Does Coffee Actually Sober You Up? A cup of coffee or shot of espresso may make you feel less tired or sedated. But drinking caffeine before driving drunk won’t help you sober up. Dr. Robert Swift, associate director, Brown University Center for Alcohol and Addition Studies, via CNN In a study involving about 130 adults, Drinking caffeinated beer didn't improve people's ability to drive. Dr. Robert Swift, via CNN The only way to sober up is to
let time pass.