Can Starbucks do sugar free drinks?: Your Guide to Customizing Healthier Options

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

A single grande Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino contains an astonishing 60 grams of sugar, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a trip to Starbucks. With the right ordering knowledge and a few simple modifications, the answer to "Can Starbucks do sugar free drinks?" is a resounding yes, offering a world of delicious possibilities for those on a specific nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

Starbucks offers a wide range of customizable options for those seeking sugar-free or low-sugar drinks. By starting with a zero-sugar base like coffee or unsweetened tea and adding sugar-free syrups and milk alternatives, you can create a personalized and satisfying beverage. Strategic customization can transform many menu items into healthier choices for any diet.

Key Points

Start with a zero-sugar base: Options like brewed coffee, cold brew, and unsweetened hot or iced teas are naturally sugar-free.
Utilize sugar-free syrups: Specify sugar-free vanilla, cinnamon dolce, caramel, or hazelnut syrups to add flavor without sugar.
Customize your milk and cream: Choose a splash of heavy cream for a low-carb, high-fat option, or opt for unsweetened almond milk.
Be specific when ordering: Always say "no classic syrup" to prevent added liquid cane sugar in drinks like iced coffee and shaken espressos.
Recreate popular drinks: Learn how to build your own sugar-free versions of Frappuccinos, Pink Drinks, and flavored lattes by customizing the ingredients.

The Hidden Sugar in Standard Starbucks Drinks

Many of the most popular and appealing beverages at Starbucks are loaded with sugar, often exceeding recommended daily limits in a single cup. Lattes with standard 2% milk can contain over 20 grams of naturally occurring milk sugar, while flavored options can contain a significant amount more from classic syrups and drizzles. This makes it challenging for people on a low-sugar or keto diet to enjoy their favorite coffee shop treats without compromising their nutrition goals.

Building a Sugar-Free Base

Your journey to a healthier Starbucks order begins with a solid, naturally sugar-free foundation. Choosing the right base ensures your beverage starts with minimal calories and zero added sugar. Some of the best choices include:

Brewed Coffee (Hot or Iced): Black brewed coffee, available in various roasts, contains no sugar or calories.
Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew: Made by steeping coffee in cold water for an extended period, these options offer a smooth, less acidic taste that feels naturally sweeter, without any added sugar. Nitro cold brew is also infused with nitrogen for a creamy texture.
Espresso: Pure espresso shots served hot or over ice are a zero-sugar, zero-calorie base for a variety of drinks.
Unsweetened Teas: Starbucks offers unsweetened versions of its black, green, and Passion Tango teas. It's crucial to specify "unsweetened" as some drinks come with a standard number of pumps of liquid cane sugar.

Sweetening with Sugar-Free Syrups and Add-ins

Flavoring your beverage is where customization comes in. Starbucks offers a limited but valuable selection of sugar-free syrups, which use sucralose (Splenda) as a sweetener.

Common Sugar-Free Syrups:

Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
Sugar-Free Caramel Syrup
Sugar-Free Hazelnut Syrup

In addition to syrups, you can also request packets of artificial sweeteners like Splenda or Stevia. The key is to be specific when ordering. Always ask for "no classic syrup," as many drinks like iced coffee and shaken espresso come pre-sweetened.

Navigating Dairy and Non-Dairy Options

Milk and cream can be a surprising source of sugar, but smart substitutions can help you maintain your diet goals.

Heavy Cream: For those on a low-carb or keto diet, heavy cream is an excellent, low-sugar, high-fat choice. Ask for a "splash" to add richness without excessive carbs.
Unsweetened Nut Milks: While nut milks at Starbucks often have added sugar, unsweetened almond milk is generally a lower-sugar option compared to 2% or whole milk. Be sure to check the nutrition facts if strict carb counting is a priority.
Nonfat Milk: Ordering a "skinny" flavored latte with sugar-free syrup and nonfat milk is a lighter alternative, but remember it still contains naturally occurring milk sugar (lactose).

Your Custom Sugar-Free Drink Orders

With a bit of knowledge, you can recreate many Starbucks favorites with a sugar-free twist.

The Custom Keto Frappuccino

Order an unsweetened iced coffee (or cold brew).
Ask for a "splash of heavy cream" (or almond milk).
Add sugar-free vanilla or cinnamon dolce syrup.
Request that it be blended "Frappuccino-style" with no base.

The Low-Carb Pink Drink

Order an unsweetened iced Passion Tango Tea.
Ask for a "splash of heavy cream" or light coconut milk.
Add 2-4 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup.
Request light ice and no water.

The Sugar-Free Iced Latte

Order a Caffe Latte, iced or hot.
Specify "no classic syrup" if applicable.
Request almond milk or heavy cream instead of standard milk.
Add sugar-free vanilla syrup.

Making Healthy Choices: Comparison Table

Here's a comparison to illustrate the impact of simple customizations on the sugar and calorie content of popular drinks.


Drink	Standard Order (Grande)	Custom Sugar-Free Alternative (Grande)
Iced Caramel Macchiato	34g sugar, 250 calories	Iced Americano + SF Vanilla Syrup + splash of heavy cream + light caramel drizzle
Caramel Frappuccino	60g sugar, 420 calories	Iced Coffee (blended) + heavy cream + SF Vanilla Syrup + no base, no whip
Iced Coffee	20g sugar (with Classic Syrup)	Iced Coffee (unsweetened) + SF Vanilla Syrup + splash of almond milk

Conclusion: Your Diet, Your Drink

It is absolutely possible to order sugar-free drinks at Starbucks. While the standard menu can be filled with hidden sugars, mastering the art of customization gives you control over your nutrition. By choosing a sugar-free base, opting for sugar-free syrups and alternative milks, and communicating clearly with your barista, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying beverage that aligns with your dietary needs. The next time you visit, you'll know exactly how to order a treat without the sugar crash.

For more dietitian-backed advice on low-sugar options, visit Healthline's guide to ordering at Starbucks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Starbucks offers a limited selection of sugar-free syrups, which typically include sugar-free vanilla, sugar-free cinnamon dolce, sugar-free caramel, and sugar-free hazelnut.

Order an iced coffee and specify that you want it unsweetened and with no classic syrup. You can then add a sugar-free syrup like vanilla and a splash of milk or cream if desired.

No, the standard Pink Drink is not sugar-free. However, you can order a low-sugar version by requesting an unsweetened iced Passion Tango Tea with a splash of heavy cream or light coconut milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup.

Order a custom blended drink by asking for unsweetened iced coffee or cold brew, heavy cream or almond milk, sugar-free syrup, and requesting it be blended "Frappuccino-style" with no base.

For the lowest carb count, heavy cream is the best option for added richness. Unsweetened almond milk and coconut milk are also viable options, but check for potential added sugars in the Starbucks versions.

Naturally sugar-free options include brewed coffee (hot or iced), cold brew, espresso, Americanos, and unsweetened black, green, or Passion Tango teas.

Yes, you can. To make a sugar-free caramel macchiato, order an Iced Americano and specify sugar-free vanilla syrup. You can add a splash of heavy cream or almond milk and request a light caramel drizzle for minimal added sugar.