Is There a Skinny Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks? Your Guide to Ordering a Healthier Version

November 8, 2025 •

3 min read

According to Starbucks' nutritional information, a Grande-sized standard Caramel Macchiato with 2% milk contains 250 calories and 33g of sugar. While the official “skinny” caramel macchiato at Starbucks is no longer on the menu, you can still craft a delicious, lower-calorie version through simple ingredient swaps.

Quick Summary

Although the named beverage is gone from menus, a satisfying, diet-friendly rendition can be created by making specific substitutions to the classic recipe. Customizing the milk type and syrup ensures a delicious taste with a significantly lower sugar and calorie count.

Key Points

The "skinny" version is no longer a standard menu item at Starbucks, but it can be custom-ordered.
Order a standard Caramel Macchiato and request specific substitutions to reduce calories and sugar.
Ask for nonfat milk and replace the vanilla syrup with sugar-free vanilla syrup.
The caramel drizzle topping contains sugar; request it lightly or omit it entirely for the lowest calorie count.
A customized Grande 'skinny' version can have significantly fewer calories and sugar than the standard version.
Other low-calorie alternatives include flavored cold brews and iced coffees with milk alternatives and sugar-free syrups.

The End of the 'Skinny' Era at Starbucks

For years, the 'skinny' option was a common go-to for many health-conscious Starbucks customers. However, as part of a recent menu simplification, Starbucks has been phasing out this terminology and focusing more on broader customization options. This means you won't find the "skinny caramel macchiato" listed as a standard item on the menu or app. The good news is that all the ingredients for the classic 'skinny' modification still exist, empowering you to order a healthier version with just a few simple requests. Understanding the components of the original drink and how to swap them is the key to getting the caramel macchiato you love, minus the extra calories and sugar.

How to Order a Lower-Calorie Caramel Macchiato

To get a drink that closely resembles the classic 'skinny' version, follow these steps with your barista. The modifications focus on reducing the calorie and sugar content, primarily from the milk and vanilla syrup.

Step-by-Step Customization

Start with the base drink: Order a standard Iced or Hot Caramel Macchiato in your preferred size.
Request a milk swap: Substitute the default 2% milk with nonfat milk. For an even lower-calorie option, you can choose a plant-based milk like almond milk, though a Reddit barista notes that this is still not technically "skinny" anymore, as the term specifically implied nonfat milk.
Opt for sugar-free vanilla syrup: The standard caramel macchiato uses vanilla syrup, which contains sugar. The key to the 'skinny' version is to replace this with sugar-free vanilla syrup.
Go easy on the caramel drizzle: The buttery caramel drizzle that tops the drink is made with regular caramel sauce and contains sugar. To cut down on calories and sugar, ask for "light caramel drizzle" or "no caramel drizzle".

By following these steps, you can recreate the iconic taste of the caramel macchiato while significantly reducing its nutritional impact. For example, a Venti Iced Cold Brew with almond milk, sugar-free vanilla syrup, and light caramel drizzle can have as little as 80 calories.

Nutritional Comparison: Standard vs. Customized Grande Caramel Macchiato

To illustrate the difference these modifications make, here's a side-by-side comparison of a standard Grande Caramel Macchiato and a customized low-calorie version.


Feature	Standard Grande Caramel Macchiato	Customized "Skinny" Grande Caramel Macchiato	Notes
Milk	2% Milk	Nonfat Milk	Switching to nonfat significantly reduces fat and calories.
Vanilla Syrup	Regular Vanilla Syrup	Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup	The biggest reduction in sugar and calories comes from this swap.
Caramel Drizzle	Standard Caramel Drizzle	Light Caramel Drizzle	The drizzle is regular sugar caramel, so minimizing it is key.
Approximate Calories	250	~140	A significant reduction in overall calories.
Approximate Sugar	33g	~13g or less	Most of the remaining sugar comes from the nonfat milk's lactose and the caramel drizzle.
Approximate Fat	7g	1g	A major reduction in fat content by using nonfat milk.

Other Low-Calorie Caramel Options

If you want a caramel-flavored drink that's not a macchiato, or simply want to explore other healthier choices, Starbucks has additional options:

Iced Coffee with Caramel: Ask for a Grande Iced Coffee with a splash of milk or half-and-half, 2 pumps of regular caramel syrup, and 3 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup for a low-calorie alternative.
Cold Brew with Flavors: A Venti Cold Brew with a splash of almond milk, 4 pumps of sugar-free vanilla, and 2 pumps of caramel offers a flavorful, low-calorie choice.
At-Home Creamer: Starbucks also offers an at-home zero-sugar caramel macchiato creamer for those who prefer to make their coffee at home with controlled ingredients.

These alternatives provide different flavor profiles and macro options, proving that you don't have to miss out on your caramel cravings just because you're watching your intake.

Conclusion: Your Customized Coffee, Your Way

So, is there a skinny caramel macchiato at Starbucks? No, not officially by name, but yes, in spirit and flavor. By understanding how to modify the standard order with nonfat milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup, you can easily create a satisfying, lower-calorie version. The flexibility of the Starbucks menu allows you to tailor your drink to fit your specific nutritional goals, proving that a diet-friendly lifestyle doesn't mean giving up your favorite coffee shop treats. Just be mindful of the caramel drizzle, and you can enjoy your macchiato guilt-free. For more nutritional information and customization options, you can consult the official Starbucks website.

Frequently Asked Questions

The official 'skinny' version was removed from menus as part of Starbucks' broader effort to simplify its offerings and move away from the specific 'skinny' terminology. All the necessary ingredients for the customization are still available.

The key is to substitute the regular 2% milk with a lower-fat option like nonfat milk and to replace the standard vanilla syrup with sugar-free vanilla syrup.

Yes, the caramel drizzle is regular caramel sauce and contains sugar. For the lowest calorie and sugar option, you should ask for a "light" drizzle or no drizzle at all.

For a healthier version, you can opt for nonfat milk or plant-based alternatives like almond milk or oat milk, which will lower the overall calorie count.

Since the caramel drizzle contains sugar, a truly sugar-free version would require omitting the caramel drizzle. You can still use sugar-free vanilla syrup and nonfat or plant-based milk.

While the flavor profile is similar, a customized "skinny" version with sugar-free vanilla syrup and less caramel will be less sweet and have a slightly less rich texture than the standard, full-sugar, full-fat version.

Yes, you can. A popular alternative is to order a Venti iced coffee with a splash of almond milk, sugar-free vanilla syrup, and a couple pumps of regular caramel syrup for a flavor boost.

Yes, you can use the Starbucks app to customize your drink. Select the standard Caramel Macchiato and then choose to modify the milk and vanilla syrup options to nonfat and sugar-free, respectively.