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ToggleImagine this: You’re rushing through your day, craving a quick pick-me-up at Starbucks. But there’s a problem—you’re on a keto diet. With so many sugary drinks on the menu, how can you stick to low-carb options without sacrificing taste? It’s a dilemma that many keto followers face. If you’re wondering whether you can still enjoy your favorite Starbucks drinks while staying in ketosis, the answer is a resounding yes!
In this article, we’ll dive into the world of Starbucks keto drinks, helping you navigate the menu, customize your order, and enjoy delicious beverages that fit your low-carb lifestyle. Whether you’re new to keto or a seasoned pro, this guide has all the answers to keep your Starbucks experience keto-friendly.
What Makes a Drink Keto-Friendly?
Before we get into specific Starbucks keto drinks, it’s important to understand what makes a beverage keto-approved. The ketogenic diet is all about drastically reducing carbohydrate intake to keep your body in a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for fuel instead of carbs. For a drink to be keto-friendly, it should have:
- Low or zero carbs: Ideally, less than 5 grams of net carbs per serving.
- No added sugars: Sugary syrups and sweeteners are a no-go on keto.
- Healthy fats: Adding fats like heavy cream or sugar-free syrups can help meet your keto macro goals.
Now that we know what to look for, let’s explore the best Starbucks drinks that fit the keto lifestyle.
How to Order Keto at Starbucks
Ordering keto at Starbucks can be tricky if you don’t know a few key strategies. Here’s how to make sure your drink stays low-carb:
1. Choose Unsweetened Beverages
Most flavored drinks at Starbucks come loaded with sugar. To keep things keto-friendly, opt for unsweetened coffee or tea as your base.
2. Customize with Low-Carb Milks
Instead of regular milk (which contains carbs), ask for alternatives like heavy cream or almond milk. Be careful with coconut milk, as it contains more carbs than you might think.
3. Say No to Classic Syrup
Classic syrup is packed with sugar. Instead, ask for sugar-free syrups like vanilla, cinnamon dolce, or mocha.
4. Add Healthy Fats
To make your drink more satisfying—and keto-friendly—add heavy cream, butter, or MCT oil (if you bring your own).
The Best Starbucks Keto Drinks to Order
Now that you know how to customize your order, let’s dive into the best Starbucks keto drinks you can enjoy without breaking your diet. These drinks are either low-carb by default or can be easily modified to fit your keto needs.
1. Keto-Friendly Iced Coffee
How to Order: Request an Iced Coffee with no classic syrup. Add heavy cream and sugar-free vanilla syrup for sweetness without the carbs.
Carbs: 1-2 grams (based on customization)
2. Americano
An Americano is a simple drink made with espresso and water, containing zero carbs. Add heavy cream or a splash of almond milk for extra creaminess.
Carbs: 0 grams (plain)
3. Keto Pink Drink
The famous Pink Drink can be made keto by ordering a Passion Tango Iced Tea with no liquid cane sugar. Add heavy cream and sugar-free vanilla syrup for that creamy, fruity flavor.
Carbs: 2-3 grams (customized)
4. Keto Frappuccino
While the regular Frappuccinos at Starbucks are loaded with sugar, you can make a keto version by asking for a blended iced coffee with heavy cream, sugar-free vanilla syrup, and no Frappuccino base.
Carbs: 4-5 grams
5. Flat White with Almond Milk
The Flat White is a creamy espresso-based drink, but the standard recipe includes whole milk, which is high in carbs. Switch to almond milk and add a pump of sugar-free syrup to keep it keto-friendly.
Carbs: 3-4 grams (with almond milk)
6. Chai Tea Latte (Keto Version)
A regular Chai Tea Latte is full of sugar, but you can create a low-carb version by ordering a brewed chai tea with heavy cream and sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup.
Carbs: 3-5 grams (customized)
7. Keto London Fog
The London Fog is typically made with Earl Grey tea, steamed milk, and vanilla syrup. To make it keto, ask for Earl Grey tea with heavy cream and sugar-free vanilla syrup instead of milk and regular syrup.
Carbs: 2-3 grams (customized)
8. Cold Brew with Heavy Cream
Cold brew coffee is naturally low in carbs. Add heavy cream and a pump of sugar-free syrup for a creamy, refreshing drink with minimal carbs.
Carbs: 1-2 grams (customized)
9. Keto Hot Chocolate
You can still enjoy a cozy cup of hot chocolate on keto by ordering a hot cocoa with unsweetened almond milk, sugar-free mocha syrup, and a splash of heavy cream.
Carbs: 3-4 grams (customized)
10. Iced Shaken Espresso (Keto Version)
The Iced Shaken Espresso is a popular drink at Starbucks, but the original recipe includes sweetened milk. To make it keto, ask for almond milk or heavy cream and sugar-free vanilla syrup.
Carbs: 2-3 grams (customized)
Starbucks Keto Drinks: A Comparative Table
Here’s a quick comparison of the most popular Starbucks keto drinks, their carb content, and the best ways to customize them.
Drink | Carbs (Approx.) | Customizations | Base Drink |
---|---|---|---|
Keto-Friendly Iced Coffee | 1-2 grams | No classic syrup, add heavy cream, sugar-free vanilla syrup | Iced Coffee |
Americano | 0 grams | Add heavy cream or almond milk | Americano |
Keto Pink Drink | 2-3 grams | Passion Tango Iced Tea, heavy cream, sugar-free vanilla | Pink Drink |
Keto Frappuccino | 4-5 grams | Blended iced coffee, heavy cream, sugar-free vanilla syrup | Frappuccino |
Flat White with Almond Milk | 3-4 grams | Replace milk with almond milk, add sugar-free syrup | Flat White |
Keto Chai Tea Latte | 3-5 grams | Brewed chai tea, heavy cream, sugar-free cinnamon dolce | Chai Tea Latte |
Keto London Fog | 2-3 grams | Earl Grey tea, heavy cream, sugar-free vanilla syrup | London Fog |
Cold Brew with Heavy Cream | 1-2 grams | Add heavy cream, sugar-free syrup | Cold Brew Coffee |
Keto Hot Chocolate | 3-4 grams | Unsweetened almond milk, sugar-free mocha, heavy cream | Hot Chocolate |
Iced Shaken Espresso (Keto) | 2-3 grams | Almond milk or heavy cream, sugar-free vanilla syrup | Iced Shaken Espresso |
Tips for Making Any Starbucks Drink Keto-Friendly
1. Watch Out for Milk
Most Starbucks drinks use 2% milk as the default, which contains around 12 grams of carbs per cup. Opt for heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk to keep your drink low-carb.
2. Avoid Liquid Cane Sugar
Many Starbucks drinks, especially their iced teas and refreshers, come with liquid cane sugar by default. Always ask for unsweetened versions and add a sugar-free syrup if you need some sweetness.
3. Go Sugar-Free
Starbucks offers several sugar-free syrup options, including vanilla, cinnamon dolce, and mocha. These syrups are flavored with sucralose or other keto-approved sweeteners.
4. Add Fats for Satiety
Boost the fat content of your drink by adding heavy cream, butter, or MCT oil (if you bring your own). These additions will keep you fuller for longer and help you hit your keto fat goals.
Conclusion
Staying true to your keto diet doesn’t mean giving up your favorite Starbucks drinks. With a few smart customizations—like swapping out sugary syrups and high-carb milk for sugar-free alternatives and heavy cream—you can enjoy a range of delicious, keto-friendly beverages. Whether you’re in the mood for a keto Pink Drink, a refreshing Cold Brew, or a customized Frappuccino, Starbucks has plenty of options to keep your carb count low and your taste buds happy.
Next time you’re at Starbucks, use this guide to confidently order a Starbucks keto drink that fits your low-carb lifestyle.
FAQs About Starbucks Keto Drinks
Can I drink Starbucks coffee on keto?
Yes, you can! Many Starbucks drinks can be customized to fit a keto diet by avoiding sugary syrups and opting for low-carb milk alternatives like heavy cream or almond milk.
What is the best keto drink at Starbucks?
The Americano is a great go-to keto drink, as it’s naturally carb-free. You can also enjoy the keto-friendly Pink Drink or a Cold Brew with heavy cream.
Which Starbucks syrups are keto-friendly?
Starbucks offers sugar-free syrups in flavors like vanilla, cinnamon dolce, and mocha, which are keto-approved.
Can I have almond milk on keto at Starbucks?
Yes, but be cautious. Starbucks almond milk contains about 3 grams of carbs per cup, so use it sparingly or opt for heavy cream instead.
How do I order a keto Frappuccino at Starbucks?
Order a blended iced coffee with heavy cream, sugar-free vanilla syrup, and no Frappuccino base to enjoy a low-carb version of the popular drink.