Nutrition Guide: What drink at Starbucks has 0 calories?

October 17, 2025 •

4 min read

With many coffee shop drinks containing hundreds of calories, some even exceeding a full meal's worth, it's a common concern for dieters to find a zero-calorie option. For those conscious of their intake, the question of what drink at Starbucks has 0 calories is a frequent and important one.

Quick Summary

This article details truly zero-calorie beverage options available at Starbucks, including unsweetened hot and iced teas, and black coffee. It provides instructions for customizing orders with zero-calorie sweeteners and flavorings to maintain a low-calorie diet while enjoying your drink.

Key Points

Unsweetened Coffee: Plain hot or iced black coffee contains a negligible amount of calories, essentially making it a zero-calorie drink.
Unsweetened Tea: Hot and iced teas, when ordered without any syrup or lemonade, are 0 calories.
Proper Ordering: It is crucial to specify 'unsweetened' when ordering iced teas, as they often come pre-sweetened with Classic Syrup by default.
Strategic Customization: Adding sugar-free syrups or zero-calorie sweeteners like Splenda allows for flavoring without adding calories.
Mind Hidden Calories: Avoid default add-ins like classic syrup, milk, and lemonade, which can quickly add unwanted calories.
Americano Option: A Caffè Americano is a very low-calorie alternative, consisting of espresso and water, though it is not strictly zero calories.

Navigating the extensive menu at Starbucks can be a challenge for those watching their calorie intake. While many popular drinks are laden with sugar, syrups, and high-fat milk, there are several genuinely zero-calorie beverages available. The key is understanding the base ingredients and knowing how to customize your order to avoid hidden sugars.

The True Zero-Calorie Champions

The most straightforward path to a zero-calorie beverage at Starbucks is to stick to the fundamentals: unsweetened coffee or tea, and plain water. These options are naturally free of calories, fat, and sugar, offering a guilt-free way to enjoy a refreshing drink or a caffeine boost.

Plain Black Coffee and Americanos

At its core, coffee is a near-zero-calorie beverage. Both hot and iced versions, when served black, contain only a handful of calories from naturally occurring compounds—often so negligible they are rounded down to zero.

Hot Brewed Coffee: A simple cup of Pike Place Roast, Dark Roast, or Blonde Roast with no additions is a calorie-free choice.
Iced Coffee: Order an iced coffee with no classic syrup. This ensures you get a plain, chilled coffee without the sugar.
Caffè Americano: This beverage is made with espresso shots and hot water. It is very low in calories (around 15 for a grande) and can be sweetened with a zero-calorie option.
Espresso Shots: For a quick, concentrated caffeine hit, a single shot of espresso has just a few calories.

The World of Unsweetened Hot Teas

Starbucks offers a variety of hot teas that are naturally calorie-free. Herbal and green teas are excellent choices, providing flavor and warmth without any added calories.

Mint Majesty: A soothing herbal blend of mint and lemon verbena with zero calories.
Emperor's Clouds & Mist: A gently smoky and sweet green tea that is also naturally zero-calorie.
Peach Tranquility: A sweet and comforting herbal tea with notes of peaches, chamomile, and pineapple.
Jade Citrus Mint: A bright and citrusy green tea blend.
Chai Tea: The teabag version is calorie-free, but be cautious of the chai tea latte, which is loaded with sugar.

Navigating Unsweetened Iced Teas

For a cold, refreshing drink, unsweetened iced teas are a top contender. The key here is to specify that you want it unsweetened, as Starbucks' default recipes often include liquid cane sugar.

Iced Black Tea: A rich, flavorful iced tea that is 0 calories when ordered unsweetened.
Iced Green Tea: A crisp, refreshing green tea shaken with ice, with no calories if unsweetened.
Iced Passion Tango® Tea: This vibrant, herbal tea is calorie-free when ordered without lemonade and sweetener.

Customizing Your Low-Calorie Order

If plain coffee or tea is too simple, customization is the key to adding flavor without calories. The following additions can enhance your drink while keeping the calorie count at or near zero:

Sugar-Free Syrups: Starbucks offers sugar-free vanilla syrup, which is zero calories per pump. You can add this to any coffee or unsweetened tea.
Zero-Calorie Sweeteners: Packets of Splenda, Equal, or Stevia are available at the condiment bar and contain negligible calories.
Spices: A dash of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warm flavor to your coffee without any calories.

Comparing Calorie Counts: A Quick Guide

To illustrate the importance of smart ordering, here's a comparison of zero-calorie drinks versus their high-calorie counterparts.


Drink Category	Example (Zero-Calorie)	Calories (Approx.)	Example (High-Calorie)	Calories (Approx.)
Coffee	Hot or Iced Black Coffee	5	Caramel Macchiato (Grande)	250
Iced Tea	Unsweetened Iced Green Tea	0	Iced Green Tea Lemonade (Grande)	52+
Hot Tea	Mint Majesty Tea	0	Honey Citrus Mint Tea (Grande)	80
Espresso	Espresso Shot	3	Espresso Con Panna	35
Hydration	Ethos Water	0	Pink Drink (Grande)	140

Potential Pitfalls to Avoid

While seeking out zero-calorie options, it's easy to accidentally add a caloric ingredient. Here's what to watch out for:

Classic Syrup: All iced teas in the US are made with Classic Syrup by default unless specified otherwise. This can add significant calories and sugar.
Lemonade: Some iced tea recipes, like the Iced Green Tea Lemonade, add lemonade, which contains sugar.
Milks and Creamers: The addition of any milk (2%, whole, almond, oat) or whipped cream will add calories.
Sweetened Refresher Bases: Refreshers are often made with juice and a sweetened base, making them higher in calories than plain iced tea.

Conclusion

For those on a diet, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, or simply avoiding added sugars, Starbucks offers a solid selection of zero-calorie beverages. From the simplicity of a black coffee to the variety of unsweetened hot and iced teas, you have multiple options to stay hydrated and energized without compromising your dietary goals. By understanding the base ingredients and being specific with your order—always specifying 'unsweetened' and opting for zero-calorie add-ins—you can enjoy a refreshing and delicious drink without the added guilt. For the most up-to-date information on any menu item's nutritional information, consult the official Starbucks website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, several drinks at Starbucks have genuinely zero calories, including plain hot brewed coffee, unsweetened iced coffee, plain unsweetened hot and iced teas, and water. The key is to order them without any milk, syrups, or sweeteners.

Most of Starbucks' standard hot teas (Mint Majesty, Emperor's Clouds & Mist, Peach Tranquility) are zero calories when prepared with just the teabag and hot water. However, lattes and special recipes like the Honey Citrus Mint Tea add calories via milk or honey.

Yes, you can add flavor to a zero-calorie drink by asking for pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup or by using the zero-calorie sweetener packets available at the condiment bar.

An Iced Passion Tango Tea is zero calories when ordered without the standard lemonade and classic syrup. It consists of the hibiscus, lemongrass, and apple tea base shaken with ice.

The lowest calorie option on the espresso menu is a shot of espresso (about 3 calories) or a Caffè Americano (around 15 calories for a grande), which is espresso and water.

Starbucks' standard iced coffee comes with Classic Syrup by default. To get a zero-calorie version, you must specifically ask for it 'unsweetened'.

To keep your drink at zero calories, avoid all additions like Classic Syrup, lemonade, milk (including dairy and non-dairy alternatives), whipped cream, and sweetened cold foam.