Your Starbucks Guide To The Perfect Cup of Joe

As the weather grows colder the need for a warm drink undoubtedly grows stronger. And for most of us, that drink needs to be a caffeinated one. As far as coffee shops go, Starbucks tends to be a favourite for it offers convenient locations, a personalized experience, and premium coffee options. However, it’s easy to get stuck in a rut of only ordering a medium roast every single day. And when the person in front of you in line orders an iced, half caff, ristretto, venti, 4-pump, sugar free, cinnamon, dolce skinny latte it may leave you baffled that they even know to string that combination of words together. And maybe you don’t need something quite that extravagant but it’s nice to sometimes (or all the time) have more than just a medium roast.

The problem? Many of the drinks at Starbucks are packed with unneeded calories and sugar turning your daily coffee into a full blown meal. Well this list will provide you with 12 delicious and caffeinated drinks for the winter season that are on the lower end of the calorie scale, and tips on how to make them the healthiest they can be. Why not have a special drink every day? We think you deserve it. So let’s begin (the images are listed in order of drink descriptions from left to right).

Caffè Misto

Coconut Mocha Macchiato

Chai Latte

Caramel Macchiato

Cold Brew

Caffè Latte

For reference: a “regular” is referring to a grande (medium) size made with the standard amount of syrup pumps and 2% milk, and "espresso specs" refers to the number of espresso shots in the beverage.

1. Caffè Misto

A one-to-one mix of freshly brewed coffee and steamed milk.

Regular: 110 calories

Health Trick: get it with skim milk for fewer calories.

2. Coconut Mocha Macchiato

An espresso roast mixed with silky coconut steamed milk, a touch of white chocolate mocha, and caramel drizzle. Coconut milk in coffee is an excellent choice and a personal favourite.

Regular: 200 calories

Caffeine Specs: 2 espresso shots

3. Chai latte

Clove, cinnamon, and other spices infused into black tea with steamed milk. This drink is perfect for those of you who like a little spice in your drink.

Regular: 240 calories

Caffeine Specs: 4 tea pumps

4. Caramel Macchiato

Steamed milk with a swirl of caramel combine into this espresso drink making it a sweet way to start the day. Order it iced for a cool treat instead. Tip: .

Regular: 250 calories

Caffeine Specs: 2 espresso shots

Health Trick: get it with non-fat milk or sugar-free syrup for fewer calories/a regular grande comes with 3 pumps of syrup but you can order it with only 1 pump (because you're sweet enough) which decreases sugar but retains flavour

5. Cold Brew

This is a delicacy that not every Starbucks offers. Espresso beans are slow-steeped in cool water for 20 hours in order to create a smooth and chilly drink.

Regular: 3 calories

6. Caffe Lattes

You can never go wrong with a traditional caffè latte which is simply a coffee with steamed milk. Spruce it up with some flavoured syrups (vanilla, cinnamon, or caramel).

Regular: 190 calories

Caffeine Specs: 2 espresso shots

Health Trick: get it with non-fat milk and/or sugar-free syrup

Whole Milk Cappuccino

Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Flat White

Matcha Green Tea Lattè

Americano Blanco

True North Blend

7. Whole-Milk Cappuccinos

Dark espresso topped with a layer of foamed milk; cappuccinos are a staple in the coffee world. Add vanilla or caramel syrup for added sweetness.

Regular: 110 calories (with whole milk)

Caffeine Specs: 2 espresso shots

Health Trick: if you don’t want to miss out on the creamy flavour of milk by ordering non-fat, then order it with whole-milk (rather than the regular 2% it comes with)

8. Skinny Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Now if you love mochas but hate the seriously unhealthy nature of them, then a skinny cinnamon dolce latte is the drink for you. A combination of steamed non-fat milk, sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup, and espresso create a drink that is deliciously sweet.

Regular: 130 calories

Caffeine Specs: 2 espresso shots

9. Flat White

A flat white is simply steamed whole milk and ristretto shots of espresso. This is a simple yet tasty drink.

Regular: 170 calories

Caffeine Specs: 2 espresso shots

10. Matcha Green Tea Latte

Matcha? Uh-duh. There was no way we could miss this one from our list. This drink is a special treat for those of you who love green tea and want a break from coffee. Green tea matcha is infused with steamed milk to create a creamy and uplifting beverage.

Regular: 220 calories

Caffeine Specs: 3 scoops of matcha tea powder

Health Trick: order it with non-fat milk for fewer calories

11. Americano Blanco

The name of this one is not only fun to say but it packs a special surprise in it. This espresso beverage is pumped up with white chocolate mocha sauce giving it a decadent flavour.

Regular: 160 calories

Caffeine Specs: 3 espresso shots

12. True North Blend

Now for those of you who just love a regular old coffee (because it’s simple and budget-friendly) but want something different from the every day medium roast, then this one is for you. True North is a Latin American roast that is made with soft cocoa and toasted nuts, a flavourful yet subtle combination.