11 Healthy Starbucks Drinks That Taste Indulgent
Updated: Sep. 01, 2023
You might be surprised by the variety of Starbucks beverages that clock in at less than 200 calories. From classic espresso to creamy coffee confections, we found healthy Starbucks drinks for everyone.
Your next Starbucks order
Starbucks offers a lot of options and it can be hard to know exactly how healthy your go-to drink option is. If you know your coffee order has a little bit too much sugar in it, try switching to one of these healthy Starbucks drinks that taste just as good. For more of an inside look, here are the secrets Starbucks employees won’t tell you.
Brewed Coffee or Americano
What is the lowest-calorie Starbucks drink on the menu? Plain coffee, of course, with the Cafe Americano (espresso diluted in hot water) coming in at a close second.
Why it’s healthy: At just 5 and 10 calories, respectively, coffee or Americanos deliver that rejuvenating jolt without added sugar or fat.
Nonfat Cappuccino
Forever known, in my mind, as Joe Fox’s signature drink from You’ve Got Mail, a nonfat cappuccino is a frothy pick-me-up that feels completely indulgent. A cloud of creamy milk rises above a base of bitter, potent espresso.
Why it’s healthy: At only 60 calories, this is the lowest-calorie milk-based drink on the menu; it’s also low in fat. Here’s why Starbucks sizes are Grande, Venti, and Trenta.
Skinny Vanilla Latte
Good news! You can drink a relatively healthy vanilla latte. Another espresso-based drink, a latte tops a few shots of espresso with steamed milk and a dollop of frothed milk, flavored with a ribbon of vanilla syrup. When I’m craving dessert in the middle of the afternoon, a vanilla latte ticks the boxes of caffeination and a sweet treat.
Why it’s healthy: A size Tall clocks in at 100 calories. Nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup ease up on the calorie count.
Caramel Frappuccino Light Blended Beverage
Craving something blended? The healthiest icy option is the light caramel Frappuccino: blended ice, nonfat milk, coffee, and buttery caramel syrup.
Why it’s healthy: A size Tall is only 100 calories, and it’s fat-free. This is the one Starbucks where they’ll never ask your name.
Iced Coffee with Syrup
Brewed and chilled-out coffee is just the ticket on a sultry summer day. We recommend adding sugar syrup, which easily blends into the cool liquid. Regular granulated sugar or sugar substitutes won’t dissolve as easily.
Why it’s healthy: The smallest size is 60 calories and 15 grams of sugar; a Grande is 80.
Iced Skinny Latte
Smooth and refreshing, the iced latte is espresso, milk, ice cubes, and a flavored syrup if you like. It’s sort of a middle ground between the plain iced coffee and the decadent Frappuccino.
Why it’s healthy: A size Tall is 60 calories and boasts 6 grams of protein. Have you noticed this hidden symbol in the Starbucks logo?
Shaken Tazo Iced Black Tea Lemonade
Inspired by the Arnold Palmer, this drink combines two quintessential summer drinks: sweetened iced tea and lemonade. It’s absolutely delicious and just the ticket on a hot day.
Why it’s healthy: Most of the calories here (70 in a size Tall) come from the sugar. That said, the tea has less caffeine than coffee, which makes it a better choice for those who don’t tolerate caffeine well.
Nonfat Café Mocha
The mocha is a drink for the true chocolate fan: espresso, mocha sauce, and steamed milk. Can a wildly rich chocolaty coffee really be healthy? Here’s the trick: Swap the low-fat milk for non-fat and hold the whipped cream.
Why it’s healthy: A 190-calorie size Tall will sate your chocolate cravings for the day. These are the annoying habits that baristas hate.
Nonfat Iced Caramel Macchiato
The caramel macchiato is often the beginning coffee drinker’s choice. It’s great for those who don’t love the flavor of coffee, and it also handles sweet cravings like a champ. (What is it? Espresso sweetened with both caramel and vanilla syrup, topped with milk and ice cubes.)
Why it’s healthy: A size Tall is 140 calories and has 7 grams of protein.
Chai Tea Latte
Tea lovers, rejoice! The chai latte is on our list of healthy Starbucks drinks. The spicy tea drink is topped with steamed and frothed milk, making it a totally cozy choice that’s a classic fall beverage.
Why it’s healthy: The chai tea latte comes in under 200 calories, whether you order it with nonfat milk, soy milk, or even 2% milk. This is why most people don’t know about Venti lattes at Starbucks.
Cold Brew with Cascara Cold Foam
Cool down with a cold brew! The slow-steeping process gives more depth and flavor to this iced coffee. What’s more, each cup is topped with a velvet-smooth foam spotting that’s sweetened with cascara, the dried skin of a coffee cherry.
Why it’s healthy:Â A great warm-weather alternative for cappuccino fans, this coffee drink clocks in at just 80 calories for a Grande option.
