Starbucks offers dairy and non-dairy drinks on the menu, so people who like dairy-free drinks can order them at every Starbucks coffee shop. Dairy-free drinks come in many varieties that do not carry milk or cream at all. If you hesitate about which drink to order, we will guide you through the top 12 dairy-free Starbucks drinks in this article. However, you should have certain education regarding the ingredients and health matters before jumping to the Starbucks menu.
What are Starbucks Dairy & Dairy-Free Products?
Starbucks is famously known for providing the finest quality coffee in the world. Espresso, latte, mocha, macchiato, cappuccino, frappuccino, and many more drinks carry dairy and non-dairy products. Moreover, Starbucks uses different types of dairy and dairy-free products depending on the drink, such as two-percent milk, coconut milk, non-fat milk, whole milk, soy milk, almond milk, and condensed milk. In addition, there are whipped cream, vanilla, sweet cream cold foam, Java chips, mocha sauce, and caramel sauce that are dairy content.
Top 12 Dairy-Free Starbucks Drinks
Regardless of the good sides and bad sides of dairy or non-dairy products, now let’s focus on the top 12 dairy alternatives from Starbucks. These 12 substitutes will surely catch your attention for the next Starbucks order.
1- Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso
This drink has complex ingredients in the mixture; however, it is one of Starbucks’ best dairy substitute drinks. Basically, this espresso drink comprises 2 espresso shots, a cup of almond milk, and chocolate malt powder. When almond milk is blended with chocolate, it creates a fruity, sweet, and balance taste. Not only does it provide non-dairy content, but the drink also carries only 110 calories in a grande-size cup. For this reason, it would be ideal for those who want to avoid dairy drinks.
2- Chai Tea
Chai tea is made up of the highest-quality black tea concentrated with cinnamon sticks, cardamom, and ginger. In addition, almond milk is also used in this mixture, so it is one of the great choices for substituting dairy consumption. Chai tea tastes herby and spice due to black tea leaves fusing with other Masala.
3- Honey Almondmilk Flat White
Flat white has 2 ristretto shots making 150 mg of caffeine content per tall cup. This drink is ideal for those who want to have firm caffeine to kick off their day. Moreover, almond milk and honey are blended with ristretto shots to make this flat white extremely nutty and creamy. Thus, the flat white almond milk offers deep caffeine and sweetness yet a dairy-free diet.
4- Pink Drink
Of course, the pink color is for the lady. If you are on a date with your girlfriend, the Starbucks pink drink is perfect for making the feeling brighter and making her stay in shape at the same time. The pink drink is made by blending strawberry Acai refreshers, passion fruit, coconut milk, and slices of strawberries. Therefore, this drink contains roughly 140 calories per grande-size cup.
5- Iced Pineapple Matcha Drink
It seems strange to see a pineapple matcha drink; however, Starbucks does have this exceptional refreshment on the menu for its customer. The drink comes with a combination of matcha shaken with ginger, pineapple flavor, and coconut milk. Hence, this is a great dairy alternative for every person who has lactose intolerance.
6- Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a sweet, nutty, and milky drink among the other 11 Starbucks dairy-free drinks. This one is formed with several common ingredients, including ice, oat milk, brown sugar syrup, 2 espresso shots, and a touch of cinnamon. In addition, this drink may be too sweet because of the brown sugar syrup, yet you can ask the barista to put 2 pumps of the syrup. That would be a perfect balance for a dairy-free drink.
7- Iced Cacao Cloud Macchiato
There is a mixture of ice, 2% milk, toffee nut syrup, cloud powder, and mocha sauce in this drink. You can ask the barista to exclude the mocha sauce and replace almond milk with the 2% milk so that you will get a non-dairy Starbucks cacao cloud macchiato. Furthermore, if you want less caffeine, you can request 1 espresso shot.
8- Hot Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the favorite drinks among children and teenagers. It comes with no milk additive in the drink; therefore, it helps you get rid of dairy products. However, you should be aware when ordering hot chocolate because a barista commonly puts steamed milk, mocha sauce, and whipped cream as in ingredients. These are dairy products, and they make up 370 calories per grande-size cup.
9- Iced Shaken Tea
Iced shaken tea is a non-dairy Starbucks drink that is tasty and healthy. There are 3 types of iced shaken tea that you can order, such as lemon green tea, lemon hibiscus blend tea, and lemon black tea. Normally, the finest quality of black teas is initially infused and then shaken with ices and lemonade. This iced shaken tea requires fewer ingredients and is very easy to make, so you will not have to wait longer.
10- Honey Almond Milk Cold Brew
Here is another dairy-free Starbucks drink that you can order from the barista, Honey Almond Milk Cold Brew. This drink is very good for diet because it is only 50 calories for a grande size cup and carries no dairy product. Brewed coffee and almond milk are the two ingredients that make up this aromatic and earthy drink. Furthermore, almond milk is a great dairy substitute that offers many health benefits and delicious taste. On top of that, if you want to have a bit of sweetness, you can ask the barista to add honey syrup.
11- Violet Drink
If you order a drink and see the pink color with many black strawberries, it is a Starbucks violet drink. The violet drink is based on berry refresher, ices, and coconut milk. In addition, it is blended with dried blackberries so that it will give a crispy and sour appetite inside your mouth. On a special occasion, this gorgeous drink is great for your first date because it has such a sweet and tart taste with a beautiful decoration.
12- Iced Guava Passionfruit Drink
It is quite surprising to know that a guava passionfruit drink is not made of guava and passion fruit. However, guava juice, passionfruit puree, and coconut milk are hand-shaken together along with pineapple and ginger flavors to make the iced guava passionfruit drink. Even though this drink is quite sugary, it carries a non-dairy product. Moreover, because of the added flavors, the taste of the drink is sweet. Nonetheless, the ginger will spice the taste up.
Dairy & Dairy-Free Products Benefits and Disadvantages
Advantages of Dairy Milk
Benefit in General
As you know, dairy foods are rich in potassium, calcium, Vitamin D, and other health benefits. These nutrients are great sources for strengthening bone density. Calcium helps your bone from getting osteoporosis disease, whereas Potassium can monitor your blood pressure and muscle functions. In addition, distinct dairy milk carries additional Vitamin A and D nutrients. Thus, Vitamin A helps with the skin, and Vitamin D helps monitor the calcium in your body.
Quality Protein Content
Your body will absorb 8 grams of protein if you drink a cup of milk. This nutrient handles necessary body functions like cell repair, boosting the immune system, and other cell development. On top of that, milk carries 2 protein types, Casein and Whey. The proteins consist of amino acids that are great at constructing muscle and boosting muscle recovery; therefore, they are a perfect exercise source. For this reason, people at any age should consume dairy milk frequently because it helps prevent muscle loss and boost muscle strength simultaneously.
Lower Type II Diabetes Risk
There are two important functions that dairy milk prevents the chance of getting Type II Diabetes. First, natural milk (especially whole milk) often comes with a low glycaemic index, meaning it contains fewer carbohydrates. As a result, the blood sugar in the body is low, thanks to a low-carb intake. Second, you will feel full after consuming milk because of the high protein content in the milk. Consequently, the Type II diabetes risk will be lessened due to these exceptional nutrients that milk provides.
Disadvantages of Dairy Milk
Lactose Intolerance
Many studies claim that adults and the elderly have encountered lactose intolerance. It happens when the glucose and galactose molecules cannot be digested and broken down. As a result, people with lactose intolerance will experience diarrhea, stomachache, bloating, or abdominal pain. Usually, the older you get, the less capable digestive system your body will have.
Thus, this natural phenomenon happens to every person globally, especially in Asia, Africa, and other parts of South America. However, European, North American, and Australian people do not have this problem. Thus, they have stronger and bigger bones.
Added Sugar in Milk
When it comes to added sugar, this ingredient is not good for your health. The added sugar is common among dairy alternatives, including soy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, rice milk, almond milk, and cashew milk. In addition, it would not be a good idea to consume milk that has the added sweeteners as they provide fewer nutritions yet are high in sugar. Therefore, it can cause the blood sugar level and fat built-up to increase if consistently consuming it.
Final Verdict
Even though certain Starbucks drinks include a dairy-free product as an additive, some dairy-free milk may contain added sugar. When talking about added sugar, artificial sweeteners will cut down on essential nutrients for your diet. On top of that, if you are on a diet or have lactose intolerance, it would be a better idea to find one or two favorite drinks that do not include milk, regardless of dairy or non-dairy products.