Unpacking the Sweetness: How much sugar is in a crafted press?

November 11, 2025 •

4 min read

With many people consuming far more sugar than recommended, often from specialty coffee and seemingly innocuous drinks, understanding the nutritional content of what you drink is crucial. This is why knowing precisely how much sugar is in a crafted press—a popular Caribou Coffee item—is critical for health-conscious consumers trying to manage their daily sugar intake.

Quick Summary

This article provides a detailed nutritional breakdown of the Caribou Coffee Crafted Press. It examines the sugar content for various sizes and flavors, offers comparisons to other common beverages, and gives actionable tips for controlling your daily sugar consumption.

Key Points

Significant Sugar Content: A Crafted Press contains between 11g and 16g of sugar, depending on the size and preparation, making it a high-sugar beverage.
Distinction from Cold-Pressed Juice: Unlike fruit and vegetable cold-pressed juices, the Crafted Press is a coffee-based drink with added milk, cream, and sugar, not just squeezed produce.
Customization is Key: You can reduce the sugar significantly by ordering a smaller size or requesting less syrup or sweetener.
Sugar Spikes: The high sugar content and lack of fiber can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes, which are particularly concerning for those monitoring their sugar intake.
Mindful Consumption: For better health, treat the Crafted Press as an occasional treat rather than a regular part of your diet, or opt for a plain cold brew instead.
Natural vs. Added Sugars: While some beverages use natural fruit sugars, the Crafted Press primarily contains free sugars from added sweeteners and flavorings.

What is a Crafted Press?

Before diving into the nutritional details, it's important to clarify what a Crafted Press is. This is not a generic term for any cold-pressed drink, but a specific product from Caribou Coffee. According to Caribou Coffee, it's a cold press coffee that is blended with milk or cream, real sugar, and flavorings. This process creates a sweet, creamy, and indulgent beverage, which differentiates it from a standard cold brew or black coffee. This combination of ingredients is what significantly contributes to its sugar profile, making it more of a dessert-like coffee treat than a simple cup of cold coffee.

Crafted Press Sugar Content: A Nutritional Breakdown

When examining the sugar content, it's clear that the amount can vary significantly based on the size and whether it's blended or iced. Using nutritional data, we can see just how much sugar is packed into each serving:

Iced, Medium Crafted Press: Contains 11g of sugar. This is the sugar content for a basic, medium-sized iced version of the drink.
Blended, Large Crafted Press: Contains 16g of sugar. The 'blended' nature and larger size contribute to a higher sugar count.
Hot, Medium Crafted Press: Contains 12g of sugar. The hot version has a slightly different sugar count than its iced counterpart.

It's important to remember that these are just a few examples. Customizations like adding extra flavor shots or additional sweeteners can increase the sugar content further. Compared to a plain cold press coffee, which contains minimal to no sugar, the Crafted Press represents a significant caloric and sugar investment.

The Risks of Excessive Sugar Intake

Consuming too much sugar, especially from sweetened beverages, is linked to a variety of health issues. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake, with a further reduction to below 5% for additional health benefits. Excessive sugar consumption can contribute to weight gain, an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and dental problems. Unlike the sugar found naturally in whole fruits, the sugars in the Crafted Press, particularly the added sugars, are considered 'free sugars' by the WHO. When juice is processed, its fiber is stripped away, and the sugar is absorbed rapidly, causing a blood sugar spike. While the Crafted Press is a coffee drink, the added sugars behave similarly, offering little nutritional value while contributing significantly to your daily sugar total.

Comparison Table: Crafted Press vs. Other Drinks


Beverage	Serving Size	Sugar (g)	Key Takeaway	Citations
Crafted Press (Blended, Large)	1 large	16g	A creamy, blended coffee drink with added sugar, sweeteners, and flavorings.
Iced, Medium Crafted Press	1 medium	11g	A less intense, but still notably sweet, coffee beverage.
Black Coffee	1 cup	0g	Contains virtually no sugar. A plain, calorie-free coffee option.
Regular Soda (Cola)	12 oz (355ml)	~40g	A classic example of a high-sugar, low-nutrition beverage.
100% Orange Juice	12 oz	~36g	Contains natural sugars but lacks the fiber of whole fruit, leading to blood sugar spikes.
Green Cold-Pressed Juice	1 bottle	~27g	Can be high in sugar if it contains a lot of fruit, despite a reputation for being 'healthy'.

Strategies for a Lower-Sugar Diet

For those who enjoy specialty coffee but want to reduce their sugar intake, several strategies can help:

Choose a smaller size: Opting for a smaller size of the Crafted Press can significantly reduce your sugar consumption.
Modify your order: Ask for fewer pumps of the sweetener or request unsweetened milk and flavorings. Many establishments offer sugar-free syrup options.
Mix with unsweetened alternatives: If you enjoy the creamy taste, pair a regular, unsweetened cold press with a splash of unsweetened almond or oat milk to reduce the sugar content.
Use low-sugar fruits and vegetables: When making your own juices, prioritize vegetables and lower-sugar fruits like lemons, spinach, and cucumber.
Stay mindful of serving sizes: Be aware of how much you're drinking. Even natural fruit juices should be consumed in moderation due to their high sugar content and lack of fiber.

Conclusion

While a Caribou Crafted Press might be a delicious indulgence, it's not a low-sugar or 'healthy' option for daily consumption. The sugar content, which ranges from 11g to 16g or more depending on the size and type, is significant and should be considered part of your overall daily sugar intake. By understanding its nutritional profile and employing simple strategies to reduce sugar, you can enjoy specialty coffee as an occasional treat while making more informed dietary choices for your health. Being aware of hidden sugars in beverages is the first step toward a more balanced and nutritious diet, and the Crafted Press is a perfect example of why this awareness matters.

For more information on sugar reduction in juices and beverages, see resources from experts on the topic, such as the paper on techniques for reducing sugar content.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a Crafted Press is a specific blended and sweetened cold press coffee beverage from Caribou Coffee, distinct from a traditional fruit and vegetable cold-pressed juice.

Yes, the sugar content varies significantly by size and preparation. For example, a large blended Crafted Press contains more sugar (16g) than a medium iced version (11g).

You can make a healthier version by asking for fewer pumps of sweetener, opting for unsweetened milk, or using sugar-free syrups. The simplest option is a plain, unsweetened cold brew.

No, the sugar in a Crafted Press is primarily from added sugar and sweeteners, which the World Health Organization classifies as 'free sugars'.

While it contains less sugar than a typical cola (around 16g vs. 40g), a large Crafted Press is still a high-sugar beverage that should be consumed in moderation.

Excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks is linked to an increased risk of weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.

A good alternative would be a plain cold press coffee with a splash of milk or a homemade iced coffee using unsweetened ingredients to control the sugar content.