Starbucks is known for its wide variety of coffee drinks, many of which can be customized to fit different tastes and dietary needs. One popular customization is adding hazelnut syrup to coffee drinks for a rich, nutty flavor. However, the calorie content of Starbucks drinks can vary greatly depending on size, type of milk, and added syrups or toppings. So how many calories are actually in a hazelnut flavored Starbucks drink?
Factors Affecting Calorie Content
Several key factors impact the calorie content of hazelnut flavored Starbucks drinks:
- Size of the drink – Short, tall, grande, venti
- Type of milk – Nonfat, 1%, 2%, whole, soy, almond, coconut
- Number of pumps of hazelnut syrup
- Whipped cream topping
- Other toppings like mocha drizzle or caramel drizzle
Generally speaking, the larger the size, the higher fat milk options like whole or 2%, and the more pumps of syrup or toppings added, the higher the calorie count will be. Choosing nonfat milk and fewer pumps of syrup or no toppings will result in a lower calorie drink.
Calories in Popular Hazelnut Drinks
Here is the calorie count for some popular Starbucks drinks customized with hazelnut syrup:
Caffe Latte
| Size | Milk | Hazelnut Pumps | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall | Nonfat | 3 | 140 |
| Grande | Nonfat | 4 | 180 |
| Venti | Nonfat | 5 | 220 |
As you can see, a tall caffe latte with nonfat milk and 3 pumps of hazelnut syrup contains around 140 calories. Choosing a larger size, different milk, or more syrup pumps increases the calorie count.
Cappuccino
| Size | Milk | Hazelnut Pumps | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall | Nonfat | 3 | 110 |
| Grande | Nonfat | 4 | 150 |
| Venti | Nonfat | 5 | 190 |
A tall cappuccino with nonfat milk and 3 hazelnut pumps contains around 110 calories. The cappuccino has slightly less calories than a latte of the same size because it contains more foamed milk.
Caffè Mocha
| Size | Milk | Hazelnut Pumps | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall | Nonfat | 3 | 170 |
| Grande | Nonfat | 4 | 210 |
| Venti | Nonfat | 5 | 250 |
The caffè mocha contains chocolate syrup in addition to espresso and steamed milk, resulting in higher calorie counts. A tall with nonfat milk and 3 hazelnut pumps has around 170 calories.
Skinny Hazelnut Latte
| Size | Milk | Hazelnut Pumps | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall | Nonfat | 3 | 100 |
| Grande | Nonfat | 4 | 130 |
| Venti | Nonfat | 5 | 160 |
Ordering a “Skinny” latte ensures the drink is made with nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup, reducing the calorie count. A tall skinny hazelnut latte has around 100 calories.
Hazelnut Crème Frappuccino
| Size | Milk | Hazelnut Pumps | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall | Nonfat | 3 | 210 |
| Grande | Nonfat | 4 | 280 |
| Venti | Nonfat | 5 | 350 |
Frappuccinos contain a coffee-flavored base that is blended with milk and ice, resulting in a higher calorie drink. A tall hazelnut creme Frappuccino made with nonfat milk contains 210 calories.
Lowest Calorie Options
If limiting calorie intake is a priority, here are some of the lowest calorie hazelnut drink options at Starbucks:
- Tall skinny hazelnut latte with nonfat milk – 100 calories
- Tall cappuccino with nonfat milk and 3 hazelnut pumps – 110 calories
- Tall americano misto with nonfat milk and 3 hazelnut pumps – 25 calories
- Tall coffee with 3 hazelnut pumps – 15 calories
Sticking to the smallest size, “skinny” or “misto” versions with nonfat milk, and fewer pumps of syrup will produce the lowest calorie hazelnut drinks. Avoiding Frappuccinos and blended crèmes can also keep calories down.
High Calorie Options
On the opposite end, these tend to be some of the highest calorie hazelnut drinks at Starbucks:
- Venti hazelnut Frappuccino with whipped cream – up to 700 calories
- Venti hazelnut creme with whole milk and whipped cream – up to 550 calories
- Venti hazelnut hot chocolate with whole milk and whipped cream – up to 500 calories
- Grande hazelnut mocha with 2% milk – up to 400 calories
Larger sizes, higher fat milk, whipped cream, and Frappuccino bases drive up the calories quickly. Ordering these drinks in the smallest size possible or with nonfat milk and no whipped cream can reduce the calorie count.
Nutrition Information on App
Starbucks provides the exact calorie counts and nutrition information for their menu items through their mobile app. After customizing a drink order, you can view the updated nutrition facts based on your selections. This provides the most accurate information on calories and other nutrients in your hazelnut Starbucks drink.
The app also allows you to modify items to meet your dietary needs, such as choosing milk and syrup alternatives to accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Hazelnut Syrup Nutrition Facts
To better understand the calorie contribution of hazelnut syrup, here are the nutrition facts for Starbucks hazelnut syrup:
| Serving Size | 1 tbsp (17g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 45 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 10mg |
| Total Carbs | 11g |
| Sugars | 11g |
| Protein | 0g |
Each pump of hazelnut syrup contains about 17 grams or 45 calories. So 3 pumps would add about 135 calories from sugar alone. The syrup itself does not contain fat, but using higher fat milk will increase the fat and calories in the final beverage.
Tips for Reducing Calories in Hazelnut Drinks
If you want to enjoy delicious hazelnut Starbucks drinks while still minding your calorie intake, here are some tips:
- Order the smallest size available
- Request nonfat or 1% milk
- Ask for less pumps of hazelnut syrup (1-3 is plenty for most drinks)
- Avoid whipped cream, mocha drizzle, caramel drizzle, etc.
- Choose “skinny” or “misto” versions when available
- Check calorie counts in the app and look for the lowest cal options
- Ask for a splash of hazelnut syrup instead of full pumps
- Substitute stevia or sugar-free hazelnut syrup to reduce sugar
You can also ask your barista to recommend lower calorie drink options or ways to modify your favorite drink to cut calories without sacrificing flavor. Most menu items can be customized to your preferences.
Conclusion
Hazelnut flavoring can add 45-135 calories or more per pump to your Starbucks drink, depending on size. Choosing smaller sizes, nonfat milk, fewer pumps of syrup, and no whipped cream are the best ways to create lower calorie hazelnut coffee and espresso drinks. Be mindful of Frappuccinos and creme-based drinks as well, as they tend to be higher in calories. Using the Starbucks app to view nutrition information can help identify the lowest calorie options and make informed choices to meet your daily calorie goals. With some simple customizations and smart choices, you can still enjoy the delicious flavors of Starbucks hazelnut drinks as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
