If you are on a strict keto diet, it can be somewhat difficult to find keto-friendly meals and drinks outside your home. Luckily, there are a surprising number of keto options available at Starbucks! There seems to be a Starbucks on just about every street corner, which is great news for anyone on a low-carb diet.
The Best Part?
We are going to go over the top 14 best keto-friendly and low-carb drink options at Starbucks, so you don’t have to worry about checking if a drink on the menu fits your diet or not. All of these options are easy to order and, best of all, they taste great!
So, let’s get started!
Starbucks Best Ketogenic Options
1. Sugar-Free Starbucks Brewed Coffee – Dark Roast
While it may sound obvious, one of the best options for a keto-friendly hot beverage at Starbucks is good old reliable fresh brewed coffee. Starbucks built its name on its brewed coffee, so there is nothing wrong with ordering a plain drip coffee while you are there.
All sizes of Starbucks Dark Roast Brewed Coffee have 0 g of net carbs, which means you really can’t go wrong with a cup of their famous joe. Just make sure that you and the barista do not add any sugar to the drink, as this will ruin the keto status of your coffee.
With that said, you can add heavy cream as this adds fat without increasing the sugar content.
If you are not a fan of the bitter taste of unsweetened coffee, you can add some stevia, which most Starbucks locations will carry in single-serve packs. Some people will also bring their own keto-friendly sweetener, either in their purse, pocket, or just in the car.
Nutrition Facts for Starbucks Dark Roast Brewed Coffee
- Total Calories – Short (236 mL) 3 calories, Tall (354 mL) 4 calories, Grande (473 mL) 5 calories, Venti (591 mL) 6 calories
- Fat – 0.1 g for all sizes
- Sugar – 0 g for all sizes
- Carbohydrates – 0 g for all sizes
- Fiber – 0 g for all sizes
- Protein – 0.3 g, 0.5 g, 1.0 g, 1.2 g
2. Sugar-Free Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
Cold brew coffee has become popular over the past few years. The Nitro Cold Brew Coffee offered by Starbucks is particularly tasty and refreshing. Fortunately, it is also another keto-friendly option.
Despite how flavorful it is, the Nitro Cold Brew Coffee at Starbucks has zero carbs and no added sugars. If you want to add a little bit more to your cold brew and increase the keto-friendly calories, you can add a splash of heavy cream.
Starbucks also offers a sugar-free vanilla syrup that can give your cold brew coffee even more flavor. Ask for one to two pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup, which should be more than enough!
Nutrition Facts for Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
- Total Calories – Tall (354 mL) 2 calories, Grande (473 mL) 3 calories, Venti (591 mL) 4 calories, Trenta (887 mL) 5 calories
- Fat – 0 g for all sizes
- Sugar – 0 g for all sizes
- Carbohydrates – 0 g for all sizes
- Fiber – 0 g for all sizes
- Protein – 0.2 g, 0.3 g, 0.4 g, 0.5 g
3. Keto Starbucks Double Espresso Shot on Ice
As the name suggests, this drink is just two shots of Starbucks Signature Espresso served over ice. It is refreshing and very caffeinated, so it can be a great way to wake up when you’re feeling a little tired.
Make sure you ask for none of the classic syrup, as it contains a lot of refined sugar. You can request some unflavored cream and even some sugar-free vanilla syrup if you would like.
Nutrition Facts for a Double Shot of Espresso on Ice (Without Added Cream)
- Total Calories – 10 calories
- Fat – 0 g
- Sugar – 0 g
- Carbohydrates – 0 g
- Fiber – 0 g
- Protein – 1 g
4. Keto Starbucks Americano
If you have never heard of an Americano, it is essentially an espresso shot topped with boiling hot water to dilute the espresso so it is not quite as bitter. Adding the extra water also gives you a larger drink, so you can sip on it as you walk or work.
Since the main ingredient is simply a shot of espresso, the Americano at Starbucks is certainly keto-friendly. You can add some heavy cream, stevia, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon to an Americano, and it will remain a good hot drink option for those on a keto diet.
Nutrition Facts for a Starbucks Americano
- Total Calories – Short (236 mL) 5 calories, Tall (354 mL) 10 calories, Grande (473 mL) 15 calories, Venti (591 mL) 20 calories
- Fat – 0 g for all sizes
- Sugar – 0 g for all sizes
- Carbohydrates – 0 g for all sizes
- Fiber – 0 g for all sizes
- Protein – 0.4 g, 0.6 g, 1.1 g, 1.4 g
5. Low-Carb Starbucks Cappuccino
If you don’t mind getting a little bit creative with your order, it is possible to order a keto-friendly version of a cappuccino at Starbucks. Since a standard cappuccino is essentially a shot of espresso topped with milk foam and refined sugar, you have to make a few alterations to keep things low-carb and keto-friendly.
Ask for unsweetened almond or coconut milk instead of frothed 2% milk, as these milk alternatives tend to contain fewer carbs. If you prefer a dairy option over a dairy alternative, you can choose heavy cream, which is higher in fat and lower in carbs by volume than the milk usually found in a cappuccino. You can also ask for no sugar and instead request a keto-friendly sweetener, like stevia.
The nutrient breakdown will depend on the specific adjustments you make. If you substitute milk foam for heavy cream and cut out the sugar, the net carbs should be just 1.5 g for a Grande, which is still keto-friendly and certainly much better than a standard Starbucks cappuccino.
6. Keto-Friendly Starbucks Flat White with Heavy Cream
The flat white originates from New Zealand and Australia; however, it quickly gained popularity in North America. Essentially, a flat white is like a latte, but with less foam and a higher ratio of espresso to milk.
If you ask for a flat white with heavy cream rather than 1% or 2% milk, you can have a unique and tasty hot beverage that is keto-friendly. Best of all, the taste of the espresso comes through with a flat white, so they are the perfect drink for those true coffee lovers.
Like an Americano, the espresso component of a flat white contains zero carbs and zero sugars. This means, regardless of size, your flat white will be keto-friendly if you use heavy cream rather than sugary milk froth. Again, make sure you ask for it to be unsweetened!
7. Keto-Friendly Starbucks Iced Flat White
Just like a regular flat white, an iced flat white from Starbucks can be a delicious, keto-friendly drink. If it is hot outside and you are looking for a refreshing drink that retains that signature espresso flavor, order a flat white made with heavy cream rather than milk, and have it served over ice.
If you are looking for a real burst of flavor, ask for a pump of the Starbucks Sugar-Free Syrup, which packs plenty of flavors and is sugar- and carb-free.
By substituting heavy cream for the milk froth, you can enjoy a low-carb drink that is also surprisingly budget-friendly!
8. Low-Carb Starbucks Latte
The classic latte is amongst the most popular drinks on the Starbucks menu, a testament to how tasty they are. Luckily, you can make a few easy alterations to the Starbucks Latte to make it a keto-friendly drink.
Start by requesting an alternative to low-fat milk, like heavy cream. You can also opt for an unsweetened milk alternative, like sugar-free almond milk or unsweetened coconut milk. Also, make sure that you ask for the latte to be unsweetened, as the syrups they use in a typical latte contain lots of refined sugar.
If you are looking for some more flavor, request a pump of one of their sugar-free syrups, like their sugar-free vanilla, hazelnut, or cinnamon dolce syrups. The entire drink should have fewer than 3 g of carbs but plenty of keto-friendly fat from the heavy cream.
9. Keto Starbucks London Fog
Given that a regular Starbucks London Fog contains some non-keto ingredients, you will have to request a few substitutions if you want to keep this delicious drink keto-friendly. A Grande Starbucks London Fog has a whopping 29 g of carbohydrates, so ordering one straight off the menu is not an option for anyone on a low-carb diet.
Luckily, most of the London Fog’s carbohydrates come from the sugary vanilla syrup they use to make it, so you can ask them to make your drink with the sugar-free vanilla syrup instead. You can also ask for the steamed milk to be swapped out for a bit of heavy cream to help cut down on unnecessary carbs.
Just by making these two small requests, you can cut the carbohydrates from a total of 29 g in a Grande, all the way down to about 3 g! You get to enjoy that signature taste without any risk of increasing your insulin levels and knocking yourself out of ketosis.
10. Sugar-Free Starbucks Chai Tea Latte
The Chai Latte is another of the most popular items on the Starbucks menu. It is known for its earthy cinnamon and cardamom flavors, so it is the perfect drink for anyone looking for a flavorful drink that they can enjoy at any time of the year.
Luckily, if you know what to ask for, you can also order a keto-friendly version of the ever-popular Starbucks Chai Tea Latte.
Order a Grande Chai Tea Latte. Swap heavy cream for milk and two pumps of their Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce syrup for the sweet syrup. For another dose of keto-friendly flavor, ask for a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
Given that a 12 oz Tall Chai Latte has 34 g of carbs, it is not a good option for anyone on the keto diet; however, by making the alterations outlined above, you can bring the carb count down to just 2 g!
11. Keto-Friendly Starbucks Iced London Fog
Like the hot version of the Starbucks London Fog, the Iced London Fog is another popular tea-based menu item. Unfortunately, it is not keto-friendly if you order it right off the menu. However, you can make a few simple requests to create your own keto version.
Start by asking for a Grande Earl Grey Tea served in a Trenta cup and made with two tea bags. Have them add heavy cream and three pumps of their Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup. From there, ask for the remaining space in the cup to be filled with ice. There you have it, your own keto version of the Starbucks Iced London Fog.
As a bonus, this is usually cheaper than a regular Starbucks Iced London Fog, and it only contains 3 g of carbohydrates!
12. Low-Carb Pink Drink Starbucks
The Starbucks Pink Drink is an iconic menu item with a unique fruity flavor and creamy texture. Fortunately, you can easily order a Starbucks Keto Pink Drink if you know what to ask for.
Order an Iced Passion Tango Tea with four pumps of their plain Starbucks sugar free syrup instead of the liquid cane sugar used in a normal Pink Drink. Also, ask for 1 oz of heavy cream rather than the sweetened coconut milk used in the original drink.
If the barista knows what you are trying to make, they might even toss in a few sliced strawberries, which will add to the drink’s fruity flavor without increasing the sugar content to non-keto levels.
Nutrition Facts for a Grande Low-Carb Pink Drink (16 oz / 475 mL)
- Total Calories – 101
- Fat – 11 g
- Protein – 1 g
- Carbohydrates – 1 g
- Fiber – 0 g
13. Low-Carb Starbucks Café Misto
This keto Starbucks drink is made with steamed milk and coffee, so it is not too far from being a keto-friendly drink right off the menu. With that said, you can reduce the calories and carbs by switching out the steamed milk for unsweetened almond milk. Or, if you want a higher fat content, you can request heavy cream.
To order, ask for a Café Misto, but with almond milk instead of steamed milk, or equal parts heavy cream and water.
Nutrition Facts for a Grande Low-Carb Café Misto (Made with Heavy Cream)
- Total Calories – 404
- Fat – 43 g
- Protein – 3.4 g
- Carbohydrates – 3.3 g
- Fiber – 0 g
14. Keto White Drink Starbucks
Luckily, a keto-friendly version of the Starbucks White Drink is easy to order, as most baristas are already familiar with it. It is one of the drinks on the Starbucks secret menu!
With that said, your barista may not be familiar with this particular item. If they are unsure what you are ordering, you can simply ask them to make your drink the following way:
Ask for an unsweetened peach citrus white tea with ice. Then ask for 2 ounces of heavy cream. From there, add two pumps of the Starbucks sugar free vanilla syrup. If you are looking for a little bit of extra sweetness, add about half of a pack of stevia.
This keto drink is incredibly flavorful and almost has a peaches and cream taste. Most people drink it as a dessert beverage, so it probably won’t be one you order in the morning on your way to work. With that said, when made correctly, it is delicious and totally keto-friendly!
Conclusion
Staying in ketosis can be a challenge, especially if you are eating out at a major chain restaurant or a coffee shop that does not have its own keto menu. With that said, keto dieters can choose any of the drinks we outlined above. You should be able to enjoy your caffeine fix without having to deal with all of the extra carbs and sugars you would get with a typical Starbucks beverage.
Remember, always ask for the sugar-free versions of the Starbucks syrups, or skip the sweetness altogether. Remember, you cannot go wrong with a good ol’ cup of unsweetened brewed black coffee.
If the mood strikes, you can also get pretty creative with your order, especially if Starbucks is not busy. Most baristas will be happy to help you make your own keto-friendly drink!
People Also Ask
Does Starbucks Have Sugar-Free Caramel?
Unfortunately, very few Starbucks locations carry a sugar-free version of their caramel syrup. In general, you will have three options for keto-friendly, sugar-free syrups when you visit a Starbucks – Starbucks sugar-free syrup, Starbucks sugar-free vanilla syrup, and Starbucks sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup.
With that said, some locations will offer a sugar-free caramel syrup that you can purchase for at-home use. With any luck, they will continue to add more sugar-free syrups to their menu, but, for now, they only have the three.
What is the Calorie-Count for the Starbucks Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup?
The Starbucks sugar-free vanilla syrup calories add up to a total of zero! Each pump equals about 2 tablespoons (30 mL), and they are calorie-, sugar-, and carb-free, so you can add them to any keto-friendly drink completely guilt-free!
Does Dunkin’ Donuts Have Sugar-Free Syrup?
Fortunately, Starbucks is not the only major coffee chain that features sugar-free syrup on its menu. Dunkin’ Donuts also has a flavor shot that is completely sugar-free. With that said, you do not get the same number of options that you do at Starbucks, as Starbucks has three different sugar-free syrups you can choose from.
Is it Possible to Order a Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks?
Given the popularity of the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, it only makes sense that many people would like the option to order a keto-friendly version of this fall favorite.
Unfortunately, Starbucks does not have a sugar-free version of their seasonal pumpkin spice syrup, so you cannot order a true sugar-free version of the drink. With that said, you can certainly reduce the amount of sugar if you do want to treat yourself and order a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte anyways.
Since the drink uses pumpkin syrup and vanilla syrup, you can ask to replace the vanilla syrup with sugar-free vanilla syrup. This alone cuts the total sugar in half.
You can also ask for one pump of pumpkin spice syrup rather than two. To make up for the missing sweetness, you can add a pack of stevia. You can even ask for an extra sprinkle of pumpkin spice on top of the drink as it does not contain any sugar. From there, you can also replace the milk with a non-sweetened milk alternative, like oat or almond milk.
Again, this isn’t a true keto-friendly drink, but it is much better than a regular Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. Rather than 47 g of carbs, this version only contains 12 g!
