Probably stupid question. Starbucks iced coffee

The 'iced coffee' (unsweetened) on their site shows 5 calories. http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/iced-coffee/iced-coffee (click unsweetened in the drop down box)

Did you see them add anything? Milk, flavored syrup?

the most common iced coffee would include some cream and simple syrup so they add that. bear in mind they pour all this stuff freehand so the menu calorie counts for anything beyond black unsweetened anything are a bit of a fiction

the most common iced coffee would include some cream and simple syrup so they add that. bear in mind they pour all this stuff freehand so the menu calorie counts for anything beyond black unsweetened anything are a bit of a fiction

Yes and no. When you are talking about the addition of syrup, there is a standard number of pumps that go into the recipe depending on what size you order. Tall = 3, Grande = 4, Venti (Hot), =5, Venti (Iced) =6, Trenta = 7. So, unless the barista miscounts (which of course is always a possibility) the number of pumps, or you request a different amount, those should be relatively safe.

When they are pouring things like milk and cream into the drinks, there again is a standard that is followed - they use the lines on the iced cups to know where to pour the liquid. In the case of iced coffee - they pour coffee to the second line on the cup, then milk to the 3rd line, then ice to fill it up. For cream it is a little less, and definitely not as accurate.

Basically, there are very few things that are "free poured". All of the pitchers, cups, etc have measuring lines on them. As long as the barista is following them it should be accurate.


Sorry for the long response. I worked at Starbucks for 2.5 years, and was a supervisor/trainer so I have a tendency to ramble :flowerforyou: :embarassed:

I think if you don't order it unsweetened they automatically put sugar syrup in it. I had a grande iced coffee the other day with just skim milk and it was 25 calories.

you do realize the pumps are inconsistent in and of themselves (I definitely realize it my job involves costing food and beverage) all the measuring lines in the world and i will guarantee they still are inconsistent. it doesn't take a huge variance to make a significant caloric variance - certainly less than the variance that causes costing issues to be significant.

This is true - the pumps often needs recalibrated, if you aren't using a "full" pump, etc. There is always a margin of error.
The same is also true in your home measurements as well - if your food scale is not calibrated properly, for example could really make a difference.

If it wasn't a product that is pretty much sugar and water like most of the syrups are (and therefore pretty high calorie even for half a pump full) it wouldn't be a big issue - i think they have a lot of no sugar syrups out now though I've not tasted any (and am a little dubious on them ) i love a really well made espresso so it's not ever an issue for me (I have one most days on my walk home at a great little independent shop - if I cycle i miss out though because it's not in a spot I'd pass on the bike )

Sorry for bumping this.

I purchased these today. Wonder where the 10 calories are from?

Thanks. I can only think it is from the Bean itself.

Thanks. I can only think it is from the Bean itself.

Coffee beans themselves have natural oils in some quantity, which probably causes that. No where near enough to be concerned about though.

When you order iced coffee at Starbucks it always comes with 60 calories of white sugar syrup...

However if you ask for an Unsweetened iced coffee they won't put the syrup in and it will be about 5 calories