A Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate contains the following calories and nutritional information:
Quick Answers
– A small (12 oz) Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate contains 250 calories
– A medium (16 oz) Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate contains 340 calories
– A large (20 oz) Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate contains 420 calories
Calorie and Nutrition Information
The number of calories in a Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate depends on the size of the drink. Starbucks offers regular Hot Chocolate in 3 sizes:
- Small (12 fl oz)
- Medium (16 fl oz)
- Large (20 fl oz)
Here are the nutrition facts for each size of a Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate:
Small Starbucks Regular Hot Chocolate (12 fl oz)
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 |
| Total Fat | 9 g |
| Saturated Fat | 5 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 15 mg |
| Sodium | 100 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 41 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugars | 39 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
A small 12 oz Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate contains 250 calories, with 41 g of total carbohydrates and 39 g of sugar. It also contains 9 g of fat, 5 g saturated fat, 100 mg sodium, and 2 g fiber.
Medium Starbucks Regular Hot Chocolate (16 fl oz)
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 340 |
| Total Fat | 12 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 20 mg |
| Sodium | 135 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 54 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugars | 52 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
A medium 16 oz Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate has 340 calories, with 54 g total carbs and 52 g sugar. It contains 12 g fat, 7 g saturated fat, 135 mg sodium, and 3 g fiber.
Large Starbucks Regular Hot Chocolate (20 fl oz)
| Nutrition Facts | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 |
| Total Fat | 15 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 25 mg |
| Sodium | 165 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 66 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugars | 64 g |
| Protein | 5 g |
A large 20 oz Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate contains 420 calories, with 66 g total carbs and 64 g sugar. It has 15 g fat, 9 g saturated fat, 165 mg sodium and 3 g fiber.
Factors Affecting Calories in Starbucks Hot Chocolate
The main factors that determine the calories and nutrition in a Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate are:
- Size – Starbucks offers 3 sizes of Hot Chocolate. The larger the size, the more calories it contains.
- Milk – Starbucks Hot Chocolate is made with steamed milk. Whole milk contains more calories and fat compared to nonfat or low-fat milk.
- Whipped Cream – Adding whipped cream increases the calorie and fat content.
- Syrups/Sauces – Flavored syrups like caramel, mocha, or pumpkin spice add extra calories from sugar.
- Toppings – Whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and other toppings increase calories.
Choosing a smaller size, nonfat or low-fat milk, and avoiding extra toppings/syrups can reduce the calories in a Starbucks Hot Chocolate.
Comparing Calories to Other Starbucks Drinks
A Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate contains more calories than black coffee or plain tea, but less than most lattes, Frappuccinos, macchiatos and other specialty coffee drinks. Here’s how it compares calorie-wise to some popular Starbucks menu items:
| Starbucks Beverage | Calories (Grande 16 oz) |
|---|---|
| Hot Chocolate | 340 |
| Caffè Latte | 190 |
| Cappuccino | 140 |
| Americano | 15 |
| Caramel Frappuccino | 370 |
| Java Chip Frappuccino | 420 |
| Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew | 200 |
| Pumpkin Spice Latte | 380 |
A Hot Chocolate has more calories than a simple coffee drink like a latte or cappuccino that contains mostly milk and coffee. But it’s lower in calories than most blended, sugary Frappuccinos and flavored lattes. Drinks like the Caramel Frappuccino or Pumpkin Spice Latte often top 400 calories for a medium size.
Tips for Ordering a Lower Calorie Hot Chocolate
If you want to enjoy a Hot Chocolate from Starbucks but limit the calories, here are some tips:
- Order the smallest size available (Tall 12 oz).
- Request nonfat or low-fat milk.
- Skip the whipped cream topping.
- Ask for less pumps of chocolate sauce if ordering a mocha.
- Order it made with sugar-free syrup instead of regular.
- Ask for light drizzle if adding a flavored sauce.
- Top with sprinkles or sugar-free cinnamon instead of caramel or mocha drizzle.
- Substitute a pump of vanilla extract for added flavor without extra calories.
Ordering a small Hot Chocolate made with nonfat milk and no whipped cream can save about 100 calories compared to a fully-loaded large size.
Low Calorie Starbucks Hot Chocolate Alternatives
If you want a hot, chocolatey, lower calorie beverage from Starbucks, here are some alternatives to consider:
- Skinny Hot Chocolate – Made with nonfat milk, sugar-free mocha sauce, and no whipped cream. Tall size is 140 calories.
- Hot Chocolate Light – Lower calorie hot cocoa mix. Tall size is 130 calories.
- Steamed Nonfat or Low-fat Milk – Customize with sugar-free syrups and spice.
- Teavana Oprah Chai Tea Latte – Made with tea, spices, and steamed nonfat milk. Tall is 140 calories.
- Caffe Misto – Half coffee, half steamed nonfat milk. Tall is 60 calories.
- Sugar-free Cinnamon Dolce Latte – 170 calories for a Tall.
Choosing one of these lower calorie options can allow you to enjoy a warm, comforting beverage from Starbucks without all the extra calories of a traditional Hot Chocolate.
Nutritional Benefits of Cocoa
Despite its high calorie and sugar content, a Hot Chocolate made with cocoa powder does provide some nutritional benefits. Cocoa contains:
- Antioxidants – Cocoa is high in flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation and lower risk of certain diseases.
- Fiber – Just 2-3 grams per serving, but more than other sugary drinks.
- Minerals – Provides a small amount of magnesium, phosphorus, copper, iron and potassium.
- Methylxanthines – Compounds that have mild stimulant effects, including theobromine and small amounts of caffeine.
The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory effects of cocoa are its biggest health benefit. However, to get the most benefits, darker varieties of chocolate with higher cacao content are recommended rather than sugar-laden milk chocolate.
Potential Downsides of Hot Chocolate
While a Hot Chocolate can provide a few beneficial nutrients, there are some potential downsides to consider if you drink them frequently in large sizes:
- High in calories – A large Hot Chocolate can provide over 20% of daily calories, so they aren’t the best option for weight management.
- Added sugar – Contains around 50-60 grams of added sugar, which far exceeds recommended limits.
- Blood sugar effect – All that added sugar can spike blood glucose levels, especially problematic for diabetics.
- Cavities – The combination of sugar and hot temperature can degrade tooth enamel over time.
- Milk allergy – Those with dairy allergies must avoid Hot Chocolates containing any type of milk.
Overall, an occasional small Hot Chocolate with minimal toppings is fine for most healthy adults. But limiting frequency and size is best, especially for those with diabetes or weight concerns.
Conclusion
A Starbucks regular Hot Chocolate can contain anywhere from 250-420 calories, depending on size. A small is around 250 calories, while a large with toppings is over 400. To lighten it up, choose a smaller size, nonfat milk, no whipped cream, and minimal flavorings. Other lower calorie Starbucks beverages like skinny Hot Chocolates, tea lattes, and mistos also allow you to enjoy the flavors of cocoa with less calorie guilt. While Hot Chocolates are high in sugar, the antioxidant benefits of cocoa can make it a reasonable treat in moderation.
