How many calories does a Costa caramel latte have?

December 2, 2025 •

3 min read

A Costa medium caramel latte made with semi-skimmed milk contains approximately 257 calories, but this can vary significantly depending on your choice of milk and size. Understanding the caloric content is crucial for those monitoring their daily intake or managing their weight.

Quick Summary

A breakdown of the calorie and sugar content in Costa caramel lattes, detailing how the nutritional value changes with different milk options and drink sizes. It provides tips for making the drink a healthier choice.

Key Points

Medium Semi-Skimmed Calories: A standard medium Costa caramel latte with semi-skimmed milk contains approximately 257 calories.
Milk Choice Impact: Whole milk significantly increases calories, while skimmed milk substantially lowers them.
Size Matters: A larger size means a higher calorie count, so opting for a small is a simple reduction strategy.
Sugar-Free Syrup: Choosing sugar-free caramel syrup can drastically cut down on both calories and sugar content.
No Whipped Cream: Skipping the whipped cream topping is an easy way to eliminate a notable amount of calories and fat.
Lower-Calorie Alternative: For a similar flavour with fewer calories, consider a caramel cortado, which can be around 63-99 calories depending on the milk.
Customize Pumps: Requesting fewer pumps of caramel syrup is a simple modification to manage sweetness and calories.

Costa Caramel Latte: A Calorie Breakdown

For many, a Costa caramel latte is a sweet, comforting treat, but the calorie count can be a surprise. The nutritional value is not fixed; it depends entirely on the size of the drink and the type of milk used. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the caloric content and offers practical tips for reducing the calorie count of your favourite Costa drink.

Calorie Variations by Milk Type

The choice of milk is the most significant factor affecting the calorie content of a Costa caramel latte. Costa offers several milk options, including whole, semi-skimmed, skimmed, and dairy-free alternatives like oat, coconut, and soya. The fat and sugar content of each milk type directly influences the final calorie total.

Whole Milk: The highest in calories due to its fat content.
Semi-Skimmed Milk: A popular middle-ground, offering a creamy texture with fewer calories than whole milk.
Skimmed Milk: The lowest-calorie dairy option, significantly reducing the drink's energy content.
Oat, Coconut, and Soya Milk: The calorie count for these dairy-free options varies but is generally lower than whole milk.

The Impact of Drink Size

Naturally, a larger drink means more of every ingredient, leading to a higher calorie count. Costa offers its lattes in a range of sizes, and the difference between a small and a large can be substantial. For example, a small skimmed caramel latte will have a much lower calorie count than a large one made with whole milk.

Calorie Comparison: Costa Caramel Latte vs Alternatives

To put the caramel latte's calories into perspective, let's compare it to other popular Costa drinks. A regular caramel latte is significantly higher in calories and sugar than a simple Americano or a plain latte, but it can be less calorific than some of the more decadent Frappés or Frostinos. Understanding these comparisons can help you make more informed choices.


Drink Type	Milk Type	Approx. Calories (Medium Size)	Notes
Caramel Latte	Semi-Skimmed	257 kcal	Includes caramel syrup
Latte	Skimmed	109 kcal	A much lower-calorie base
Americano	Black	23 kcal	Almost zero calories
Caramel Cortado	Skimmed	63 kcal	A smaller, concentrated option
Iced Caramel Latte (Can)	Semi-Skimmed	140 kcal	Pre-packaged, fixed calories

Strategies for Reducing Calories

If you love the flavour but not the calories, there are several ways to enjoy your Costa caramel latte with a lower impact on your waistline:

Choose a smaller size: Opting for a small instead of a medium or large can save you a significant number of calories.
Switch to skimmed milk: This is one of the most effective changes you can make. Skimmed milk has a much lower fat and calorie count than whole milk.
Ask for sugar-free caramel syrup: Costa offers sugar-free syrup alternatives that provide the same flavour without the added sugar and calories.
Hold the whipped cream: This topping adds a considerable amount of fat and sugar. Skipping it is an easy way to trim calories.
Customize your pumps: Ask for half the number of caramel pumps to reduce the sugar and flavour intensity. Some baristas can offer this option.
Go for an iced version: An iced caramel latte made with skimmed milk can sometimes be lower in calories than its hot counterpart, though this varies.
Consider an alternative: For a much lower-calorie caramel fix, try a caramel cortado made with skimmed milk, which is around 63 calories.

Conclusion

The number of calories in a Costa caramel latte is not a fixed figure. It's a variable influenced primarily by the size and the milk you choose. A standard medium with semi-skimmed milk is around 257 calories, but by being mindful of your choices, you can significantly reduce this number. Simple substitutions like opting for skimmed milk, using sugar-free syrup, and skipping toppings can make a big difference, allowing you to enjoy your favourite sweet treat without derailing your health goals.

Visit Costa Coffee's official nutrition page for more detailed information

Understanding Calories in Context

For many, a daily coffee is part of a routine, and the calories can add up quickly. A single Costa caramel latte, especially a large one with whole milk, can account for a significant portion of a person's daily recommended calorie intake, which is typically 2000 kcal for adults. However, by understanding the levers you can pull—size, milk, and syrup—you can make this a more balanced indulgence rather than a hidden source of excess calories and sugar.

Frequently Asked Questions

A large Costa caramel latte made with whole milk contains approximately 332 calories, while the skimmed milk version has around 199 calories.

Yes, you can request your caramel latte to be made with sugar-free caramel syrup, which significantly reduces the sugar and calorie content without sacrificing the flavour.

To reduce calories, you can switch to skimmed milk, opt for a smaller size, ask for sugar-free syrup, and skip the whipped cream topping.

Generally, yes. While the exact calories vary by type (oat, coconut, soya), they are typically lower in calories than whole milk lattes.

The calorie difference can vary. Sometimes an iced latte with skimmed or coconut milk can be slightly lower in calories than a hot one, depending on the sizing and ingredients.

A great low-calorie alternative is a caramel cortado made with skimmed milk, which can be as low as 63 calories, offering rich flavour in a smaller serving.

Yes, each pump of caramel syrup adds calories and sugar. Asking for fewer pumps or choosing a sugar-free alternative are effective ways to manage this.