MIXING ALCOHOL AND A HIGH-CAFFEINE ENERGY DRINK is popular among younger adults. Unfortunately, this drink type can mask alcohol’s effects, facilitating over-drinking. Today we explore some of the potential harms of mixing alcohol and caffeine.
“First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald
Caffeinated alcohol-containing drinks
A 2005 clinical trial showed psychoactive effects in caffeine doses as low as 9 milligrams. In this context, I present this list of caffeinated alcoholic drinks with at least this amount of caffeine:
- Espresso martini. The caffeine source is espresso and Kahlua, with 217 milligrams per drink (217 mg/100 mL).
- Caffè corretto. The caffeine source is espresso, with 212 milligrams per drink (249 mg/100 mL).
- Vodka Red Bull. The caffeine source is Red Bull, with 60 milligrams per drink (60 mg/100 mL).
- Irish coffee. The caffeine source is coffee, with 80 milligrams per drink (48 mg/100 mL).
- Gunfire. The caffeine source is black tea, with 41 milligrams per drink (35 mg/100 mL).
- Rev. The caffeine source is cola, with 38 milligrams per drink (8 milligrams/100 mL).
- Jägerbomb. This caffeinated energy drink has 29 milligrams per drink (21 mg/100 mL).
- Rum and coke. The caffeine source is cola, with 10 milligrams per drink (6 mg/100 mL).
Historical studies do not allow us to say how safe caffeinated alcoholic drinks are, given the caffeine and alcohol amount variability. Even in controlled laboratory settings, offering an overall safe amount is difficult: We metabolize caffeine at varying rates.
Alcohol + caffeine = Health effects
The 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans caution against mixing alcohol with caffeine. There is an elevated risk of alcohol-related incidents when we combine the two.
According to WebMD, combining alcohol with caffeine can result in the following negative health consequences:
- Binge drinking. When caffeine and alcohol are combined, caffeine can hide alcohol’s negative effects, leading to less safe drinking than normal. Binge-drinking students are more than twice as likely to mix alcohol and energy drinks than drinkers who do not binge. In one study, people who mixed energy drinks with alcohol were likelier to binge six or more drinks at a time.
- Higher blood pressure (with an associated elevated risk of heart attack, other heart diseases, and stroke).
- An irregular sleep schedule. An irregular sleep pattern can lead to heart problems.
- Caffeine masks alcohol’s depressant effects. When we mix alcohol with caffeine, it can mask alcohol’s depressant effects, making drinkers feel more alert than they would otherwise. As a result, individuals may consume more alcohol, becoming more impaired than they realize, increasing the risk of alcohol-attributable problems.
- Unwanted or unprotected sex. Drinkers combining alcohol and energy drinks are likelier to report unprotected or unwanted sex, riding with an intoxicated driver, driving drunk, or suffering from alcohol-related injuries than drinkers who do not mix alcohol with energy drinks.
- You might experience alcohol poisoning. If you drink more because the caffeine makes you feel less drunk, you might raise your risk of alcohol poisoning. As a result, certain areas of your brain shut down.
- Alcohol dependence. If you regularly consume alcohol and caffeine in combination, you have a greater risk of developing alcohol dependence.
But coffee can help sober me up, right?
You may use coffee and alcohol as a go-to combination, given alcohol induces drowsiness while coffee helps to make you more alert. But remember this: Caffeine does not speed up your liver’s processing of alcohol and can’t lower your blood or breath alcohol concentrations.
In summary, mixing a high-caffeine energy drink and alcohol can mask alcohol’s effect, leading to over-drinking. Moreover, combining alcohol and caffeine can make you less likely to feel alcohol’s effects on your body.
Studies have not well-characterized the safety of caffeinated alcoholic drinks, largely because of variations in caffeine and alcohol content in them. Since no standard volumes or ratios are used when mixing caffeine and alcohol, it’s hard to determine what’s safe and what will have bad effects.
Even in controlled settings, results are still inconclusive. People metabolize caffeine at different rates. Caffeine sensitivity and certain lifestyle habits also make the results inconclusive.
Combine alcohol and caffeine at your peril. Please be mindful of how much caffeine you consume since different caffeinated beverages have different amounts of the substance.
GoodRx Health offers these suggestions regarding alcohol consumption (if you drink):
- Drink only with those whom you trust.
- Make plans for a sober ride home.
- Decide ahead of time how many drinks you will consume.
- Decide ahead of time by what time you will stop drinking.
- Decide ahead of time which places you will visit and stick to those.
- Avoid drinks that you or a bartender did not mix.
Key points — Mixing Alcohol and Caffeine
Question. Does mixing caffeine and alcohol increase health risks?
Findings. Low-level evidence suggests mixing alcohol and caffeine is riskier than drinking alcohol alone.
Meaning. Drinking alcohol and caffeine in combination increases the risk of heavy drinking, alcohol dependence, and physical harm. It seems best to avoid combining the two substances.
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The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for reading “Mixing Alcohol and Caffeine: Put Down the Espresso Martini.” If you or someone you know struggles with substance use, help is available. In the USA, please call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1–800–662-HELP (4357) to learn about resources in your area.
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