How many calories are in Costa syrup?

December 9, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data, a single 5ml pump of Costa's vanilla syrup adds approximately 16–17 calories to your drink. This value offers a starting point for understanding how many calories are in Costa syrup and how these small additions can impact the total energy content of your favourite coffee shop beverage.

Quick Summary

A single pump of Costa syrup contains around 14–17 calories, depending on the flavour. The total calorie count in a drink depends on the number of pumps used, which varies by drink size. Sugar-free syrups are available, offering a significantly lower-calorie alternative.

Key Points

Standard Syrup Calories: A single 5ml pump of standard Costa syrup, like vanilla or caramel, typically contains around 14 to 17 calories.
Sugar-Free Option: Sugar-free syrups are available, dramatically reducing the calorie intake to approximately 4 calories per pump.
Impact of Drink Size: The number of syrup pumps depends on the size of the drink (2 for small, 3 for medium, 4 for large), directly affecting the total calorie count.
Lower-Calorie Drinks: For the lowest calorie option, choose a sugar-free syrup with skimmed milk or an Americano, which is naturally low in calories.
Check for Updates: Costa's syrup recipes and calorie counts can change, so always refer to the most recent nutritional guide on their website or in-store for the latest information.

A Closer Look at Costa Syrup Calories

When ordering a flavoured drink from Costa, the syrup is one of the main contributors to the overall calorie and sugar content. While the exact formulation can change and vary by region, understanding the typical calorie count per pump is key for managing your intake. A standard pump from Costa is typically 5ml.

Typical Calories per Syrup Flavour

Standard Vanilla Syrup: A single 5ml pump is around 16–17 calories. This means a medium latte with three pumps adds roughly 48–51 calories from the vanilla syrup alone.
Caramel Syrup: Recent data suggests an 'improved recipe' caramel syrup pump contains about 14 calories per 5ml pump. A medium drink with three pumps would add approximately 42 calories from the caramel.
Hazelnut Syrup: A pump of hazelnut syrup provides around 14 calories, based on the improved recipe caramel syrup data. Three pumps in a medium drink would contribute approximately 42 calories.
Golden Caramel Syrup (1L): Looking at the ingredients for the retail 1L bottle gives a different perspective. This has been noted at 35 calories per serving, but a specific pump size is not mentioned. Always check the in-store nutrition guide for the most accurate information.

Why the Numbers Can Vary

Several factors can influence the calorie information for Costa syrups:

Recipe changes: Costa may update its recipes over time to reduce sugar and calories, as highlighted by their sustainability commitments. Always refer to the latest nutritional information available in-store or online.
Regional differences: The syrups used in different countries might vary. For example, a US-based caramel syrup was cited at 50 calories for a small drink, which may not apply to the UK or other markets.
Pump Size: While 5ml is a common pump size, variations can exist, affecting the total calories. A larger or smaller pump would alter the calculation. Generally, the standard pour is 2 pumps for a small, 3 for a medium, and 4 for a large.

Making Calorie-Conscious Choices

For those watching their calorie intake, there are ways to enjoy a flavoured Costa drink without consuming excessive sugar and calories. The most effective option is to opt for sugar-free syrups.

Costa Sugar-Free Syrups

Costa offers sugar-free alternatives for popular flavours like vanilla and caramel, which dramatically cut down the calories. For instance, a serving of sugar-free caramel or vanilla syrup contains only about 4 calories. Swapping a standard medium vanilla latte for a sugar-free version can save you nearly 50 calories from the syrup alone.

Here are some tips for reducing calories:

Specify sugar-free: Always ask for the sugar-free option when ordering.
Reduce pumps: Ask for fewer pumps of syrup than the standard amount. If you are ordering a medium, try two pumps instead of three.
Opt for smaller sizes: A smaller drink size automatically means fewer pumps and fewer calories.

Syrup Calories: Standard vs. Sugar-Free

To better illustrate the difference, here is a comparison table for the calorie impact of standard versus sugar-free syrups on a typical medium latte, assuming three pumps per drink.


Feature	Standard Syrup (Vanilla)	Sugar-Free Syrup (Vanilla)
Calories per pump (approx.)	16-17 kcal	4 kcal
Carbohydrates per pump (approx.)	3.8-4.2g	<1g
Sugar per pump (approx.)	3.8-4.2g	<1g
Total calories from syrup (medium latte)	48-51 kcal	12 kcal
Key benefit	Full flavour profile	Significantly reduced calorie count

The Wider Nutritional Picture

It's important to remember that syrup is just one component of a coffee drink. Milk and other ingredients also contribute to the total calorie count. For example, a medium skimmed latte from Costa has significantly fewer calories than one made with full-fat milk. Combining a sugar-free syrup with skimmed milk is the most effective strategy for minimising calories.

Conclusion

To answer how many calories are in Costa syrup, a standard pump adds around 14 to 17 calories to your coffee. However, the number of pumps, which is determined by the size of the drink, is a key factor. By opting for sugar-free versions, you can enjoy a flavoured coffee for as few as 4 calories per pump, making a significant difference to the overall nutritional impact of your beverage. Always check the latest information from Costa and use this knowledge to make a more informed choice that fits your dietary needs.

How to Find Costa's Nutrition Info

For the most up-to-date and comprehensive nutritional information, it is best to check the official Costa Coffee website. They provide dedicated nutrition and sustainability pages, along with downloadable guides. You can also ask for the nutritional guide when you visit a store. Websites like Nutracheck also track the calories in retail versions of Costa's products.

Here are the key takeaways:

Standard syrup pumps add approximately 14-17 calories each.
Sugar-free options contain around 4 calories per pump, offering a low-calorie alternative.
Drink size determines the number of syrup pumps, impacting the final calorie total.
Milk choice also plays a major role in the overall calorie count.
Always check the official sources for the latest nutritional information.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard 5ml pump of Costa's regular vanilla syrup contains about 16-17 calories.

Yes, Costa offers sugar-free alternatives for certain flavours like vanilla and caramel, which contain significantly fewer calories than the regular versions.

According to official information from Costa Coffee, a medium-sized drink typically receives three pumps of syrup.

The lowest calorie syrup option at Costa is the sugar-free range, with varieties like sugar-free vanilla or caramel containing only around 4 calories per pump.

The sugar content of standard syrups can be high. For example, a 5ml pump of regular vanilla syrup contains approximately 3.8-4.2g of sugar. Sugar-free versions contain less than 1g of sugar per serving.

You can reduce the calories by asking for sugar-free syrup, requesting fewer pumps, or opting for a smaller drink size. Combining these with a low-fat milk option, such as skimmed milk, will further lower the calorie count.

The calorie counts and recipes can vary by region. It is best to check the nutritional information provided by Costa in your specific country for the most accurate data.