Macchiato is a natural coffee type. And Red Bull is an energy drink, they both are highly caffeinated and provide our bodies instant energy.
Energy drinks and coffee both have equal amounts of popularity with a very loyal consumer base. Some people enjoy only coffee and some only energy drinks, and the remaining enjoy both.
But the common ground is that they both have caffeine which is why these are famous. Caffeine as we all know gives us instant energy and makes us less tired throughout the day.
Now whether you want to sip on warm macchiato or icy cold energy drinks for your caffeine fix, they both provide instant energy as well as some goodies. Let’s put them face to face and see which one is better or maybe, they both have the same features.
Let’s start.
Are Red Bull And Macchiato The Same?
Red Bull and macchiato are not the same. Red Bull is a brand of energy drink that is man-made and is very popular and a macchiato is an espresso-based coffee with all-natural ingredients.
The two categories that are highly popular for being adequately caffeinated are coffee and energy drinks. They both are different from each other.
Coffee is made with roasted coffee beans that grow on a plant. And energy drinks are made synthetically in factories all over the world. The one thing that is common between the two is their ability to provide a power-packed punch of energy instantly.
Today we’re discussing macchiato which is a type of coffee and Red Bull which is an energy drink.
Macchiato is a type of coffee that is very notorious for its strong flavor profile. It has some bold flavors and harshness of espresso.
In a double shot of espresso, a mere dollop is added of full fat steamed milk or milk foam, as per request. This then is not stirred to make it homogeneous.
It is served like this and the coffee is drunk this way only. It’s as simple as that. No sugar or any other things are added to this cup of joe. You can read more about the basics of this drink in my other article.
Red Bull on the other hand is different. Since it is made in a factory and then bottled up in cans and sold in markets, it is an artificially flavored carbonated drink that contains no alcohol and has caffeine extracts.
It also contains artificial additives like boosters, artificial sweeteners, and synthetic food coloring. Therefore, Macchiato and Red Bull have a lot of differences.
Here I’ve summarized the ingredients for both of them.
| Macchiato | Red Bull |
| Espresso | Artificial Sweeteners |
| Steamed Milk | B vitamins |
| Milk Foam | Caffeine |
| Antioxidants | Caffeine Anhydrous |
| Caffeine | Flavorings |
| Gluconolactone | |
| L-Carnitine | |
| Preservatives | |
| Taurine |
Does Red Bull Have More Caffeine Than Macchiato?
A macchiato has more caffeine content than a Red Bull. An 8 oz serving of macchiato has about 128 mg of caffeine. And Red Bull has about 68 mg of caffeine in an 8 oz serving.
Our daily lives are very busy and we have a lot on our plates. Each of us has our own unique schedules which do not give us much time.
Therefore, we need something on the go that tastes good and also elevates our energy levels so that we can get through our day. And, caffeine is the answer to this.
Caffeine is the sole reason that coffee and energy drinks are consumed on a daily basis.
But having said that we need to keep in mind that the FDA has some set limits of caffeine consumption which serve as a threshold. If you cross the set limits which is 400 mg of caffeine per day, you can get caffeine overdosing.
The effects can be fatal of caffeine overdosing symptoms but some short-term effects include:
- Dehydration
- Depleting Iron & Calcium
- Excessive sweating
- Increased Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Jitteriness
Though a macchiato and a Red Bull do not contain excessive amounts of caffeine, if you lose track, you may end up drinking more than you can handle.
A regular serving of 8 oz Macchiato has about 128 mg of caffeine and Red Bull has about 68 mg of caffeine in an 8 oz serving.
Which Beverage Has More Sugar: Macchiato Or Red Bull?
Red Bull has more sugar content than a macchiato. Red Bull has about 34 g of sugar in a regular can. And a macchiato has about 2 to 3 g of sugar.
Macchiato, like Americano or a long black, naturally doesn’t contain any sugar. It’s just plain espresso and about a tablespoon of steamed milk. This coffee isn’t meant to have sweetness.
It only has hints of sugar which come from the added steamed milk. It’s prepared this way so that the espresso can shine through. For this sole purpose, it isn’t even stirred and drunk just like this.
Though, coffee shops like Starbucks have sugary varieties of macchiato like Caramel Macchiato, which has caramel sauce and sugar. But the classic Macchiato doesn’t contain any sugar.
Red Bull on the other hand contains a large quantity of sugar in a regular can. It has about 34 g of sugar in a 12 oz can. This is a lot given that the Heart and Stroke Foundation only recommends about 12 teaspoons of sugar in a whole day.
If we do some conversion, 34 g makes about 8 to 9 teaspoons of sugars. So, if you consume two cans of Red Bull in a day or maybe eat something sweet like a slice of cake or donut, or maybe a candy, this suggested limit would be crossed. This can lead to potential dangers and harmful effects.
This immediate sugar elevation will give you a sugar high. And once this wears off, you will get a sugar crash. This can make you drowsy, tired and give you migraines as well. So, in conclusion, Red Bull has more sugar than a macchiato.
Which One Is A Better Stimulant: Macchiato Or Red Bull?
Red Bull is a much stronger stimulant than a macchiato. But a macchiato compared to other coffees is a very strong coffee. But since Red Bull artificial boosters, it’s a better stimulant.
Macchiato and Red Bull both are stimulants. They activate your brain cells and wake you up almost immediately as you sip on them. But having said that, Red Bull is a comparatively better stimulant than a macchiato.
The thing with any kind of energy drink is that they are highly effective and in minutes stimulate your body. You feel high without even being intoxicated. But that high from Red Bull wears off much quicker than a macchiato.
These stimulants are also artificially added and the caffeine amalgamated with the sugars makes it so highly electrifying. Also, this high is quite addictive especially for the younger generation, according to studies.
Whereas, the effects of a macchiato do not wear off that quickly. Its noticeable effects remain for at least 3 to 4 hours. But since it doesn’t contain any fabricated ingredients, it isn’t that powerful.
You can watch this video where they compare coffee with energy drinks.
Is Macchiato Better Than Red Bull In The Long Run?
Macchiato is much better than a Red Bull. Excessive sugar and caffeine from Red Bull can give you harmful effects.
Coffee is better than any form of energy drink. Energy drinks like Red bull are only rich in B vitamins. Whereas coffee like macchiato is naturally packed with antioxidants and essential nutrients.
It protects your body from any fatal diseases like liver cancer and Dementia. Plus, coffee in moderation without any dairy or sugar is good for your body.
The Physicians Committee says that dairy isn’t that healthy for your body. It plays a vital role in giving you health issues like heart problems and diabetes. Plus, a macchiato doesn’t contain any sugar.
Red Bull’s sugar content is very toxified and many younger people get hooked on it easily. The sugar high or sugar crash is very harmful to the body. So, a macchiato is a better choice than Red Bull.
I’ve made a table below stating the nutritional facts of a macchiato and a Red Bull.
| Contents | Macchiato | Red Bull |
| Calories | 52 | 153 |
| Carbohydrates | 6.2 g | 37 g |
| Fats | 1.8 g | 0.3 g |
| Proteins | 2.7 g | 1 g |
| Sugar | 3 g | 34 g |
| Sodium | 50 mg | 129 mg |
What Do Macchiato And Red Bull Taste Like?
Originally, macchiato tastes bitter with hints of sweetness from the steamed milk. Starbucks has a Caramel version of a macchiato which is very sweet. Red Bull tastes sweet and sour. It also has many flavors like watermelon, peppermint, berry, and tropical fruits.
Macchiato in its classic form is very bitter and strong in flavor. The espresso shines through a dollop of steamed milk or milk foam. This makes the boldness of the espresso very prominent while giving a hint of creaminess for strong coffee aficionados.
People who like to enjoy a strong cup of power-packed bold coffee without any diary, surely enjoy this. Though Starbucks has made a sweet caramel version of this classic coffee called Caramel Macchiato.
A sweetened and caramelly macchiato for those who like their coffee sweet. With the addition of milk, vanilla syrup, and caramel syrup topping, the espresso flavor is softened.
In the cup, the vanilla syrup is added first, followed by steamed milk and milk foam. It is then topped with a double shot of espresso and drizzled with caramel syrup.
And if we talk about Red Bull, it’s quite the opposite of a macchiato. It is very sweet and tangy in flavor.
Though some people also suggest that it tastes like watered-down cough syrup with metallic notes because of the caffeine extract. But this strong yet sweet energy drink also has many flavors like watermelon, peppermint, berry, and tropical fruits.
My Two Cents
In their respective categories, macchiato and Red Bull are both very popular drinks. But I think a macchiato is a better choice than Red Bull due to its many benefits.
Occasionally, there’s nothing wrong with drinking energy drinks, but avoid overdosing.
However, the choice is entirely up to you. The explanations in the above sections are primarily intended to help you determine what drink you need to boost your body most effectively, regardless of your tolerance and health condition.
Other Articles
- Mocha VS Macchiato (A Fair Comparison)
- Long Black VS Energy Drinks (Who Wins?)
- Long Black VS Macchiato (An In-depth Comparison)