A skinny latte from Starbucks is a delicious way to enjoy espresso and steamed milk while keeping the calorie count low. By ordering a skinny latte made with nonfat milk and sugar free vanilla syrup, you can indulge in a coffeehouse classic without overdoing it on calories.
What is a Starbucks skinny latte?
A skinny latte from Starbucks is made with shots of espresso and steamed nonfat milk. Unlike a traditional latte which contains whole milk, using nonfat milk significantly reduces the calorie content. Starbucks skinny lattes are available hot or iced.
To further cut calories, skinny lattes can be customized with sugar free syrup instead of the classic syrup, which has sugar. Some popular sugar free syrup flavors at Starbucks include vanilla, caramel, cinnamon dolce, and hazelnut.
Calories in a hot skinny latte
A grande (16 oz) hot Starbucks skinny latte with sugar free vanilla syrup has approximately:
- 90 calories
- 10g carbohydrates
- 10g protein
- 0g fat
A venti (20 oz) hot skinny latte with sugar free vanilla contains roughly:
- 100 calories
- 13g carbohydrates
- 12g protein
- 0g fat
As you can see, the calorie count increases slightly for a larger sized drink, but remains very low overall. The calories come from the espresso and nonfat milk.
Calories in an iced skinny latte
An iced grande (16 oz) Starbucks skinny latte with sugar free vanilla has about:
- 100 calories
- 14g carbohydrates
- 11g protein
- 0g fat
An iced venti (24 oz) skinny latte contains approximately:
- 130 calories
- 18g carbohydrates
- 14g protein
- 0g fat
Going with an iced skinny latte will add a few more calories since iced drinks contain more liquid volume than hot. But the calorie count remains low for a coffee drink of its size.
Comparing calories to a full-fat latte
To see the calorie saving impact of getting a skinny version, let’s compare a regular latte with whole milk to a skinny latte:
| Drink | Grande Calories | Venti Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Nonfat skinny latte with sugar free vanilla | 90 calories (hot) | 100 calories (hot) |
| Whole milk latte with classic syrup | 190 calories (hot) | 250 calories (hot) |
As you can see, the skinny latte contains around 100 fewer calories than the full-fat version, both hot and iced. Choosing nonfat milk and sugar free syrup makes a significant impact!
Tips for ordering a low calorie Starbucks skinny latte
Here are some tips to order a customized skinny latte with the lowest calorie count:
- Request nonfat milk
- Ask for sugar free vanilla, cinnamon dolce, or other sugar free syrup
- Order a small or tall size instead of a large
- Ask for light on the syrup pumps if wanting to cut more calories
- Consider getting your drink hot instead of iced
- Skip the whipped cream topping
Nutrition facts for Starbucks sugar free vanilla syrup
To determine the full nutrition info for a skinny latte, we need to look at the sugar free vanilla syrup nutrition as well. Here are the nutrition facts for 2 tablespoons (1 pump) of Starbucks sugar free vanilla:
- 0 calories
- 0g total fat
- 0g saturated fat
- 0g trans fat
- 0mg cholesterol
- 25mg sodium
- 0g total carbs
- 0g fiber
- 0g sugars
- 0g sugar alcohol
- 0g protein
As you can see, the sugar free vanilla syrup itself is free of calories, fat, carbs, and sugar. So using it instead of regular syrup removes those components.
Ingredients in Starbucks sugar free vanilla syrup
Starbucks sugar free vanilla syrup contains:
- Water
- Natural flavors
- Cellulose gum
- Sucralose
- Potassium sorbate
- Sodium benzoate
- Citric acid
The sucralose provides the sweetness without adding sugars or carbohydrates. Overall, this syrup allows you to add vanilla flavor without extra calories or sugar.
Benefits of ordering a skinny latte
Here are some of the main benefits of opting for a skinny latte when you visit Starbucks:
- Lower in calories – The skinny version cuts calories by using nonfat milk and sugar free syrup
- Less fat – Nonfat milk has 0g fat compared to the 5g in whole milk
- Less sugar – Sugar free syrup avoids added sugars from classic syrup
- More protein – Nonfat milk actually contains slightly more protein than whole milk
- Just as delicious – You still get the luxurious latte flavor
- Customizable – You can adjust size, syrup pumps, and toppings
Overall, ordering a skinny latte is an easy way to treat yourself while being calorie conscious. You still get the delicious coffeehouse latte experience but with a light, low calorie twist.
Low calorie Starbucks drink ideas
In addition to a skinny latte, here are more ideas for low calorie Starbucks drinks to enjoy:
- Iced skinny vanilla latte – An iced skinny vanilla latte contains about 100 calories for a grande and 130 calories for a venti
- Skinny cinnamon dolce latte – Try this festive sugar free cinnamon syrup in your skinny latte
- Skinny caramel macchiato – Order an espresso macchiato with sugar free vanilla and nonfat milk
- Sugar free cappuccino – A cappuccino made with nonfat milk and sugar free vanilla is under 100 calories
- Cold brew with splash of nonfat milk – Cold brew coffee just cut with a splash of nonfat milk makes a creamy, low calorie beverage
- Sugar free peppermint mocha – Combine espresso, nonfat milk, and sugar free peppermint syrup for an indulgent treat
Don’t be afraid to customize and find your own perfect skinny drink at Starbucks! There are endless delicious options under 150 calories.
Should you drink skinny lattes every day?
Skinny lattes are a smart choice when you’re watching your calorie intake. However, here are some things to consider when deciding how often to enjoy them:
- Caffeine content – Lattes contain espresso, which has approximately 75mg caffeine per shot. Limit intake to avoid excessive caffeine.
- Sugar free sweeteners – While better than sugar, artificial sweeteners may still negatively impact blood sugar and gut health when over-consumed.
- Nonfat milk – Going nonfat removes beneficial nutrients like vitamin D found in whole milk. Balance your milk choices.
- Cost – Skinny lattes are pricier than home-brewed coffee. Keep your budget in mind.
In moderation, skinny lattes can be part of a healthy lifestyle. But limit to 1-2 times per day and balance with unsweetened beverages like regular coffee, tea, and water.
Skinny latte recipes to make at home
While Starbucks skinny lattes are tasty, you can also recreate these low calorie drinks at home. Here are some recipes to try:
Skinny vanilla latte
- 1 shot espresso
- 1 cup nonfat milk
- 1-2 tbsp sugar free vanilla syrup
Heat nonfat milk until steaming but not boiling. Prepare espresso shot and pour into mug. Add hot nonfat milk and stir. Finish with sugar free vanilla syrup.
Sugar free cinnamon dolce latte
- 1 shot espresso
- 1 cup nonfat milk
- 1 tbsp sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup
- Dash cinnamon powder
Make espresso and steam nonfat milk. Pour espresso into mug, then add steamed milk and sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup. Sprinkle with cinnamon powder.
Skinny peppermint mocha
- 1 shot espresso
- 3/4 cup nonfat milk
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp sugar free peppermint syrup
Mix cocoa powder with a bit of hot milk to form a paste. Froth nonfat milk and prepare espresso. Add cocoa paste, espresso, and steamed milk to mug. Stir in sugar free peppermint syrup.
Be sure to use sugar free syrups and unsweetened cocoa powder. With a bit of practice, you can make skinny latte copycat recipes at home for a fraction of the cost!
Bottom line
A Starbucks skinny latte made with nonfat milk and sugar free syrup is a deliciously lightened up coffee drink. For the lowest calorie count, customize your skinny latte by:
- Choosing a small or tall size
- Asking for less syrup pumps
- Skipping the whipped cream
Enjoy your skinny latte as an occasional treat in moderation along with a balanced diet. Sip mindfully and savor the flavor! With around 100 calories for a small hot skinny latte, it’s a guilt-free way to enjoy your coffeehouse favorite.
