Keto Coffee At Starbucks: Ordering Guide

Sticking to a keto diet doesn't mean you have to give up your favourite Starbucks drink. There are a few simple swaps you can make to your order to ensure it's keto-friendly. For example, swap milk for heavy cream, coconut milk, or almond milk, and ask for sugar-free syrup instead of the standard option. Here are some examples of how to order keto-friendly drinks at Starbucks.

Ask for a Pike Place roast, blonde roast or dark roast

Starbucks offers a range of roast options for coffee lovers, and if you're looking for a keto-friendly option, you can choose from their Pike Place roast, blonde roast, or dark roast. Here's a more detailed look at each of these options:

Pike Place Roast

The Pike Place roast is a medium roast coffee that strikes a perfect balance between smoothness and flavour. It has subtle notes of cocoa and toasted nuts, creating a rich and satisfying cup of coffee. This blend was inspired by Starbucks' heritage, reflecting on their first store in Seattle's Pike Place Market. You can enjoy this roast at home or brewed fresh every day at Starbucks stores.

Blonde Roast

The blonde roast is a lighter option, with a shorter roast time resulting in mellow flavours. It's easy drinking and perfect for those who prefer a less intense coffee experience. The blonde roast is available in whole bean, ground, and K-Cup pod options, allowing you to brew it according to your preference.

Dark Roast

For those who enjoy a bolder, more robust taste, the dark roast is the way to go. Dark-roasted coffees have a fuller body and a rich, bold flavour. This roast option is ideal for those who like their coffee with a punch. You can find dark roast in various formats, including whole bean, ground, and instant, to suit your brewing needs.

When ordering a keto coffee at Starbucks, simply ask for one of these roast options without any added sweeteners or milk. You can also customise your drink by adding a splash of heavy cream or a pump of sugar-free syrup if you'd like to enhance the flavour while keeping it keto-friendly.

Order an Americano with heavy cream

Ordering keto coffee at Starbucks is easy. Here are some tips and instructions for ordering an Americano with heavy cream:

Firstly, ask for an Americano. This is a keto-friendly option as it combines espresso shots with hot or cold water. You can specify whether you want a hot or iced Americano, depending on your preference.

Next, request heavy cream instead of milk. Heavy cream has fewer carbs than milk and is a better option for those following a keto diet. Specify that you want heavy cream, as some baristas may initially offer half-and-half, which has more carbs. Ask for a "splash" or a "large splash" of heavy cream, or specify a particular amount, such as one or two ounces.

You can also add sugar-free syrup for extra flavour. Starbucks offers sugar-free vanilla, hazelnut, cinnamon dolce, caramel, and peppermint (seasonally) syrups. Ask for one or two pumps of your chosen syrup to flavour your drink without adding too many carbs.

Here's how you can order it all together:

"Can I have a [size] Americano (hot/iced), no classic syrup, with [amount] of heavy cream and [amount/flavour] of sugar-free [flavour] syrup?"

For example, "Can I have a Venti iced Americano, no classic syrup, with a splash of heavy cream and two pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup?"

Your barista may ask if you are sure about your order, but don't be discouraged. This is a completely normal drink, and they are likely just checking that you don't want milk or additional sweeteners. Enjoy your keto-friendly Americano!

Request an iced coffee with sugar-free syrup

Starbucks' iced coffee usually comes with syrup, so you'll need to specify that you want it without syrup, or with sugar-free syrup. You can ask for any sugar-free syrup flavour, but Starbucks only offers skinny vanilla syrup as a sugar-free option.

Here's how to order an iced coffee with sugar-free syrup:

• Ask for a grande iced coffee with no syrup.
• Request two pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup.
• If you like your iced coffee creamy, ask for a splash of heavy cream.

If you want to add a little extra flavour, you can carry your own liquid stevia to add a dash of sweetness.

Swap milk for heavy cream or almond/coconut milk

Starbucks offers a range of milk options to cater to different dietary needs and preferences. If you're ordering a keto coffee, it's best to avoid the default option of 2% milk, as well as nonfat, whole, and soy milk, due to their high sugar and carb content. Instead, opt for unsweetened almond or coconut milk, which have significantly fewer carbs. For example, a cup of unsweetened almond milk has only 1 gram of carbs, while soy milk has 15 grams.

However, it's important to note that Starbucks' coconut milk is not always unsweetened, so be sure to specify that you want the unsweetened version. Almond milk is a good alternative to dairy milk, but remember to ask for the unsweetened variety to avoid unwanted carbs and sugar.

If you're looking for a creamier option, you can also ask for heavy cream. While it has more carbs than almond or coconut milk, it's still a better choice than the standard milk options. Heavy cream has 6.6 grams of carbs per cup, and it adds a rich texture to your coffee.

When ordering a keto coffee at Starbucks, be mindful of the hidden sources of sugar and carbs. In addition to swapping out the milk, ask for no classic syrup and say no to whipped cream. You can also reduce the amount of sugar-free syrup added to your drink to just one or two pumps.

Order a keto-friendly tea, like an Earl Grey or an iced green tea

Ordering keto-friendly tea at Starbucks is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Choose your tea: Select a tea that is inherently keto-friendly, such as Earl Grey or green tea. These teas are naturally free from carbohydrates and can be customised to fit your keto requirements.
• Order your tea: When placing your order, specify that you want your tea to be made keto-friendly. Ask for no classic syrup, as this contains sugar. Instead, request sugar-free syrup or stevia to sweeten your tea. You can also ask for a couple of splashes of heavy cream to add a creamy texture to your tea.
• Customise your tea: If you're ordering an Earl Grey tea, ask for an Earl Grey tea bag (or two, for a stronger flavour). Request 3/4 hot water and 1/4 heavy whipping cream. Finally, ask for sugar-free vanilla syrup instead of the regular vanilla syrup. This will create a delicious, keto-friendly London Fog tea.
• Explore other options: In addition to Earl Grey and green tea, Starbucks offers a range of keto-friendly tea options, including chai tea and herbal tea. You can also ask for any brewed tea to be served iced. Remember to always specify that you want your tea unsweetened and to provide your preferred sweetener.
• Avoid high-carb additions: While customising your tea, be mindful of additions that can increase the carb count. Avoid milk, especially steamed milk, as it contains a significant amount of sugar and carbs. Instead, opt for heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk. Stay away from toppings, drizzles, and most add-ins, as these usually contain sugar.
• Check nutrition information: To make informed choices, refer to the Starbucks app or nutrition guide to calculate the exact carb count for your specific tea order. This will help you stay within your desired carb intake and ensure your tea is aligned with your keto diet.

By following these steps, you can enjoy a delicious and keto-friendly tea, such as Earl Grey or iced green tea, during your next visit to Starbucks.

Frequently asked questions