Is your regular cup of coffee lacking the caffeine content you crave? Especially on really long days? If you answered yes, you might want to try making redeye coffee. Redeye coffee is a popular drink made from coffee and espresso. It is known for its robust flavor and high caffeine content.
Did you know you can make redeye coffee at home with a few simple ingredients? This blog post will teach you how to make red eye coffee like a pro! And, you’ll learn everything about it. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Red Eye Coffee?
Redeye coffee is a potent blend of coffee with a double espresso shot. Perfect for long nights and early mornings. Some even say it’s like having an extra jolt of energy to keep you going. Whether pulling an all-nighter or powering through a busy day, red eye coffee will give you an extra boost.
How Does Red Eye Coffee Get Its Name?
It is named after the red-eye flight, which was famously a late-night flight from the west coast to New York City that took place in the middle of the night. Not strictly for the bloodshot eyes, many travelers sport, as most commonly thought.
Taking a “red eye flight” means staying up all night for a long journey, regardless of your location. Even those in the Seattle or Northern California on an overnight flight to Los Angeles might refer to their long flight trip as a “red eye.”
The added strength of Redeye coffee allows any coffee lover to enjoy a cup of coffee without drinking multiple cups throughout the day. This is perfect for healthy adult coffee lovers who need a caffeine boost.
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An overview of the red eye’s history
Starbucks first introduced the red eye’ coffee as a secret menu item, but it is now ordered at any local coffee shop throughout the country. There are regional variations of the high-octane red eye throughout the country, which is different from most other strong coffee beverages.
In recent years, the red eye has developed into the working person’s favorite coffee drink; consumed on the go when awake and focused are essential, but multiple cups aren’t available. Basically, it’s a cold brew on steroids (but, hot). If you want a totally sleepless night, the red eye coffee drink is for you.
How To Make A Red Eye Cup of Coffee
Getting your caffeine fix is as simple as making a cup of red eye coffee. Red eyes are made by brewing a cup of coffee and adding a single shot of espresso to it. Double shots of espresso are often pulled in specialty coffee shops. If you make a red eye drink at home, you can also determine the number of espresso shots you want.
Fresh, quality coffee and espresso are essential to making a great redeye. If you are using pre-made coffee or espresso, you should always heat up your coffee or espresso before adding it to your cup. You will enhance the flavor and the drink will not become diluted as a result. Adding your ingredients to your cup is as simple as adding them to your mouth!
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What does a red eye coffee taste like?
This drink has a pleasant taste, combining the mild sweetness of a cup of coffee with the bitter strength of an espresso shot. If you’re expecting a bitter flavor of the espresso from the recipe itself, you’ll be disappointed.
Depending on which coffee beans you brew, your drinks will have a specific flavor.
- Lighter roast coffee will produce more fruity acidity in your coffee.
- Dark roast coffee has sweet and smoky flavors.
If you like your coffee sweetened, be aware that you will have to add more sugar than you would for a regular cup of coffee of the same size.
Besides cinnamon, creamers, milk, or caramel syrup, you can also add other flavorings. Experiment with taste choices and have fun with a coffee beverage with some extra added zip!
Red Eye Variations
Depending on where you are in the United States, you might order a red eye by different, various names. In the Pacific Northwest and most of the West Coast, this coffee with espresso shot is known as a “shot in the dark.”
If you travel up north to Alaska, you’ll need to ask for a “sludge cup” instead. This name likely comes from the strong drink’s resemblance to petroleum or an oil spill. In New York, you’ll ask for a “Mondo” at your favorite coffee shop.
Other parts of the country also have different variants of the red eye. East coast In California, you can order a “train wreck” with a double shot of espresso. Starbucks refers to its red eye as a “green eye” with three espresso shots (yes, there’s an added shot of espresso). No matter what you call it, this coffee packs a punch.
You should learn what the regional variation of a red eye is before ordering, however.
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What is black eye coffee?
Black eye coffee is a coffee drink that consists of two shots of espresso added to a cup of coffee. The drink’s name comes from the caffeine content being so high, that it may feel like one has been hit in the eye! However, black coffee is not just about the caffeine levels but also the flavor.
When two shots of espresso are added to coffee, it creates a rich, full-bodied flavor that many regular coffee drinkers enjoy. If you are looking for coffee drinks that will give you a little extra energy, then black eye coffee may be right for you.
What is dead eye coffee?
A dead eye coffee is a type of coffee that (regardless of different names) contains three shots of espresso. Yes, exactly what Starbucks calls their “green eye coffee.” Depending on the type of coffee used, dead eye coffee can contain close to 300 mg of caffeine.
While this may not seem like a lot of extra caffeine, it is important to remember that the average cup of java contains around 100 milligrams of caffeine. Yes, large amounts of caffeine aren’t great for our central nervous system at times, but giving people on a long-haul flight the stink eye when you’re tired, isn’t good either.
What Is The Recommended Safe Amount of Caffeine Intake Per Day?
Up to 400 mg per day appears to be safe for most people, but consuming more than this can lead to side effects such as jitteriness, increased heart rate, and insomnia. When used in moderation, however, caffeine consumption can be a helpful tool for increased alertness and improved physical performance.
Although caffeine has been demonized by some, the fact is that this naturally-occurring substance can actually be helpful in moderation. Caffeine acts as a stimulant, temporarily increasing alertness and combating fatigue.
In addition, caffeine can help to improve focus and concentration. However, it is important to consume caffeine in moderation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It is definitely easier to make a red-eye coffee with a super-automatic espresso machine, but a normal drip coffee maker and manual espresso machine can also achieve the same taste. A French press and a moka pot would even work well for making a red eye!
The key to making a red eye is to start with a strongly brewed cup of drip coffee. If you’re using a regular drip coffee maker, this means using more grounds than usual. For a manual espresso machine, it means pulling a longer shot.
Once you have your strongly brewed coffee, add hot water until it reaches the desired strength. Finally, top it off with a splash of milk or cream and enjoy!
Devil Mountain’s Black Label coffee has the record for the highest caffeine content in the world. The caffeine content of this coffee is over 1,500 milligrams per serving.
The UK-made Very Strong Coffee makes use of 100% Robusta coffee beans, which have naturally high caffeine content.
High-Voltage Coffee comes from Australia and makes a dark-roasted blend of sustainably sourced beans. The company’s website claims it’s lab-tested to make sure it’s high in caffeine.
The caffeine levels here are almost frightening, but if a caffeine addict in need of a caffeine fix, Black Insomnia is probably for you. A serving of this product contains more than 1,000 milligrams of caffeine.
Red eye coffee can be made with milk, and this will not affect the caffeine content. The milk will help to mellow out the coffee and make it less bitter.
You can also add sugar or other sweeteners to taste. If you want a stronger coffee, you can add an additional shot of espresso. However, this will also increase the caffeine content.
If you don’t want to use regular milk, you can opt for soy, almond, or cashew milk instead. Just make sure to adjust the amount of sweetener you add accordingly.
To learn more on how to start your own coffee shop checkout my startup documents here
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult a legal expert to address your specific needs.
Hi! I’m Shawn Chun
My adventure in coffee began when I first launched my first coffee shop back in the early 2000s. I had to figure out so many things on my own and to make it worse within 2 years of opening two large corporate coffee chains moved in just blocks away from me!
As I saw smaller and even some larger coffee shops in the neighborhood slowly lose customers to these giant coffee chains and slowly close up shop, I knew that I had to start getting creative…or go out of business.
I (like you may be) knew the coffee industry well. I could make the best latte art around and the foam on my caps was the fluffiest you have ever seen. I even had the best state-of-the-art 2 group digital Nuova Simonelli machine money could buy. But I knew that these things alone would not be enough to lure customers away from the name brand established coffee shops.
Eventually, through lots of trial and error as well as perseverance and creativity I did find a way to not only survive but also thrive in the coffee/espresso industry even while those corporate coffee chains stayed put. During those years I learned to adapt and always faced new challenges. It was not always easy, however, in the end, I was the sole survivor independent coffee shop within a 10-mile radius of my location. Just two corporate coffee chains and I were left after that year. All told the corporate coffee chains took down over 15 small independent coffee shops and kiosks and I was the last one standing and thriving.
Along the years I meet others with the same passion for coffee and I quickly learned that it is not only “how good a barista is” that makes a coffee shop successful, but the business side of coffee as well.
Hence why I started this website you are on now. To provide the tools and resources for up and coming coffee shop owners to gain that vital insight and knowledge on how to start a coffee shop successfully.
Stick around, browse through my helpful blog and resources and enjoy your stay! With lots of LATTE LOVE!
Shawn
