One of the easiest ways to start living a healthier lifestyle is to make little substitutions for your favorite calorie-laden foods and drinks. This was especially true for me at the beginning of my health and wellness journey a few years ago. I live right down the street from a Starbucks. Although I’m a self-proclaimed coffee lover (I literally have a tattoo of a coffee tree sprig), I frequent Starbucks pretty darn often. How could I not? It’s 3 minutes from my house and they have a super convenient app and rewards program! At this point, we all get Starbucks and don’t want to admit it. It’s kind of like (God forbid I say this) McDonalds! It’s a little guilty pleasure that we aren’t the proudest of, but still enjoy.
Just like McDonalds, most of the signature items on Starbucks’s menu are very high in calories and sugar. For example, the standard grande caffè mocha has 360 calories hot and 350 iced. A caramel macchiato has 250 calories hot and iced, and a peppermint mocha has 440 calories hot and 420 iced. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with indulging in the full-calorie recipes. But if you are planning on counting calories or macros, ordering lower-calorie drinks will allow you to save those extra calories for your actual meals. Easy ways to lower the calories of these drinks are to order them without whipped cream and substitute the 2% milk for nonfat or a non-dairy option, like almond milk. But I’m here to provide some simple recipes that will sometimes cut the calories of your favorite Starbucks drinks in half!
Disclaimers: I do not have the calorie count for all of these recipes. The calories depend on the barista, as some can be move heavy-handed with the half-and-half and other add-ins. All of these recipes are made without whipped cream, and all of them can be made with dairy or non-dairy milk. Most of the drinks are cold brew, caffè misto, or americano based. You can order a blonde americano instead of the regular for a more subtle taste that lets the flavor syrups shine. Some of these recipes are variations on those by @themacrobarista on Instagram. Check out his page for more healthy recipes!
Artificial Sweeteners
All of the recipes I will be talking about contain artificial sweeteners. Here is your guide to what is in each of the sugar-free or skinny flavors mentioned.
Skinny Mocha Sauce
Skinny mocha sauce is rumored to be discontinued at Starbucks. If your local Starbucks doesn’t have the skinny mocha sauce, you can use regular mocha sauce as a slightly higher-calorie option. Skinny mocha sauce contains a sugar substitute called Sucralose. Sucralose (the stuff that makes up Splenda). It’s a man-made substance, and doesn’t have the unpleasant aftertaste that many other popular sweeteners have. Sucralose can affect blood sugar levels, but not as seriously as real sugar. Skinny mocha sauce is also dairy free.
Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup
Sugar-free vanilla is sweetened with Maltodextrin. This is a white, powdery substance that is made from plants, but is very highly processed. Because it has a high glycemic index and is linked very closely to corn syrup, the body processes Maltodextrin in the same way as sugar, which is not at all ideal for diabetics and other people who are mindful of their blood sugar levels. Sugar-free vanilla is dairy-free.
Sugar-Free Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
Like skinny mocha sauce, the sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup is sweetened with Sucralose. Sugar-free cinnamon dolce is also dairy-free.
Let’s get on with the recipes!
Enjoying my daily caffeine fix!
Drinks Available Year-Round
1. Caffe Mocha
A classic chocolate drink. This can be made with or without dairy.
Iced
Grande cold brew
1 pump skinny mocha sauce
2 pumps sugar-free vanilla syrup
Light cream
Hot
Grande americano
1 pump skinny mocha sauce
2 pumps sugar-free vanilla syrup
Light cream
2. Raspberry Mocha
I only have the cold recipe for this drink. It’s fruity and chocolatey, satisfying both cravings! It’s sweet without being overdone. What’s not to love?
Iced
Grande cold brew
1 pump skinny mocha sauce
1 pump raspberry syrup
Optional 1 pump sugar-free vanilla syrup
Light cream
3. Salted Caramel Mocha
I fondly remember the days in which I thought the salted caramel mocha was only available in the Fall. Then, I learned that the drink is made with the toffee nut syrup. My mind was blown! The only thing you can’t get year-round for the salted caramel mocha is the salt topping, but it still tastes great without it. I mean, you can always add some table salt?
Iced
Grande cold brew
1 pump skinny mocha sauce
1 pump toffee nut syrup
Optional 1-2 pumps sugar-free vanilla syrup
Light cream
Hot
Grande americano
1 pump skinny mocha sauce
1 pump toffee nut syrup
Optional 1 pump sugar-free vanilla syrup
Light cream
4. White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Mocha
A nutty white mocha! This recipe is very similar to the salted caramel mocha: it is just made with white mocha sauce. Unfortunately, this recipe cannot be made dairy free. This is because of the condensed milk in the white mocha sauce.
Iced
Grande cold brew
1 pump white mocha sauce
1 pump toffee nut syrup
2 pumps sugar-free vanilla
Light cream (this one is also good with light heavy cream. Extra creamy!)
Hot
Grande caffè misto (this is half brewed coffee, half milk)
1 pump white mocha
1 pump toffee nut
1-2 pumps sugar-free vanilla
Substitute 2% milk for nonfat or non-dairy milk
5. Peppermint Mocha
The peppermint mocha is a year round option, just like the salted caramel mocha! Starbucks has peppermint syrup year round. They just don’t have the chocolate curls they top the drink with during the holiday season. The peppermint mocha is a cooling yet cozy drink any time of the year. The peppermint mocha can be made dairy-free!
Iced
Grande cold brew
1 pump mocha sauce
1 pumped peppermint syrup
Optional 1 pump sugar-free vanilla
Light cream
Hot
Grande americano (I recommend blonde roast for this particular recipe)
1 pump mocha sauce
1 pump peppermint syrup
Light cream
Seasonal Drinks
6. Cherry Mocha
This is one that I have been ordering almost everyday this Valentine’s Day season. I go for the iced version, naturally (I’ll be drinking iced coffee in the snow and wind chill warnings, ok). Because this recipe is made without sugar-free vanilla, it tastes pretty close to the real thing. Vegans can substitute the cream in this recipe for non-dairy milk!
Iced:
Grande cold brew
1 pump skinny mocha sauce
1-2 pumps cherry syrup
Light cream
Hot:
Grande americano
1 pump skinny mocha sauce
1-2 pumps cherry syrup
Light cream
7. Chestnut Praline Latte
Chestnut praline is my favorite holiday coffee. The caramel flavor and nutty, spicy undertones are pretty divine. It is such a cozy classic for the holiday season. The chestnut praline latte can be made dairy-free!
Iced
Grande cold brew
2 pumps chestnut praline syrup
1 pump sugar-free vanilla
Light cream
Hot
Grande americano
2 pumps chestnut praline syrup
Light cream
And that’s it! Let me know what you think of any of the recipes I have posted. Do you have any custom Starbucks recipes that you’re obsessed with? Let me know below!
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