What is the lightest coffee drink at Starbucks?

December 13, 2025 •

3 min read

A standard cup of black coffee at Starbucks contains as few as 5 calories, making it one of the most calorie-friendly choices on the menu. This means the simplest options are often the best when asking what is the lightest coffee drink at Starbucks. However, there are many other customizable coffee drinks that can be made surprisingly light with a few key changes to the standard order.

Quick Summary

The lightest coffee drink at Starbucks is a black coffee or Americano, both containing around 5 calories. Customizations like sugar-free syrups and non-fat milk can significantly reduce the calories in many other beverages. This guide explores the lowest-calorie options and ordering hacks for a lighter coffee.

Key Points

Black Coffee and Americano are the Lightest: A simple brewed black coffee or an Americano contains as few as 5-11 calories, making them the most calorie-friendly coffee drinks available.
Customize with Sugar-Free Syrups: Add flavor without calories by requesting sugar-free vanilla, caramel, or other syrups, effectively creating 'skinny' versions of popular drinks.
Opt for Lighter Milks: Swapping standard 2% milk for nonfat or almond milk can significantly lower a drink's calorie count, especially in lattes and other milky beverages.
Nitro Cold Brew for a Creamy Feel: The Nitro Cold Brew is infused with nitrogen, giving it a smooth, creamy texture and a hint of sweetness for only 1 calorie without any additions.
Blonde Roast for a Milder Flavor: If you prefer a less intense coffee flavor, the Blonde Roast offers a lighter, smoother taste with less bitterness than standard medium or dark roasts.
Lighten up Blended Drinks: For a lighter Frappuccino, order a 'light' version with nonfat milk and no whipped cream, reducing calories significantly.

The Lightest Coffee Drinks: A Head-to-Head Comparison

For those seeking the absolute lowest-calorie coffee beverage, the choices are straightforward and involve very little, if any, additions.

Black Coffee and Americanos

At the top of the list for the lightest coffee drinks are the most fundamental options. Both hot brewed coffee and iced coffee, when served black, have a minimal calorie count, often between 0 and 5 calories depending on the size. An Americano, made from shots of espresso and hot water, is another contender for the lightest drink, containing just 11 calories for a Grande. These options provide the pure flavor and energy boost of coffee without any added sugars, fats, or carbohydrates. For those who need a touch of sweetness, adding a zero-calorie sweetener can keep the drink's impact on your daily calorie intake virtually zero.

Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew

Starbucks' Cold Brew is made by steeping coffee in cool water for an extended period, which creates a naturally smoother, less acidic taste. A regular Cold Brew has around 5 calories and is a refreshing, light choice. Even lighter is the Nitro Cold Brew, which is infused with nitrogen for a velvety texture and naturally sweet finish. The Nitro version contains just 1 calorie and can be enjoyed as-is, with no need for milk or sugar. This makes it an ideal option for those who want a rich texture and sweet flavor profile without the high-calorie additives.

Customizing for Lighter Options

Even creamy or flavored drinks can be made significantly lighter with a few simple modifications. The key is understanding what to swap out to reduce sugar and fat content. Here are some popular hacks:

Swap milk: Substitute 2% milk with lower-calorie alternatives like nonfat milk or almond milk. A Grande Caffè Misto with almond milk can be as low as 60 calories.
Sugar-free syrups: Starbucks offers sugar-free syrups in flavors like vanilla, which are calorie-free and a great way to add flavor without the sugar. This is crucial for drinks like a "skinny" latte.
Skip the whipped cream: Whipped cream can add 60-100 calories to a drink. Omitting it from your order is an easy way to lighten up a treat.
Order a "Light" Frappuccino: For a blended beverage, opt for a "light" version. A Tall Coffee Light Frappuccino, for example, is around 100 calories.

Customization and Calorie Comparison Table

Here is a comparison of some popular Starbucks coffee options and how simple modifications can affect their lightness.


Drink (Grande)	Standard Calories (approx.)	Lightened-Up Version	Customization	Lightened-Up Calories (approx.)
Pike Place Roast	5	Pike Place Roast (Black)	None	5
Caffè Americano	11	Caffè Americano (Black)	None	11
Cold Brew	5	Cold Brew (Black)	None	5
Vanilla Latte	190	Skinny Vanilla Latte	Nonfat milk, sugar-free vanilla	80
Caffè Misto	110	Caffè Misto	Almond milk	60
Iced Caramel Macchiato	250	Lightened Iced Macchiato	Almond milk, sugar-free vanilla	~130

Starbucks' Lightest Roast

Beyond calorie count, the concept of a "light" coffee can also refer to the roast profile. Starbucks offers a Blonde Roast, which has a shorter roast time and a mellower, more delicate flavor. This roast is less intense and heavy than a Medium or Dark roast, providing a lighter taste experience. While it contains the same or even slightly more caffeine than a darker roast, its flavor profile is less bold and more approachable. The Blonde Roast is a great choice for those who prefer a less bitter, lighter-tasting coffee.

Conclusion: Choosing Your Perfect Light Drink

Whether you define "light" by calories or flavor, Starbucks provides a variety of options. For the lowest calorie count, nothing beats a simple black coffee, Americano, or Cold Brew. The Nitro Cold Brew also stands out for its low-calorie, naturally sweet profile. For those who prefer a milky or sweeter drink, careful customization is key. Switching to nonfat or almond milk, using sugar-free syrups, and skipping whipped cream can dramatically reduce the calorie count without sacrificing flavor. Remember that the Blonde Roast offers a milder, lighter flavor profile for those who find darker roasts too heavy. Armed with these tips, you can enjoy a delicious and light coffee drink tailored to your preferences on your next Starbucks visit. For further nutritional information, always consult the official Starbucks menu or a registered dietitian.

Frequently Asked Questions

The absolute lowest-calorie coffee options at Starbucks are a plain brewed black coffee, iced coffee, or a Cold Brew, each containing around 5 calories per Grande.

To make a latte lighter, ask for nonfat milk or almond milk instead of 2% milk. For added flavor without the calories, request sugar-free syrup instead of regular syrup and skip the whipped cream.

The Blonde Roast refers to the roast level and flavor profile, which is lighter and mellower than other roasts. In terms of calories, it is the same as any other black brewed coffee and depends on what you add to it.

Yes, Starbucks offers sugar-free syrups, such as sugar-free vanilla. These can be added to any coffee drink to provide sweetness without adding calories.

A Nitro Cold Brew is a cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen. The infusion creates a creamy, cascaded texture and a naturally sweet taste, and it contains only 1 calorie for a Grande.

Yes, you can order a 'Light' version of many Frappuccinos, which uses nonfat milk and a light base to significantly reduce the calorie count. Skipping the whipped cream is also recommended.

Order an Iced or Hot Vanilla Latte and specify 'skinny'. This tells the barista to use sugar-free vanilla syrup and nonfat milk to reduce the calorie count.