Starbucks is known for its wide variety of coffee drinks that can be customized to each customer’s preferences. One of the most popular customizations is adding flavored syrups, like hazelnut, vanilla, caramel, and many others. However, some customers prefer sugar-free versions of these syrups or want to limit their sugar intake. This raises the question: does Starbucks offer sugar-free hazelnut syrup?
The quick answer is yes, Starbucks does offer sugar-free hazelnut syrup that can be added to any beverage on their menu. However, it is not available at every location, so customers should check with their local Starbucks to see if they carry it.
Exploring the Menu Options at Starbucks
Starbucks has an extensive drink menu with different categories of hot and cold coffee and espresso beverages, tea, and other specialty drinks. Within each beverage, there are additional options for customization, including milk options like dairy, non-dairy, whole, low-fat, etc., and flavoring options like mocha, caramel, vanilla, pumpkin spice, peppermint, and of course – hazelnut.
When customizing a drink with flavored syrups, customers can select from the regular, full-sugar versions of these syrups or opt for the sugar-free versions. Sugar-free options are available for flavors like vanilla, caramel, cinnamon dolce, and hazelnut. However, not all locations carry the full range of sugar-free flavored syrups.
Availability of Sugar-Free Hazelnut
The availability of sugar-free hazelnut can vary from one Starbucks location to another. Some locations may have it in stock as a standard sugar-free flavor option, while others may not carry it or keep it in limited supply. There are a few reasons for this inconsistency:
- Product Demand – Stores will stock flavors based on local customer preferences and demand. Stores with high demand for sugar-free hazelnut will be more likely to keep it regularly stocked.
- Store Size – Smaller Starbucks stores may have limited storage space, so they streamline their syrup selection to the most popular flavors.
- Store Management – Individual store managers or employees may order product differently, leading to variability in flavor availability.
For these reasons, the only way to know for sure if a specific Starbucks location has sugar-free hazelnut is to ask the baristas or call ahead to inquire.
Tips for Customers Seeking Sugar-Free Hazelnut
Here are some tips for customers who want sugar-free hazelnut syrup at Starbucks:
- Check first – Ask the barista or call ahead to see if your local store carries it.
- Visit larger, busier stores – These locations are more likely to have specialty syrups like sugar-free hazelnut in stock.
- Ask them to stock it – Politely request they add it to their regular inventory if they currently do not offer it.
- Order it online for pick up – The app/website shows flavor availability for online orders.
- Bring your own – You can bring your own sugar-free hazelnut syrup and ask them to use it.
- Suggest a substitute – Ask what sugar-free flavors they do have, like vanilla or caramel, as an alternative.
Knowing what locations in your area carry it or being flexible to substitutions can help you get your sugar-free hazelnut fix from Starbucks!
Nutrition Information on Sugar-Free Hazelnut at Starbucks
For customers monitoring carbohydrates or calories, the nutrition information on Starbucks sugar-free hazelnut syrup can help inform customization choices.
Serving Size
The standard syrup serving at Starbucks is 4 ounces or 1/2 cup. However, baristas will often use less than the full serving when adding syrup to a beverage. A typical small sized drink with added syrup likely contains 1-2 ounces of syrup.
Calories and Carbohydrates
Based on Starbucks nutrition data, here is the nutritional value for their sugar-free hazelnut syrup:
| Serving Size | Calories | Total Carbs | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 cup (4 oz) | 40 | 2g | 0g |
| 1 oz | 10 | 0.5g | 0g |
As you can see, the sugar-free version has minimal calories and carbohydrates compared to the standard hazelnut syrup. For reference, the regular hazelnut syrup has 130 calories and 33g of sugar per 4 oz serving.
Ingredients
According to the Starbucks website, their sugar-free hazelnut syrup contains the following ingredients:
- Water
- Natural Flavors
- Cellulose Gum
- Sucralose
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Benzoate
- Yellow 5
The sweetener used is sucralose, which is an artificial sweetener also known as Splenda. There are no sugars or sugar alcohols like malitol used. This confirms why the nutrition stats show 0g of actual sugar content.
Recipes and Beverage Ideas with Sugar-Free Hazelnut Syrup
Sugar-free hazelnut syrup can be added to any hot, iced, or blended Starbucks beverage for a delicious nutty flavor without all the added sugar. Here are some recipe ideas combining coffee, espresso, tea, and milk with sugar-free hazelnut syrup:
Iced Coffee
- Iced Coffee with Sugar-Free Vanilla and Hazelnut – Add 1-2 pumps each syrup to freshly brewed Starbucks iced coffee for a tasty blended flavor
- Iced Skinny Hazelnut Latte – Make a lighter latte with shots of espresso, nonfat milk, and sugar-free hazelnut
- Iced Sugar-Free Hazelnut Americano – Brew espresso shots over ice with a few pumps of sugar-free hazelnut syrup
Hot Coffee Drinks
- Sugar-free Hazelnut Cappuccino – Add syrup to steamed milk before pouring shots of espresso
- Hot Skinny Hazelnut Latte – Same as the iced version, using regular milk steamed hot
- Sugar-Free Hazelnut Cafe Mocha – Combine chocolate sauce and sugar-free hazelnut in steamed milk
Blended and Frozen Drinks
- Sugar-free Hazelnut Frappuccino -Blend sugar-free syrup with coffee, milk, and ice
- Frozen Sugar-free Hazelnut Latte – Make an iced latte using milk and espresso then blend to a frozen slushy consistency
- Sugar-Free Iced Hazelnut Macchiato – Add 1-2 pumps sugar-free hazelnut to an iced macchiato made with milk foam
Tea Drinks
- Sugar-Free Hazelnut Chai Tea Latte – Add pumps of syrup to a chai tea latte made with steamed milk
- Iced Sugar-Free Hazelnut Black Tea – Brew black tea over ice and add sugar-free hazelnut syrup to taste
- Hot Sugar-Free Hazelnut Tea – Add syrup to any brewed hot tea like Earl Grey or green tea
Try out any of these delicious combinations or get creative and customize your own perfect sugar-free hazelnut drink at your favorite Starbucks location!
Tips for Adding Sugar-Free Hazelnut Syrup at Home
The sugar-free hazelnut syrup used at Starbucks can also be purchased for use at home. Here are some tips on how to add it to your own homemade coffeehouse beverages:
- Start with 1-2 pumps or teaspoon per 8 oz drink and adjust to taste preference
- Add syrup to the bottom of your cup before pouring hot coffee or tea over top
- Stir syrup into any milk used for lattes before adding espresso
- For iced drinks, combine syrup with coffee or tea then pour over a glass filled with ice
- Mix into any blended or frozen blended drinks for extra flavor
- Use a sugar-free flavored syrup in place of plain sugar or simple syrup in any recipe
You can also use sugar-free hazelnut in non-coffee drinks like smoothies or milkshakes. It pairs especially well with chocolate, so try making a sugar-free mocha smoothie. The possibilities are endless once you have sugar-free flavored syrups on hand!
Where to Buy Sugar-Free Hazelnut Syrup
Besides directly at a Starbucks store, there are a few other places you can buy sugar-free hazelnut syrup to use at home:
- Online – Starbucks sells many of their flavored syrups for delivery via their website or Amazon.com
- Grocery stores – Some stores carry Starbucks brand syrups, often in coffee aisle.
- Coffee shops – Other coffee chains like Peet’s or Caribou may sell their branded sugar-free hazelnut syrup.
- Specialty stores – Check stores like World Market or Cost Plus that sell coffee, tea, and drink making supplies.
Be sure to check the ingredients to confirm you are getting a true sugar free version without added sugars. The nutrition label should list 0g sugars per serving.
Alternatives to Sugar-Free Hazelnut Syrup
If you can’t find or don’t like the Starbucks sugar-free hazelnut, here are some alternatives to consider:
- Other sugar-free flavored syrups – Try SF vanilla, caramel, cinnamon dolce, etc.
- Hazelnut coffee creamer – Adds hazelnut flavor without sugar
- Hazelnut extract – Use a few drops to add natural hazelnut taste
- Hazelnut powder – Adds texture and flavor to coffee drinks
- Unsweetened nut milk – Hazelnut or almond milk have subtle nutty notes
You can also make your own homemade sugar-free hazelnut syrup by combining hazelnut extract with a sugar free sweetener like stevia or erythritol. This lets you control the ingredients while avoiding added sugars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Starbucks have sugar-free syrups?
Yes, Starbucks offers sugar-free versions of many of their popular syrup flavors. These include sugar-free vanilla, caramel, cinnamon dolce, and hazelnut. However, not all locations will carry the full range of sugar-free syrups.
How can I get sugar-free hazelnut syrup added to my Starbucks drink?
Ask if your location has it when ordering. Say you would like the sugar-free version of the hazelnut syrup added to your beverage of choice. You can also customize this on mobile orders. If they don’t have it, request they add it to their inventory.
What drinks pair well with sugar-free hazelnut at Starbucks?
It pairs nicely with coffee, espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos, frozen blended drinks, chai tea lattes, and iced teas. It also complements chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla flavors.
Does the sugar-free hazelnut syrup have any sugar alcohol?
No, the Starbucks sugar-free hazelnut syrup does not contain any sugar alcohols like malitol. It is sweetened using the artificial sweetener sucralose. So it has 0g sugar and 0g sugar alcohol.
What is the calorie and carb count in sugar-free hazelnut syrup?
A 1/2 cup serving (used for a full syrup pump) has 40 calories and 2g net carbs. A more typical serving of 1-2 pumps has 10-20 calories and up to 1g carbs.
Conclusion
Starbucks offers sugar-free hazelnut syrup as a customizable flavor add-in for low carb/low sugar nutrition needs. However, availability of this popular sugar-free flavor varies by location. Check with your local Starbucks first to see if they carry it, and don’t be afraid to politely ask them to stock it. Or use the tips provided to order it online or buy it in stores for adding to drinks at home.
With some advance planning and creative customizing, you can still enjoy the delicious hazelnut taste in your coffee drinks, without all the extra sugar!
