How to Eat and Drink Gluten-Free at Starbucks (Yes, It’s Possible)
Starbucks just released this year’s holiday menu, so you’re eager to dig into a Cranberry Bliss Bar and the new Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte. But wait—do they contain wheat? If you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, ordering can be a gamble without a little research. But luckily, we’ve done the work for you, and there are plenty of ways to eat and drink gluten-free at Starbucks. (Just note that Starbucks can’t guarantee that any unpackaged products are totally allergen-free because the baristas use shared equipment to store, prepare and serve drinks and food. If you have celiac disease, a heightened gluten sensitivity or a wheat allergy, take extra caution before you order, or visit starbucks.com/menu for detailed ingredient information.) Without further ado, here are some of our favorite gluten-free options.
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1. Gluten-Free Starbucks Coffee Drinks
Whether you like to keep it simple with a hot Pike Place or prefer fancying up your morning with a nitro cold brew, there are plenty of wheat-free java drinks on the menu. Just steer clear of the oat milk—Starbucks considers it a cereal that contains gluten.
Freshly Brewed Coffee (any roast)
Caffè Misto
Iced Coffee
Cold Brew
Cold Brew Latte
Nitro Cold Brew (with or without cold foam)
2. Gluten-Free Starbucks Espresso Drinks
What’s your poison? A macchiato? A latte? Perhaps an Americano? You have a whole slew of options to choose from on the espresso front. As long as you don’t use oat milk, these plain espresso drinks are all viable gluten-free options, whether you get them hot or iced.
Americano
Flat White
Caffè Latte
Latte Macchiato
Espresso
Espresso con Panna
Cortado
3. Gluten-Free Starbucks Syrups and Sauces
Not to be confused with caramel syrup, the caramel drizzle is noted as containing gluten on a few gluten-free websites (though Starbucks’s beverage allergen information doesn’t disclose that). To be extra careful, avoid drinks that are topped with caramel drizzle (like the caramel macchiato) or ask for them sans-drizzle. (Those same GF sites will also tell you to avoid seasonal syrups and sauces, like the beloved pumpkin spice.) Other than that, these flavor syrups are virtually gluten-free and can be added to any coffee or latte.
Classic simple syrup
Vanilla flavor syrup
Sugar-free vanilla flavor syrup
Caramel flavor syrup
Sugar-free caramel flavor syrup
Hazelnut flavor syrup
Sugar-free hazelnut flavor syrup
Cinnamon dolce flavor syrup
Peach flavor syrup
Peppermint flavor syrup
Coconut flavor syrup
Mocha sauce
White mocha sauce
4. Gluten-Free Coffee-Free Drinks
If you’re in the mood for something warm and comforting without the caffeine kick, look no further than these gluten-free options.
Classic Hot Chocolate
White Hot Chocolate
Steamer (any milk but oat milk)
Caramel Apple Spice (without caramel drizzle)
5. Gluten-Free Starbucks Hot Teas
Nearly all the hot teas are free of wheat. Just don’t order the Green Ginger, Tazo Honeybush or Lemon Ginger teas, as they’re reported to contain gluten.
Royal English Breakfast Black Tea
Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte
London Fog Tea Latte
Earl Grey Tea
Emperor’s Clouds & Mist Green Tea
Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Green Tea
Mint Majesty Herbal Tea
Peach Tranquility Herbal Tea
Chai Tea
Chai Tea Latte
Matcha Tea Latte
6. Gluten-Free Starbucks Iced Teas
Cool off with a thirst-quenching iced tea that will give you an energy boost that’s milder than coffee (unless you order a decaf herbal tea). Seasonal versions of these drinks, like the iced peach green tea or mango black tea, are also gluten-free.
Iced Black Tea (plain or mango)
Iced Green Tea (plain or peach)
Iced Passion Tango Tea
Iced Black Tea Lemonade (plain or mango)
Iced Green Tea Lemonade (plain or peach)
Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade
Iced Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte
Iced London Fog Tea Latte
Iced Chai Tea Latte
Iced Matcha Tea Latte
Iced Matcha Lemonade
7. Gluten-Free Starbucks Refreshers
We *love* refreshers, since they’re made with green coffee extract, which infuses the drinks with just a touch of caffeine. You can also substitute the water in the refreshers with lemonade if you’d prefer, and the drink will still be gluten-free.
Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher
Very Berry Hibiscus Lemonade
Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade
Strawberry Açaí Refresher
Strawberry Açaí Lemonade
Kiwi Starfruit Refresher
Kiwi Starfruit Lemonade
Pink Drink
Violet Drink
Dragon Drink
Star Drink
8. Gluten-Free Starbucks Coffee Frappuccinos
You can always indulge in your favorite blended coffee drinks when a craving strikes. Just avoid the Java Chip Frappuccino, because the java chips contain wheat.
Coffee Frappuccino (regular or light)
Espresso Frappuccino (regular or light)
Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino (regular or light)
Caramel Frappucino (regular or light; no caramel drizzle)
Mocha Frappuccino (regular or light)
White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
9. Gluten-Free Starbucks Creme Frappuccinos
For those of you who prefer your Frapps coffee-free, you’ve got all kinds of options. Just steer clear of the Double Chocolaty Chip number, since it’s made with java chips.
Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino
Strawberry Crème Frappuccino
Chai Crème Frappuccino
Matcha Crème Frappuccino
White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino
10. Gluten-Free Starbucks Foods
According to a Starbucks rep, treats that are labeled gluten-free are produced in the same facility as their other packaged products, but in a separate room to prevent cross-contamination. There aren’t many to choose from (though many stores have varying gluten-free snacks from non-Starbucks brands available by the register) but try one of the below if you need something to eat.
Marshmallow Dream Bar
Gluten-Free Chocolate Brownie (select locations)
Chicken & Quinoa Protein Bowl with Black Beans and Greens (note that this item isn’t certified gluten-free, but it doesn’t contain any added gluten)
Egg Bites (see above note)
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