Heavy Cream Keto-Friendly? Starbucks Drinkers Want To Know

Starbucks is a popular coffee chain with over 15,000 locations in the United States alone. However, many of the drinks on its menu are loaded with sugar, making them unsuitable for those following a keto diet. Nevertheless, there are several keto-friendly drinks and snacks available at Starbucks, and simple modifications can be made to other items to make them more keto-friendly.

Heavy cream vs half and half

Heavy cream and half-and-half are both dairy products that are often used in coffee and tea. They have different milk fat contents, which makes them suitable for different uses.

Half-and-half is a combination of equal parts whole milk and heavy cream. It typically has a milk fat content of between 10.5% and 18%. This gives it a less creamy, more watery texture than heavy cream. Half-and-half is a good option for adding to coffee or tea, as it has a slightly lower fat content than heavy cream. It can also be used in recipes such as mashed potatoes or quiche. However, it cannot be used to make whipped cream, as it does not have enough fat content.

Heavy cream, on the other hand, has a much higher milk fat content, with a minimum of 36%. This makes it thicker, richer, and more suitable for creating whipped cream and adding to desserts. Heavy cream is also a good option for adding to hot dishes, as it does not curdle when added to hot liquids.

When it comes to keto-friendly options at Starbucks, heavy cream is a better choice than half-and-half. Heavy cream has fewer carbs and is suitable for those following a keto diet. Starbucks uses heavy cream to make their whipped cream, so it is always available. However, it is important to note that the whipped cream at Starbucks contains added sugar. Straight heavy cream, on the other hand, does not have any added sugar.

When ordering keto-friendly drinks at Starbucks, it is important to ask for "no classic", as their classic syrup contains sugar. It is also recommended to skip the coconut milk and almond milk, as these typically have added sugar. Instead, stick to heavy cream or bring your own non-dairy milk. Some keto-friendly drink options at Starbucks include iced coffee or cold brew with sugar-free syrup and a splash of heavy cream, or a misto with heavy cream and sugar-free syrup.

Starbucks keto drinks

Starbucks has a variety of keto-friendly drinks, but it's important to be aware of the hidden sources of sugar and carbs. Here are some tips to keep your Starbucks drink keto-friendly:

• Say no to lattes: Lattes are mostly milk, and even if you substitute it with heavy cream, it will be very high in calories.
• Skip the coconut milk and almond milk: At Starbucks, these usually have sugar added to them.
• Say no to whipped cream: Whipped cream is full of fat and sugar.
• Avoid steamed milk: It's often used in Starbucks drinks but should be avoided as it adds carbs. Ask for heavy cream instead.
• Avoid classic syrup: Starbucks' classic syrup contains sugar and is added to many drinks, including iced coffee and iced tea. Ask for your drink to be made without it.
• Be careful with sugar-free syrup: Each pump contains around 1g of net carbs. Ask for one or two pumps instead of leaving it up to the barista.

Now, here are some keto-friendly Starbucks drinks you can order:

• Unsweetened Iced Tea: Order it without any sweetener, or ask for a few pumps of sugar-free syrup.
• Unsweetened Iced Coffee: Ask for yours without any sweetener, or add a pump or two of sugar-free syrup.
• Americano: This is a keto-friendly option that combines espresso shots with hot or cold water. Add a splash of heavy cream or sugar-free syrup for extra flavour.
• Flat White: Ask for half heavy cream and half hot water instead of steamed milk to make it keto-friendly.
• Cappuccino: Ask for heavy cream instead of milk to make it keto-friendly.
• Keto Frappuccino: Order a tall, unsweetened iced coffee with extra ice, heavy whipping cream, and sugar-free vanilla syrup. Ask for it to be blended Frappuccino-style, without any Frappuccino base or syrups.
• Keto Mocha: Order an Americano with 3/4 water and 1/4 heavy cream. Ask for no whipped cream and no vanilla syrup. Add 2 pumps of skinny mocha sauce and, if you like, 1 pump of sugar-free peppermint.
• Keto London Fog: Ask for an Earl Grey tea bag with 3/4 hot water and 1/4 heavy whipping cream. Swap the regular vanilla syrup for two pumps of sugar-free vanilla.
• Keto Chai Tea Latte: Ask for a chai tea bag (not the syrup) and two ounces of heavy whipping cream. Add two pumps of sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup.
• Keto Pink Drink: Ask for a grande Passion Tango, iced, with no classic syrup. Add 2 shots of heavy whipping cream and 2 pumps of sugar-free vanilla.

Keto non-coffee drinks

Heavy cream is a great option for keto dieters at Starbucks, as it has a lower carb count than other milk options. However, it's important to note that Starbucks' whipped cream is not keto-friendly, as it contains added sugar.

Keto Pink Drink

Order an unsweetened Passion Tango Herbal Tea with no classic syrup. Add sugar-free vanilla syrup and a splash of heavy cream. This drink has around 2g to 4.5g of net carbs.

Keto London Fog

Ask for an Earl Grey tea bag or two, depending on how strong you like your tea. Request 3/4 hot water and 1/4 heavy whipping cream. Finish it off with two pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup. This drink has around 4g to 5.3g of net carbs.

Keto Chai Tea Latte

For a keto Chai Tea Latte, be sure to ask for the tea bag instead of the Chai tea syrup to cut down on carbs. Get two ounces of heavy whipping cream and two pumps of sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup. This drink has around 3.7g of net carbs.

Keto White Drink

This drink is made with unsweetened peach citrus white tea, heavy cream, and 2-4 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup. Ask for light ice. You can also ask for this drink to be blended. It has around 2g of net carbs.

Breve Hot Chocolate

Order a breve hot chocolate with skinny mocha sauce.

Keto Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink

Start with a pineapple green tea infusion with no syrup. Add a splash of coconut milk for creaminess and tropical flavors. Use half a scoop to one scoop of matcha tea powder for extra flavor. Finally, add a pump of pineapple ginger syrup or your choice of keto-friendly sweetener. This drink has around 9g of net carbs.

Keto-friendly snacks

Heavy cream is a great option for those following a keto diet, as it has a relatively lower carb count than other dairy products. Starbucks uses heavy cream to make their whipped cream, so it is always available. However, the whipped cream itself is not keto-friendly as sugar is added in the form of syrup.

If you're looking for keto-friendly snacks, there are plenty of options to choose from:

• Bacon and Gruyere Egg Bites
• Cheese from the Cheese and Fruit Protein Box
• Charcuterie tray
• Moon Cheese

Other Keto-Friendly Snacks

• Red meat, such as beef, pork, or lamb
• Poultry, such as chicken and turkey
• Fish, including tuna, salmon, halibut, and shrimp
• Natural fats like butter and olive oil
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Most cheeses
• Vegetables, including leafy greens, eggplant, cauliflower, broccoli, and tomatoes
• Nuts, such as pecans, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts, and almonds
• Avocados
• Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries
• Starfruit
• Seaweed snacks
• Pork rinds
• Beef jerky
• Dark chocolate-dusted cocoa almonds
• Peanut butter
• Broccoli cheddar frittata
• Chicken bacon asparagus twists
• Parmesan cheese crisps
• And many more!

Customising your order

Replace Milk

For drinks like cappuccinos, flat whites, and lattes, you can make them keto-friendly by swapping out the milk. Opt for heavy cream, half-and-half, or almond milk instead. Keep in mind that heavy cream and half-and-half will increase the calorie content of your drink. Avoid oat milk, cow's milk, coconut milk (which is sweetened at Starbucks), and vanilla sweet cream.

Choose Suitable Sweeteners

When it comes to sweeteners, stick to sugar-free vanilla syrup or stevia. You can also order an unsweetened beverage and add stevia from the condiment station yourself. Avoid all other flavoured syrups as they contain sugar.

Avoid Toppings and Add-Ins

Most of Starbucks' sauces, toppings, drizzles, and cold foams contain sugar. Their chai base, matcha powder, and classic syrup (liquid cane sugar) also fall into this category. However, you can still add whipped cream and cinnamon to your drink.

Order Black Coffee or Tea

A basic black coffee or brewed tea at Starbucks is carb-free and keto-friendly. You can also add a keto-friendly cream, milk, or sweetener to these drinks, but keep in mind that it will increase the calorie count.

Customise Lattes and Frappuccinos

To make a keto latte, you can order it with heavy cream or half-and-half instead of milk. If you prefer a lighter option, go for almond milk or coconut milk, but keep in mind that these may have some added sugar. For a Frappuccino, ask for a blend of heavy cream and water instead of milk to reduce the carb content.

Try Keto Drink Options

Some keto-friendly drink options at Starbucks include the Caffè Misto (with almond milk or a blend of heavy cream and water), Low-Carb Pink Drink (Iced Passion Tango Tea with sugar-free syrup and heavy cream), and Low-Carb London Fog (Earl Grey tea with sugar-free syrup and heavy cream).

Frequently asked questions