Coconut milk is chock-full with healthy fats and brain-boosting MCTs, so it’s an exciting addition to the Starbucks menu! The question is, does Starbucks use unsweetened coconut milk?
Starbucks does not use unsweetened coconut milk. A “Grande” (16 oz) Starbucks drink with coconut milk contains 17 grams of sugar, which is less sugar you’ll find in Starbucks soy milk or cow’s milk alternatives.
We’ve created a list of the tastiest Starbucks drinks with a coconut milk base. We will also dive into what exactly Starbucks coconut milk is made of and how it compares nutritionally to Starbucks’ other milk options. Finally, we’ll talk about some other dairy-free Starbucks drinks we just can’t get enough of.
What are the Best Starbucks Coconut Milk Drinks?
Non-dairy drinks are a huge trend at Starbucks right now, and here’s why: You get added health benefits and new, delicious flavors. You shouldn’t have to sacrifice taste to fuel your body properly.
| Drink | What It’s All About | Nutritional Tidbits (based on a Grande cup) |
| Pink Drink | This delicious berry drink is made with strawberry acai and coconut milk. | 140 calories and 24 grams of sugar |
| Iced Guava Passionfruit Coconut Milk Drink | This drink features smooth tropical fruit flavors, and guava is a fun way to mix up your morning drink. | 190 calories and 33 grams of sugar |
| Iced Golden Ginger Coconut Milk Drink | This drink contains more than just one super spice – Starbucks goes above and beyond by adding ginger, turmeric, and pineapple along with coconut milk. | 140 calories and 19 grams of sugar |
| Dragon Drink | If you want to take a picture of your Starbucks drink today, you’ve got to get the bright pinky-purple Dragon Drink. The strongest flavors are mango and coconut milk. | 130 calories and 23 grams of sugar |
| Star Drink | If the Iced Guava Passionfruit sounded good to you, the Star Drink is another one to consider. You’re going to love the kiwi combined with coconut and other tasty tropical hints. | 130 calories and 22 grams of sugar |
| Iced Pineapple Matcha Coconut Milk Drink | Matcha is trendy right now, and if you’re a fan, you’re going to love this Starbucks drink that takes Matcha to the next level. You’ll notice the sweetness of the pineapple ginger syrup to enhance the typical green tea flavor, and you’ll still get your 80 mg of caffeine. | 170 calories and 27 grams of sugar |
| Coconut Milk Latte (or Iced Cascara Coconut Milk Latte) | This latte is similar to a typical delicious latte, but includes steamed coconut milk instead of dairy or soy options. Your Starbucks barista will also add a dash of cascara sugar to make it taste even better, and any other syrups you choose. | 180 calories and 17 grams of sugar |
| Coconut Milk Mocha Macchiato | This is the right choice for anybody with a sweet tooth. Enjoy a shot of espresso with white chocolate mocha sauce, coconut milk and finished off with mocha and caramel sauce on top! | 220 calories and 28 grams of sugar |
| Iced Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Latte | If you like the Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, you’ve found the dairy-free option. Your barista will shake up some coconut milk and vanilla bean powder for a creamy and smooth latte base. | 140 calories and 21 grams of sugar |
How Does Starbucks Coconut Milk Stack Up?
| Milk | Nutrition |
| Soy milk | Contains 27 grams of sugar and 270 calories per serving |
| Whole milk | Contains 25 grams of sugar and 320 calories per serving |
| 2% milk | Contains 25 grams of sugar and 260 calories per serving |
| Fat-free milk | Contains 26 grams of sugar and 180 calories per serving |
| Coconut milk | Contains 17 grams of sugar and 180 calories per serving |
| Almond milk | Contains 7 grams of sugar and 130 calories per serving |
Side note: Starbucks has also introduced oat milk to 1,300 of its locations. Its nutrition facts are unclear, but a Tall Oat Milk Latte has 212 calories and 18 grams of sugar.
As you can see, coconut milk has lower sugar than most of your other milk options, and it still tastes fantastic in dozens of different drinks!
Starbucks asked its customers what they wanted and how they could make their drinks better. The masses urged more dairy-free options, and Starbucks listened!
Starbucks coconut milk comes from single-origin coconuts straight from Sumatra, which is a tropical Indonesian island. Rest assured, your coconut milk is certified vegan! Coconut milk has been a lifesaver for those who have soy and/or almond allergies.
If you want to know more about the new coconut milk craze, here are the ingredients that make up Starbucks’ coconut milk:
- Water
- Coconut cream
- Coconut water concentrate
- Cane sugar
- Tricalcium phosphate
- Natural flavors
- Sea salt
- Carrageenan
- Gellan gum
- Corn dextrin
- Xanthan gum
- Guar gum
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin D2
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin D2
Coconut milk is an awesome choice for lactose-intolerant individuals (somewhere between 30 and 50 million Americans, according to Susan S. Lang), but it’s also a lighter, lower-sugar and delicious alternative for anyone!
Other Non-Dairy Starbucks Drinks You Need to Try
Starbucks has evolved immensely over the years and now caters to different food allergies and intolerances as well as diets and lifestyles.
| Drink | What It’s All About | Nutritional Tidbits (based on a Grande cup) |
| Cold Brew with Cinnamon Almond Milk Foam or Dark Cocoa Almond Milk Foam | Dive into a sweet cold foam mixed with dairy-free chocolate mocha sauce and cocoa powder. This drink is both delicious and surprisingly low-cal. | 40 calories and 4 grams of sugar |
| Oatmilk Honey Latte | You can’t find this at any Starbucks location, but if you’re lucky, you can order up this brew made with a few shots of Starbucks Blonde Espresso, oat milk, a dollop of honey, and a delicious toasted honey topping. | 270 calories and 28 grams of sugar |
| Almondmilk Honey Flat White | This drink is a mixture of Starbucks Blonde Espresso and steamed almond milk, and topped with a bit of foam and honey. | 170 calories and 24 grams of sugar |
| Steamed Apple Juice | Maybe you’re up for something new today. Naturally, steamed apple juice is 100% dairy-free, and the temperature is reminiscent of apple ciders for a pleasant holiday memory or two. | 220 calories and 50 grams of sugar |
Where to Start When Ordering Dairy-Free
It doesn’t matter where you go; your local Starbucks will offer coconut milk, soy milk, and almond milk. You can change any traditionally dairy-based option to a non-dairy base instead.
Remember, most syrups are dairy-free, but some Starbucks syrups do contain dairy! Don’t forget that froth, whipped cream topping, powdered blenders, and more may contain milk.
If all else fails, ask your barista what their dairy-free favorites are. They’re used to accommodating lactose-intolerant and vegan clientele.
Here’s where to start:
- Freshly brewed coffees and teas
- Caffe lattes
- Caramel Macchiatos
- Caffe mochas
- Caffe Americanos
- Chocolate smoothies
- Strawberry smoothies
- Ombre iced coffees
All of the drinks above are close to dairy-free or easy to make dairy-free. Just ask to substitute the dairy base with a non-dairy drink.
Consider the ingredients of any drink you choose. Here’s what you will always need to hold to ensure your drink is truly non-dairy:
- Whipped cream
- Java chips
- Protein powder
- Cinnamon dolce topping
- Caramel drizzle
When it’s time to get your caffeine fix or your morning-starter, there are always plenty of options waiting for you at your favorite coffee chain. Which non-dairy Starbucks drinks have your heart?