Starbucks milk options can make or break your perfect coffee experience. With 10 different Starbucks milk options available, choosing the right one depends on your taste, diet, and calorie goals. This guide covers every Starbucks milk option with calories, flavors, and which drinks work best with each choice.
Understanding Starbucks Milk Options: What’s the Default?
Before exploring all Starbucks milk options, you should know what comes standard. Most drinks automatically use 2% milk unless you specify different Starbucks milk options. Frappuccinos come with whole milk by default. You’ll only get non-dairy Starbucks milk options if the drink name mentions it or you specifically ask.
Dairy Starbucks Milk Options
Skim Milk (10 calories per ounce)
Among Starbucks milk options, skim milk offers the lowest-calorie dairy choice. This milk has all fat removed, giving you just 80 calories in an 8-ounce serving. While some think it tastes thin, skim milk is simply regular milk without fat.
- Best for: Hot coffee drinks when you want fewer calories
- Avoid for: Cold coffee drinks where the thin texture is more noticeable
2% Milk (15 calories per ounce)
The most popular of all Starbucks milk options, 2% milk is the go-to choice for most customers. Walk behind any Starbucks counter and you’ll see why—they stock tons of 2% milk because it’s used in almost every drink.
Why it’s the top choice: Works perfectly in hot and cold drinks, creates excellent foam, and has balanced flavor
Whole Milk (19 calories per ounce)
When comparing Starbucks milk options for richness, whole milk wins. With 3.25% fat content, this creamy option makes coffee taste richer and is the standard choice for flat whites.
Perfect for hot drinks where you want maximum creaminess and flavor
Rich Starbucks Milk Options
Half-and-Half (37 calories per ounce)
This indulgent option among Starbucks milk options combines equal parts heavy cream and whole milk. Much thicker than regular milk, most customers use half-and-half in regular coffee rather than specialty drinks.
Ideal for: Regular coffee, cold brew, and iced coffee when you want extra richness
Heavy Cream (103 calories per ounce)
The highest calorie option among all Starbucks milk options, heavy cream is almost pure milk fat. Few customers choose this, but some add small amounts to regular coffee or cold brew.
Vanilla Sweet Cream (87 calories per ounce)
One of the sweetest Starbucks milk options, vanilla sweet cream mixes vanilla syrup, 2% milk, and heavy cream. This popular choice has created an entire category of sweet cream drinks.
Great for cold brew and iced coffee when you want added sweetness and creaminess
Non-Dairy Starbucks Milk Options
Almond Milk (8 calories per ounce)
The lowest-calorie choice among all milk options at Starbucks, almond milk delivers great taste with minimal calories. While it can create foam, it requires more skill from your barista.
Best for: Hot drinks when you want to minimize calories while keeping the latte experience
Coconut Milk (10 calories per ounce)
Among plant-based Starbucks milk options, coconut milk offers tropical flavor notes. While it doesn’t foam well, it excels in cold drinks where foam isn’t needed.
Perfect for iced drinks where coconut flavor complements espresso beautifully
Soy Milk (16 calories per ounce)
One of the most nutritionally complete non-dairy milk options, soy milk provides protein similar to dairy milk. Despite some concerns about plant hormones, many studies show it’s safe.
Good choice if: You’re switching from 2% milk because soy offers the closest taste and nutrition
Oat Milk (18 calories per ounce)
The newest addition to Starbucks milk options uses specially formulated Oatly Barista Edition. With more calories than other plant-based options, oat milk still delivers excellent taste and foam quality.
Excellent for: Any hot drink because it foams beautifully and has naturally sweet flavor
How to Choose the Best Starbucks Milk Options for You
When deciding between Starbucks milk options, consider these factors:
Lowest calories: Almond milk (8 calories) leads all Starbucks milk options, followed by skim milk (10 calories)
Best flavor: Whole milk for hot drinks and coconut milk for cold beverages offer the richest taste among Starbucks milk options
Dairy-free needs: All plant-based Starbucks milk options work well, with oat and soy providing the closest dairy experience
Perfect foam: Choose 2% milk, whole milk, or oat milk from available Starbucks milk options
Starbucks Milk Options Calorie Chart
| Starbucks Milk Options | Calories Per Ounce |
|---|---|
| Almond Milk | 8 |
| Skim Milk | 10 |
| Coconut Milk | 10 |
| 2% Milk | 15 |
| Soy Milk | 16 |
| Oat Milk | 18 |
| Whole Milk | 19 |
| Half and Half | 37 |
| Vanilla Sweet Cream | 87 |
| Heavy Cream | 103 |
Making the Most of Starbucks Milk Options
Understanding Starbucks milk options helps you create the perfect drink every time. With calories ranging from 8 to 103 per ounce, these Starbucks milk options let you customize based on your diet, taste preferences, and health goals.
Next time you visit Starbucks, don’t settle for the default. Explore the full range of milk options at starbucks to find your perfect match. Whether you choose the lowest-calorie almond milk or the richest heavy cream, the right choice among Starbucks milk options can transform your coffee experience.
