What Does Quad Mean at Starbucks?

Coffee Levels is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Do you know what does quad mean at Starbucks and how to order it?

A Starbucks Quad has four shots of espresso, which is the same amount that comes in a regular venti Starbucks Americano. The word Quad can be used when ordering at Starbucks to get four espresso shots in a single drink.

You can ask for a Quad shot espresso for your Starbucks latte, flat white, and any drink that is espresso based. Keep in mind that more espresso shots mean more caffeine and a Quad shot espresso contains about 300 mg of caffeine.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about ordering a Starbucks quad, including what quad means, how much caffeine is in quad drinks, and some quad tips, so read on!

What is a Quad Espresso Starbucks?

When someone orders a quad espresso at Starbucks, it means that the customer wants 4 shots of espresso in their drink. One shot of espresso is equivalent to 0.75 oz. at Starbucks. So four shots or a quad are 3 ounces.

If you are not familiar with espresso, it is a type of concentrated coffee in which hot water is pressed under very high pressure through finely-ground coffee beans. One shot of espresso is equivalent to one ounce, so four shots of a quadruple are four ounces.

The most commonly ordered quadruple drinks are those that already contain espressos, such as latte, cappuccino, or a flat white.

READ MORE: The 8 Best Coffee Bean Gifts for 2023

A common misconception is that ordering a double or quadruple espresso means that the espresso is double or quadruple.

But quad means that the drink contains a total of 4 shots of espresso. So if the drink is normally made with 2 shots of espresso and you order a quad shot of espresso at Starbucks, you are now getting 4 shots of espresso.

As for the number of shots of espresso, Starbucks drinks usually have one:

  • Espresso Tall (12 oz) has 1 shot of espresso.
  • Grande (16 oz) has 2 shots.
  • Venti hot (20 oz) has 2 shots (except a Venti Americano, which has 4 shots!).
  • Venti cold (24 oz) has 3 or 4 shots.

If the coffee sizes at Starbucks seem confusing, then you are not alone. We have all of the different Starbucks drink sizes explained in another article which you might find helpful.

Starbucks Quad Espresso Drinks

Starbucks quad espresso

Now you know what a quad espresso Starbucks drink is and how much caffeine each one has, but what’s a good Starbucks drink ordered with 4 shots of espresso?

If you want to get right to the point, you can simply order a quad espresso.

You can add milk and syrup like mocha or caramel for extra flavor. Just make sure that if you drink the quadruple espresso hot and want milk, you order it with steamed milk so that the milk is hot and doesn’t cool the espresso.

If you regularly drink espressos, such as a cappuccino or latte, a quadruple variant will give you an extra boost of energy on days when you need it while still enjoying the same drink.

How can you get a quad Starbucks at home? Just brew four shots of espresso using Starbucks beans or coffee grounds, which you can buy in-store or on Amazon here.

How Much Caffeine is in 4 Shots of Espresso?

An important question asked by people who want to order a quad shot of espresso from Starbucks is how much caffeine is in four shots of espresso?

Due to the type of coffee Starbucks uses and the brewing process, a single espresso shot contains an average of 75 mg of caffeine. For comparison, the average cup of coffee has 100 mg of caffeine.

A Starbucks quad drink with 4 shots of espresso contains about 300 mg of caffeine. That’s a lot considering that the FDA recommends adults consume only up to 400 mg of caffeine per day.

Caffeine level is especially important if you order the four shots in a drink that already contains caffeine, such as a cold brew, iced coffee, or regular coffee.

If you want to limit your caffeine level while enjoying an espresso, Starbucks’ decaffeinated espresso has about 3 mg of caffeine content per shot, which is about 12 mg of caffeine in four shots.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you make a quad Starbucks at home?

Just brew four shots of espressos using Starbucks beans or coffee grounds, which you can buy in-store or on Amazon here.

What Is Iced Quad Espresso at Starbucks?

A Starbucks iced quad espresso is a 3 fl oz drink made from 4 shots of espresso roast. It has a rich, earthy, and sweet caramel flavor and contains 300 mg of caffeine, according to Starbucks.

What is a Venti Quad?

A Venti Quad is a Quad espresso drink containing 4 espresso shots and served in a Venti cup. The Venti Iced Quad Espresso and Venti Iced Quad Latte are dark, rich espresso beverages best enjoyed with milk and served over ice.

Does a Venti Come with 4 Shots?

A venti hot coffee drink has the same amount of espresso as a grande: only two shots. The additional volume is mostly milk and syrup. Some venti cold beverages, such as the Starbucks shaken espressos, come with 4 espresso shots.

Takeaway

So what does quad mean at Starbucks? When you order a quad Starbucks, it simply means the barista adds four espresso shots to your drink.

Four shots of espresso add at least 300 mg of caffeine to a coffee drink. Therefore we recommend the quad as an occasional treat rather than part of your daily caffeine fix.

SEE ALSO:

Click here to view the Visual Story Version of this Article.