Are Cold Brews High in Calories? The Truth About Your Favorite Chilled Coffee

October 19, 2025 •

4 min read

Plain, black coffee contains virtually no calories, with a standard cup having just 2-5 calories. The low-calorie nature of plain coffee extends to cold brew, meaning that on its own, cold brew is not high in calories. The misconception that cold brews are high in calories is largely due to the many high-calorie additions that are often included in commercial versions.

Quick Summary

The core of a cold brew coffee is extremely low in calories, similar to any other plain coffee. Calories skyrocket when syrups, milks, and sweeteners are added, not from the brewing process itself.

Key Points

Plain Cold Brew is Low-Calorie: A standard 16-ounce black cold brew contains fewer than 5 calories, making it naturally diet-friendly.
Additions are the Calorie Culprits: The calorie count increases dramatically with the addition of syrups, sweetened milks, and creams, which are responsible for the high caloric content of many cafe cold brew options.
Healthier for Your Stomach: The cold brewing process produces coffee with significantly lower acidity, making it a better option for those with sensitive stomachs or acid reflux.
Rich in Antioxidants: Cold brew coffee is a source of antioxidants like chlorogenic acid, which can help fight inflammation.
Control Your Calories at Home: Making cold brew at home allows you to control the ingredients and keep the calorie count minimal by using zero-calorie sweeteners and low-fat milk alternatives.
Boosts Metabolism: The caffeine in cold brew can help speed up your metabolism, potentially aiding in fat burning and weight management.

Why Plain Cold Brew is Naturally Low-Calorie

At its simplest, a cold brew is just coffee grounds steeped in cold water over a long period. Since water and coffee grounds are nearly calorie-free, the resulting plain, unsweetened cold brew is an extremely low-calorie beverage. A 16-ounce (473 mL) serving of plain cold brew contains fewer than 5 calories, making it a great option for those monitoring their caloric intake. The cold brewing process extracts flavor compounds from the beans without extracting the bitter, acidic oils that hot water brewing pulls out, leading to a naturally smoother and sweeter taste. This smoothness means many people enjoy it black, without the need for high-calorie additives. Furthermore, this lower acidity can be gentler on the stomach for those sensitive to hot coffee.

The Sneaky Culprits Behind High-Calorie Cold Brews

While the base beverage is low-cal, the common additions are where the calories pile up. Your specialty cold brew from a cafe can easily become a sugary, high-fat dessert posing as a coffee. Here’s a rundown of the typical add-ins that transform a guilt-free drink into a calorie bomb:

Syrups and Sweeteners: Flavored syrups like caramel, vanilla, and hazelnut are packed with sugar. Just one pump can add around 20 calories, and many drinks contain multiple pumps. This can turn a five-calorie drink into a 100+ calorie one in a heartbeat.
Creamers and Milks: Adding dairy or non-dairy milk significantly increases the calorie count. A splash of whole milk contains more calories than a splash of skim, while many specialty creamers are even higher in sugar and fat. A cold brew with milk can range from 25 calories for a small amount of low-fat milk to over 100 calories for a large serving with whole milk.
Sweet Creams and Toppings: The ever-popular sweet cream foam or whipped cream toppings are particularly calorific. These decadent additions are often made with a blend of heavy cream, milk, and sugar, instantly transforming a diet-friendly drink into a high-calorie indulgence.

Customizing Your Cold Brew for Health

For those watching their waistline, enjoying a cold brew doesn't mean giving up flavor. The key is to be mindful of your mix-ins. Making your cold brew at home gives you complete control over ingredients, but even at a cafe, you can make smarter choices.

Low-Calorie Cold Brew Customization:

Go Black: The simplest and lowest-calorie option is to drink it black. The smooth, less-acidic taste of cold brew makes this a very palatable option for many people.
Choose Zero-Calorie Sweeteners: If you need sweetness, opt for zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit extract instead of sugar or sugary syrups.
Use Sugar-Free Syrups: Most coffee shops offer sugar-free versions of their popular flavored syrups. Just be aware that these still contain artificial sweeteners.
Select Low-Calorie Milks: When you need a creamy texture, choose lower-calorie alternatives. Unsweetened cashew milk or almond milk have significantly fewer calories than whole milk or heavy cream.
Ask for Light or No Toppings: Skip the sweet cream and whipped cream entirely, or ask for a very light amount to minimize the calorie impact.

Comparison Table: Cold Brew vs. High-Calorie Alternatives


Drink Type	Approximate Calories (16 oz)	Typical Additions	Key Differentiator
Black Cold Brew	< 10	None	Low-acid, smooth flavor profile
Caramel Macchiato	250+	Caramel sauce, vanilla syrup, milk	High sugar content from syrups and sauce
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew	110-200+	Vanilla syrup, sweet cream	High sugar and fat content from cream
Mocha Frappuccino	400+	Mocha sauce, milk, whipped cream	Blended drink with high sugar and fat
Cold Brew with Almond Milk	~30-60	Almond milk (unsweetened)	Uses low-calorie milk alternative for creaminess

The Health Benefits of Black Cold Brew

Beyond just being low in calories, black cold brew offers several health advantages. It contains powerful antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid, which help fight inflammation. The higher concentration of antioxidants in cold brew compared to iced coffee is attributed to the slower extraction process. Cold brew can also be beneficial for gut health due to its lower acidity, which is easier on the digestive system for some people. The caffeine content can boost metabolism, potentially aiding in weight management by increasing the body's calorie-burning rate.

Conclusion: Mind Your Add-Ins

So, are cold brews high in calories? The clear answer is that they are not, provided you stick to the unadulterated version. A plain, black cold brew is a virtually calorie-free and antioxidant-rich beverage. The high-calorie myth is entirely fueled by the addition of sugary syrups, fatty creams, and sweetened milks. By being aware of what you add to your cup—or ordering a simple black version—you can enjoy the smooth, flavorful taste of cold brew without derailing your health and fitness goals. Your coffee shop drink is a dessert only if you make it one.

Frequently Asked Questions

A plain, unsweetened cold brew contains very few calories, typically less than 5 calories per 16-ounce serving.

Calories in cold brews primarily come from high-calorie add-ins like sugary syrups, flavored creamers, sweetened milks, and whipped cream, not the coffee itself.

Black cold brew can be considered healthier for some people as it has lower acidity than hot-brewed iced coffee, which can be easier on the stomach. Both are low in calories when consumed black.

To keep your cold brew low-calorie, you can use zero-calorie sweeteners like stevia, or opt for unsweetened, low-calorie milk alternatives such as almond or cashew milk.

The caffeine in cold brew can boost your metabolism and help with fat burning, making it a helpful part of a weight management plan, especially when consumed black.

Many Nitro Cold Brew options, particularly unsweetened black versions, have zero calories, as nitrogen gas and black coffee are both calorie-free. Always check the label for added sugars.

For a low-calorie option at Starbucks, ask for a Plain Cold Brew (under 10 calories for a Grande). You can add a splash of unsweetened almond milk for a bit of creaminess without adding significant calories.