Coffee

McCafe Coffee Caffeine Content


McCafe restaurants are located within McDonald’s outlets and offer espresso-based beverages as well as McDonalds’ standard brewed coffee.

Here are the caffeine amounts for the most common McCafe beverages.

McCafe Coffee and Tea Caffeine

Beverage Small
(12 fl oz)
Medium
(16 fl oz)
Large
(21-24 fl oz)
X-Large
(32 fl oz)
Coffee (Brewed) 109 mg 145 mg 180 mg
Decaf Coffee (Brewed) 8 mg 11 mg 14 mg
Espresso 71 mg (single) 142 mg (double)
Americano 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
Latte 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
Cinnamon Cookie Latte 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
Caramel Latte 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
French Vanilla Latte 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
Cappuccino 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
Caramel Cappuccino 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
French Vanilla Capp. 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
Caramel Macchiato 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
Mocha 86 mg 167 mg 200 mg
Caramel Mocha 86 mg 167 mg 200 mg
Iced Coffee 133 mg 200 mg 320 mg
Mocha Frappe 100 mg 125 mg 180 mg
Frappe (other flavors) 75 mg 90 mg 130 mg 100 mg
Iced Latte 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
Iced Mocha 86 mg 167 mg 200 mg
Iced Caramel Macchiato 71 mg 142 mg 178 mg
Iced Sweet Tea 38 mg 50 mg 66 mg 100 mg
Hot Tea 42 mg 42 mg 42 mg
Hot Chocolate 7 mg 10 mg 12 mg

How Accurate Are These Amounts?

We obtained these caffeine amounts by communicating directly to McDonalds’ customer service. They responded:

“McDonald’s uses the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference to estimate the amount of caffeine in its coffee products. Not all of our McCafe products have been tested for caffeine content at this time.

We are in the process of gathering this data and will make it available on our website as soon as possible.”

However, in 2021, caffeine amounts are not listed on their nutrition site.

Therefore, some of the above amounts are estimates and could vary from store to store depending on how each store prepares the beverages. We also noticed that cup sizes vary depending upon where in the world the McCafe is located.

In 2017 a test conducted by BuzzFeed found McDonalds Brewed Coffee to average about 14.3 mg/ounce or 229 mg per 16 fluid ounces. This is about 84 mg more than what McDonald’s last reported to us.

Note that caffeine in coffee can vary (due to coffee origin and blend used) and may be more or less than the amounts shown.

Compare with Other Coffee Outlets

Starbucks
Dunkin Donuts
Caribou
Tim Hortons
Dutch Bros. Coffee

McCafe’s are extensive in some parts of the world, offering a full line of beverages and pastries with hot beverages being served in ceramic cups complete with latte art.

In the USA, McCafes aren’t as elaborate and have limited options for the most part. Some Mcdonald’s do not have true McCafe options at all.

McCafe has done well in other parts of the world by offering espresso-based coffee at more affordable prices and it will be interesting to see how it continues to grow in the USA.

McDonald’s coffees can be pretty high in sugar and calories as well which can add to the overall health impact when eating at fast-food restaurants. If you are concerned with your health, choosing healthier options is a must when ordering coffee and food at fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s.

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Written by Ted Kallmyer, last updated on June 9, 2021