It’s the holiday season, the time when Starbucks holiday drinks go crazy!
Starbucks always has the best fun Christmas drink flavors that can fit your diet.
One diet that can make it difficult to enjoy fun drinks is the keto diet. The ketogenic diet is a diet that only consists of consuming proteins and fats and little to no carbohydrates, and it is great for weight loss.
If you’re on a keto diet yet still want to have fun holiday drinks, I’m here to help. Because when you have a sweet tooth when it comes to coffee, Starbucks is the right place for you.
You can make many low-carb drinks at Starbucks using their sugar-free syrups and different milks/creams.
I will be showing you the best low-carb and tasty Christmas Starbucks drinks you can have the barista at your local Starbucks make for you. They’re tasty and enjoyable, so you don’t have to miss out on these festive limited-edition drinks.
Keto Starbucks Drinks Iced Coffee and Iced Drinks
Cinnamon Dolce Iced Coffee:
The first delicious Starbucks drink we have is a cinnamon dolce iced coffee. This coffee will be the perfect choice for your keto diet if you want a festive drink but don’t want to go too crazy.
For this drink, you will order an unsweetened iced coffee. You want it unsweetened because Starbucks iced coffees normally come with classic syrup, which has sugar in it. Right off the bat, that’s not keto, so make sure to tell your barista to either make it unsweetened or you can have them add their sugar-free syrup.
Then, you are going to ask for a splash of heavy cream. You want to do a splash of heavy cream instead of a splash of milk because it is high in fat and only contains 1 g net carbs per ounce.
Here comes our festive part. Have your barista add two pumps of sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup. This will give your drink a cinnamon taste that will bring you all the feels this Christmas season! Enjoy!
Gingerbread Latte:
The gingerbread latte is a fan favorite at Starbucks. It just makes you feel a sense of warmth during the holiday season. Well, if you’re on keto and think you can’t enjoy a gingerbread latte this holiday season, you’re wrong!
I have the perfect keto, low-carb version of this drink for you.
The first thing you want to do is order a plain, unsweetened Americano. This will be the base of your latte, which is just espresso with water.
Then, add heavy cream instead of milk to keep it high in fat and low in carbohydrates. Then, ask your barista to add the sugar-free syrup.
While Starbucks does not have sugar-free gingerbread syrup, they have sugar-free cinnamon and sugar-free vanilla, which you can get two pumps of each for that gingerbread taste.
This will mimic the flavor of gingerbread and give it a warm, cozy vibe. Then add cinnamon and nutmeg to the top for some spice. This is the perfect low-carb drink from Starbucks to help along your keto journey!
Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte:
One of my seasonal favorites at Starbucks is the iced sugar cookie latte. I would be so sad if I was not able to have it, even if I was on keto. That is why I made a keto version of it!
First, you are going to ask for an Iced Americano as your base. Then, ask for a splash of unsweetened almond milk as it has lower carbs than regular milk and is dairy-free.
Then, add a few pumps of sugar-free syrup. The vanilla kind preferably would be the best option since they don’t have sugar-free sugar cookie syrup, unfortunately. You could also add a pump of sugar-free dolce syrup to taste some of that cookie.
Unfortunately, you have to miss out on the cold foam and sprinkles. But enjoy your sugar cookie latte!
Iced Peppermint Mocha:
The iced peppermint mocha is a drink for all the people who like Christmasy drinks and the taste of hot chocolate but prefer their drinks cold.
Hey, don’t get me wrong, I also love a nice cold drink on a cold day! The iced peppermint mocha is a combination of espresso, milk, sweet mocha sauce, and peppermint syrup.
The only downside to this drink is that it will not fit into your keto diet. Don’t worry, though; I’ve got you covered. I have made a keto version for all the people on a diet but still want to enjoy this delicious drink.
First, ask for an iced Americano. Make sure you say unsweetened because they would normally come with sugar if you don’t.
Then, request 2-3 pumps of sugar-free mocha syrup, depending on how strong you want your drink to taste. Also, add one pump of sugar-free peppermint syrup for that peppermint taste.
Then, ask for heavy cream instead of milk because heavy cream has more fat and fewer carbs, making it perfect for a keto diet.
You can always ask for a packet of stevia, which is a sugar-free sweetener, if you want it to be a little sweeter. There you have it. Enjoy your delicious iced peppermint mocha!
Iced Chai Tea Latte:
The iced chai tea latte is an all-year-round drink at Starbucks, and it is very popular. It is a classic tea on the sweeter side with milk and spices. The only downside is that it is not keto, but I have a keto version for you!
First, ask for an iced chai tea with no classic syrup. The classic syrup contains sugar, which is not keto. That’s why you say without.
Instead, you could get a couple, say, 2-3 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup, so it still has a sweet taste.
Then, ask for heavy cream instead of milk since heavy cream has more fat and fewer carbs, making it a better option than milk on a keto diet. If you want it a bit sweeter, you could always ask for a sugar-free sweetener like stevia. There you have it, the keto version of your classic chai tea latte. Enjoy!
Strawberry Refresher with Lemonade:
The strawberry refresher is probably the most popular drink at Starbucks, especially among teenage girls. It is a sweet strawberry drink with a splash of lemonade for an extra kick, making it a perfect refreshing drink. But it is most definitely not keto with all that sugar. Don’t worry; I have a keto version for you.
First, order a strawberry açaí refresher with no liquid cane sugar. Then, you’re going to have to replace the lemonade with a splash of either water or heavy cream. I know it’s sad, but unfortunately, Starbucks does not have sugar-free lemonade.
Then, request a couple of pumps of sugar-free syrup like vanilla for some extra sweetness. Then, add freeze-dried strawberries for a touch of extra fruitiness but without the extra carbs. Enjoy your refreshing keto-friendly refresher!
Keto Hot Starbucks Drinks
Peppermint Mocha:
The first hot coffee we have is the peppermint mocha. The peppermint mocha is a perfect cross between chocolatey coffee and minty, and it is one of my favorites since I love mint. But it has lots of grams of sugar and carbs, which are not keto.
Don’t worry! Of course, I have the keto dupe for it.
The first thing you’re going to do is order an Americano. This will be your base. Then you’re going to add heavy cream instead of milk because it is less carbs.
Then, tell your barista to use two pumps of the skinny mocha syrup and two pumps of peppermint syrup, also a skinny version instead of the regular kind. This is basically just sugar-free syrup with a fun name!
Then, sadly, you might have to skip out on the whipped cream as Starbucks does not have a sugar-free version of it. But it only has 2 g net carbs, so that decision is up to you. Enjoy your keto peppermint mocha!
Hot Chocolate:
One drink you can’t skip out on during the holiday season is hot chocolate. It is a tradition to have hot chocolate at least once during Christmas time, and don’t worry, I will not let you miss out on hot chocolate even if you’re on a keto diet.
First, order a tall hot chocolate or whatever size you prefer with the basics, like cocoa powder, but replace the milk with heavy cream. This will help because it will lower carbs.
Then, ask your barista to add two pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup to help sweeten the hot chocolate. The saddest part is you will have to skip out on the whipped cream. You can always get it since it’s only two net carbs, but that is up to you.
Then, if you want to spice it up a little, you can add a shot of espresso for a mocha taste. Now, you will definitely have no excuses for not having hot chocolate from Starbucks, even if you’re on keto!
Caramel Brulée Latte:
The caramel brulée latte is so good. It is basically a hot caramel espresso with cream, but it is not keto. I don’t want you to miss out on another fun drink, so I made a keto version.
First, ask for a tall Americano or whatever size you would like. A tall is the smallest. Then, ask for a splash of heavy cream since it is lower in carbs than regular milk.
Then add 1-2 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup, depending on how sweet you want it. The vanilla syrup makes the drink really sweet but adds good flavor. Then, of course, you need caramel because it wouldn’t be a caramel latte without caramel sauce, so ask for a drizzle of sugar-free caramel.
The only downside is you will have to skip out on the delicious sweet cream cold foam, but you could see if your barista could make something like cold foam with heavy cream. Enjoy!
Chestnut Praline Latte:
The chestnut praline latte is delicious! It is a mixture of caramelized chestnuts and spices, which just gives off such warm holiday vibes. I will be showing all the keto people what to order if they want this drink and they’re on a keto diet.
First, order a tall or any-sized Americano, which is just an espresso diluted with some water. Then add a splash of heavy cream because you already know that, at this point, it has fewer carbs.
Then add one to two pumps of the sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup for that chestnutty warm flavor. You could also have your barista add a few pumps of vanilla to it to give it some sweetness.
Then top with spices like some cinnamon and nutmeg. Enjoy this warm holiday drink, and hopefully, it puts you in the Christmas mood.
Pumpkin Spice Latte:
The pumpkin spice latte is probably one of the most popular seasonal drinks at Starbucks, as it lasts through the fall and Christmas seasons and has 20 million buyers each year. You could say it is a very popular drink.
The only downside is that it is not keto, but don’t worry; I have a keto version for you. You can still enjoy the drink and be a part of the 20 million buyers.
First, order either a grande unsweetened hot or iced coffee or an espresso. Then, ask for 1-2 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup to sweeten the drink. You could also make a pump of sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup to give it a spicy taste.
Then, request heavy cream instead of regular milk as it has fewer carbs and is more keto-friendly. Then, add some pumpkin spice to the top, but not the sugary sauce. This way, you get the fall vibes without all the extra carbs!
White Chocolate Mocha:
The white chocolate mocha drink at Starbucks is so delicious and goes down your throat so smoothly. It is a combination of espresso, white chocolate sauce, and steamed hot milk. It is such a warm, comforting Christmas drink.
If you are worried you won’t be able to have this drink this holiday season because you are on k, so don’t worry. I’ve got you covered.
First, order a grande espresso and ask for 1-2 pumps of sugar-free vanilla syrup. Then, ask for two pumps of sugar-free white chocolate syrup.
Request heavy cream instead of milk for a lower-carb option. Add a sprinkle of white chocolate powder on the top. There you go, enjoy your delicious keto drink!
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Q: Can you use coconut milk instead of heavy cream?
A: Yes, you can. It has lots of fats and adds creaminess to your coffee while also being dairy-free.
Q: What are Starbucks sugar-free syrups made of?
A: Starbucks sugar-free syrups are made with water and natural flavors. They use an artificial sweetener called Splenda. Splenda is a sweetener that is 10 times sweeter than regular sugar, so only a little bit is used in the syrups at Starbucks.
Q: Is nonfat milk keto?
A: The short answer is no. Just because a keto diet consists of fats and nonfat milk has no fat in it, it would not be considered part of a keto diet.
Q: Is plain black coffee keto?
A: Yes, there is nothing in black coffee that isn’t keto-friendly, so you can have it on a keto diet.
Q: What milk should I be drinking on keto?
A: Milk you should be drinking on keto consists of any full-fat milk like coconut milk, whole milk from a cow, or even unsweetened almond milk, which are all keto-friendly options for milk.
Q: What is the most popular drink at Starbucks?
A: The iced caramel macchiato is the most popular drink at Starbucks and has been around for 25 years.
Q: Is light ice an extra charge at Starbucks?
A: No, however, there was something going around in 2023 saying they would be charging extra for light ice/no ice, but that was false.
With these keto-friendly Starbucks drink options, you can still enjoy the festive flavors of the holiday season without breaking your diet.
From warm and cozy lattes to refreshing iced drinks, there’s something for everyone to sip and savor.
Don’t let your dietary goals hold you back—get creative with your order, and you’ll find the perfect balance of taste and tradition.
Cheers to staying on track and enjoying the magic of the season, one cup at a time!
