We Asked 3 Dietitians Their Favorite Starbucks Order

Unless you have a fancy espresso machine at home, there’s just something special about a coffee shop drink. At Starbucks, the endless combo of espressos, flavored syrups, milks, sweeteners, foams and whips can turn a simple coffee into a full-fledged dessert. While there’s no denying that these drinks taste delicious, their added sugars can add up quickly, sometimes exceeding 100% of the recommended daily limit in just one drink. 

So, what do dietitians order when they want something that hits the spot without going overboard? Many of them turn to a Tall Starbucks’ Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso for a sweet, energizing pick-me-up that feels like a treat but still fits into a balanced day.

Why Starbucks’ Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Is a Top Pick

Starbucks’ Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso features a shaken mix of Blonde espresso, brown sugar syrup and cinnamon, topped with oat milk and ice for cool, creamy refreshment with a caffeine kick. Here’s why dietitians love this popular drink. 

Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Nutrition

“When I’m looking to shake up my usual black coffee at home, I enjoy an Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso,” says Kaitlin Hippley, M.Ed., RDN, CDCES. 

Here are the nutrition facts for a Tall 12-ounce Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso: 

• Calories: 100
• Total fat: 3.5 g
• Saturated fat: 0 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Total sugars: 8 g
• Added sugars: not available
• Protein: 1 g
• Caffeine: 170 mg

It’s Only 100 Calories

With all the sweeteners, whips and milk options at Starbucks, it’s easy to order a drink that has as many calories as a slice of cake, or even a full meal. A 12-ounce Tall Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso has just 100 calories. Whether you’re enjoying it on its own or with a meal or snack, it can fit into most people’s daily energy needs.

It’s Extra Creamy 

Julie Lopez, RD, agrees that this is one of her favorite Starbucks orders, especially in the summer. She loves that the oat milk makes this drink super creamy. The oat milk in this drink gets its luxurious texture from a combination of fiber and a bit of heart-healthy rapeseed oil (aka canola oil). And oat milk doesn’t have just any kind of fiber. The oats used to make oat milk are naturally rich in beta-glucan fiber, which helps delay digestion to support healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

It Has Zero Saturated Fat

Many coffee drinks rely on high-fat coconut or full-fat cow’s milk for their rich, creamy texture. That can mean a lot of saturated fat. Not this drink. Because it’s made with rapeseed oil, which contains predominantly unsaturated fats, it boasts zero grams of saturated fat. And if total fat is a concern, you’ll be happy to know that one entire 12-ounce serving contains only 3.5 grams of total fat. 

It’s a Lower-Sugar Treat 

You’ll find just 8 grams of sugar in a Tall 12-ounce order. Starbucks doesn’t differentiate between added sugars and natural sugars on its nutrition label. However, both the Oatly Barista Edition Oatmilk and the brown sugar syrup in this drink contain added sugars.  So, it’s safe to assume most, if not all, of the sugars are added.

To put those numbers into perspective, 8 grams of added sugars is 16% of the 50-gram daily limit that’s recommended for someone who eats about 2,000 calories per day (for most of us, a good goal is less than 10% of total calories from added sugars). This drink can let you enjoy a sweet treat while still staying mindful of your total added sugar intake. Considering many of Starbucks’ beverages can pack more than 100% of the daily limit for added sugars, that’s a big plus.

It’s Easy to Customize 

Want less sugar? Don’t like oat milk? Can’t handle caffeine? This drink is super easy to customize so that it fits seamlessly into your nutrition goals and taste preferences. “I always order decaf and half sugar to let the delicious and creamy oat milk shine through,” says Alexandria Hardy, RDN, LDN. If you want a bit more protein, choose dairy milk or soy milk. And if you’d like a lower-calorie version, swap out oat milk for almond milk. 

Tips to Order a Healthier Starbucks Drink

“Small tweaks can make big differences in calories, fat and sugar content,” says Hippley. Luckily, Starbucks coffees can usually be customized to fit into most nutrition plans while still hitting the mark on taste and satisfaction. 

Here are some simple ways to make your favorite Starbucks order align with your health goals: 

• Downsize Your Drink: This may be one of the simplest strategies to shave off calories, sugar and fat without sacrificing flavor. By swapping out a typical Venti for a Tall, you’ll reduce the nutritional impact of your drink by roughly half. 
• Ask for Half the Sweetener: Each dietitian we spoke with recommends asking for half the sweetener to reduce added sugars without compromising taste. 
• Skip the Whip and Drizzle: Go ahead and order your favorite coffee drink. Just skip the whips, sauces or drizzles to trim calories, fat and sugar. 
• Swap Your Milk: Whole milk and coconut milk are high in calories and fat, while skim, oat and almond milks can reduce the calories by up to 50% for some drinks. 
• Pump Up the Protein: If more protein is a goal, swap in skim or soy milk. With 8 grams of high-quality protein per cup, they can help you stay full longer than other milk alternatives., They’re also a great way to refuel your muscles post-workout.

Our Expert Take

Next time you’re hitting up the Starbucks counter or drive-through and want something more exciting than your usual coffee, try a Tall Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. It’s dietitians’ favorite Starbucks order. This 100-calorie sweet, creamy drink is a delicious way to get your caffeine fix while staying mindful of your health goals. Not only is it low in calories, it has zero saturated fat and only 8 grams of added sugars, which is way less than most sweet coffee drinks. 

No matter which Starbucks drink you prefer, the key is to strike a healthy balance between satisfaction and nutrition. This will allow you to enjoy your drink, feel your best and support your overall health. With all the easy ways to customize your Starbucks drink, it’s simple to make small but impactful adjustments that work with your health goals.