Quick Answer
Starbucks offers several sugar-free syrup flavors, including vanilla, caramel, cinnamon dolce, hazelnut, toasted marshmallow, peppermint, and skinny mocha. The sugar-free versions contain natural and artificial sweeteners like sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) instead of sugar.
Overview of Sugar-Free Syrups at Starbucks
Starbucks provides customers with the option to customize their drinks by adding different syrup flavors. Many customers prefer to avoid added sugars due to health or dietary restrictions. Fortunately, Starbucks offers sugar-free versions of their most popular syrup flavors.
The sugar-free syrups are sweetened using artificial sweeteners like sucralose and Ace-K rather than sugar. They have 0 grams of sugar per serving. The calorie content is also lower than the regular, sugary syrups.
Here is a comparison of Original and Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup at Starbucks:
| Syrup Type | Serving Size | Calories | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Vanilla | 2 Tbsp | 60 | 15 |
| Sugar-Free Vanilla | 2 Tbsp | 10 | 0 |
As you can see, the sugar-free vanilla syrup has 0 grams of sugar and 50 fewer calories per serving compared to the regular vanilla syrup.
Below is a complete list of sugar-free syrups offered at Starbucks as of November 2023:
Starbucks Sugar-Free Syrup Flavors
- Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
- Sugar-Free Caramel Syrup
- Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
- Sugar-Free Hazelnut Syrup
- Sugar-Free Toasted Marshmallow Syrup
- Sugar-Free Peppermint Syrup
- Skinny Mocha Sauce
These sugar-free versions allow customers to customize their drinks, including lattes, macchiatos, Frappuccinos, and more, without adding extra sugar or too many calories. They are especially helpful for people monitoring sugar for health reasons like diabetes or weight management.
Nutrition Information on Sugar-Free Starbucks Syrups
Here is more detailed nutrition information on the most popular sugar-free Starbucks syrup flavors:
Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
- Serving size: 2 Tbsp (30mL)
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Total carbs: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
The main sweeteners used in Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup are sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
Sugar-Free Caramel Syrup
- Serving size: 2 Tbsp (30mL)
- Calories: 15
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Total carbs: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
The main sweeteners are sucralose and Ace-K.
Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
- Serving size: 2 Tbsp (30mL)
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Total carbs: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
This syrup is sweetened with sucralose.
Sugar-Free Hazelnut Syrup
- Serving size: 2 Tbsp (30mL)
- Calories: 15
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 25mg
- Total carbs: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
The main sweeteners are sucralose and Ace-K.
Sugar-Free Toasted Marshmallow Syrup
- Serving size: 2 Tbsp (30mL)
- Calories: 15
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Total carbs: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
This syrup is sweetened with sucralose.
Sugar-Free Peppermint Syrup
- Serving size: 2 Tbsp (30mL)
- Calories: 5
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Total carbs: 0g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
The main sweeteners are sucralose and Ace-K.
Skinny Mocha Sauce
- Serving size: 2 Tbsp (30mL)
- Calories: 10
- Total fat: 0g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Total carbs: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 0g
This mocha sauce gets its sweetness from sucralose and Ace-K.
As you can see, the sugar-free syrups are very low in calories, have 0g sugar, and are free of fat and protein in a single serving. The main sweeteners used are sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
Benefits of Sugar-Free Syrups at Starbucks
Choosing sugar-free syrups at Starbucks provides several benefits:
Lower in Calories
The sugar-free versions are significantly lower in calories than regular syrups. For example, sugar-free vanilla syrup has just 10 calories per serving compared to 60 calories in the regular vanilla syrup. For weight management, the sugar-free options are the better choice.
No Added Sugar
People managing diabetes or prediabetes should limit added sugars. The sugar-free syrups allow you to customize your drinks at Starbucks without extra sugars.
May Help Control Blood Sugar
Added sugars can spike blood sugar levels. Opting for sugar-free syrup may help diabetics keep better control over their blood glucose levels.
Less Impact on Dental Health
Regular syrups are high in sugar and can damage tooth enamel over time. Going sugar-free reduces the likelihood of cavities and other dental issues.
No Compromise on Taste
Thanks to artificial sweeteners, the sugar-free versions provide the same delicious flavors without the added sugars. You don’t have to sacrifice taste for the health benefits!
Tips for Ordering Sugar-Free Drinks at Starbucks
Here are some useful tips for ordering sugar-free customized drinks at Starbucks:
1. Request Sugar-Free Syrup
When you order, specifically ask for sugar-free syrup instead of the regular syrup. You can request sugar-free vanilla, caramel, cinnamon dolce, etc. This ensures you get the no-sugar-added version.
2. Ask for Less Pumps of Syrup
Starbucks pumps a lot of sugary syrup into their drinks by default. Ask for fewer pumps of syrup to reduce calories and sugars.
3. Get Sugar-Free Customizations on Any Drink
You can add sugar-free syrups to espresso drinks, Frappuccinos, coffee, tea, and more. Don’t limit yourself to the menu – get creative!
4. Try Sugar-Free Vanilla or Hazelnut
These two flavors are popular additions to lattes, mochas, and other hot or iced coffee drinks. They add sweetness without the blood sugar spike.
5. Opt for Sugar-Free Mocha Sauce
Use skinny mocha sauce instead of the regular mocha to make your mocha drink sugar-free. Just ask for it when you order.
6. Go for Sugar-Free Sweet Cream
You can top off your drink with a bit of sugar-free sweet cream for added flavor without the extra sugar.
7. Skip the Whipped Cream
Whipped cream is tasty but loaded with sugar. Leaving it off is an easy way to remove excess calories and carbs.
Potential Health Benefits of Drinking Sugar-Free Starbucks Drinks
Choosing sugar-free syrups and customizations at Starbucks can provide several potential health advantages:
Blood Sugar Control
Skipping the added sugars can help diabetics and prediabetics better control blood glucose levels and insulin response.
Weight Management
The sugar-free options are lower in calories, which may support weight loss or maintenance goals.
Reduced Risk of Cavities
With no added sugars to feed oral bacteria, your risk of developing tooth decay and dental caries is lower.
Improved Heart Health
Added sugars can negatively impact cholesterol, blood pressure, and other heart disease risk factors. Reducing sugar intake promotes better cardiovascular health.
Increased Energy
Sugary drinks may cause a quick spike and crash of energy levels. Drinks made with sugar-free syrup provide sustained energy without the sugar crash.
Healthier Relationship with Food
Choosing sugar-free drinks allows you to enjoy delicious customized Starbucks beverages as part of an overall balanced diet, without depriving yourself or feeling guilty.
As always, moderation is key. But making sugar-free choices at Starbucks can be an easy way to limit added sugars and boost overall health.
Potential Drawbacks of Sugar-Free Starbucks Drinks
While using sugar-free syrups has clear benefits, there are a few potential downsides to consider as well:
Contains Artificial Sweeteners
The sugar-free syrups are sweetened using artificial sweeteners like sucralose and Ace-K rather than real sugar. Some people prefer to avoid artificial sweeteners for health reasons.
Higher in Acid
Drinks made with sugar-free syrups may be more acidic due to the artificial sweeteners, which could irritate digestive issues for some people.
May Impact Gut Bacteria
There is some evidence that artificial sweeteners like sucralose can adversely alter healthy gut bacteria. More research is needed.
Doesn’t Address Other Unhealthy Ingredients
While sugar-free syrup removes added sugars, drinks may still contain high amounts of calories, saturated fat, sodium, preservatives, and other questionable ingredients.
Can Promote Sweet Cravings
Artificially sweetened drinks may still trigger cravings for sugary foods and drinks. Some people find avoiding sweeteners entirely is most effective for managing sweet cravings long-term.
As with most nutrition choices, there are pros and cons to consider. Speaking to your doctor or dietitian can help determine if sugar-free drinks fit into your overall diet and health goals.
Most Popular Drinks to Order with Sugar-Free Syrups
Here are some of the tastiest Starbucks drink options when customized with sugar-free syrups:
Iced or Hot Coffee
Add a few pumps of sugar-free vanilla, caramel, or cinnamon dolce syrup to your regular coffee for added flavor.
Iced or Hot Americano
Complement the bittersweet espresso flavor with sugar-free vanilla or caramel syrup.
Sugar-Free Iced or Hot Latte
Ask for 2-3 pumps of sugar-free syrup like hazelnut, vanilla, or toasted marshmallow in your latte.
Sugar-Free Caffe Mocha
Use a few pumps of sugar-free mocha sauce and your milk of choice to make a low-sugar mocha.
Sugar-Free Caramel Macchiato
Order an iced or hot caramel macchiato with sugar-free caramel syrup instead of the regular caramel.
Sugar-Free Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Top your cold brew coffee with a splash of sugar-free vanilla sweet cream.
Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce Latte
This tasty combo adds holiday spice to your latte without the extra sugar.
Sugar-Free Frappuccinos
Customize any Frappuccino flavor with sugar-free syrups instead of regular syrups and skip the whipped cream.
The possibilities are endless when you utilize all the sugar-free syrup options at Starbucks. Get creative and find your new go-to order!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about Starbucks’ sugar-free syrup options:
What sweeteners are used in the sugar-free syrups?
Most sugar-free Starbucks syrups are sweetened with a blend of sucralose and acesulfame potassium (Ace-K). Both are artificial sweeteners.
Do the sugar-free syrups have any calories or carbs?
Yes, most sugar-free syrups contain minimal calories ranging from 5-15 per serving and 0-1 grams of carbs. This is significantly lower than regular syrups.
Does the Skinny Mocha Sauce actually contain coffee or espresso?
No, the Skinny Mocha Sauce is a chocolate-flavored syrup without any actual coffee or espresso in it. You need to add it to an espresso drink or coffee.
What’s the difference between sugar-free syrups and Splenda at Starbucks?
Splenda is a brand name for the artificial sweetener sucralose. The sugar-free syrups contain sucralose plus another sweetener called Ace-K.
Are the sugar-free syrups gluten-free?
Yes, Starbucks confirms that all the sugar-free syrup flavors are gluten-free. Always notify your barista of dietary needs.
Can you purchase bottles of the sugar-free syrups to use at home?
Unfortunately no, Starbucks currently only sells their original, sugared syrup flavors for at-home use, not the sugar-free varieties.
Is there a cost difference to add sugar-free syrups?
Nope, there is no extra charge for requesting sugar-free syrup instead of regular syrup in your drinks.
The Bottom Line
Starbucks offers a range of sugar-free syrup flavors to allow customers to customize their drinks without excess added sugars. Options include sugar-free vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, cinnamon dolce, and more. Using sugar-free syrups provides the flavor you crave without calories, carbs, or blood sugar spikes.
Limiting added sugars can promote better health, though artificial sweeteners may have drawbacks for some people. Overall, requesting sugar-free syrups is an easy way to enjoy your favorite Starbucks drinks with less sugar and fewer calories. Check with your doctor or dietitian to see if sugar-free beverages fit into your individual nutritional needs and goals.
