A Quick Answer
A tall (12 oz) iced caramel latte made with 2% milk from Starbucks contains approximately 150 calories. The calories come mostly from added sugar in the caramel syrup and from the milk. A grande (16 oz) iced caramel latte contains about 200 calories, while a venti (24 oz) has around 300 calories.
An Overview of Starbucks Iced Caramel Lattes
The iced caramel latte is one of Starbucks’ most popular coffee drinks. It consists of espresso, milk, ice, and flavored syrup. Specifically, the ingredients are:
– Espresso: Starbucks uses a double shot of espresso in each iced latte. Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans. The espresso provides a caffeine kick as well as a rich, bold coffee flavor.
– Milk: Customers can choose between different types of milk including whole milk, 2% reduced fat milk, nonfat milk, soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk. Milk adds creaminess, sweetness, and calcium.
– Ice: Crushed ice helps chill the latte and dilutes the espresso for a refreshing, iced coffee drink.
– Caramel syrup: Starbucks caramel sauce adds a sweet, buttery, caramelized flavor. The caramel syrup is one of the main sources of calories and sugar in the iced latte.
– Whipped cream (optional): Some customers choose to top their iced latte with whipped cream for additional flavor and a frothy texture. Whipped cream significantly increases the calorie content.
The standard recipe calls for 3 pumps of caramel syrup in a Tall latte, 4 pumps in a Grande, and 5 pumps in a Venti. More pumps mean more caramel sauce and higher calorie counts.
Nutrition Information for Starbucks Iced Caramel Lattes
The number of calories in an iced caramel latte depends on the size and type of milk used. Here are the nutrition facts for the three main latte sizes made with 2% reduced fat milk:
Tall (12 oz)
| Calories | 150 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 4.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 100mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 24g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 21g |
| Protein | 7g |
Grande (16 oz)
| Calories | 200 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Sodium | 135mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 32g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 28g |
| Protein | 9g |
Venti (24 oz)
| Calories | 300 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Saturated Fat | 6g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
| Sodium | 170mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 48g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 42g |
| Protein | 11g |
As you can see, the calories scale up with the drink size, ranging from 150 calories in a Tall to 300 calories in a Venti. The other macronutrients like fat, carbs, and protein also increase with more ounces of liquid.
Factors Affecting Calories and Nutrition
Several factors impact the nutrition information, especially calories, for Starbucks iced caramel lattes:
Milk Type
– Whole milk: Highest calorie option due to more fat and cholesterol. Adds about 60-90 more calories compared to 2% milk.
– 2% reduced fat milk: Contains 2% milkfat so lower in calories than whole milk. Used as the standard milk for nutrition info.
– Nonfat milk: Eliminates the fat so saves about 45-70 calories over 2% milk. Slightly thinner texture.
– Alternative milks: Nutrition varies. Coconut milk is high in saturated fat and calories. Soy and almond milk are low calorie options.
Syrup Pumps
– Standard recipe: Calories are based on the standard 3/4/5 pumps of syrup for Tall/Grande/Venti sizes.
– Extra pumps: Adding extra pumps increases the caramel sauce and can add 50 or more calories.
– Less pumps: Asking for light syrup or less pumps reduces the calories and sugar.
Whipped Cream
– With whipped cream: Whipped topping adds about 50 calories and 5 grams fat.
– Without whipped cream: Leaving off the whipped cream subtracts 50 calories.
Size
– Tall 12 oz: Lowest calorie option.
– Grande 16 oz: Contains about 30% more calories than a Tall.
– Venti 24 oz: Highest calorie choice with about double the calories of a Tall latte.
Comparing Calories to Other Starbucks Drinks
The iced caramel latte is on the higher end for calories compared to other Starbucks beverages:
| Drink | Tall Calories | Grande Calories | Venti Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iced Caramel Latte (2% milk) | 150 | 200 | 300 |
| Cappuccino | 100 | 150 | 150 |
| Americano | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| Iced Coffee | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| Cold Brew Coffee | 0 | 5 | 10 |
– An iced caramel latte has about 30-50 more calories than a hot cappuccino.
– It has significantly more calories than plain iced coffee or cold brew that contain little to no milk.
– An iced caramel latte ranges from 10-30 times higher in calories than a plain Americano or iced coffee.
So while delicious, the caramel latte is one of Starbucks’ higher calorie menu options.
Tips for Lightening Up Your Iced Caramel Latte
If you want to reduce the calories in your iced caramel latte, here are some tips:
– Choose nonfat milk to eliminate the fat and save about 45-70 calories.
– Ask for less pumps of caramel sauce such as 1/2 pump or 2/3/4 pumps for Tall/Grande/Venti.
– Opt for a Tall size or split a Venti with a friend.
– Leave off the whipped cream topping to subtract 50 calories.
– Request an extra shot of espresso and less milk for stronger coffee flavor with fewer calories.
– Try a “skinny” latte made with nonfat milk, sugar-free syrup, and no whipped cream.
– Consider an unsweetened iced coffee or cold brew and add your own dash of caramel sauce.
The Bottom Line
A Starbucks Iced Caramel Latte contains approximately:
– Tall (12 oz): 150 calories
– Grande (16 oz): 200 calories
– Venti (24 oz): 300 calories
The calories mainly come from the caramel syrup and milk. Choosing nonfat milk, less syrup, and skipping whipped cream can lighten up the drink’s calorie load. But ultimately, moderation is key when indulging in the sweet, creamy iced caramel latte. Enjoy your treat, but balance it out with healthier choices for the rest of your day.