Red Eye Coffee, Dead Eye, Black Eye – these aren’t code names for a covert mission; they’re variations of your regular cup of joe with an extra kick.
If you’re curious about how to inject more caffeine into your coffee routine, you’re in the right place. Let’s uncover the mysteries behind these eye-catching brews.
What is Red Eye coffee?
Red Eye coffee, also known as a “Shot in the Dark,” is a simple but powerful coffee drink made by adding a single shot of espresso to a cup of drip coffee.
It is named Red Eye Coffee as this ultra-caffeinated drink helps to alleviate the reddening of the eyes caused by sleep deprivation or fatigue.
Red Eye Coffee is the perfect on-the-go pick-me-up for those who need an energy boost but don’t have time for a full breakfast. It’s a popular choice for truckers, students, and anyone who needs to stay awake and focused.
The combination of the strong espresso shot and the milder drip coffee creates a drink that is both potent and flavorful.
Red-eye coffee is also known by several other names, depending on the region or culture. Here are a few other names for red-eye coffee:
- Shot in the Dark
- Hammerhead
- Depth Charge
- Eye Opener
- Stink Eye
- Turbo Coffee
- Sludge Cup
- Oil Spill
- Red Hammer
Black Eye Coffee
Black Eye coffee is a stronger version of Red Eye. It is made by adding two shots of espresso to a cup of drip coffee, giving it an extra jolt of caffeine. It is also known as a “double shot in the dark” in some regions.
Dead Eye Coffee
Dead Eye coffee is the strongest of the Eye coffee drinks. It is made by adding three shots of espresso to a cup of drip coffee, giving it an extra powerful caffeine punch. It is also sometimes called a “triple shot in the dark”
At Starbucks, Dead Eye Coffee is known as “Green Eye”
Lazy Eye Coffee
A lazy eye coffee drink is similar to Red eye coffee, but instead of adding a shot of espresso to regular coffee, it’s made by adding a shot of decaf espresso to regular coffee. It’s a good option for those who want the strong taste of coffee but don’t want the extra caffeine.
How to Make Red Eye Coffee?
You can easily make red-eye Coffee at your home by following these simple steps:
1- Prepare Black Coffee
First up in making red-eye coffee is to brew 8 ounces of regular black coffee using your preferred brewing method.
I find that a pour-over coffee maker works great as the base, but you could also use a drip coffee machine, French press, or Chemex if you prefer.
2- Make Espresso
Now prepare a single, double, or triple shot of Espresso depending on whether you want a red eye, black eye, or dead eye.
Place the cup of freshly brewed coffee under the Espresso machine and brew the shot of Espresso straight into it.
Give it a quick stir, and your drink is ready to serve!
When making a red eye, go with medium or light roast beans for the regular coffee and dark roast for the espresso. This mixes the sweet, citrusy notes of the brewed coffee with the rich, smoky, chocolatey flavors from the espresso. The medium and dark roasts complement each other perfectly. Trust me, it takes the red eye to a whole new level of taste!
What Does Red Eye Coffee Taste Like
Red Eye Coffee packs strong and intense coffee flavors that are not found in regular coffee. It is literally the strongest coffee drink you can ever taste. The intensity and bitterness of the espresso complement the bright flavors of the drip coffee, resulting in a rich coffee experience.
As someone who enjoys a strong cup of coffee, I can say that Eye coffee drinks definitely pack a punch in terms of taste.
Overall, these coffee drinks are not for the faint of heart, but rather for those who prefer a strong and bold cup of coffee. Due to the high level of caffeine in these coffee drinks, they are not recommended as a day-to-day drink.
How much caffeine is in the Red Eye coffee?
A single shot of espresso contains around 60-72 milligrams of caffeine, while an 8-ounce cup of drip coffee has about 80-120 milligrams of caffeine.
- A Red eye prepared with a Single shot has around 160-180 mg of caffeine
- A Black eye prepared with a Double shot has around 220-240 mg of caffeine
- A Dead eye prepared with a Tripe shot has around 280-300 mg of caffeine
Additionally, factors such as the type and roast level of the beans, and the brewing time can also affect the caffeine content in these coffee drinks.
The main side effect of Red Eye coffee is that it contains a very high amount of caffeine, which may be overwhelming for some people, especially those with caffeine sensitivities. Adults are recommended to consume no more than 400mg of caffeine per day.
That’s why it is OK to drink Dead Eye coffee occasionally, but shouldn’t be your regular coffee choice.
Read a guide on How many shots of Espresso are safe to drink
How to order Red Eye coffee at Starbucks?
If you want to order one of these Eye coffee drinks at Starbucks, here’s what to ask for:
Red Eye coffee: Ask for a regular brewed coffee with a shot of espresso
Black Eye Coffee: Ask for a regular brewed coffee with two shots of espresso
Dead Eye coffee: Ask for a regular brewed coffee with three shots of espresso. It is also known as Green eye Coffee.
When ordering your Eye coffee drink, you can customize it by requesting additional ingredients like milk or sweetener. For example, you can ask for a Red Eye with cream or a Dead Eye with sugar.
Final Thoughts
And that’s the complete lowdown on red-eye coffee! Now you know how to make this high-octane brew at home and even order it like a pro.
Let me know if you decide to try out a red eye after reading this. I’d love to hear how your blend of regular coffee and espresso turns out.
Got any tips or tweaks to make red-eye coffee even better? Share them in the comments below!
Read about other Espresso based coffee drinks
FAQs
What’s the difference between Red Eye and Americano?
The main difference is Americano is a milder drink prepared by adding a shot of Espresso to hot Water. While the Red-eye coffee is a strong coffee drink prepared by adding a shot of Espresso to brewed coffee.
Can you add milk to Red Eye coffee?
Yes, you can add milk to Red Eye coffee, just like any other coffee drink. It’s all about personal preference, and adding milk can make the taste of the drink more approachable.
Traditionally, milk or cream is not added to red-eye coffee since it is meant to be consumed strong and unsweetened.
Red Eye Coffee Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Espresso machine
- 1 Coffee grinder
- 1 Drip or Pour over Coffee Maker
Ingredients
- 8 oz Brewed Coffee
- Single Shot Espresso, Double shot for Black eye and Tripe shot for Dead eye
- Sugar or Sweeteners (Optional)
Instructions
- Start by brewing a cup of drip coffee using your preferred method.
- Place the cup of freshly brewed coffee under the Espresso machine and brew Espresso straight into the cup of coffee
- You can add milk or sugar to taste if desired. Your Red Eye coffee is ready to drink!
