Quick Answer
A tall (12 oz) Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks contains 150 calories. The calorie count increases for larger sizes – a grande (16 oz) has 210 calories, while a venti (20 oz) contains 250 calories. So the number of calories in a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato ranges from 150-250 calories depending on cup size.
Calories by Size
The number of calories in a Caramel Macchiato at Starbucks depends on the size you order:
| Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Tall (12 oz) | 150 |
| Grande (16 oz) | 210 |
| Venti (20 oz) | 250 |
As you can see, the tall size has the fewest calories, while the venti has the most. The grande size sits in the middle with 210 calories.
So if you’re looking to limit your calorie intake, opting for a tall Caramel Macchiato is your best bet. But no matter what size you choose, it’s good to be aware of the calorie content so you can factor it into your daily intake.
Nutrition Information
Now let’s take a more detailed look at the nutrition facts for a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato:
Tall (12 oz)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 150 |
| Total Fat | 4.5g |
| Saturated Fat | 3g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 15mg |
| Sodium | 100mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 23g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 19g |
| Protein | 3g |
Grande (16 oz)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 210 |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 20mg |
| Sodium | 140mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 33g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 27g |
| Protein | 4g |
Venti (20 oz)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 |
| Total Fat | 7g |
| Saturated Fat | 5g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Cholesterol | 25mg |
| Sodium | 170mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 40g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g |
| Sugars | 32g |
| Protein | 5g |
As you can see, the calorie and nutrient counts scale up as the drink size increases. But in general, the main nutrients in a Caramel Macchiato are fat, carbohydrates (mainly sugar), and a small amount of protein.
Calorie and Macronutrient Percentages
Looking at the macronutrient percentages can also give you a better sense of where the calories in a Caramel Macchiato come from:
| Macronutrient | Percentage of Calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 27% |
| Carbohydrates | 60% |
| Protein | 13% |
The majority of calories – about 60% – come from carbohydrates. 27% of calories come from fat, and 13% come from protein.
Knowing these percentages can help you determine how a Caramel Macchiato fits into your overall daily macronutrient needs or targets.
Ingredients
To understand exactly where the calories in a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato come from, let’s look at the ingredients:
– Brewed Espresso: The espresso provides a small amount of calories as well as the caffeine. A 1 oz shot of espresso contains approximately 3 calories.
– Vanilla-Flavored Syrup: The sugary vanilla syrup adds sweetness and calories – about 20 calories per 1 tbsp serving.
– Caramel Sauce: Made with sugar, corn syrup, butter, and cream, the caramel sauce contributes significant calories and fat. One tablespoon of the sauce contains about 40 calories.
– Steamed Milk: The steamed whole milk provides calories from its natural fat and proteins. One cup of whole milk has about 150 calories.
– Foam: The milk foam adds a creamy texture and minimal calories.
So while the espresso and foam provide relatively few calories, the bulk come from the vanilla-flavored syrup, caramel sauce, and steamed whole milk. This explains why the carb and fat percentages are highest in a Caramel Macchiato.
Does Size Impact Calorie Content Differently?
As the nutrition information showed earlier, a larger-sized Caramel Macchiato contains more calories than a smaller size. However, the macronutrient percentages stay roughly the same regardless of size.
For example, here are the macronutrient percentages for each size:
| Size | Fat Calories | Carb Calories | Protein Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall | 27% | 61% | 12% |
| Grande | 26% | 60% | 14% |
| Venti | 27% | 60% | 13% |
As you go from a tall to a venti size, the percentages of calories from each macronutrient stay very similar. So while the total calories increase with size, the relative calorie composition remains the same.
Comparisons to Other Drinks
To put the calories of a Starbucks Caramel Macchiato in context, let’s compare it to some other popular Starbucks drinks.
Here is the calorie count for a tall, grande, and venti size of several Starbucks beverages:
| Beverage | Tall Calories | Grande Calories | Venti Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caramel Macchiato | 150 | 210 | 250 |
| Caffe Latte | 130 | 180 | 230 |
| Cappuccino | 120 | 150 | 180 |
| Americano | 10 | 15 | 20 |
| Frappuccino | 220-350 | 280-410 | 330-470 |
A few things stand out:
– The Caramel Macchiato has more calories than simpler espresso drinks like caffe lattes and cappuccinos. This comes from the caramel sauce and vanilla syrup.
– An Americano, which contains just espresso and water, has very minimal calories.
– Blended Frappuccinos tend to have significantly more calories than hot espresso drinks.
So if limiting calories is your priority, an Americano or simple cappuccino are lower-calorie alternatives to a Caramel Macchiato. But with customization options, such as choosing nonfat milk or sugar-free syrups, you may be able to order a lower-calorie Caramel Macchiato as well.
Tips for Ordering
If you want to order a Caramel Macchiato but are trying to control calories, here are some tips:
– Size down – Choose a tall rather than a venti to cut calories by 100.
– Request nonfat milk – This will reduce the calories from fat.
– Ask for less caramel drizzle – Drizzling lightly can save 50+ calories.
– Substitute sugar-free vanilla syrup – This will reduce the calories from sugar.
– Order fewer pumps of syrup – The standard is 3 for a tall, 4 for a grande, 5 for a venti. Asking for half the pumps will cut significant calories.
– Request an extra shot of espresso – Adding espresso flavor will let you taste the macchiato fully with less milk and syrup.
With small customizations like these, you can order a Caramel Macchiato you’ll enjoy while keeping calories in check. Knowing the standard nutrition numbers ahead of time empowers you to make informed choices.
Should You Have a Caramel Macchiato Every Day?
Based on the nutritional content, having a Caramel Macchiato every day may not align with all health goals.
A few considerations regarding making it a daily habit:
– Calories can add up quickly. A venti Caramel Macchiato represents 12-13% of a 2000 calorie diet. Consumed daily, this impact calories.
– It doesn’t provide much nutritional value. Aside from calcium from the milk, a Caramel Macchiato is low in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein. So it should be thought of primarily as a treat.
– Sugar content is high. The syrups and caramel sauce mean a tall Caramel Macchiato has 19g of sugar. The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar to 24g/day for women and 36g/day for men.
– Caffeine builds up. With at least 2 shots of espresso in a Caramel Macchiato, you could potentially consume over 200mg of caffeine per drink. Consuming this much daily long-term may have side effects.
With that said, enjoying a Caramel Macchiato occasionally or even a few times a week is unlikely to be harmful for most healthy individuals. Just be mindful of your overall diet. Consider balancing it with more nutrient-dense foods and getting activity during your day.
Healthier Alternatives
If you’re looking for a healthier daily drink that still satisfies your sweet tooth, here are some options to consider instead of a Caramel Macchiato:
– Cappuccino or latte made with nonfat milk and light or sugar-free syrup
– Coffee with a splash of nonfat milk or milk alternative like almond milk
– Tea latte without sweetener
– Iced coffee blended with ice, banana, almond butter, and almond milk
– Matcha latte sweetened with a touch of honey
– Golden milk latte made with nonfat milk, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and black pepper
These provide minimal calories so you can enjoy them daily without guilt. And you can still treat yourself to an occasional Caramel Macchiato!
The Bottom Line
A Caramel Macchiato can be a delicious coffee drink option when you’re looking for something sweet. However, with 150-250 calories and 19-32 grams of sugar, it ranks on the higher end for calorie and sugar content compared to other Starbucks beverages.
Consumed occasionally, a Caramel Macchiato can be part of an overall balanced diet. But daily consumption may lead to excessive calories, sugar, fat, and caffeine. Making small customizations and choosing healthier lower-calorie alternatives for your daily coffee or tea can help keep your diet on track while still allowing an occasional Caramel Macchiato as a treat.
