Does Starbucks Have Any 0 Calorie Drinks? Your Guide to Guilt-Free Sips

January 5, 2026 •

4 min read

Several basic Starbucks menu items, like plain brewed coffee and unsweetened tea, contain zero calories before additions. This means that with a few simple ordering tips, it's easy to enjoy a refreshing and guilt-free beverage.

Quick Summary

Starbucks has several zero-calorie menu items, with customization allowing for many more. Stick to unsweetened beverages like black coffee and plain tea, or use sugar-free options to create a flavorful, guilt-free drink.

Key Points

Start with the Basics: Unsweetened brewed coffee (hot or cold brew), plain espresso, and unsweetened brewed teas are all zero-calorie options.
Use Sugar-Free Syrups: Specify sugar-free vanilla or cinnamon dolce syrup for flavor without the added calories.
Customize with Zero-Calorie Sweeteners: Opt for Splenda, Stevia, or monk fruit instead of classic syrup or sugar.
Be Mindful of Milk: To keep the calorie count at zero, skip milk entirely. For minimal calories, use a tiny splash of unsweetened almond milk.
Avoid High-Calorie Add-Ins: Always ask for no whipped cream, no sweet drizzles, and no 'classic syrup' in unsweetened drinks.
Don't Confuse Refreshers with Zero-Calorie Options: Refreshers contain sugar and are not zero-calorie, though they can be low-calorie.

The Zero-Calorie Staples: Brewed Coffee and Teas

For those seeking a true zero-calorie experience, the foundation of an order should be Starbucks' unsweetened, brewed beverages. Without any milk, sweeteners, or flavorings, these drinks provide the purest form of refreshment with no caloric impact.

Brewed Coffees

Brewed Black Coffee: Whether it's a hot Pike Place Roast or a refreshing iced coffee, black coffee is a good choice. For a smoother taste with virtually no calories, opt for a Cold Brew or Nitro Cold Brew.
Caffè Americano: This simple drink combines espresso shots with hot water for a rich, bold flavor. The iced version is also a great zero-calorie choice.
Espresso Shots: Plain, unadulterated espresso is another way to get a quick zero-calorie caffeine fix.

Brewed Teas

Starbucks offers a variety of brewed teas that are zero calories when served unsweetened.

Hot Teas:
- Emperor's Cloud & Mist
- Mint Majesty
- Peach Tranquility
- Earl Grey
- Royal English Breakfast Tea
Iced Teas:
- Iced Black Tea
- Iced Green Tea
- Iced Passion Tango Tea

How to Order Custom Zero-Calorie Drinks

Customization is key at Starbucks, and it’s the best way to expand zero-calorie options beyond the basics. By carefully specifying ingredients, you can craft a delicious drink that meets your dietary goals.

Use Sugar-Free Syrups and Sweeteners

While not all Starbucks syrup pumps are calorie-free, they do offer some sugar-free options.

Sugar-Free Syrups: Ask for sugar-free vanilla or sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup to add flavor without sugar or calories.
Zero-Calorie Sweeteners: At the pickup counter, you can add a choice of zero-calorie sweetener, such as Splenda, Stevia, or monk fruit.

Choose Your Milk Wisely

Traditional milk adds significant calories, but some alternatives can be used sparingly for a creamy texture with minimal impact.

Unsweetened Milk Alternatives: A tiny splash of unsweetened almond milk can add creaminess to a coffee or tea without adding much to the calorie count. Be mindful that most non-dairy milks at Starbucks have added sugar, so specify 'unsweetened' if possible or use in very small quantities.
No Milk: To stay strictly at zero calories, omit all milk and milk alternatives.

Avoid Caloric Toppings and Add-Ins

Skip the Whipped Cream: Whipped cream and sweet drizzles are major sources of calories and sugar. Always ask for 'no whip' and 'no drizzle'.
Say 'No' to Classic Syrup: Many iced teas and coffees come standard with pumps of 'classic syrup' (liquid cane sugar). Always specify 'unsweetened' to ensure no added sugar is included.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Ordering

Even with good intentions, it's easy to accidentally add hidden calories to a drink.

Mistaking Refreshers for Zero-Calorie Drinks: Starbucks Refreshers are often perceived as healthy, but they contain sugar and calories. For example, a Grande Kiwi Starfruit Refresher has 90 calories. Stick to brewed tea for a zero-calorie option.
Assuming All Syrups are Sugar-Free: The standard flavored syrups, like caramel, mocha, and raspberry, are high in calories. Stick strictly to the sugar-free options when ordering.
Forgetting to Specify 'Unsweetened': Many brewed teas and lemonades come with added sweetness unless explicitly asked for to be unsweetened.

Comparison Table: 0-Calorie vs. Low-Calorie Drinks

Here's a side-by-side comparison of truly zero-calorie options and their lower-calorie, but not zero, counterparts.


Drink Type	Zero-Calorie Options (Unsweetened)	Common Low-Calorie Alternatives	Calorie Difference (Approximate Grande)
Coffee	Brewed Black Coffee, Cold Brew, Nitro Cold Brew, Espresso, Americano	Caffè Misto (with non-fat milk), Iced Coffee w/ splash of almond milk + sugar-free syrup	100+ calories
Tea	Iced Green Tea, Hot Mint Majesty, Iced Passion Tango Tea	Iced Tea Lemonade, 'Fake' Chai Latte (tea bag + half water/half almond milk)	50+ calories
Flavored	Americano + sugar-free syrup + Stevia	Skinny Vanilla Latte, Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew	70+ calories

Sip Smart, Not Sugary

By following these simple ordering guidelines, you can navigate the Starbucks menu and find an array of delicious, zero-calorie options. Whether you prefer the simplicity of a black coffee or a custom-crafted flavored tea with sugar-free syrup, the power to choose a healthy beverage is in your hands. Always start with a base of brewed coffee or tea, specify 'unsweetened,' and add zero-calorie flavorings yourself.

For more great tips on healthy modifications, check out this guide on making Starbucks work for your fat loss goals.

Conclusion: Your Guilt-Free Starbucks Fix

Yes, Starbucks does have 0-calorie drinks, and they are not limited to just plain water. The most reliable zero-calorie choices are brewed black coffee and brewed unsweetened teas. However, the true strength lies in customization, where adding sugar-free syrups and zero-calorie sweeteners allows you to create a personalized, flavorful beverage. By knowing what to ask for and what to avoid, you can enjoy a perfect Starbucks fix without any of the guilt.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can get a sugar-free vanilla or cinnamon dolce latte by ordering it with sugar-free syrup and unsweetened almond milk. Specify 'no classic syrup' in iced tea lattes.

Unsweetened almond milk is the lowest calorie milk option, but use it sparingly to keep the calorie count as close to zero as possible.

No, Starbucks Refreshers are not zero calories. They contain sugar and, while lower in calories than many other drinks, are not a zero-calorie option.

Order an Iced Coffee, specify 'unsweetened,' and add sugar-free vanilla syrup and a zero-calorie sweetener of your choice at the condiment bar.

A 'fake' chai latte is a brewed chai tea bag with steamed almond milk and a zero-calorie sweetener. It is not zero calories, but significantly lower than a standard chai latte.

According to some sources, Starbucks no longer offers a sugar-free mocha syrup. You can, however, use a sugar-free vanilla syrup and add a zero-calorie sweetener for a lower-calorie alternative.

No, a traditional Frappuccino cannot be made zero-calorie. The creamy texture comes from a sugary base. Some people create custom, blended drinks with coffee, ice, milk, and sugar-free syrup, but it won't be a zero-calorie Frappuccino.