10 crowd favorite Starbucks drinks, ranked by calories
‘Tis the season for sticker collection!
If you’re a Starbucks lover, it’s time to get caffeinated and guzzle down as many Starbucks drinks as you could to score the hotly anticipated 2023 planner and other merch from its newly released Fill It Forward line.
We hate to be a party pooper, but while this is undoubtedly an exciting and satisfying time for all—we enjoy it, too!—it’s important to watch your calories and be mindful of what you take in when you can.
Since the beverages on the menu are mostly delightful, people tend to overlook their nutrition facts. It’s a good thing that the coffee brand has decided to disclose on its website the number of calories you'd get every time you order a Tall beverage on its menu.
As you drown in Starbucks drinks to get your hands on the new planner and other striking items, check out this list that includes some of the crowd favorite offerings, ranked by calories. We’ve also included some alternatives you can try for some, in case you want to make better decisions but can’t compromise on your go-to flavors.
1. Peppermint Mocha Latte (358 calories)
Peppermint Mocha Latte is making a comeback for the holiday season. It’s been a crowd favorite since it was launched in 2017 and it’s a no-brainer why. Amped up with hints of peppermint and candy cane, this chocolatey coffee has the highest number of calories among the rest. It, unfortunately, has no healthier alternative, but the fact that this delicious drink is only being offered for a limited time every year makes each purchase worth it.
2. White Hot Chocolate (350 calories)
It may look plain and simple, but White Hot Chocolate is high in calories, too. This traditional hot chocolate drink has white chocolate sauce, steamed milk, and whipped cream, making up 350 calories.
How about opting for the White Chocolate Cream Frappuccino instead? This iced drink also has white chocolate sauce, milk, and whipped cream, containing only 267 calories.
3. Chocolate Chip Cream Frappuccino (341 calories)
With its decadence, many would expect that the Chocolate Chip Cream Frappuccino would also be part of this list. Chocolate chips, milk, and ice gather in a blender, which is then elevated with rich mocha-flavored sauce, sweetened whipped cream, and mocha drizzle.
The Iced Chocolate Milk has lesser calories (250 calories). It’s not in Frappuccino format and it doesn’t have mocha, but you might get the same kind of indulgence from cocoa, fresh milk, whipped cream, and chocolate powder.
4. Java Chip Frappuccino (322 calories)
In a cup of Java Chip Frappuccino is a brilliant mixture of mocha sauce, Frappuccino chips, Frappuccino roast coffee, milk, ice, whipped cream, and mocha drizzle. It gives us the buzz, that’s for sure, but it gives us a total of 322 calories, too.
When you feel like it, try the Mocha Frappuccino instead. With only 272 calories, you can still delight in the taste of mocha, Frappuccino roast coffee, milk, and ice. Doesn’t sound too bad, right?
5. Coffee Jelly Frappuccino (317 calories)
Coffee Jelly Frappuccino has layers and layers of richness. Aside from the coffee jelly that makes it exciting, there’s also the creamy chocolate Frappuccino made with milk, coffee, and ice as well as whipped cream on top.
Instead of having the 317-calorie drink, why not go for something simpler like the Coffee Frappuccino? With only 160 calories, you can still enjoy a marriage of coffee, milk, and ice in frappe version.
6. Green Tea Cream Frappuccino (300 calories)
This offering has sweetened premium matcha green tea, milk, ice, and whipped cream. It may be made with green tea, but a tall order of the Green Tea Cream Frappuccino still contains more calories than a cup of white rice.
If you’re a certified matcha lover but want to cut down on calories, the Iced Green Tea Latte could be a good option. In this 184-calorie cup, some “smooth and creamy matcha is lightly sweetened and served with milk and ice.”
Or better yet, try the Iced Matcha and Espresso Fusion, which only has 83 calories. Fine matcha powder is combined with steamed milk and espresso roast, making for a lovely blend of coffee and tea over ice.
7. Chai Tea Cream Frappuccino (240 calories)
The Chai Tea Cream Frappuccino has a “creamy blend of spicy chai, milk, ice, sweetened whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.” A tall order of this has 240 calories.
If you’re looking for something with a similar taste but with lesser calories, you can go for the Iced Chai Tea Latte with only 192 calories. Stepping up some plain milk are the same flavors of black tea, cinnamon, and clove, among other warming spices that are sure to make your afternoons even better.
8. Toffee Nut Crunch Latte (221 calories)
Also making a comeback this Christmas season is the Toffee Nut Crunch Latte which combines the goodness of rich espresso, buttery toffee nut, and hints of toasted nuts. Each cup contains 221 calories.
A better alternative would be the Toffee Nut Crunch Cold Brew (88 calories) that features the coffee brand’s signature cold brew mixed with some Toffee Nut-flavored foam and crunchy Toffee Nut topping.
9. Iced Caramel Macchiato (178 calories)
A sigh of relief for Iced Caramel Macchiato lovers. When it comes to calories, this beverage is not too bad compared to the others. With only 178 calories, it has rich, full-bodied espresso mixed with vanilla-flavored syrup, milk, ice, and caramel drizzle. There are no alternatives to this as the ones we’ve found are merely made with espresso and milk, without the caramel.
10. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew (92 calories)
For those who want their coffee a bit sweet and creamy but don’t want to be too sinful, the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew—featuring a slow-steeped custom blend Cold Brew with house-made vanilla sweet cream—might be a great choice. It only has 92 calories.
But if it’s not your cheat day and you’d have to skip the sweetness and creaminess, go for the Cold Brew, which only has three calories. It’s made from Starbucks’ custom blend of beans “grown to steep long and cold for a super-smooth flavor.”
Note: This list is only based on calories indicated on Starbucks Philippines' official website and not other equally important nutrition facts such as sugar and fat content.