How many calories are in an iced shaken espresso with oat milk?

An iced shaken espresso with oat milk can range in calories depending on the exact ingredients and sizes. A standard recipe for this drink typically contains espresso shots, oat milk, and potentially ice and sweetener. By analyzing the calorie contents of each component, we can estimate the total calorie count of an iced shaken espresso made with oat milk.

Calories in Espresso

An espresso shot contains very few calories on its own. A single 1-ounce shot of espresso has just 3 calories (1). This is because espresso is made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans which extracts the flavors and caffeine but leaves behind much of the sugars and fat that contribute to calories. So even several shots of espresso added to a drink will only have minimal impact on the total calorie count.

Calories in Oat Milk

Oat milk contains more calories than espresso but is still considered a relatively low calorie milk alternative. An 8-ounce glass of oat milk has about: (2)

  • 120 calories in unsweetened oat milk
  • 130 calories in sweetened oat milk

The exact calories will vary by brand based on factors like added sugars and oils. But oat milk will generally contain 100-130 calories per 8 fluid ounces.

Calories in Sweeteners

Many iced coffee drinks are sweetened with syrups, honey, sugar, or other sweeteners. These can add a significant number of calories. For example:

  • 1 tablespoon honey: 64 calories (3)
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar: 49 calories (3)
  • 1 pumps flavored syrup: approx. 20 calories (4)

The amount of sweetener in an iced shaken espresso depends on personal preference. But expect at least 20-50 extra calories for light sweetening or up to 200 for very sweet drinks.

Calories in Ice

Ice itself contains no calories. However, it does contribute to the total volume of the drink. Any ice added will water down the espresso and oat milk, impacting the overall calorie calculations. Assume around 1 cup of standard ice equals 90g in weight (5).

Total Calories in an Iced Shaken Espresso with Oat Milk

Considering a standard recipe containing:

  • 2 shots espresso (2 oz): 6 calories
  • 8 oz oat milk: 120 calories
  • 1 pump syrup: 20 calories
  • 12 oz ice: 0 calories

The total calories in a 16 oz iced shaken espresso made with oat milk and light sweetener would be approximately:

146 calories

This calculation can vary based on the factors below:

Ingredient Calories per 8 oz
Espresso 3
Unsweetened oat milk 120
Sweetened oat milk 130
Honey 320
Sugar 384
Flavored syrup 80
Ice 0

Based on this, we can estimate the calories for other variations of this drink:

Small Iced Shaken Espresso with Oat Milk

  • 1 shot espresso
  • 4 oz oat milk
  • No sweetener
  • 8 oz ice

Total: 60 calories

Large Iced Shaken Espresso with Sweetened Oat Milk

  • 3 shots espresso
  • 12 oz sweetened oat milk
  • 2 pumps syrup
  • 8 oz ice

Total: 210 calories

Factors That Increase Calories

Certain customizations can add a significant number of calories to an iced shaken espresso with oat milk:

  • Whipped cream – around 50 calories per 2 tablespoons (6)
  • Flavored syrups – around 20 calories per pump (4)
  • Sugars – around 48 calories per teaspoon (3)
  • Large size – more oat milk and espresso increase calories
  • Added shots of espresso – 5-15 extra calories per shot
  • Sweetened oat milk vs unsweetened – up to 45 more calories per 8 oz (2)

Factors That Decrease Calories

You can also order an iced shaken espresso with oat milk modified to be lower in calories:

  • Sugar-free syrup instead of regular syrup
  • Fewer pumps of syrup or no syrup
  • Light or no sweetener
  • Nonfat or low fat oat milk
  • Small size drink
  • Less shots of espresso
  • Unsweetened oat milk vs sweetened
  • Extra ice to water down

Comparison to Coffee Drinks with Regular Dairy Milk

Using oat milk instead of regular dairy milk can also reduce the calories in an iced shaken espresso drink. Here’s how it compares (based on 8 fluid ounces):

Milk Calories
Whole milk 146
2% reduced fat milk 122
1% lowfat milk 102
Nonfat milk 83
Unsweetened oat milk 120
Sweetened oat milk 130

Oat milk contains fewer calories than whole and 2% dairy milk, but more calories than nonfat milk. So using nonfat dairy milk would reduce the calories further compared to oat milk. However, oat milk is generally perceived as creamier and richer than nonfat dairy milk, so many people prefer it in coffee drinks despite the slightly higher calorie content.

Nutrition Benefits of Oat Milk

Despite having more calories than nonfat dairy milk, oat milk has some additional nutritional perks. Here are some of the benefits of using oat milk (7):

  • Vitamins and minerals – oat milk contains calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, phosphorus and potassium.
  • Fiber – contains a significant amount of fiber to support digestion.
  • Plant protein – provides protein from plant sources.
  • Heart healthy fats – has unsaturated fats that are better for heart health compared to saturated fats in whole dairy milk.

So while oat milk may contain more calories than skim milk, its additional nutritional benefits like fiber and healthy fats make it a nutritious choice despite the slightly higher calorie count.

Tips for the Lowest Calorie Iced Shaken Espresso with Oat Milk

To make an iced shaken espresso with oat milk as low in calories as possible, follow these tips:

  • Order a small or regular size
  • Choose unsweetened oat milk
  • Use sugar-free flavored syrup instead of regular syrup
  • Add light sweetener or no sweetener
  • Ask for extra ice
  • Avoid whipped cream or heavy cream toppings
  • Request fewer pumps of syrup if flavoring drink
  • Get single or double shots of espresso rather than triple

This will create a lightly sweetened drink that satisfies an espresso craving but is also lower in calories and added sugars.

Conclusion

An iced shaken espresso made with oat milk can range from 60-250 calories or more depending on the specific ingredients and sizes. Choosing unsweetened oat milk, fewer pumps of syrup, a small size, and light sweetener can keep the calorie count lower. While oat milk has more calories than nonfat dairy milk, it provides additional nutrients like fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.

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