Starbucks is a great place to get your decaf coffee fix, but it can also be a place where you accidentally overindulge on calories. These drinks tend to be quite high in carbs and sugar, so it’s easy to consume well over 200 calories at the drop of a hat. However, since we all love a cup of our favorite Starbucks coffee beverage, this is often overlooked!
Nonetheless, for some of us, regularly having a cup of Starbucks coffee just doesn’t fit into our diets. If you’re trying to slim down for the summer, want to cut out calories from drinks, or simply just live a healthier lifestyle, then drinking 200+ calories in your daily coffee might not be an option.
But don’t worry, you don’t have to forgo Starbucks completely. There are plenty of low-calorie Starbucks drinks that will both taste great and fit into that decaf coffee requirement you have – without the guilt!
We’ve rounded up the healthiest Starbucks drinks, including a variety of hot and cold options, all under 100 calories. Whether you’re in the mood for an espresso macchiato or a blonde iced vanilla latte with skimmed milk, we’ve got you covered.
Does Starbucks Have Lots of Low-Calorie Decaf Drinks?
While the franchise isn’t exactly known for being the place for a healthy stack (you only have to glance in their bakery section to realize this!), they do actually have a large amount of low-calorie and calorie-free options, even if you prefer to drink your coffee not caffeinated. Plus, they provide plenty of options for making a high-calorie drink a little bit healthier – but we’ll cover this later on!
Zero-Calorie Decaf Drinks at Starbucks
So, first things first, let’s cover the healthiest of all Starbucks drinks – those without any calories at all. Now, you might be surprised to hear that Starbucks actually has quite a few no-calorie beverages. Here are some of the tastiest zero-calorie decaf drinks at Starbucks!
Mint Majesty Brewed Tea
Mint is an incredibly healthy option. It can help to soothe an upset stomach, aid digestion, and even freshen your breath. This Mint Majesty Brewed Tea from Starbucks is a refreshing blend of fresh spearmint, peppermint, and lemon verbena. Refreshing and full of citrus and mint notes, this hot tea contains 0 calories per cup and is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a healthy caffeine-free drink.
Peach Tranquility Brewed Tea
The Peach Tranquility Tea is a delicious and fruity option for a caffeine-free hot tea with zero calories. Infused with flavors of apple, rose hips, candied pineapple, chamomile flowers, peach, licorice root, and lemon verbena, this drink is full of sweetness without guilt.
Iced Passion Tango Tea
Another tea option, but this time iced, is the Passion Tango Tea. This is a delicious herbal tea that almost tastes fruity. It’s delicious without any added sweeteners, which is great because this means the drink is free of both caffeine and calories.
Decaf Drinks at Starbucks Under 10 Calories
Next, we move on to the healthiest Starbucks drinks that have less than 10 calories. While they do contain a few more calories than the 0-calorie beverages, these are still some of the healthiest choices that you can get from the infamous coffee chain.
Decaf Espresso – 5 Calories
Who doesn’t love espresso? Even if you’re abstaining from caffeine, Starbucks offers decaf espresso, which can be just as strong and flavourful. And, at just 5 calories per shot, it’s also one of the lowest-calorie Starbucks drinks that you can order. So, next time you’re in need of the taste of coffee, why not go for a decaf espresso shot instead of a sugary coffee?
Decaf Pike Place Brewed Coffee – 5 Calories
If you’re looking for just a regular cup of decaf coffee, worry not because a medium cup of Starbucks’ Decaf Pike Place Roast is set at just 5 calories. Depending on whether you drink your coffee black or have some slight additions, this sure is a healthy caffeine-free cup of coffee!
Decaf Drinks Under 100 Calories at Starbucks
Finally, we move on to the healthiest Starbucks drinks that have less than 100 calories. If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial or flavourful, then these drinks are for you.
Decaf Caffe Americano – 15 Calories
Of course, while this list doesn’t purely contain black coffee, Americano is certainly one of the favorites when it comes to a low-calorie cup of coffee. The classic drink can be made with the decaf espresso we mentioned earlier and cold or hot water – that’s it! You can get it either hot or iced and it comes in at just 15 calories per Grande cup!
Decaf Espresso Macchiato – 15 Calories
Another 15 calories favorite is the decaf espresso macchiato. Created with just a shot of decaf espresso and topped with a dollop of steamed milk and foam, it’s a simple but delicious coffee. And, if you’re looking to cut down on calories even further, you can always ask for skimmed milk instead of whole milk.
Decaf Espresso Con Panna – 35 Calories
This decaf espresso variation comes in slightly higher than the other two but is still well worth adding to our list of low-calorie Starbucks drinks. It’s made with a shot of espresso and topped with whipped cream – giving it a lovely creamy taste. And, at 35 calories per cup, it’s still a relatively healthy choice when compared to some of the other drinks on offer.
Decaf Cortado – 72 Calories
If you’re looking for a milkier coffee, then a Cortado is a perfect choice. It’s made with two shots of decaf espresso topped with milk, giving it a lovely creamy texture. And, at just 72 calories per cup, it’s a great low-calorie option if you’re looking for something a bit more substantial than black coffee.
Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade – 50 Calories
The last caffeine-free drink we have for you under 100 calories is a variation of one that we mentioned earlier. The Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade comes in at 50 calories purely because of the addition of lemonade to the Passion Tango Tea, but that’s okay since it adds so much more flavor to the already tasty tea!
What is the Healthiest Non-Caffeinated Drink at Starbucks?
If we’re looking at non-caffeinated coffee drinks at Starbucks, the healthiest one would probably have to be the Decaf Pike Place Brewed Coffee, since you’re getting a full cup of tasty hot coffee at just 5 calories.
What is the Lowest Calorie Non-Coffee Drink at Starbucks?
When looking at non-coffee drinks that also have zero caffeine, the lowest calorie one would fall to either of the three tea options: Mint Majesty Brewed Tea, Peach Tranquility Brewed Tea, and Iced Passion Tango Tea. All three of these beverages contain zero calories, have tasty flavors, and are perfect just the way they come!
How to Cut Calories in Starbucks Drinks
Of course, while the drinks listed above are some of the best low-calorie decaf drinks Starbucks has to offer, there are also other ways to cut the calories down on some of the classics. Low-calorie decaf latte anyone?
Here’s how to get your Starbucks favorites with a slightly lower calorie count.
Choose Smaller Sizes
This may seem like a given but the difference in calories between a Tall (the smallest Starbucks cup size) and a Trenta (the largest Starbucks cup size) Starbucks drink can be pretty significant. For example, a Trenta-size Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade drink contains 90 calories but the Tall size only has 35. So, if you’re looking to cut down on calories, it’s always best to choose the smaller size.
Opt For a Different Milk
While whole milk is the standard for most Starbucks drinks, you can actually ask for skimmed milk, oat milk, almond milk, or coconut milk instead. This will cut down on the calories and fat content of your drink without compromising on taste. For example, a decaf latte made with nonfat milk or plant-based milk compared to whole milk can literally slash hundreds of calories off your drink.
Avoid Heavy Cream
Similar to our tip regarding the type of milk, you can also ask for your drink to be made with light cream or no cream at all. This is especially good for frappuccinos which are usually loaded with heavy cream. Asking for a lighter alternative will still give you the same delicious taste but with a fraction of the calories and fat.
Go Easy On the Syrup
Starbucks drinks are often flavored with syrups which, while they may not be full of fat, are definitely full of sugar – also known as carbs! The good thing is Starbucks does offer sugar-free syrups, such as sugar-free vanilla syrup. If you’re looking to cut down on the sweet stuff, try limiting the number of pumps of syrup, using a sugar-free syrup, or avoiding it altogether.
Avoid Lots of Toppings
Starbucks drinks are often loaded with extras such as whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, caramel sauce, and so on. While these might make your drink taste delicious, they’ll also add hundreds of calories (and sugar!) to your drink. So, if you’re looking to watch out for your calorie intake, it’s best to avoid them.
Pick Simpler Drinks
Last of all, simpler drinks tend to be the least calorific, particularly when it comes to coffee. For example, that Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme Frappuccino might sound delicious, but with just the grande size, you’ll be consuming 460 calories! Compare that to a simple decaf cappuccino which only has 140 for the same size, and it’s easy to see which drink is the best low-calorie choice.
Overall…
So, there you have it – a list of some of the best low-calorie decaf Starbucks drinks for those looking to cut down on calories and keep free of caffeine. Whether you’re after a non-caffeinated regular coffee or decaf non-coffee drink, a simple espresso, or something a bit fancier, Starbucks has got you covered. So, next time you’re in need of a low-calorie fix, be sure to check out this list and make a healthier choice!
Happy Caffeinating!
