Iced coffee has become an incredibly popular drink in recent years. With its refreshing taste and energizing caffeine kick, it’s no wonder iced coffee is a go-to choice for many people looking for a pick-me-up on a hot summer day. Major fast food chains like McDonald’s have taken notice of iced coffee’s popularity and added it to their menus. But for health-conscious coffee lovers watching their sugar intake, an important question arises: Does McDonald’s make sugar-free iced coffee?
The Basics of McDonald’s Iced Coffee
McDonald’s offers several iced coffee options on its menu. This includes classics like regular iced coffee and French vanilla iced coffee. They also have seasonal or limited-time flavors like mocha and caramel iced coffees. All of their iced coffees are made with 100% Arabica bean coffee, which McDonald’s touts as a higher quality variety. The coffee is freshly brewed in restaurants multiple times throughout the day. Here are some of the key ingredients in a McDonald’s iced coffee:
- Brewed coffee
- Sugar
- Milk or cream
- Ice
- Flavored syrups (for flavors besides regular)
So a standard McDonald’s iced coffee does contain added sugar from what we can see on the ingredients list. The amount of sugar can vary based on the size ordered. According to McDonald’s nutrition information online, a small 12 oz. iced coffee has 15g total sugars. A medium 16 oz. size has 20g sugars. And a large 32 oz. contains 40g of total sugars.
Do They Offer Sugar-Free Versions?
Since regular McDonald’s iced coffee isn’t sugar-free, the next question is whether they offer sugar-free alternatives for people who want to reduce their sugar intake. Unfortunately, the standard menu items do not come in sugar-free versions. All sizes and flavors contain added sugar from the syrups and sweeteners used.
However, McDonald’s notes that customers can customize their iced coffee and request it unsweetened to make it sugar-free. Ordering an iced coffee unsweetened eliminates the added syrup and means the drink would only contain naturally-occurring sugars from the milk. The amount of milk sugar would depend on what kind you select, with options like whole milk, 2%, and non-fat milk. Still, this would significantly reduce the total sugar content compared to a normal sweetened McDonald’s iced coffee.
Low-Sugar Options
Other than requesting an unsweetened iced coffee, there are a couple lower-sugar options you can choose from the McDonald’s menu:
Iced Coffee with Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup
Many McDonald’s locations offer sugar-free vanilla syrup that can be added to hot or iced coffee instead of regular sweeteners. With the sugar-free vanilla, you would avoid the high amounts of added sugars found in their classic syrup. However, the milk would still contain some natural milk sugars like lactose, so it isn’t completely sugar-free.
Cold Brew Iced Coffee
McDonald’s also now serves cold brew iced coffee at participating locations. Cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended time. This produces a naturally sweeter and smoother coffee. McDonald’s cold brew has no added sugars or syrups. Like the unsweetened iced coffee, it would only have minimal sugar from the milk added. Overall, it’s one of the lowest sugar options.
Making the Low-Sugar Drinks Taste Sweet
Ordering your iced coffee with no added sweeteners or sugar-free syrup will reduce the sugar amount compared to a normal McDonald’s iced coffee. But you might find it isn’t quite as satisfyingly sweet as you’re used to. Here are some tips to boost the flavor if you miss the sweetness:
- Add extra milk – Milk contains natural sugars that can make the coffee taste a bit sweeter without adding processed sugars. Opt for whole milk if you don’t have issues with dairy fats.
- Ask for extra pumps of sugar free syrup – More pumps of sugar-free vanilla or other syrup will increase the sweetness.
- Use your own sweetener – You can add your own zero-calorie sweetener like Stevia or Splenda once you have your drink.
- Flavor with cinnamon – A dash of cinnamon brings warmth and enhances sweetness perception.
It may take some experimenting to find your perfect sweetness level when ordering with no added sugars. But the great thing about custom orders is you can tweak it each time to get it just right for your tastebuds!
Sugar-Free Syrup Pumps at McDonald’s
We’ve mentioned that McDonald’s has sugar-free syrups available as a low-sugar way to flavor coffee and tea drinks. But what sugar-free options are actually offered? Which flavors can you request?
The sugar-free syrup options can vary between locations. But here are some of the most common sugar-free flavors at McDonald’s:
- Sugar-free vanilla syrup
- Sugar-free caramel syrup
- Sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup
- Sugar-free mocha syrup
- Sugar-free hazelnut syrup
Most McDonald’s have sugar-free vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon dolce regularly available. Other flavors like mocha or hazelnut may only be available regionally or at certain times. Be sure to ask your local McDonald’s what sugar-free syrups they currently offer.
The nutrition info for the sugar-free syrups isn’t listed on the McDonald’s website. But in general, sugar-free syrups are made with artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, or ace-K rather than real sugar. This eliminates the calories and carbohydrates from added sugars. Keep in mind that artificial sweeteners are controversial and some people may wish to avoid them for health reasons.
Making the Request
Ordering a customized sugar-free or low-sugar coffee drink at McDonald’s is easy. Here are some tips for requesting it:
- Know the size you want – Order a small, medium or large iced coffee as your base.
- Ask for it unsweetened – Request they leave out the standard sweeteners and syrup.
- Choose sugar free syrup – Ask for sugar-free vanilla, caramel or other available flavor.
- Specify milk type – Opt for non-fat for lowest lactose sugar, or whole for a sweeter taste.
- Mention extra pumps of syrup if desired – This enhances sweetness.
Clearly explaining the specifics helps ensure your barista understands and makes your drink to your preferences. You can even write the order down on a piece of paper to show the cashier if needed.
Does McDonald’s Have Sugar Free Creamer?
We’ve talked about getting sugar-free iced coffee by customizing your order. But what about adding cream and sugar yourself like you would with hot coffee? Does McDonald’s offer sugar-free creamer?
Unfortunately, McDonald’s does not offer sugar-free coffee creamer options. Their standard coffee creamers contain sugar and milk ingredients. For example, some common McDonald’s creamer ingredients lists show:
- Liquid cream
- High fructose corn syrup
- Sugar
- Mono and diglycerides
- Natural and artificial flavors
As you can see, these contain added sugars in the form of high fructose corn syrup and regular sugar. McDonald’s does not offer low-carb or lower sugar creamers at this time.
If you want to add cream and no-calorie sweetener to hot coffee, your best bet is to bring your own. Some options for sugar-free coffee creamers include:
- Liquid non-dairy creamers – Made from oils, these contain no lactose sugar.
- Nut milks – Almond or coconut milk have minimal carbs and sugars.
- Powdered creamer – Brands like Coffee Mate make sugar free powdered creamers.
- Heavy whipping cream – Has very low lactose sugar naturally.
Add your own no-sugar-added creamer and a sweetener like Splenda to black coffee for a keto-friendly or low sugar beverage at McDonald’s.
Sugar-Free Iced Coffee Brands
Ordering customized drinks is one way get sugar-free iced coffee when you go out, like unsweetened at McDonald’s. But another option is bottled and canned iced coffee drinks you can enjoy at home or on-the-go. Here are some popular brands of ready-to-drink sugar-free iced coffee:
| Brand | Details |
|---|---|
| Nestle Coffee Mate | Natural Bliss line has flavors like Caramel and Mocha made with stevia |
| Starbucks | Sugar-free Dark Roast Iced Coffee and Vanilla |
| Califia Farms | Unsweetened Cold Brew with Cream |
| La Colombe | Draft Latte line in flavors like Triple Mocha |
Check your grocery store’s refrigerated coffee section for sugar-free iced coffee varieties. The nutrition facts label will tell you the carb and sugar count per serving.
Sugar-Free Syrups for Home
You may also want to recreate the customized sugar-free iced coffee drinks from McDonald’s and coffee shops at home. This allows you to control the ingredients and sweetness level.
Using sugar-free flavored syrups is key for sweetening up your homemade coffee without added sugar. Torani and DaVinci are two popular brands that make sugar free syrup flavors like:
- Vanilla
- Caramel
- Hazelnut
- White chocolate mocha
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Cinnamon
To make your own sugar-free iced coffee, brew any style of cold coffee like cold brew or iced espresso. Combine it with milk and add your desired amount of sugar free syrup. Adjust to taste and enjoy!
Making Iced Coffee Sugar Free at Home
Wondering exactly how to go about crafting your own sugar-free iced coffee creations? Here is a step-by-step guide to making homemade sugar-free iced coffee drinks:
What you need:
- Coffee – Freshly brewed or cold brew concentrate
- Milk or milk substitute – Almond milk, etc.
- Sugar free syrups – Hazelnut, vanilla, caramel, etc.
- Sweetener if desired – Splenda, stevia, etc.
- Ice
- Blender, mason jar or cup and spoon for mixing
Instructions
- Brew coffee using your preferred method. Try cold brew, iced espresso, Japanese iced coffee, etc. Chill coffee until cold.
- Prepare milk of choice. Use refrigerated milk, or nut or oat milk from the shelf.
- Select sugar free syrup flavors. Use 1-2 tablespoons per 8-12 oz. serving as a guideline.
- Add coffee, milk, sugar free syrups and any additional sweetener to a blender, mason jar or cup. Adjust amounts to taste.
- Blend or stir vigorously until well-combined.
- Pour over a cup of ice and enjoy your homemade sugar-free iced coffee!
Feel free to get creative with your own flavor inventions. Sugar-free hazelnut, caramel mocha, and other combos are delicious. Top with a dash of cinnamon or cocoa powder for extra flair.
The Bottom Line
Does McDonald’s have sugar-free iced coffee? Unfortunately their standard menu beverages are not sugar-free due to the sweeteners and syrups used. However, you can order customized drinks without added sugars, like unsweetened iced coffee with sugar free syrup and non-fat milk. For the lowest sugar content, opt for unsweetened cold brew coffee. Bringing your own sugar-free creamer allows you to enjoy sugar-free hot coffee too.
Making your own sugar-free iced coffee at home gives you total control over the ingredients. Use sugar-free syrups and natural low-sugar milks to create delicious coffee drinks without the added sugars. Stay refreshed and energized all summer long without the sugar crash!
