Red Eye Coffee – What is it and how to prepare it

If you are a coffee lover, you have surely tried different preparations. To delight your taste buds while getting the power you need, the Red Eye coffee is the ideal solution.

What is Red Eye Coffee?     

Red Eye Coffee is basically regular filter coffee with a shot of espresso, which can be made hot or cold.

Features of Red Eye Coffee   

  • Red Eye Coffee is named for the people who ordered it on overnight flights from the east to west coasts of the United States in the 1990s. These people were mostly red-eyed due to the fatigue that such a long journey brings. So, they decided to name the coffee after this sign of tiredness that appeared on each of their long journeys.
    There is no doubt that over time the term became popular among the airlines until it became well known all over the world.
  • Red Eye coffee can be very intense when you combine espresso with filter coffee. You have to keep in mind that espresso is a highly concentrated coffee and therefore has a strong and bitter taste.
    Therefore, the combination with filter coffee achieves a taste balance.

What does Red Eye coffee taste like?

Red Eye coffee can vary in flavor depending on the roast of the coffee, although it is typically brewed with a medium roast.

in Red Eye coffee, along with hints of bitterness and acidity.

Depending on taste, some additives such as milk, sugar or cream can be added to this coffee.

We have to say that milk can be one of the best additives as it not only gives the coffee flavor but also a touch of creaminess and body.

You can add the milk straight into the coffee or you can froth it before adding it to the coffee, which is ideal if you want a lighter coffee with a frothy texture.

How is the Red Eye Coffee prepared?   

Ingredients for Red Eye coffee

  • Filter coffee (0.24 l)
  • A shot of espresso (30 ml or 1 ounce)
  • 1 cup

Preparation of a Red Eye Coffee

  1. Prepare your filter coffee.
  2. While the filter coffee is brewing, you can use this opportunity to prepare your espresso, e.g. with an espresso machine, an Aeropress, a mocha machine or a French press. We do not recommend using instant coffee for this recipe.
  3. Pour the filter coffee into a cup, leaving a little space to add the espresso.
  4. Pour the espresso gently over the filter coffee.
  5. If you wish, you can add a sweetener to the coffee (optional).
  6. Stir with a spoon and blend the coffees to blend their flavors.
  7. Enjoy the great taste of red eye coffee.

How much caffeine is in Red Eye coffee?     

Consider that an 8-ounce (225-gram) cup of coffee can contain about 96 milligrams of caffeine, while a shot of espresso contains 64 milligrams of caffeine.

A red-eye coffee would contain a total of about 160 milligrams of caffeine.

This is for an average cup of coffee, but you should keep in mind that different types of coffee may have different levels of caffeine.

It is important to remember that the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) states that a person can safely consume up to 400 mg per day, although this value can vary depending on body type.

It’s important to be aware of the signals your body is sending you when you exceed your caffeine intake limit, such as: B. nervousness, anxiety, migraine and tachycardia.

Factors used to calculate the caffeine content of Red Eye Coffee

There are a few factors to consider when calculating the caffeine content of Red Eye Coffee:

Degree of roasting

Light roasts have a higher caffeine content than dark roasts. Keep in mind that the roasting process burns caffeine, so a longer roast time generally means less caffeine.

Type of coffee bean

Arabica coffee beans have less caffeine than Robusta coffee beans.

Size of the coffee

The larger the cup of coffee, the more caffeine it contains. Keep in mind that a cup can hold between 6 ounces and 16 ounces (170 and 450 grams) or even more.

When making Red Eye coffee, can dark roast coffee be Substituted for espresso?

Red Eye coffee should only be made with a shot of espresso and drip coffee. Therefore, dark roast coffee cannot be used in place of espresso when brewing Red Eye coffee.

Many believe that this transition can be made without a hitch, but it’s important to know that while roasted coffee has a stronger flavor, it’s still coffee, not espresso.

What is the difference between an Americano and a Red Eye Coffee?

The difference between an Americano and a Red Eye Coffee is that an Americano is made with espresso by adding hot water, while a Red Eye Coffee is made by adding a shot of espresso to the drip coffee.

Because of this, the Red Eye Coffee has a stronger espresso flavor and the Americano has a more traditional coffee flavor.

Similar drinks to Red Eye Coffee

Here are some drinks that are very similar to Red Eye Coffee in their preparation:

Black eye coffee

Black Eye Coffee is a drink very similar to Red Eye Coffee. The only difference is that it contains two shots of espresso instead of one.

This drink contains more caffeine than Red Eye Coffee but less than Dead Eye Coffee.

The Black Eye coffee is named for the black ring that usually appears in the coffee after the espresso shots have been added.

Consider that an 8-ounce (225-gram) cup of coffee can contain about 96 milligrams of caffeine, while a shot of espresso can contain 64 milligrams of caffeine.

So, if we assume that the Black Eye coffee contains 2 shots of espresso, it contains about 224 milligrams of caffeine in total.

Dead Eye coffee

Dead Eye Coffee is a very similar drink to Red Eye Coffee and Black Eye Coffee, the only difference being that it contains three shots of espresso instead of one or two.

This drink contains more caffeine than Red Eye Coffee and Black Eye Coffee.

Dead Eye Coffee gets its name from the high caffeine content, which can be considered dangerous if consumed more than once per day.

Considering that the Dead Eye Coffee contains 3 shots of espresso, it contains about 268 milligrams of caffeine in total.

Lazy coffee

Lazy Coffee is a drink that contains decaffeinated coffee with a shot of espresso. It is ideal for people who are not used to drinking regular coffee and who also want to reduce the amount of caffeine they consume.

Iced coffee Red Eye

Iced Red Eye coffee is a similar coffee to Red Eye coffee, with the only difference being that you have to put the coffee on ice when brewing. This coffee is much more intense than regular iced coffee.

Red Eye coffee nicknames

Red Eye Coffee is also known by various nicknames around the world, here are some of them:

  • Shot in the Dark – Pacific Northwest
  • Mondo – Northwest Coast of the United States
  • Everybody’s cup -Alaska
  • Train Wreck – Northern California
  • Shot in the Dark – Southwest Colorado and New Mexico
  • Stink Eye – Portland, Oregon
  • Double Drip – Vancouver, Canada
  • Oil Spill – Ulysses, Kansas
  • Hammerhead – Different parts of the world
  • Canadian – Various parts of the world
  • Black Hole – Different parts of the world

Tips to keep in mind while drinking Red Eye Coffee

Below are some tips to keep in mind when drinking Red Eye Coffee:

  • Use high quality beans that are well roasted and have a strong flavor profile.
  • Do not use tap water, but always use filtered water for coffee preparation if possible.
  • Try grinding your beans yourself. Remember that freshly ground beans taste better than pre-ground coffee, so get the most out of your coffee grinder.
  • Stir espresso and filter coffee very well before drinking.
  • Don’t overdo it with the coffee grounds, too much can result in a coffee that is too strong and bitter.

Conclusion 

Red Eye coffee is undoubtedly an excellent drink that will keep you awake no matter the time.

We hope that you will be able to consume it soon so that you can enjoy all of the energy-boosting properties that caffeine brings.