A grande (16 oz) Starbucks Americano contains 15 calories, according to the Starbucks website nutrition data. The Americano is one of the lowest calorie drinks on the Starbucks menu, as it contains just espresso and hot water.
Some key facts about the calorie content of a Starbucks grande Americano:
- A grande Americano has 15 calories (Starbucks website)
- It contains 0g fat, 0g sugar, and 0g protein (Starbucks)
- Adding milk or cream will increase the calorie count significantly
- Most Starbucks espresso drinks range from 60-500 calories for a grande size
What is an Americano?
An Americano is a simple coffee drink made by adding hot water to espresso. Traditionally, an Americano consists of 1-2 shots of espresso topped with hot water to produce a drink that is similar in strength to standard drip coffee.
To make an Americano:
- Brew 1-2 shots of espresso (typically 1 oz per shot)
- Add hot water to fill up the cup (for a grande, about 12-14 oz of water total)
This produces a drink that has the rich, concentrated espresso flavor mellowed out by the water. An Americano has lower caffeine content than a straight espresso shot since it is diluted by water.
Americano vs. Drip Coffee
While similar, there are some key differences between an Americano and regular drip coffee:
- Americano is made with espresso, drip coffee is brewed from ground coffee beans
- Drip coffee has higher caffeine content compared to an Americano of the same size
- Americano tends to be more concentrated in flavor compared to drip
- Drip coffee contains oils from the beans, Americano does not
However, an Americano is able to mimic the strength and flavor profile of drip coffee more closely than espresso alone, making it an appealing choice for espresso drinkers who want something closer to regular brewed coffee.
Starbucks Americano Nutrition Facts
Starbucks provides complete nutrition data for all of its menu items online. Here are the nutrition facts for a grande (16 oz) Starbucks Americano:
Calories: 15
With just 15 calories, an Americano is one of the lowest calorie drinks at Starbucks. It contains no fat, sugar, protein, or carbs. The calories come just from the espresso.
Fat: 0g
There is no fat in a plain Americano. Adding milk or cream will add some fat to the drink.
Sugar: 0g
There is no sugar in a black Americano. Sugary syrups and milk/cream will increase the sugar content.
Protein: 0g
Since it only contains espresso and water, an Americano does not provide any protein.
Caffeine: 150mg
A grande Americano contains 150mg of caffeine. This is less than an espresso shot, which contains about 75mg per ounce. The caffeine is diluted by the water in an Americano.
Carbohydrates: 0g
An Americano does not contain any carbohydrates.
Sodium: 10mg
It has 10mg of sodium, which comes from the naturally occurring sodium in the coffee beans.
Comparisons to Other Starbucks Drinks
Compared to other Starbucks espresso and coffee drinks, an Americano is very low in calories and sugar since it only contains coffee and water.
Caffe Latte
A grande caffe latte has 190 calories, 8g fat, 16g sugar, and 13g protein. Lattes contain steamed milk, which increases the calorie, fat, sugar, and protein content.
Cappuccino
A grande cappuccino has 140 calories, 5g fat, 11g sugar, and 11g protein. Cappuccinos use less steamed milk than lattes, so have slightly lower nutrition counts.
Caramel Macchiato
A grande caramel macchiato contains 250 calories, 10g fat, 29g sugar, and 11g protein. Sugary syrups like caramel sauce significantly increase the calorie and sugar content.
Drip Coffee
A grande Pike Place Roast drip coffee has 15 calories, similar to an Americano. However, the drip coffee contains some minerals and antioxidants not found in Americanos.
Ways to Modify an Americano
While Americanos have minimal calories and sugar alone, customizations and add-ins can change the nutrition profile:
- With milk: Adding 2oz of 2% milk adds 20 calories, 2g fat, 2g sugar. Non-dairy milks have similar calorie counts.
- With cream: Adding 2oz of half and half adds 60 calories, 6g fat, 3g sugar.
- With syrup: Using a grande amount of vanilla, caramel, or mocha sauce adds 60-120 calories and 12-24g sugar.
- With whipped cream: Topping with whipped cream adds 50 calories and 3g fat.
- Iced: An iced grande Americano has 5 additional calories compared to hot.
To keep your Americano low in calories and sugar, opt for simple black coffee without any syrups, cream, or milk.
Health Benefits of Coffee
Drinking black coffee like an Americano has been associated with several health benefits when consumed in moderation (1-2 cups per day).
Increased Energy and Focus
The caffeine in coffee can increase alertness, focus, and concentration. Caffeine blocks adenosine, a neurotransmitter that causes fatigue.
Improved Physical Performance
Studies show that caffeine can boost athletic performance and endurance during exercise by mobilizing fatty acids and decreasing perception of exertion.
Contains Antioxidants
Coffee contains antioxidants called polyphenols which can protect cells from damage. However, an Americano contains slightly lower levels than drip coffee.
May Reduce Risk of Liver Disease
Regular coffee consumption has been linked to reduced risk of chronic liver diseases like cirrhosis and liver cancer.
May Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Drinking coffee daily has been associated with up to a 30% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, likely due to antioxidants and minerals.
However, adding sugar and cream to coffee may negate some of these benefits. To maximize the health benefits of your Americano, enjoy it black.
Potential Downsides of Coffee
Despite the health benefits, coffee may have some negative impacts when consumed in excess. These may include:
- Increased anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness
- High blood pressure and cardiovascular issues
- Gastrointestinal problems like reflux
- Reduced absorption of minerals like iron
- Addiction and withdrawal symptoms
- Increased homocysteine levels
Those with sensitivities should limit coffee intake and choose decaf options when possible. Always consume coffee in moderation even if healthy, maxing out at about 4 cups daily.
Who Should Limit Coffee Consumption
The following groups may want to watch their coffee intake or avoid caffeine entirely:
- Pregnant women – no more than 200mg caffeine daily
- Children and adolescents
- Those with anxiety disorders or chronic headaches
- Individuals sensitive to stimulants
Making an Americano at Home
It’s easy to brew an Americano-style coffee at home with an espresso machine and hot water.
What You Need
- Espresso machine
- Cups or travel mugs
- Kettle with hot water
Instructions
- Brew 1-2 shots of espresso according to machine directions.
- Fill cup with hot water, leaving room for the espresso.
- Add freshly brewed espresso on top of the hot water.
- Top with additional hot water to fill cup if needed.
- Enjoy your homemade Americano!
For an iced Americano, brew the espresso directly over ice then add cold water or milk to fill.
Troubleshooting
- No crema on your espresso? Try fresher beans or grind right before brewing.
- Espresso taste weak? Use two shots instead of one.
- Drink tastes bitter? Don’t let espresso sit long before adding water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Americano healthy?
Yes, an Americano can be part of a healthy diet. Black coffee provides antioxidants with very minimal calories. However, avoid loading your Americano up with high-calorie milk, creams, or sugary syrups.
Is Americano acidic?
Americano has a lower pH than regular drip coffee, making it slightly more acidic. However, the dilution by water helps mellow acidity compared to straight espresso shots.
Does Americano have more caffeine than coffee?
No, a cup of drip coffee actually has slightly more caffeine than an Americano. However, Americanos have more caffeine compared to decaf coffee.
Is Americano Starbucks?
No, an Americano is not a Starbucks-specific drink. It is a common coffee drink made by combining espresso and hot water that can be found at many coffee shops.
Why do people drink Americanos?
People choose Americanos for the richer, bolder taste compared to drip coffee thanks to the espresso. Americanos also contain less caffeine than straight espresso shots. Some people find them easier to drink than black coffee.
Conclusion
A Starbucks grande Americano is a low-calorie coffee choice that provides a dose of caffeine. With just 15 calories and 0g sugar, it can be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. Be mindful of add-ins that can quickly increase the calorie and sugar content. An Americano prepared at home is just as tasty and better for your wallet. So sip, enjoy, and fuel your days with this classic coffee drink.