Quick Answer
Celiacs can drink some Starbucks drinks, but they must be careful to avoid gluten ingredients. Many Starbucks coffee and espresso drinks are gluten-free, as long as no gluten-containing syrups or toppings are added. All brewed teas and iced teas at Starbucks are gluten-free. Certain bottled drinks, like Starbucks Refreshers, are also gluten-free. However, many Starbucks baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, and lunch items contain gluten. Celiacs should stick to gluten-free food options at Starbucks.
Can Celiacs Drink Coffee at Starbucks?
The good news is that plain, brewed coffee at Starbucks is gluten-free. This includes options like:
- Pike Place Roast
- Blonde Roast
- Dark Roast
- Decaf Coffee
- Iced Coffee
These are made from just coffee beans and water, so they do not contain any gluten ingredients.
However, some modifications and add-ins can introduce gluten:
- Syrups: Caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, and other flavored syrups may contain gluten. Request syrups to be left off.
- Toppings: Whipped cream, flavored powders, and spices on top may have gluten. Avoid adding toppings.
- Milk: The dairy milk Starbucks uses is gluten-free, but non-dairy milks like soy or almond may be contaminated.
Stick to plain coffee or coffee with gluten-free milk to be safe.
Are Espresso Drinks Gluten-Free at Starbucks?
Similar to regular brewed coffee, most espresso drinks without additions are gluten-free, including:
- Espresso shots
- Americano
- Macchiato
- Cappuccino
- Latte
- Flat white
A double shot of espresso with steamed milk is naturally gluten-free. Again, avoid flavored syrups and toppings that may contain gluten. Stick to plain espresso drinks prepared with dairy or certified gluten-free milk.
Can Celiacs Consume Starbucks Frappuccinos?
Some Starbucks Frappuccinos are gluten-free, but others contain gluten ingredients.
Gluten-free Frappuccino flavors include:
- Coffee Frappuccino
- Espresso Frappuccino
- Strawberries & Crème
- Double Chocolaty Chip Crème
Avoid Frappuccinos with gluten-containing cookie pieces, cake pops, whipped creams, or syrups like caramel or hazelnut. Always check ingredients and ask about preparation when ordering a Frappuccino.
Are Starbucks Teas Gluten-Free?
The good news is that all Starbucks teas prepared without add-ins are gluten-free.
This includes hot teas like:
- Green tea
- Black tea
- Herbal tea
- Chai tea
Decaf tea
And iced teas such as:
- Shaken Iced Tea
- Iced Passion Tango Tea
- Iced Green Tea
- Iced Black Tea
Avoid powdered toppings and liquid cane sugar, which may contain gluten. Plain tea bags steeped in hot water are naturally gluten-free.
Can Celiacs Drink Chai Tea Latte?
Starbucks Chai Tea Latte is gluten-free. The main ingredients are black tea, spices, milk, and sugar.
However, baristas steam the milk and chai concentrate together, so cross-contamination is possible if equipment is not properly cleaned. Specify that you need a gluten-free drink prepared carefully to reduce contamination risk.
What Cold Drinks at Starbucks Are Gluten-Free?
Many cold bottled Starbucks drinks are labeled gluten-free, including:
- Starbucks Refreshers
- Ethos Water
- Starbucks Iced Coffee
- Starbucks Doubleshot Energy
- Evolution Fresh Juices
Always check the label to confirm a cold bottled drink is certified gluten-free.
As for cold brewed coffees, these are also gluten-free at Starbucks:
- Iced Coffee
- Cold Brew Coffee
- Nitro Cold Brew
Avoid added syrups and toppings that may contain gluten. Plain cold coffee drinks are a gluten-free option.
Can Celiacs Drink Starbucks Refreshers?
Yes, Starbucks Refreshers are labeled gluten-free. Refreshers are made with green coffee extract and fruit juice, without gluten grains.
Flavors like Strawberry Lemonade Refresher, Mango Dragonfruit Refresher, and Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher are gluten-free choices. Enjoy these refreshing picks as a gluten-free cold beverage.
What Food Can Celiacs Eat at Starbucks?
Many foods and baked goods at Starbucks contain gluten, from muffins to sandwiches. But there are some gluten-free options celiacs can enjoy, including:
- Plain yogurt parfaits
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Fresh fruit cups
- Snack boxes with hummus, carrots, nut mixes
- Gluten-free oatmeal
However, some pre-packaged snacks may be contaminated. Check item ingredients carefully and notify staff of your gluten allergy when purchasing food.
Some tips:
- Avoid all bakery items, breakfast sandwiches, pasta, sandwiches
- Check labels on packaged snacks
- Stick to whole fruits and other items naturally gluten-free
- Ask about ingredients and preparation to confirm gluten-free
With caution, celiacs can find some gluten-free eats at Starbucks. But it is safest to consume their gluten-free beverages.
Does Starbucks Have Gluten-Free Breakfast Options?
Unfortunately, most Starbucks breakfast foods contain gluten, including:
- Muffins
- Scones
- Coffee cake
- Breakfast sandwiches
Even oatmeal can be cross-contaminated if prepared improperly.
Some gluten-free breakfast options are:
- Plain Greek yogurt with fruit
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Fresh fruit cup
- Gluten-free oatmeal if carefully prepared
Overall, Starbucks breakfast choices are limited for celiacs. Stick to a few basic gluten-free items or enjoy a coffee.
| Gluten-Free Drinks at Starbucks | Potentially Gluten Drinks at Starbucks |
|---|---|
| Brewed coffee | Coffee with syrups or toppings |
| Espresso drinks | Espresso drinks with syrups |
| Tea | Tea with cane sugar or toppings |
| Iced coffee | Iced coffee with syrup or toppings |
| Refreshers | Frappuccinos with gluten ingredients |
Tips for Ordering Gluten-Free at Starbucks
Here are some tips for celiacs ordering gluten-free drinks and foods at Starbucks:
- Stick to plain coffee and espresso drinks prepared with real dairy milk or certified gluten-free milk alternatives.
- Ask for no flavored syrups, toppings, or whipped cream, which may contain gluten.
- Plain tea bags steeped in hot water are a great gluten-free choice.
- Iced coffee and cold brew coffees are safe if unadulterated.
- Bottled Starbucks drinks like Refreshers are gluten-free if labeled.
- Avoid all bakery items, breakfast sandwiches, and other foods with gluten-containing grains.
- Check item ingredients and packaging closely for any gluten sources.
- Notify staff of your gluten allergy when ordering.
- Know that cross-contact with gluten is possible at Starbucks.
With the right options and precautions, celiacs can enjoy delicious gluten-free drinks at Starbucks. Stick to plain coffee, tea, and a few safer food choices.
What Drinks Should You Avoid at Starbucks If You Have Celiac?
Celiacs should steer clear of these higher-risk Starbucks drinks:
- Any coffee drink with gluten-containing syrup (caramel, hazelnut, etc.)
- Coffee with toppings like cinnamon, chocolate powder, or whipped cream (may contain gluten)
- Frappuccinos with cookie pieces, cake pops, or other gluten grain ingredients
- Chai tea lattes made with improper equipment sanitation
- Any tea with potentially glutenous toppings or cane sugar
- Refresher drinks not labeled gluten-free
Stick to the basics like plain brewed coffee, tea, cold brew, and iced coffee. And avoid any add-ins that may introduce gluten. Check ingredients and specify your gluten allergy to baristas when ordering.
Are Starbucks Ovens Gluten-Free?
No, the ovens at Starbucks are not guaranteed gluten-free. Pastries and baked goods containing gluten are prepared in the same equipment.
While Starbucks states they take steps to prevent cross-contact, trace amounts of gluten may get transferred to gluten-free items cooked in shared equipment.
For very sensitive celiacs, this cross-contamination risk may be too high when consuming baked goods. The Starbucks ovens cannot be considered fully gluten-free.
However, the possibility of trace gluten depends on individual sensitivity levels. Some celiacs may tolerate shared equipment better than others. Talk to your doctor about your sensitivity factors.
Overall, those with celiac disease need to use caution when consuming any bakery products prepared at Starbucks. Cross-contact with gluten is likely in their facilities. Sticking to gluten-free beverages is the safest option.
Does Starbucks Have a Separate Gluten-Free Preparation Area?
No, Starbucks does not have separate gluten-free preparation areas in their stores. All foods and beverages are prepared in shared spaces.
While Starbucks states they follow gluten-free protocols, cross-contact with gluten is highly likely. Allergy information on the Starbucks website reads:
“We do not have gluten-free prep areas or equipment in our stores.”
And regarding ovens:
“Our bakery items are baked in shared equipment, including ovens, with gluten-containing items and common allergens.”
With no separate facilities or equipment, gluten exposure is very possible for sensitive celiacs. Only a highly gluten-tolerant person could consider Starbucks’ shared kitchens safe enough. For most celiacs, consuming Starbucks food and even baked goods poses too much risk. Stick to the gluten-free drinks instead.
Is Starbucks Gluten-Free Certified?
No, Starbucks locations are not certified gluten-free. They also do not claim to be a gluten-free environment.
Starbucks states that while they train employees on allergen protocols, the stores are not equipped for gluten-free preparation. Most menu items contain gluten and all foods are prepped in shared spaces.
Some key facts:
- No separate gluten-free prep equipment or areas
- Possible cross-contact with allergens including gluten
- Gluten present in ingredients, surfaces, shared display cases
- Most menu items contain gluten
Starbucks is very upfront that their kitchens are not gluten-free or even “gluten-friendly” facilities. They do not claim to cater specifically to gluten-free diets. Customers managing celiac disease should use extreme caution when selecting gluten-free menu options due to the high risk of cross-contact.
Should You Trust Gluten-Free Items at Starbucks?
No, most celiacs should not trust gluten-free food items at Starbucks. Their kitchens are not equipped to prevent cross-contamination of allergens like gluten.
Drinks without gluten ingredients are a safer bet. But when it comes to foods, contamination can easily occur via:
- Shared preparation and cooking equipment
- Shared display cases and packaging
- Ingredient handling by employees in a mixed kitchen
- Airborne flour particles settling on surfaces
Unless you are highly non-sensitive to trace gluten, eating gluten-free foods at Starbucks poses a substantial contamination risk.
For celiacs, it is generally not considered safe to trust gluten-free claims on any Starbucks foods or even oatmeal. Stick to the drinks you can screen for gluten ingredients. And consume foods at your own risk knowing they are prepared in shared, non-certified kitchens.
Conclusion
Celiacs can enjoy some gluten-free options at Starbucks, especially gluten-free drinks. Plain coffee, espresso, tea, and iced coffee are safe bets. Certain bottled beverages are also labeled gluten-free, like Refreshers.
However, food choices for celiacs are very limited due to cross-contamination concerns. Starbucks kitchens are not equipped for proper gluten-free preparation. While some basic foods may seem safe, sensitivity levels vary greatly among celiacs. Unless you are highly tolerant of trace gluten, consuming foods and baked goods at Starbucks is not recommended due to the prevalence of gluten on surfaces and in the air.
By sticking to a few simple gluten-free beverages, celiacs can safely enjoy components of the Starbucks menu. But the safest option is to consume any gluten-free foods with extreme caution or avoid entirely. Vigilance is required by celiacs choosing to eat at non-certified restaurants like Starbucks where gluten contamination is a real concern. With care and the right choices, celiacs can savor their favorite coffee drinks at Starbucks.
