If you're following a keto diet in the US, chances are Starbucks is part of your daily routine. Keto Friendly Drink at Starbucks is possible! The good news? Yes, and you don't have to quit Starbucks to stay in ketosis. With a few simple customizations and knowing exactly what to say you can order a keto friendly Starbucks drink that fits your low carb lifestyle.
In this blog, I'll walk you through how to order keto friendly drinks at Starbucks, what ingredients to avoid, and real drink orders you can use at any US Starbucks. I'll also show you how to double‑check calories and carbs using a Starbucks calorie calculator so there are no surprises.
What Makes a Starbucks Drink Keto Friendly?
A Starbucks drink is considered keto friendly when it's:
- Very low in net carbs (ideally under 5-7g)
- Made without sugar or regular syrups
- Built around fat instead of milk
At Starbucks, most carbs sneak in through:
- Flavored syrups and sauces
- Sugar, honey, and classic syrup
- Milk (especially 2%, skim, and whole milk)
- Toppings like whipped cream and drizzles
Once you understand this, ordering keto becomes easy.
Best Keto Friendly at Starbucks (Base Drinks)
Always start with a naturally low-carb base. These drinks are available at nearly every Starbucks in the US and contain zero or close to zero carbs on their own:
- Brewed coffee (hot or iced)
- Iced coffee (ask for no classic syrup)
- Cold brew
- Americano
- Espresso (single, doppio, or over ice)
- Nitro cold brew (no sweet cream)
Before customizing, you can plug any of these base drinks into the DrinkDigits Starbucks calorie calculator to see how milk and sweetener choices affect carbs and calories.
Keto Milk Options at Starbucks
Your milk choice can make or break a keto drink.
Best keto options:
- Heavy cream (high fat, very low carb)
- A light splash of half‑and‑half (use sparingly)
Avoid on keto:
- 2% milk and skim milk
- Whole milk
- Oat milk, soy milk, rice milk
Unsweetened almond milk can work in very small amounts, but it still adds carbs so heavy cream is usually the safest keto choice.
Keto Friendly Sweeteners at Starbucks
Depending on the Starbucks location, stevia may or may not be available but you still have keto friendly options to choose from.
- Sugar‑free vanilla syrup (limit to 1-2 pumps)
- Bring your own stevia or monk fruit drops
Keep in mind that even sugar free syrups contain small amounts of carbs. If you're a strict keto, less is more.
How to Order Keto at Starbucks (Step‑by‑Step)
Here's the exact formula that works every time:
- Choose a coffee based drink (Americano, cold brew, iced coffee)
- Add fat with heavy cream
- Sweeten lightly (sugar‑free vanilla or your own sweetener)
- Skip extras like whipped cream, sauces, and powders
If you want to be extra careful, run your custom drink through a Starbucks calorie calculator to estimate calories, carbs, and fat before you order.
Keto Starbucks Drink Orders (Copy & Paste)
These are simple, barista‑friendly orders you can use in the US.
Keto Americano
"Grande Americano with a splash of heavy cream and 1 pump of sugar‑free vanilla."
Keto Iced Coffee
"Grande iced coffee, no classic syrup, add heavy cream and sugar‑free vanilla."
Keto Cold Brew
"Tall cold brew with a splash of heavy cream and cinnamon powder."
Keto Espresso Over Ice
"Triple espresso over ice with a splash of heavy cream, no sweetener."
For more ready to order keto friendly drinks, check out Keto Friendly Starbucks Drinks 2026.
Starbucks Drinks to Avoid on Keto
Even drinks that sound healthy can be keto disasters. Avoid:
- Lattes and cappuccinos
- Frappuccinos (all flavors)
- Matcha lattes and matcha drinks
- Chai tea lattes
- Starbucks Refreshers
- Hot chocolate
These drinks are usually high in sugar, milk, or syrups that can quickly knock you out of ketosis.
Pro Tips for Ordering Keto at Starbucks
- Always say "no classic syrup" for iced coffee
- Stick to tall or grande sizes to control carbs
- Keep customizations simple to avoid mistakes
- Use a Starbucks calorie calculator to confirm macros if you track strictly
Ordering Keto at Starbucks Is Easier Than You Think
Once you know what to order and what to avoid, Starbucks becomes keto friendly even when you're short on time. Focus on coffee, add your fats, skip the sugar, and customize with confidence.
To avoid guesswork, you can always use DrinkDigits to test your drink customizations and stay within your keto macros before you order.
