Starbucks Has a New Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso, and Its Calories May Surprise You
Starbucks is launching the Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso on March 2.
The new drink features Starbucks Blonde espresso, cocoa, and notes of malt, shaken and topped with almond milk and ice.
Dietitians say the drink’s nutrition info, particularly its calories, isn’t too bad compared to the chain’s other sugary offerings, but should still be sipped in moderation.
March 2 marks the first official day that Starbucks is serving its new dairy-free drinks, including the Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso.
Starbucks made the announcement about the new drink (along with its sister plant-based beverage, the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso) earlier this week. According to the coffee chain, the Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso features Starbucks Blonde espresso, cocoa, and notes of malt, shaken and topped with almond milk and ice. Think of it like an iced mocha, but with a dairy-free (and malty) twist.
While it’s easy to assume that any Starbucks chocolate drink will be loaded with calories, this one just might surprise you. Ahead, dietitians share their take on its nutrition info.
Starbucks Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso nutrition information
This is what you’ll get when you have a grande Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso, according to Starbucks.
Calories: 110
Fat: 3 g (0 g sat fat)
Carbs: 20 g
Protein: 2 g
Sodium: 80 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 16 g
Caffeine: 255 mg
Is the Starbucks Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso healthy?
Starbucks didn’t claim this is a health drink—and it isn’t—but dietitians say it’s not terrible for you.
Gina Keatley, C.D.N., of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy in New York City gives Starbucks props for using a, “surprisingly low-calorie almond milk” in the drink. “The almond milk Starbucks uses is coming in at 60 calories per cup,” she says. “Rarely would you get that much in your espresso drink because, you know, there has to be some coffee taste to it.”
Of course, having more plant-based drinks on the menu “is a great option and much needed,” says Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet. But she warns against thinking that something is automatically healthy because it’s non-dairy—including coffee drinks. “I don’t want the customer to always think just because it’s plant-based it is the healthiest choice,” she says. “This drink has more sugar than I would recommend for a daily beverage, especially since 16 grams is closer to the amount I would expect to find in a cookie, not a coffee.”
That said, this beverage is still low compared to other sugary options on the Starbucks menu. “The Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso drink provides an alternative sweetened drink option to others in the genre that have a significantly higher amount of sugar, fat, and calories,” says Beth Warren, R.D., founder of Beth Warren Nutrition and author of Secrets of a Kosher Girl.
So, if you’re interested in trying the Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso, Gans simply recommends having a smaller size. You can also try to cut back on the sugar content by asking for less cocoa and malt.
If you want to enjoy it as-is, but truly savor the experience, Keatley recommends ordering the size you prefer in a larger cup with extra ice. “You’re still getting the calories, but your drink can last you just a little longer,” she says.
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