Little Kids Drinking Coffee: Your Take

When I was a kid, coffee fell into that category of adult drinks that was equal parts intriguing and repulsive.

I loved the smell. And drinking it seemed so cultured—until I actually took a sip and decided if that was culture, I was going to remain a ginger-ale swilling lout.

Last weekend while out running errands I stopped in the downtown Hinsdale Starbucks.

In a sweet, confident voice, the 8- or 9-year-old child in front of me chirped, “Kid-sized coffee, please.”

Now this was something new to me, but not, evidently, to the barista.

Miniature cups of coffee are not on Starbucks’ public menu. But the barista swiftly and without question handed over an eight-ounce version of that signature white paper cup.

This micro size is usually reserved for hot chocolate, cider or other kid-typical drinks. A quick Google search also taught me that adults can order this “secret size” if they want a more petite pick-me-up.

There are between 60 and 150 mg of caffeine in five ounces of coffee, according to the FDA. In contrast, a 12-ounce Coca Cola Classic—more than twice the size of the FDA’s representative coffee—has only 23 mg. Twelve ounces of Mountain Dew, often thought to be the soda caffeine king, has 55 mg.

In other words, an eight-ounce coffee is going to send a big caffeine bang into that little body.

I posted my observation about the kid and her cup of Joe on the La Grange Patch Facebook page, and you guys responded quickly and energetically. Below, you’ll find a sampling of the responses.

Got an opinion to add on kids drinking coffee? Share it in the comments!

Marie Raleigh: That cup is the size they sell their kid-sized hot chocolate in! I have to admit, probably about 3 times my son has asked me to get him a "coffee" just because he sees me drinking it! I drink a tall non-fat, no-whip mocha! So I'll order it because I know he'll take 2 sips and then I drink the rest. And quite frankly I'd be a lot more concerned with all of the parents who are frequently drinking alcohol in front of their kids - at parties, with dinner, when they're out to dinner, with neighbors, etc.!

Diana DiPierro: How old would you say this little girl was? I saw Anderson Cooper do a Ridiculist on one of those little pageant girls drinking coffee & I thought it was ridiculous! Make kids more wired why don't you!?!

Erik Bloecks: Kids drinking coffee is not the end of the world. If it was booze that would be something else.

Dena Lozano: Adults can have it too. I routinely order a 'short' cappuccino. Not only is it cheaper but it's more of what a real capp should be. 

For Healthy Foods: In general I'm surprised at the amount of children and teens that frequent and hang out at Starbucks. As a kid, coffee was definitely an adult drink and something that was associated with all sorts of myths perpetrated by adults to keep us from drinking in it. These days parents must be sending a different message. But I think its crazy how many teens are hooked on caffeine these days.

Jamie Ownby: Coffee is probably better than Mountain Dew.

Katie Kather: I worked at Starbucks eight years, and I have to say that one never happened to me!

Laura Beals: My son drinks coffee. When he's not on his ADHD mess, it takes the edge off.

Jeanette Mamola Marchelya: At first I was like - hmmm, then I read these comments. Now those were eye opening!