How much sugar is in one ice cap?

November 28, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data, a medium Tim Hortons Original Iced Capp contains approximately 42 grams of sugar. This is a significant amount and can vary greatly by size, brand, and modifications, so understanding exactly how much sugar is in one ice cap is crucial for mindful consumption.

Quick Summary

This article details the sugar content of a standard Tim Hortons Iced Capp across different sizes and variations. It also compares the sugar levels to other popular coffee drinks and provides healthier ordering suggestions.

Key Points

Medium Original Iced Capp (Tim Hortons): Contains around 42-50 grams of sugar, depending on the region.
Daily Sugar Limit One medium Iced Capp can contain nearly double the recommended daily amount of added sugar for a healthy adult.
Liquid Sugar's Effect: The high sugar content in liquid form can cause a rapid blood sugar spike and subsequent crash, leading to fatigue.
Customization for Less Sugar: Opt for smaller sizes, choose milk instead of cream, and skip high-sugar add-ons like flavored syrups and whipped cream to reduce sugar intake.
Dessert, Not Daily Coffee: Due to the high sugar and calorie count, an Iced Capp is best viewed as an occasional dessert rather than a daily coffee beverage.
Informed Choices: Comparing the sugar content of an Iced Capp to other popular drinks reveals that it is often on par with or higher than many sodas and other sugary beverages.
Healthier Alternatives: Simple iced coffees with less sugar or cold brews are much lower in sugar and calories, providing a better everyday option.

Understanding the Sugar in Your Iced Capp

When you order a frozen coffee drink like an Iced Capp, it's easy to overlook the ingredients, particularly the sugar content, that make it so tasty. However, for those monitoring their sugar intake, the numbers can be quite surprising. The amount of sugar in one ice cap is substantial and can often exceed the recommended daily allowance for a healthy adult in a single serving.

Tim Hortons, the most popular chain for this beverage, lists specific nutritional information that reveals the details. The sugar comes primarily from the base mix, but add-ons like flavored syrups and whipped cream can increase it further. The liquid form of the sugar also allows for rapid absorption into the bloodstream, causing a blood sugar spike that can affect energy levels.

Tim Hortons Iced Capp Sugar Breakdown by Size

Let's break down the sugar content of the Original Iced Capp from Tim Hortons based on standard serving sizes, using recent and verifiable nutritional information.

Small Original Iced Capp

Sugar content: A small Original Iced Capp contains a substantial amount of sugar, around 36 grams according to some US-based nutritional charts. Other sources suggest slightly higher, around 41 grams. This is still more than the recommended daily limit for many people.
Calories: A small also contains a significant number of calories, with cream and sugar adding to the total.

Medium Original Iced Capp

Sugar content: The medium Original Iced Capp typically contains 42 to 50 grams of sugar, depending on the region and recipe variations over time. Fifty grams alone is nearly double the American Heart Association's recommendation for daily added sugar intake.
Calories: This size packs around 330 to 426 calories, with the cream and sugar versions being on the higher end.

Large Original Iced Capp

Sugar content: A large Iced Capp can contain nearly 40 grams or more of sugar, with some sources listing it as high as 39-50 grams.
Calories: This larger size comes with a corresponding calorie count, making it a very high-calorie beverage.

Light Iced Capp Options

Sugar content: For those seeking a lower-sugar option, the Light Iced Capp is available. A medium Light Iced Capp can have around 43 grams of sugar, which is slightly higher than the regular medium in some data, indicating that 'light' doesn't always mean lower sugar, but potentially lower fat. Always check the specific nutritional information for your region.
Calories: The medium Light Iced Capp typically has fewer calories, around 210, due to the lower fat content.

How Your Iced Capp Stacks Up: A Comparison Table

To put the sugar content into perspective, let's compare an Original Medium Iced Capp to other popular coffee and dessert drinks. Note that nutritional values can vary by region and ingredients, so these are general estimates based on available data.


Beverage (Medium)	Approximate Sugar (g)	Approximate Calories
Original Iced Capp (Tim Hortons)	42g	330
Caramel Frappuccino (Starbucks, Grande)	54g	380
Mocha Frappuccino (Starbucks, Grande)	45g	370
Iced Coffee, Original (Tim Hortons)	22g	220
Medium Soda (Cola)	44g	~150

Customizing Your Order for Less Sugar

If you love the taste of an Iced Capp but want to reduce the sugar, you have options:

Order a smaller size: This is the most straightforward way to reduce both sugar and calories. A small Iced Capp is a better choice than a medium or large.
Choose milk instead of cream: Opting for skim milk or a plant-based alternative can significantly reduce the total calories and fat, but might not drastically lower sugar depending on the base mix.
Decline add-ons: Skip the whipped cream and extra flavored syrups, which can add substantial amounts of sugar and calories.
Consider alternative drinks: Tim Hortons and other coffee shops offer options with much less sugar. An Iced Coffee with a minimal amount of sugar or a splash of milk is a much healthier choice.

Conclusion: Mindful Indulgence

Ultimately, knowing how much sugar is in one ice cap helps you make an informed decision. These drinks, especially the larger, fancier versions, are more akin to a dessert than a typical coffee. Enjoying an Iced Capp is fine as an occasional treat, but regular consumption can easily contribute to exceeding daily recommended sugar intake, impacting your energy levels and overall health goals. For more mindful and sustained energy throughout the day, simpler iced coffee options are a more suitable choice. For official nutritional information, it is always best to consult the source. Tim Hortons provides detailed nutritional and allergen information on their website for customers to review before ordering.

Frequently Asked Questions

A medium Original Iced Capp from Tim Hortons contains approximately 42 grams of sugar. Depending on the region and specific recipe, this amount can sometimes be as high as 50 grams.

The sugar content in an Iced Capp is significantly higher than in a regular coffee. A simple Iced Coffee from Tim Hortons, for example, has far less sugar, while an Iced Capp is formulated with a sugary base mix, cream, and often additional sweeteners.

A 'light' Iced Capp, like the medium Light Iced Capp, is typically lower in fat and calories, often due to the use of milk instead of cream. However, it may not be substantially lower in sugar. One medium Light Iced Capp can still contain around 43 grams of sugar.

To reduce the sugar in your Iced Capp, you can order a smaller size, request it to be made with skim milk instead of cream, and avoid any additional toppings like whipped cream or flavored syrups.

Yes, adding flavored syrups to an Iced Capp will increase the sugar and calorie count. Each pump of flavored syrup can add around 5 grams of sugar.

Yes, much of the sugar in an Iced Capp is considered 'added sugar' from the sweetened mix and any extra syrups. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake, which makes drinks like Iced Capps a consideration for mindful consumption.

For a coffee-based beverage at Tim Hortons, the lowest sugar option would be a plain black coffee or a cold brew. These options contain very little to no sugar, especially if ordered without additional milk or sweetener.