'I Tried the Starbucks Pistachio Latte but Heathified It With a Few Simple Swaps'
Your guide to a nutty afternoon pick-me-up, without the sugar crash.
The Starbucks pistachio latte in all of its cozy wintertime glory is taking over Instagram once again! But although delicious, at 320 calories and 45 grams of sugar for a grande, this isn’t the healthiest option on the menu. Take a look at what you need to know about this sweet drink and the better-for-you customizations you can request.
Related: 15 Best Low-Calorie Starbucks Drinks
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What season is the pistachio latte at Starbucks?
The pistachio latte is part of the winter menu at Starbucks. In 2023, Starbucks launched its winter menu on January 3, including not only the pistachio latte but the new pistachio cream cold brew and the fan-favorite red velvet loaf. According to Starbucks, the winter menu is available “for a limited time.”
Did Starbucks discontinue the pistachio latte?
Starbucks first introduced this latte in 2021 for a limited time, then brought the drink back in 2022 and now in 2023.
Related: Best Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks & How to Order Them
What does the Starbucks pistachio latte taste like?
Espresso, steamed milk and brown butter (and, of course, pistachio) combine to create a perfectly smooth, sweet winter drink. The pistachio latte I ordered smelled heavenly and tasted light and sweet, almost reminiscent of the franchise’s white chocolate mocha.
The pistachio flavor wasn’t very strong. If I didn’t already know the flavor of this drink, I don’t think I would have been able to pinpoint it as pistachio.
The subtleness of the flavor might be because I ordered half as much pistachio syrup to make the drink healthier (more on this in a minute). But other customers have reported their drink’s flavor profile flying under the radar too. This could be good news: Even if you aren’t a pistachio fan, I think you’d still like this drink.
Courtesy of Hailey Hudson
How to make the Starbucks pistachio latte healthier
I opted to make a few modifications so my drink wouldn’t be packed quite so full of sugar and fat. If you’re looking for a healthier pistachio latte, use any or all of the following ideas:
Order a smaller size. A short or tall Starbucks drink has fewer calories than a grande or venti.
Switch to almond milk. Instead of the whole milk traditionally used in this latte, choose the lower-calorie, lower-fat almond milk. (Bonus points: The nutty undertones pair great with the pistachio.)
Reduce the pistachio syrup. Starbucks’ pistachio syrup is high in sugar and contains 20 calories per pump. I asked for two pumps instead of four.
Go easy on the topping. The salted brown butter topping is to die for, but it’s also pure butter and sugar. Get the “light” version of this topping instead.
Add stevia. Do you usually add white sugar or extra syrup to your Starbucks drink? In another attempt to cut down on the sugar content, I chose stevia instead.
Related: 10 Healthy Starbucks Drinks, Hacks From a Barista
Where can I buy Starbucks pistachio syrup?
You can purchase a copycat Starbucks pistachio syrup online or try Monin Pistachio Syrup on Amazon. You can also make your own version at home. According to the Starbucks website, the Starbucks pistachio syrup ingredients are sugar, condensed nonfat milk, pistachio butter, natural flavors, cocoa butter, salt and preservatives.
How to make the Starbucks pistachio latte
Follow this recipe from Starbucks to make the pistachio latte at home, swapping out ingredients for healthier substitutions if you’d like.
