How Many Calories Are in a Grande Iced Coffee with Almond Milk?

November 9, 2025 •

5 min read

An unsweetened grande iced coffee with almond milk from Starbucks contains a surprisingly low 20 calories, but this number can change drastically depending on add-ins and customizations. Understanding the base calorie count is essential for health-conscious consumers looking to manage their daily intake.

Quick Summary

An unsweetened 16-ounce grande iced coffee with almond milk contains approximately 20 calories, with minimal sugar, carbs, and fat. Adding classic syrup or other sweeteners will significantly raise the calorie count, often exceeding 100 calories per serving. The specific beverage type, such as an iced latte versus regular iced coffee, also affects the final nutritional information.

Key Points

Unsweetened is Key: A grande iced coffee with almond milk is only about 20 calories if ordered unsweetened, as the black coffee is virtually calorie-free.
Sweeteners Add Big Calories: The addition of classic syrup, which is standard unless specified otherwise, can increase the calorie count to 100 or more due to added sugar.
Lattes are Higher in Calories: An iced caffe latte with almond milk contains around 70 calories because it includes more milk and concentrated espresso, compared to the less milky iced coffee.
Cold Brew is a Close Alternative: A grande unsweetened cold brew with almond milk is an even lower-calorie option, containing about 15 calories.
Customization is Your Friend: To keep calories low, order without classic syrup and ask for sugar-free syrups instead, or add your own zero-calorie sweetener.
Avoid High-Calorie Add-Ins: Whipped cream, regular flavored syrups, and sweet creams will significantly increase the calorie and sugar content.

The Base: Unsweetened Grande Iced Coffee with Almond Milk

For those watching their calorie intake, a simple, unsweetened iced coffee is one of the best low-calorie options available at coffee shops. A standard grande (16 fl oz) iced coffee from Starbucks that is unsweetened and has almond milk added contains only about 20 calories. This makes for a light and refreshing beverage, perfect for a caffeine boost without the added sugars and fats of more decadent drinks.

Breakdown of an Unsweetened Grande

The minimal calorie count comes from the components of the drink itself. The iced coffee base is virtually zero calories. The majority of the calories come from the almond milk added. According to nutritional data for Starbucks' unsweetened grande iced coffee with almond milk, the macronutrient breakdown is minimal: approximately 1 gram of fat, 1 gram of carbohydrates, and 1 gram of protein. This provides a tiny amount of substance while retaining the flavor and creamy texture that many people enjoy.

The Calorie Impact of Sweeteners

The calorie content of your drink can change dramatically based on how you order it. Most standard iced coffee orders come with classic syrup automatically added, unless you specifically request otherwise. A Grande iced coffee at Starbucks typically receives four pumps of syrup. This is where the calories add up quickly.

Classic Syrup and Other Add-Ins

The most common sweetener, classic syrup, is pure liquid sugar. Its addition instantly elevates the drink from a low-calorie option to a high-sugar, higher-calorie one. For example, a sweetened grande iced coffee with almond milk can contain around 100 calories, with a significant portion coming from the 21 grams of sugar. If you want a sweet treat without the calories, you can request sugar-free vanilla or another sugar-free syrup option. Other high-calorie add-ins include flavored syrups, whipped cream, or caramel drizzle, all of which will inflate the calorie count.

Iced Coffee vs. Iced Latte: A Calorie Comparison

It's important to understand the difference between an iced coffee and an iced latte, as their calorie counts are not comparable. While both are iced beverages with coffee and milk, they have very different preparation methods and proportions.

How Your Drink Choice Matters

Iced Coffee: This is a brewed coffee that is chilled and served over ice. A small amount of almond milk is added to lighten the flavor and color. The volume is mostly coffee and water, resulting in the low-calorie base.
Iced Caffe Latte: This is espresso (a more concentrated coffee) mixed with a larger quantity of milk. A Grande Iced Caffe Latte with almond milk contains a larger proportion of milk, raising the calories to around 70 for the unsweetened version. Adding syrup to a latte will increase the calories even more, so a standard order with classic syrup will be much higher.

Building a Custom Low-Calorie Drink

If you are mindful of your calorie intake, there are several ways to customize your order to keep it low-calorie while still enjoying the flavor.

Specify 'Unsweetened': Always be clear and request that your iced coffee has no classic syrup. This is the single most important step for saving calories.
Opt for Sugar-Free Syrups: Many coffee shops offer sugar-free vanilla, caramel, or other syrups. While the taste can vary, they are zero-calorie and can satisfy a craving for sweetness.
Ask for Light Almond Milk: For an even lighter touch, you can ask for a smaller amount of almond milk. Baristas are typically happy to accommodate these requests.
Add Your Own Sweetener: If you prefer, you can bring your own low-calorie sweetener packets to control the exact amount of sweetness.

Calorie Comparison Table: Grande Drinks


Drink Type (Grande)	Default Sweetener	Estimated Calories	Notes
Iced Coffee with Almond Milk	Yes (Classic Syrup)	~100	Default order, includes sweetener.
Iced Coffee with Almond Milk	No (Unsweetened)	~20	Order "unsweetened" to get this value.
Iced Caffe Latte with Almond Milk	No (Unsweetened)	~70	Espresso-based drink, higher milk content.
Iced Cold Brew with Almond Milk	No (Unsweetened)	~15	Cold brew has a slightly different flavor profile and is naturally lower in calories.

Conclusion: The Final Calorie Count Depends on You

So, how many calories are in a grande iced coffee with almond milk? The answer depends entirely on your specific order. An unsweetened version can be an excellent, low-calorie choice at just 20 calories. However, adding sweeteners like classic syrup can boost that number significantly. By communicating your preferences clearly to the barista, you can enjoy a delicious and refreshing iced coffee that aligns with your dietary goals. For more detailed nutrition information, you can always check the Starbucks official website.

Customization and Calorie Reduction Lists

How to Order a Truly Low-Calorie Drink

Start with a basic iced coffee or cold brew. These provide the lowest calorie foundation.
Specify "with almond milk." This is a low-calorie, dairy-free alternative.
Always say "unsweetened" or "no classic syrup." This avoids the automatic addition of high-sugar syrup.
Use sugar-free syrups instead of regular. Ask what options are available.
Bring your own zero-calorie sweetener for maximum control.
Ask for a 'splash' or 'light splash' of almond milk to reduce calories further, though the initial amount is already low.

High-Calorie Add-Ins to Avoid

Classic Syrup: The default sweetener is a major source of calories.
Flavored Syrups (Regular): Caramel, hazelnut, vanilla, and other regular syrups contain significant sugar and calories.
Whipped Cream: Adds a considerable amount of fat and calories to the top of your drink.
Drizzles: Caramel, mocha, or other drizzles are also high in sugar and calories.
Sweet Creams: The sweetened vanilla sweet cream cold foam will dramatically increase the calorie count.

Conclusion

A grande iced coffee with almond milk is a highly customizable drink, with its final calorie count hinging on your ingredient choices. The base unsweetened version is a stellar low-calorie option, perfect for a daily caffeine fix without guilt. By understanding the impact of sweeteners and opting for healthier alternatives, you can enjoy a delicious, refreshing beverage that fits your dietary needs. Remember to always specify your customizations clearly when ordering. The low-calorie answer to "how many calories are in a grande iced coffee with almond milk?" is only a request away.

Starbucks Official Nutrition Information

Frequently Asked Questions

If you add classic syrup, the calories will increase substantially. A sweetened grande iced coffee with almond milk contains around 100 calories, with about 21 grams of sugar.

An unsweetened grande iced coffee with almond milk is about 20 calories, while an unsweetened grande iced caffe latte with almond milk contains approximately 70 calories because it has more milk and uses concentrated espresso.

Yes, you can significantly reduce the calories by asking for sugar-free syrup instead of regular classic syrup. For example, sugar-free vanilla syrup adds zero calories.

The nutritional information is based on Starbucks' standard almond milk. Different brands or types of almond milk can have slightly different calorie counts, but the difference is typically small for a splash in iced coffee.

Yes, a grande unsweetened cold brew with almond milk is even lower in calories than the standard iced coffee, coming in at around 15 calories.

To get the lowest calorie option, simply order a 'grande iced coffee with almond milk, unsweetened' or 'grande cold brew with almond milk, no classic.' You can add a sugar-free syrup for flavor.

Yes, aside from almond milk, options like nonfat milk or coconut milk are also relatively low in calories compared to whole milk, but will still be higher than the unsweetened almond milk version.

To keep the calorie count down, avoid add-ins like whipped cream, regular flavored drizzles (caramel, mocha), and vanilla sweet cream cold foam, as these are all high in sugar and calories.