Has a sweet, chocolatey coffee taste.
Tia MariaÂ
A dark liqueur made with Jamaican coffee beans. Has a more pungent coffee taste than Kahlúa.
Patrón XO CafeÂ
A premium coffee liqueur made with extra añejo tequila. Has notes of chocolate and vanilla.
St. George NOLA Coffee LiqueurÂ
An artisanal coffee liqueur made with brandy and chicory coffee. Has a rich, bitter coffee flavor.
Mr BlackÂ
An Australian liqueur made with cold brew coffee. Other less common coffee liqueurs include Café Lolita, Caffé Borghetti, and Sabatini Coffee Liqueur.
Coffee liqueurs have an alcohol content between 15% to 35% ABV. They’re commonly used to make cocktails like Black Russians, White Russians, Espresso Martinis, and more.
Now, let’s look at the critical question…
Do Coffee Liqueurs Have Caffeine?
The short answer is – yes, coffee liqueurs do contain caffeine.This is because coffee liqueurs are made with coffee beans or extracts, which naturally contain caffeine. During the liqueur production process, most of the caffeine remains intact.
However, coffee liqueurs’ caffeine content is substantially lower than a regular cup of coffee.An 8 oz cup of coffee can contain 95-200 mg of caffeine, depending on factors like the coffee bean variety, roasting method, and brewing process.
On the other hand, a 1.5 oz serving of coffee liqueur contains approximately 15-55 mg of caffeine.So, while coffee liqueurs have caffeine, the amounts are small compared to a full cup of coffee.
Below is an overview of the caffeine content in some popular coffee liqueur brands:
Kahl̼a Р25 mg of caffeine per 1.5 oz serving
Tia Maria – 55 mg per 1.5 oz [Patrón XO Cafe – 15 mg per 1.5 oz
Mr Black – 45 mg per 1.5 oz [
St. George NOLA – 25 mg per 1.5 oz
As you can see, the caffeine content can vary substantially between brands based on the coffee beans and recipes used. But even in higher caffeine liqueurs like Tia Maria, the caffeine levels are low compared to a standard cup of coffee.
How Much Caffeine Is In A Coffee Cocktail?
Coffee liqueurs are often used in popular cocktails like:
Black Russian (vodka + coffee liqueur)
White Russian (vodka + coffee liqueur + cream)
Espresso Martini (vodka + coffee liqueur + espresso)
The caffeine content in these cocktails will depend on the drink size and the type of coffee liqueur used.
For example, a standard 2 oz Espresso Martini made with 1 oz vodka, 1 oz Kahlúa and 1 oz espresso would contain approximately:
- 25 mg caffeine from 1 oz Kahlúa
- 40-80 mg caffeine from 1 oz espresso
Total: 65-105 mg caffeine
So while Espresso Martinis do deliver a good caffeine kick, the caffeine levels are still less than a standard 8 oz cup of coffee.
Do All Coffee Liqueurs Have Caffeine?
While most coffee liqueurs do contain caffeine, there are some caffeine-free options available:
Kahlúa MidnightÂ
A flavor variant by Kahlúa containing no caffeine [7]
Leite De OuroÂ
A Portuguese coffee liqueur made without coffee beans or caffeine
Bawls GuaranaÂ
Contains guarana plant extracts instead of caffeine
These liqueurs deliver the coffee flavor without the stimulating effects of caffeine. They can be a good option for people who want to avoid caffeine late at night. Caffeine-free coffee liqueurs may also be safer for pregnant women or those with caffeine sensitivities.
How Is Caffeine Added To Coffee Liqueurs?
There are two main methods used to add caffeine to coffee liqueurs during production:
Using Coffee Beans
Most premium coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa and Patrón XO Cafe use real roasted coffee beans to extract flavor. The caffeine is extracted naturally from the coffee beans along with the taste. Arabica beans or blends are commonly used for their well-balanced flavor profile.
 Also see more about  light roast vs dark roast
Adding Caffeine Extract
Some lower-cost coffee liqueurs add caffeine separately as purified caffeine extract. The coffee flavor is imparted using cheaper artificial flavorings. While cost-effective, this can result in a less authentic, lower-quality coffee taste.
Higher-quality coffee liqueurs rely on real coffee beans to provide rich flavor and a caffeine boost. Coffee bean extracts like cold brew are sometimes used, too.
Do Other Coffee-Flavored Liquors Have Caffeine?
While coffee liqueurs are the most popular caffeinated coffee liquors, some other boozy coffee beverages also contain caffeine:
Irish coffeeÂ
Consists of whiskey, coffee, sugar, and cream. The coffee provides around 95-200 mg of caffeine, depending on size.
Vanilla latte vodkaÂ
Flavored vodka plus coffee. Caffeine content varies by brand.
Rumchata Iced CoffeeÂ
Iced coffee blended with rum liqueur. Contains around 100 mg of caffeine per 8 oz serving.
Tipsy Iced CoffeeÂ
RTD beverage with rum, coffee and cream. 47 mg caffeine per 8.4 oz can.
Starbucks Doubleshot caffeinated beveragesÂ
Canned coffee with vodka, gin or whiskey. About 125 mg of caffeine per 8.4 oz can.
So, while coffee liqueurs are the most caffeinated coffee liquors, other boozy coffees can provide a decent caffeine kick.
The Bottom Line – Coffee Liqueurs Provide a Small Dose of Caffeine
While coffee liqueurs contain caffeine, the amounts are relatively small compared to a cup of coffee.
On average, a 1.5 oz serving of coffee liqueur provides 15-55 mg of caffeine – much less than the 95-200 mg in a regular cup of coffee.
The caffeine content in coffee cocktails will depend on the type and amount of liqueur used. But even cocktails made with coffee liqueurs + espresso provide less total caffeine than coffee.
Those looking to avoid caffeine can choose naturally caffeine-free coffee liqueurs. But for everyone else, coffee liqueurs offer a sweet hint of caffeine flavor without the full stimulating jolt of coffee.
So next time you enjoy a cocktail made with coffee liqueurs, you can relax, knowing it likely contains lower amounts of caffeine than your morning cup of joe.Also,see more about espresso powder vs instant coffee.
Frequently Asked QuestionsÂ
 Are Coffee-Flavored Vodkas Caffeinated?
 Coffee-flavored vodkas like Van Gogh Espresso do not contain any caffeine. The coffee flavor is added artificially without using any coffee extracts.
 Why Do Some Coffee Liqueurs Have More Caffeine Than Others?
 Higher caffeine coffee liqueurs like Tia Maria use a blend of Robusta and Arabica beans, which are naturally higher in caffeine than Arabica alone. The roast level and coffee brewing process used also impact caffeine levels.
 Can Pregnant Women Drink Coffee Liqueurs?
 Coffee liqueurs are not recommended during pregnancy due to their alcohol content. Small amounts of caffeine from coffee liqueurs are unlikely to be harmful, but moderation is advised.
 Which coffee liqueur Has The Highest Caffeine Content?
 Tia Maria liqueur has the highest caffeine content at approximately 55mg per 1.5 oz serving. Mr Black, Patrón XO Cafe, and Kahlúa have around 25-45mg per serving.
 Are coffee liqueurs keto-friendly?
 Most coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa and Patrón XO Cafe are keto-friendly. Check the carb and sugar count – some lower-quality liqueurs add more sugar. Mr Black and Tia Maria are good keto options.
About The Author
