Coffee Alternatives to Get Creative with Your Caffeine

Tea is an obvious alternative to coffee if you need a caffeine boost, but some teas are better than others if your goal is renewed energy. Black, oolong, and green tea have more caffeine than other varieties.

Plus, studies show these teas have anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and neuroprotective properties, making them exceptionally good for your health. Go for freshly brewed to get the most out of this option.

Chocolate-covered espresso beans are packed with caffeine; each bean has about 9.5 mg. If they are covered in dark chocolate, which also has caffeine and many health benefits of its own, you get even more.

The exact caffeine content depends on the type of bean, but generally, a serving of this tasty snack can deliver as many as 180 mg, so you might want to put the bag out of reach after a handful!

All chocolate has caffeine. According to the USDA, a 100g or 3.5-ounce serving of dark chocolate has 56 mg of caffeine. Even so, many brands are adding extra caffeine to their bars.

Some products offer as many as 100 mg per serving, which is approximately the same as a cup of black coffee.

Lotions and soaps with caffeine may be an invigorating way to wake up in the morning, but if you want the most impact from putting caffeine on your skin, go for a caffeine patch. While the effectiveness of these products depends on the caffeine content, studies show that caffeine can get into the bloodstream through the skin.

The longer the skin is exposed to caffeine, the more it absorbs, which makes patches far superior to lotions, soaps, and shampoos.

Caffeinated gums are marketed to athletes as a way to get energy and stay focused without eating or drinking added sugars, but anyone can benefit from these ingenious products. They are convenient because you can take them with you anywhere, and when you need extra energy, all you have to do is pop a piece into your mouth and chew.

The amount of caffeine varies depending on the brand, but some offer as many as 100mg per piece.

Adding a tablespoon or two of instant coffee to pancake batter is a tasty way to get a little extra caffeine with your breakfast. Add some chocolate chips or drizzle a little melted chocolate on the top for an extra kick.

This tasty option works for almost any baked good, from waffles to cookies, cakes, and pastries.

Dry rubs add more flavor when grilling, and coffee dry rubs are a unique and easy way to add caffeine. While many coffee rubs are available to purchase, making your own is easy, too.

Add two tablespoons of instant coffee to your favorite recipe. Try dry coffee rub on steaks, burgers, briskets, and ribs.

Coffee and chocolate both contain caffeine, and there are many ways to combine the two. Coffee chocolate bark is a decadent way to indulge in something sweet while also getting an energy boost.

Add two teaspoons of instant coffee to two cups of melted semi-sweet chocolate, stir in some almonds for a nutrition boost, spread over parchment paper on a cookie sheet, and let cool.

Coffee smoothies are a delicious way to start the day. Begin with coffee and ice, then add other nutritional ingredients to taste, like almond milk, cocoa powder, and sugar-free syrups. You can also get creative by adding bananas, avocado, honey, or maple syrup.

Blend until the smoothie is the consistency you want, then serve immediately.

Using coffee in savory recipes is a surprising way to switch up caffeine. You can add coffee to any chili recipe, but it tends to taste better when the chili is beef-based. Substitute one cup of brewed coffee for a cup of tomato juice or any other liquid ingredient in your favorite chili recipe for a deep, rich flavor.