Does Starbucks Make a Decaf Espresso? Your Nutrition Diet Guide

October 26, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the USDA, a standard shot of decaf espresso can still contain anywhere from 3 to 15 mg of caffeine, a key nutritional consideration for those mindful of their intake. This brings into focus the question: Does Starbucks make a decaf espresso? The answer is yes, and understanding your options is vital for making informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

Starbucks offers decaffeinated espresso, making it possible to enjoy most espresso-based drinks with significantly less caffeine. Options include decaf lattes, americanos, and shaken espressos, offering rich flavor without the full caffeine load.

Key Points

Yes, Decaf Espresso Exists: Starbucks offers a Decaf Espresso Roast, which can be used to make decaffeinated versions of most espresso-based drinks.
Variety of Decaf Drinks: You can get decaf versions of popular drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, mochas, and even Frappuccinos.
Decaf is Not Caffeine-Free: Decaffeination removes most caffeine, but a small amount (3-15.8 mg per shot) remains.
Customization is Key: For better nutrition, customize your drink by choosing lower-fat milks, sugar-free syrups, and skipping high-calorie toppings.
Chemical vs. Water Process: Starbucks primarily uses a solvent-based Direct Contact Method, but also uses a chemical-free Swiss Water Process for select blends.
Half-Decaf Options: If you want to reduce, but not eliminate, caffeine, you can request a drink with half-decaf shots.

Your Decaf Espresso Options at Starbucks

For those limiting their caffeine, the great news is that Starbucks does indeed make a decaf espresso. This means nearly any espresso-based drink on the menu can be ordered with decaf shots. The standard option is the Decaf Espresso Roast, a dark roast with rich, caramelly sweetness. The company also offers a Decaf Blonde Espresso Roast for at-home use with Nespresso machines, known for its smoother, lighter flavor. When ordering, simply specify "decaf" for your shot(s), or ask for "half-decaf" to moderate your intake.

Popular Decaf Espresso Drinks at Starbucks

Choosing a decaf drink doesn't mean sacrificing variety. Here are some popular espresso drinks that can be customized with decaf shots:

Decaf Latte: The classic combination of decaf espresso and steamed milk, customizable with various syrups.
Decaf Americano: Decaf espresso shots topped with hot water for a similar flavor profile to regular drip coffee.
Decaf Cappuccino: The traditional equal parts decaf espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam.
Decaf Caramel Macchiato: A popular choice featuring vanilla syrup, decaf espresso, steamed milk, and a caramel drizzle.
Decaf Mocha: For chocolate lovers, this combines decaf espresso, steamed milk, and mocha sauce.
Decaf Shaken Espresso: A refreshing iced option where decaf espresso, ice, and syrup are hand-shaken and topped with milk.
Decaf Frappuccino: While the standard Frappuccino roast is caffeinated, a barista can customize most coffee Frappuccinos with decaf espresso shots for a less buzzy blended treat.

Understanding the Decaffeination Process

Decaf coffee is created by removing most of the caffeine from the beans before roasting, but it is not completely caffeine-free. Starbucks primarily uses the Direct Contact Method for most of its decaf offerings. This process involves steaming the green coffee beans and then rinsing them with a solvent, like methylene chloride, which binds to the caffeine. The beans are then washed, steamed again, and roasted at high temperatures, which ensures no solvent residue remains in the final product. For some special blends, like the Decaf Komodo Dragon Blend, the company uses the Swiss Water Process, a chemical-free method involving flavor-charged water and charcoal filters.

Decaf vs. Caffeinated: A Nutritional Comparison

When considering nutrition, caffeine content is a significant factor. Here is a comparison of typical caffeine levels and other nutritional data for Starbucks' decaf espresso versus its regular counterparts.


Feature	Starbucks Decaf Espresso (Shot)	Starbucks Regular Espresso (Shot)	Starbucks Regular Brewed Coffee (Grande)
Caffeine Content	3–15.8 mg	~75 mg	310 mg
Calories	10	~10	~5
Fat	0g	0g	0g
Carbohydrates	0g	0g	<1g
Notes	Nearly any espresso drink can be made decaf.	Standard option, higher caffeine levels.	Much higher caffeine than espresso; not available decaf as a cold brew.

Note: All nutritional data is for plain espresso/coffee before milk or syrups are added. Additions can significantly alter the calorie and sugar content.

Customizing Your Decaf Order for Better Nutrition

Making your decaf drink fit your nutritional goals is all about customization. Here are some tips:

Choose your milk wisely: Opt for non-fat or plant-based milks like almond or oat milk instead of whole milk to reduce fat and calories. Be mindful of added sugars in some plant-based milk options.
Limit syrups: Syrups add significant sugar and calories. Request fewer pumps or choose sugar-free versions. For example, a grande decaf latte with sugar-free vanilla syrup is a much lower-calorie option than a standard vanilla latte.
Skip the extras: Forgoing whipped cream or extra drizzles can drastically cut down on sugar and fat.
Consider a Decaf Americano: For the purest, lowest-calorie experience, a decaf Americano is just decaf espresso and water, with virtually no calories.

Conclusion: Navigating Decaf for Better Nutrition

In conclusion, Starbucks does make a decaf espresso, providing a rich and flavorful option for those seeking to reduce their caffeine consumption without sacrificing the coffee experience. By understanding the available decaf drinks, the decaffeination process, and the nutritional impact of different customizations, you can incorporate your favorite Starbucks beverages into your nutrition diet effectively. Whether opting for a simple decaf americano or a customized decaf latte, it's possible to enjoy great coffee while staying mindful of your health goals. For more information on Starbucks' at-home products and sourcing, visit their official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can order a decaf latte at any Starbucks. The barista will use decaf espresso shots instead of regular ones for your drink.

A shot of Starbucks decaf espresso typically contains between 3 and 15.8 mg of caffeine, depending on factors like the bean and brewing.

Almost all espresso-based drinks, such as lattes, americanos, and macchiatos, can be made with decaf shots. The one exception is that you cannot get a decaf cold brew.

You can get a decaf Frappuccino by customizing a coffee-based Frappuccino and asking for decaf espresso shots to be used instead of the standard coffee base.

The decaffeination process can slightly alter the flavor profile of the beans, often resulting in a milder taste compared to regular espresso, though Starbucks aims to preserve the flavor.

Yes, Starbucks has a standard Decaf Espresso Roast, a dark roast with caramelly and molasses notes, that is used for in-store decaf espresso drinks.

A half-decaf shot, or 'half-caff,' combines a regular, caffeinated espresso shot with a decaf espresso shot to create a drink with about half the standard caffeine content.