How Many Calories Are in a Small Skinny Mocha Costa?

November 29, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data from reputable sources, a small skinny mocha from Costa Coffee, prepared with skimmed milk, contains approximately 154 calories. This makes it a lower-calorie option compared to its standard counterpart, designed for those mindful of their daily intake.

Quick Summary

A small skinny mocha from Costa made with skimmed milk has around 154 calories. This lower-calorie option is a popular choice for those watching their intake. The final count can vary slightly based on specific regional preparation methods and ingredients.

Key Points

Calorie Count: A small skinny mocha from Costa contains approximately 154 calories, using skimmed milk.
Skinny Meaning: The 'skinny' distinction primarily comes from replacing full-fat milk with skimmed milk and potentially using reduced-sugar syrup.
Nutritional Breakdown: It contains around 1.5g of fat, 25g of carbohydrates, and 18g of sugar.
Customisation Options: You can lower the calorie count further by asking for fewer pumps of chocolate syrup or using sugar-free syrup if available.
Comparison: A small skinny mocha is a lower-calorie option compared to a standard mocha made with full-fat milk, which can be around 165 kcal.
Sugar Content: It is not sugar-free, as natural sugars from the skimmed milk contribute to the overall content.

The Skinny on the Costa Mocha

For coffee lovers keeping an eye on their calorie consumption, the 'skinny' option is a tempting choice. A standard mocha often contains more calories due to the use of full-fat milk and sometimes extra chocolate syrup or whipped cream. By contrast, a small skinny mocha from Costa swaps these out for lighter alternatives, primarily skimmed milk, to reduce the overall energy content without compromising the classic mocha flavour. The nutritional information points to a calorie count of around 154 kcal for a small size with skimmed milk.

Nutritional Breakdown of a Small Skinny Mocha

Beyond just calories, it's helpful to understand the full nutritional profile of the drink. Based on data for a small mocha with skimmed milk, the breakdown includes:

Total Fat: Roughly 1.5g to 2g, with some variation depending on the source. This is significantly lower than a full-fat version.
Carbohydrates: Approximately 23g to 25g, largely from the chocolate syrup and milk sugars.
Sugar: Around 18g of sugar, which is a key factor to consider, even in a 'skinny' drink.
Protein: About 7g to 9g, coming from the milk content.

How to Further Customise and Reduce Calories

Even within the 'skinny' category, there are ways to reduce the calorie count further. The key is in the preparation and customisation. Here are some options to consider at your local Costa:

Ask for fewer pumps of syrup: A significant portion of the sugar and calories in a mocha comes from the chocolate syrup. Requesting fewer pumps can make a big difference.
Specify a sugar-free syrup: If available, opting for a sugar-free chocolate syrup instead of the standard version can slash the sugar content dramatically.
Use alternative milks: While skimmed milk is the default for 'skinny,' some alternative milks might offer a slight reduction. For example, a small coconut milk latte is 68 kcal, suggesting other non-dairy options can be low calorie.
Skip the extras: Avoid any optional toppings like chocolate sprinkles or a drizzle of sauce. Every little bit adds up.

Small Skinny Mocha vs. Other Costa Drinks

Comparing the small skinny mocha to other menu items helps contextualise its nutritional value. The following table illustrates how it stacks up against a standard small mocha and other popular Costa choices. Values can vary by region and formulation, so it's always best to check the latest in-store information or online.


Drink (Small)	Calories (kcal)	Key Differences
Skinny Mocha (Skimmed Milk)	~154	Uses skimmed milk for a lower-fat content.
Standard Mocha (Full Fat Milk)	~165	Contains more fat and calories due to full-fat milk.
Americano	6-23	A simple coffee and water option, extremely low calorie.
Skimmed Latte	63-81	A lower-calorie milky coffee choice with no added chocolate.

Decoding the 'Skinny' Label

The term 'skinny' in a coffee shop context typically refers to the use of lower-fat milk and, in some cases, sugar-free or reduced-sugar syrups. For the small skinny mocha at Costa, this means swapping out standard semi-skimmed or full-fat milk for skimmed milk. The chocolate flavour still comes from a syrup or powder, which is the primary source of the remaining calories and sugar. It is important to note that 'skinny' does not mean 'sugar-free', as natural sugars are still present in the milk. Costa has actively worked to reduce sugar across its menu, making it more conscious of nutritional balance.

Conclusion

A small skinny mocha from Costa, with its approximate 154-calorie count, offers a satisfying chocolate and coffee fix that is significantly less indulgent than a full-fat version. It is a suitable choice for those managing their weight or calorie intake, provided they are also mindful of its sugar content. By customising the order with sugar-free syrup or fewer pumps, customers can further reduce its nutritional impact. For the most accurate and up-to-date nutritional information, it is always recommended to consult Costa's official resources.

Costa Coffee Nutrition Page

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference is the milk used. A regular mocha uses semi-skimmed or full-fat milk, while a skinny mocha uses skimmed milk. This lowers the fat and calorie content. The chocolate syrup may also be a lower-sugar version.

While the 'skinny' version uses skimmed milk to reduce fat and calories, the chocolate syrup used is typically a standard sweetened version unless a sugar-free alternative is specifically requested. Natural sugars from the milk are also present.

Calorie counts vary with alternative milks. While not specified for the mocha, a small coconut latte at Costa is 81 kcal and a small oat latte is 96 kcal. A skinny mocha with oat milk would likely fall somewhere in the low-to-mid 100s, slightly more than with skimmed milk.

A skinny mocha is a healthier option than a standard one due to lower fat, but it still contains a notable amount of sugar. For a truly healthy choice, an Americano or simple coffee is much lower in calories and sugar.

Yes, adding whipped cream will significantly increase the calorie and fat content of any mocha. For a lower-calorie option, it is best to avoid any toppings.

You can customise your order by asking for sugar-free syrup, if available, in addition to skimmed milk. This will further reduce the calorie and sugar content, especially the added sugars.

According to nutritional data, a Starbucks skinny mocha (grande size) is about 160 calories, which is comparable to Costa's small size. However, serving sizes differ, and exact formulations can vary.