Starbucks’ white mocha iced coffee is a popular summer drink that combines espresso, milk, white chocolate mocha sauce, and ice. But with its sweet flavors, many wonder just how many calories are packed into Starbucks’white mocha iced coffee. In this article, we’ll break down the calorie counts in a grande (16 oz) Starbucks white mocha iced coffee and look at ways you can customize or adjust the drink to reduce the calorie content.
Quick Answer
A grande (16 oz) Starbucks white mocha iced coffee made with 2% milk contains approximately:
- 300 calories
- 8 grams of fat
- 44 grams of carbs
- 44 grams of sugar
- 1 gram of protein
This drink contains a high amount of calories, fat, carbohydrates and sugar compared to other iced coffee options at Starbucks due to the white mocha sauce and 2% milk. Customizations like using nonfat milk, less pumps of mocha sauce, or adding low calorie sweeteners can reduce the calorie count.
Detailed Nutrition Information
Let’s take a more detailed look at the complete nutrition facts for a grande Starbucks white mocha iced coffee made with 2% milk:
Calories
A grande Starbucks white mocha iced coffee made with 2% milk contains about 300 calories. This accounts for approximately 15% of a standard 2000 calorie diet. The high calorie count is mainly due to the white mocha sauce, which contains sugar and cocoa butter.
Fat
This iced coffee contains 8 grams of fat, which is 12% of the recommended daily value. The main sources of fat are the 2% milk, which contains 5 grams of fat per serving, and the white mocha sauce, which contains cocoa butter. Using nonfat milk instead could reduce the fat content.
Carbohydrates
There are 44 grams of total carbohydrates in a grande white mocha iced coffee. This represents 15% of the daily value. Most of these carbohydrates come from added sugar in the white mocha sauce and lactose in the milk.
Sugar
Out of the 44 grams of carbs, 44 grams are sugar. This drink contains a very high amount of added sugar, accounting for nearly 50% of the recommended daily value. The white chocolate mocha sauce is the primary source of added sugar.
Protein
A grande white mocha iced coffee contains 1 gram of protein, which accounts for 2% of the daily value. The small amount of protein comes primarily from the 2% milk.
Caffeine
This iced coffee contains approximately 150mg of caffeine from the 2 shots of espresso. The caffeine provides an energy boost but also contributes to the drink’s calorie content.
Calorie Customizations
While the white mocha sauce significantly increases the calorie count, there are several ways to customize or adjust the drink to reduce the calories:
- Use nonfat milk instead of 2% milk to eliminate 60 calories and 5g fat
- Ask for less pumps of white mocha sauce (each pump adds about 20 calories)
- Substitute sugar-free mocha sauce to remove about 200 calories
- Request less sweetened whipped cream on top
- Ask for light ice to get more coffee and milk in place of empty calories from ice
- Add a splash of nonfat milk instead of cream for a lighter option
With these tweaks, it’s possible to remove anywhere from 60 to 260 calories, allowing you to better fit this sweet coffee drink into your daily calorie goals.
Nutrition Compared to Other Starbucks Iced Coffees
Compared to other iced coffee drinks on the Starbucks menu, the white mocha iced coffee is one of the highest calorie options. Here’s how it compares nutritionally to some other popular Starbucks iced coffees in a grande 16 oz size:
| Drink | Calories | Fat (g) | Carbs (g) | Sugar (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iced Coffee | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Iced Americano | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Iced Latte | 150 | 8 | 17 | 0 | 11 |
| Iced Caramel Macchiato | 210 | 9 | 33 | 33 | 11 |
| Iced White Mocha | 300 | 8 | 44 | 44 | 11 |
As you can see, the iced coffee and iced Americano offer the lowest calorie options, while the white mocha is one of the highest. Drinks that contain sugar-sweetened syrups like the caramel macchiato or white mocha sauce significantly increase the calorie counts compared to simple iced coffee.
Ways to Reduce Calories Further
If you want to lighten up your Starbucks iced white mocha even more, here are some additional tips for reducing calories:
- Ask for only 1 or 2 pumps of white mocha instead of the standard 3 for a grande
- Order a tall size (12 oz) instead of a grande to get 1/3 fewer calories
- Request half the usual amount of sweetened whipped cream
- Substitute stevia or another low-calorie sweetener for part of the white mocha pumps
- Add a splash of nonfat milk instead of cream which will save 50 calories per tablespoon
- Opt for sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup instead of white mocha to remove about 200 calories
- Go for light ice to get more coffee and milk instead of empty frozen calories
Combining a few of these tweaks can help you enjoy this decadent coffee while better controlling your daily calorie intake. For example, ordering a tall iced white mocha made with nonfat milk, 1 pump of sugar-free mocha and light ice can reduce the calories to under 100.
Low-Calorie Iced Coffee Options at Starbucks
If you’re looking for a lower calorie iced coffee drink from Starbucks, here are some delicious options to consider:
- Iced coffee – Only 5 calories for a grande size
- Iced Americano – 10 calories in grande
- Cold Brew Coffee – 20 calories per grande
- Iced Skinny Latte – 90 calories made with nonfat milk and sugar-free vanilla
- Iced Caffe Mocha with nonfat milk and no whipped cream – 100 calories
- Iced Coffee with nonfat milk and stevia – 25 calories
- Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream – 120 calories in a grande
Choosing one of these lower calorie options or customizing your drink with nonfat milk, less syrup, and easy on the whipped cream are great ways to still enjoy an iced coffee from Starbucks without excess calories. Be sure to check the Starbucks app or website for complete nutrition data to help you make the best choice.
Should You Drink This Every Day?
At 300 calories for a grande, the Starbucks white mocha iced coffee is quite high in calories compared to other iced coffee choices. Drinking this daily could lead to excess calorie intake:
- If your daily calorie needs are 2000 calories, this drink alone would account for 15% of your total daily calorie needs.
- Consuming an additional 300 calories per day could lead to weight gain over time. One pound of fat equals 3500 calories, so drinking this coffee daily could cause you to gain around 1 pound every 12 days.
- The American Heart Association recommends limiting added sugar intake to no more than 25 grams per day for women and 36 grams for men. This drink contains 44 grams of sugar, nearly twice the recommended limit.
While occasional treats are perfectly fine, enjoying this high-calorie coffee every day could make it difficult to meet your health and nutrition goals. There are better options for a daily coffee drink, like an iced coffee or cold brew with just a splash of milk and no syrups. Be mindful of portion sizes and added sugars to determine how often you can reasonably enjoy a white mocha iced coffee.
Healthier Alternatives
If you’re looking for healthier alternatives to the Starbucks white mocha iced coffee, consider these options:
- Iced coffee or iced Americano with nonfat milk and stevia
- Cold brew coffee with a splash of nonfat milk
- Iced skinny mocha made with sugar-free mocha sauce and nonfat milk
- Iced latte with nonfat milk and sugar-free vanilla or cinnamon dolce syrup
- Homemade iced coffee with strong brewed coffee, nonfat milk, cocoa powder, and stevia
- Iced chai tea latte made with nonfat milk and no sweetener
Choosing unsweetened varieties like cold brew and Americanos or limiting yourself to 1 pump of flavored syrups can provide flavor while keeping your iced coffee relatively low in calories and sugar. Avoiding excess added cream and whipped cream is also key to keeping the drink from becoming too high in fat and calories.
Nutrition Tips
If you want to enjoy an iced white mocha from Starbucks but still want to watch your nutrition, here are some tips:
- Ask for nonfat milk and less pumps of white mocha to reduce calories and fat
- Order a tall size or ask for light ice to reduce portion size
- Share the drink with a friend or split it into two servings
- Savor the drink slowly instead of gulping it down
- Avoid excess whipped cream, which can pile on calories and fat
- Balance it out by choosing lower calorie foods and snacks for the rest of the day
- Treat yourself only 1-2 times per week rather than daily to control calories
While this drink is high in calories, an occasional indulgence is perfectly fine. Just be mindful of your portion size, added sweeteners and extras like whipped cream. Savor every sip so you feel satisfied with less.
Conclusion
Starbucks’ white mocha iced coffee is a deliciously sweet and creamy drink, but it does come at a cost with 300 calories and 44 grams of sugar in a grande size. Choosing customizations like nonfat milk, less pumps of mocha, and light ice can reduce the calorie count substantially. For daily coffee drinkers, opting for lower calorie choices like iced coffee, cold brew, or skinny lattes is a better option. Enjoy your iced white mocha as an occasional treat, share with a friend, choose a smaller size, or split it into two servings. This allows you to satisfy your craving while keeping your daily calorie intake under control.
