How many calories are in 1 cup of Lipton tea?

November 7, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutrition databases and confirmed by Lipton, an 8-ounce cup of plain, unsweetened brewed Lipton tea contains zero calories. This fundamental fact is key to understanding how many calories are in 1 cup of Lipton tea, as any caloric content comes from additions like milk, sugar, or honey, or from pre-made, sweetened products like bottled iced tea.

Quick Summary

Calorie counts for Lipton tea vary drastically, from zero for plain brewed tea to significant amounts in sweetened iced or milk tea. The total depends entirely on added ingredients. Understanding these differences helps in making informed beverage choices.

Key Points

Plain Lipton Tea is Zero-Calorie: Brewed unsweetened Lipton tea, including black and green varieties, contains 0-2 calories per cup, acting as a calorie-free hydrating beverage.
Additions Drastically Increase Calories: The addition of sugar, milk, and honey is what adds calories to tea, with a teaspoon of sugar adding ~16 calories and a tablespoon of honey adding ~64.
Pre-Made Iced Teas Are High in Sugar: Bottled and sweetened Lipton iced teas contain significantly more calories, with some varieties having 70-80 calories or more per cup due to added sugars.
Tea Provides Health Benefits: Unsweetened Lipton tea is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols, which support heart health, aid in digestion, and can boost metabolism.
Weight Management Tool: Replacing high-calorie beverages with unsweetened tea is an effective and simple strategy for reducing daily calorie intake and supporting weight loss efforts.
Moderation is Key: While healthy, excessive intake of caffeinated Lipton tea can lead to side effects like insomnia or anxiety in sensitive individuals.

Plain Lipton Tea: The Zero-Calorie Base

Brewed Lipton tea, whether from a yellow label tea bag or green tea leaves, is naturally calorie-free. This makes it an excellent beverage choice for those watching their caloric intake, as it provides hydration and antioxidants without contributing to your daily calorie count. The Camellia sinensis plant from which tea is derived contains no inherent calories. The magic of Lipton's plain tea lies in its simplicity—just brewed leaves and water.

The Impact of Additives on Lipton Tea's Calorie Count

The zero-calorie status of plain Lipton tea changes the moment you add sweeteners or milk. The more you add, the higher the calorie content climbs.

Sugar: A single teaspoon of granulated sugar can add about 16 calories to your cup.
Honey: One tablespoon of honey adds approximately 64 calories.
Milk: The type of milk used also affects the calorie count significantly. For example, a quarter cup of whole milk adds about 37 calories, while a similar amount of skim milk adds around 22 calories.
Lemon: Adding a slice of lemon to your tea adds a negligible amount of calories, typically less than one calorie.

By controlling the additions, you control the final calorie count. For those looking to manage weight, opting for unsweetened tea or low-calorie additions like stevia or a small squeeze of lemon is the best strategy.

Calorie Comparison: Lipton Tea Varieties

Here is a comparison table to illustrate how different preparations of Lipton tea affect the final calorie count per 8-ounce cup.


Tea Type	Preparation	Approximate Calories	Key Factors Affecting Calories
Plain Black Tea	Brewed from a tea bag, unsweetened	0-2	Calorie-free base.
Plain Green Tea	Brewed from a tea bag, unsweetened	0	Calorie-free base, rich in antioxidants.
Black Tea with Milk	1 teacup with milk and sugar	30-40	Milk and sugar are the primary calorie sources.
Sweet Iced Tea	Bottled, pre-sweetened	70-80	High fructose corn syrup or sugar is added.
Diet Iced Tea	Bottled, artificially sweetened	0	Uses non-nutritive sweeteners.

The Health Benefits of Drinking Unsweetened Lipton Tea

Beyond its low-calorie nature, Lipton tea—especially the unsweetened varieties—offers a range of health benefits.

Rich in Antioxidants

Both Lipton black and green teas are rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. These compounds help neutralize free radicals in the body, reducing cellular damage and supporting overall health.

Supports Heart Health

Regular consumption of unsweetened Lipton tea, especially black tea, has been linked to improved heart health. The flavonoids can help lower cholesterol levels and support healthy cardiovascular function.

Boosts Metabolism and Aids Weight Management

Unsweetened black tea and green tea can contribute to weight management efforts. The caffeine in tea provides a gentle metabolic boost and may aid in fat oxidation. Furthermore, replacing high-calorie beverages like soda with unsweetened tea is a simple way to create a calorie deficit, which is essential for weight loss.

Other Potential Benefits

Improved Mental Alertness: The moderate caffeine content in black and green tea can enhance focus and concentration without the jitters associated with higher-caffeine beverages.
Gut Microbiome Support: Emerging research from UCLA suggests that black tea polyphenols can influence the gut microbiome, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria linked to a healthier body composition.

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

While generally safe, moderate consumption is key. Excessive caffeine intake from tea can lead to side effects like anxiety, insomnia, and an irregular heartbeat in sensitive individuals. The tannins in black tea can also interfere with the absorption of iron from plant-based foods, so those with iron deficiencies should consider drinking tea between meals rather than with them. The key is moderation and being mindful of your body's response.

Conclusion

In summary, the number of calories in 1 cup of Lipton tea is highly dependent on how it is prepared. Brewed unsweetened Lipton tea, whether black or green, is essentially a zero-calorie beverage, making it a great option for healthy hydration and weight management. Calorie counts increase with the addition of sugar, milk, and other sweeteners, as is the case with many bottled iced tea products. By choosing to sweeten mindfully or enjoy your tea plain, you can reap the many health benefits, including antioxidant protection and heart health support, while keeping your calorie intake in check. As with any dietary change, consulting with a healthcare professional or nutritionist is recommended to ensure it aligns with your specific health goals.

For more information on the health impacts of different teas, the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health offers valuable resources on herbal remedies and dietary supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plain brewed Lipton black tea, without any additives, contains zero calories. Any calories come from additions like sugar, milk, or honey.

Yes, adding milk to your Lipton tea significantly increases the calorie count. A small splash of whole milk can add around 37 calories per serving, while skim milk adds less, but still contributes to the total.

The calorie count for bottled Lipton iced tea varies by product. Sweetened versions typically contain 70-80 calories per cup, while diet or zero-sugar options contain no calories.

Yes, plain brewed Lipton green tea is naturally calorie-free. Like black tea, its calorie content only increases with the addition of sweeteners or other ingredients.

Yes, drinking unsweetened Lipton tea can aid in weight loss by boosting metabolism and serving as a low-calorie alternative to sugary drinks. It works best as part of a balanced diet and active lifestyle.

Adding a fresh squeeze of lemon to your Lipton tea adds a negligible amount of calories, typically less than one calorie. The lemon adds flavor without impacting the calorie count significantly.

The healthiest way to drink Lipton tea is to brew it plain, without any added sugar or milk. This allows you to benefit from its antioxidants and hydration without consuming extra calories.

When brewed plain and unsweetened, both Lipton Yellow Label black tea and Lipton Green Tea contain zero calories. The processing method does not add calories to the final brew.