Starbucks Lattes: Types, Differences & More

If the thought of ordering at Starbucks leaves you confused and intimidated, this guide is for you. 

We’ve compiled a list of the best Starbucks lattes, including seasonal and limited-edition offerings, with the information you need to know which is the best option for you. 

Read on to find out more about the mainstay drink of one of the most successful coffee shops in the world.

Starbucks Lattes Summary

Before talking about specific lattes from Starbucks, it’s a good idea to lay out the general logic of the Starbucks latte.

Every barista at Starbucks learns the basics of how to make a caffé latte early on in training, alongside other espresso classics like the cappuccino.

From that base, they learn the special features of signature drinks the coffee chain offers. 

By Starbucks’ definition, a latte includes espresso and milk, generally 1-2 shots of espresso with most or all of the rest of the cup filled with milk. 

A latte can be served hot or iced, with hot lattes featuring steamed milk and usually a small amount of foam. Iced lattes feature cold milk, ice, and no foam.

The number of espresso shots depends on the size of the drink unless otherwise specified. Tall: 1 shot of espresso, Grande: 2 shots of espresso, Venti: 2 shots of espresso, iced Venti: 3 shots of espresso.

Starbucks lattes have the highest ratio of milk to coffee of the company’s drinks. Additionally, starbucks latte variations usually include flavored syrups and toppings.

While the available flavors change throughout the year, Starbucks maintains a core set of flavors like vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, cinnamon dolce syrup, and some other toppings.

By default, lattes are made with 2% milk. However, Starbucks offers many options for customizing your drink, and lattes are no exception. Whole milk, half & half, soy milk, almond milk, skim milk, and more are all available options.

Another alternative is the “skinny” latte, versions of Starbucks lattes made with sugar-free syrups (like sugar-free vanilla syrup or sugar-free cinnamon dolce syrup), nonfat milk, and no whipped cream or other toppings. While these options are more limited, they’re usually available year-round.

Overall, Starbucks offers its drinks in several sizes, but the most common three are Tall, Grande, and Venti.

Tall is 12 ounces, Grande is 16 ounces, and Venti is 20 ounces. The exception to this rule is the iced venti, which is 24 ounces.

That extra volume is also why iced venti espresso drinks get one extra shot compared to hot venti espresso drinks.

One perk of ordering your latte iced is that you can specify whether you want more ice or less. “Light ice” is about half as much ice as would usually be included, meaning you get more of the actual drink.

Now that you know the basics let’s dive into each specific coffee drink.

Caffé Latte

The classic Starbucks latte features espresso, steamed milk, and half an inch of milk foam, making it simple and easy to order.

For a Grande size:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 190 
• Sugar: 18 g

Iced Caffé Latte

The iced caffe latte from Starbucks only changes a couple of things: cold milk instead of hot, and ice, as well as the difference in cup size. 

But it’s not exactly the same in nutritional values for a Grande iced caffe latte, that means:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 130
• Sugar: 11 g

Related Reads: Best Starbucks Iced Coffees, Starbucks Healthy Drinks

Vanilla Latte

Starbucks’ Vanilla Latte is one of its flagship drinks, featuring espresso, vanilla syrup, and steamed milk with a little foam. 

For a Grande size serving, the nutritional facts are as follows:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 35 g

Iced Vanilla Latte

This iced latte features Starbucks’ vanilla syrup, espresso, milk, and ice, combining the flavors for a treat that is just sweet enough, with a hint of warm vanilla. 

The breakdown for a Grande iced vanilla latte is as follows:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 28 g

Related Read: Latte Types

Pistachio Latte

This Starbucks latte is a limited edition offering, with special touches: sweet pistachio sauce blends with espresso and steamed milk. 

The foam receives a generous salted brown butter cookie topping, bringing savory and sweet together. 

For the Grande pistachio latte:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 320 
• Sugar: 45 g

Iced Pistachio Latte

The iced version of the limited availability pistachio latte gets all of the same ingredients–sweet pistachio sauce, espresso, milk, and salted brown butter cookie topping–but no foam and plenty of ice. 

The Grande size for this iced latte hits the following numbers:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 260
• Sugar: 40g

Honey Oatmilk Latte

Starbucks combines the sweetness of honey with the rich, savory flavor of oat milk in this latte, which features their honey blend syrup (a mixture of honey and classic syrup), blonde roast espresso, steamed oat milk, and a toasted honey topping. 

The grande size for this latte stacks up like so:

• Caffeine: 170 mg
• Calories: 270
• Sugar: 28 g

Iced Honey Oatmilk Latte

The iced version of this sweet and savory latte is just as satisfying as the hot one and features the same honey blend syrup, blonde roast espresso while swapping cold oat milk for hot and adding ice. 

For the Grande size:

• Caffeine: 170 mg
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 25 g

Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Sweet and spicy cinnamon flavor mingled with coffee and cream, the cinnamon dolce latte combines cinnamon dolce syrup, espresso, steamed milk, and whipped cream with Starbucks signature cinnamon dolce topping. 

For a grande cinnamon dolce latte:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 340
• Sugar: 40 g

Related Read: Cinnamon & Coffee

Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte

The Starbucks iced cinnamon dolce latte brings the warmth and sweet spice of the original, with a burst of cold from ice: cinnamon dolce syrup, espresso, milk, ice, and whipped cream with the Starbucks cinnamon dolce topping. 

For the grande size:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 35 g

Starbucks Reserve Latte

For this refined latte experience, Starbucks blends its signature, small-lot Reserve espresso with milk and just a little bit of foam. For a grande size:

• Caffeine: 135 mg
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 18 g

Starbucks Reserve Iced Latte

The Iced Starbucks Reserve latte features the same refined Starbucks Reserve espresso, with cold milk and ice, bringing a frosty chill to the classy drink. For a grande latte:

• Caffeine: 135 mg
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 16 g

Starbucks Reserve Hazelnut Bianco Latte

For this decadent drink, Starbucks blends its small-lot Starbucks Reserve espresso with house-made hazelnut-praline milk and caps it all off with velvety foam. 

For a grande:

• Caffeine: 135 mg
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 36 g

Starbucks Reserve Iced Hazelnut Bianco Latte

For a chillier take on classy decadence, Starbucks combines its Reserve espresso with cold, house-made hazelnut-praline milk and ice. 

For the grande size:

• Caffeine: 135 mg
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 26 g

Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte

For an ultra-smooth vanilla-coffee experience, Starbucks combines its blonde espresso roast with vanilla syrup, hot milk, and just a little bit of foam. For the grande size of this latte:

• Caffeine: 170 mg
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 35 g

Iced Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte

Velvety-smooth, cold, and sweet, Starbucks Iced blonde vanilla latte uses its blonde espresso, vanilla syrup, cold milk, and ice. The grande size comes out to:

• Caffeine: 170 mg
• Calories: 190
• Sugar: 28 g

Seasonal Lattes

While Starbucks maintains a year-round selection of flavored lattes, there are some you can only get during certain times of the year. 

The Pumpkin Spice Latte may be the most famous seasonal Starbucks latte, but each season brings its own special flavors.

Caramel Brulée Latte

The Starbucks Caramel Brulée latte only appears on the menu for the winter holiday season and features espresso, milk, and signature caramel brulée sauce, along with whipped cream and special caramel brulée bits.

Grade size details:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 48 g

Iced Caramel Brulée Latte

For a colder holiday drink that is still sweet and rich, the iced caramel brulée latte features the same caramel brulée sauce, cold milk, espresso, and ice, finished with whipped cream and the specialty caramel brulée sprinkles. 

The grande size breaks down to:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 29 g

Eggnog Latte

Another winter favorite for decades, the Starbucks eggnog latte features a blend of 50% eggnog and 50% milk, espresso, and just a bit of eggnog foam, topped with an eggnog spice blend. 

For a grande:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 52 g

Iced Eggnog Latte

The iced eggnog latte from Starbucks features cold eggnog blend (half eggnog, half milk), espresso, ice, and a sprinkle of spices on top. For the grande:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 33 g

Chestnut Praline Latte

Originally intended to replace the eggnog latte, the Chestnut Praline Latte now stands proudly on the menu along with the other holiday drinks. It’s made with chestnut praline syrup, espresso, milk, and spiced praline crumbs to top the velvety foam.

For the grande size:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 38 g

Iced Chestnut Praline Latte

For a more refreshing take, the iced Chestnut Praline Latte features the same signature chestnut praline syrup, cold milk, espresso, ice, and whipped cream with chestnut praline crumbs. 

he grande size has:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 34 g

Pumpkin Spice Latte

The classic and incredibly popular holiday latte that helped put Starbucks’ holiday drinks on the map, the Pumpkin Spice Latte features pumpkin spice syrup, espresso, hot milk, and whipped cream topped with a spice blend. 

The grande size has:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 390
• Sugar: 50 g

Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

If you prefer cold pumpkin spice deliciousness, the iced Pumpkin Spice Latte features the same pumpkin spice syrup, shots of espresso, cold milk, and ice, with a sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice on top. 

For the grande:

• Caffeine: 150 mg
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 45 g

Starbucks Tea Lattes

If espresso or coffee isn’t your favorite, or you want a little less caffeine or a different flavor, Starbucks also offers tea lattes. This range of drinks uses tea in a few different formats as a base for a rich, milky drink. 

Starbucks’ Chai Tea Latte is made with chai concentrate: tea and spices simmered together with sugar and concentrated into a syrupy consistency. Baristas blend it with water to get the right concentration. 

You can also choose to ask for “no water” chai for a more concentrated flavor or request shots of espresso for a “dirty chai latte.”

Matcha lattes are made with a pre-sweetened matcha powder, like many green tea desserts and milky drinks are made in Japan and other Asian countries.

Starbucks also keeps 8 different varieties of tea in sachets on the menu at any given time, and any of these can be turned into a tea latte.

Chai Latte

The Chai Tea Latte at Starbucks gets chai concentrate, hot water, milk, and a little foam for a spicy, sweet latte experience with a little less caffeine.

For a grande chai latte

• Caffeine: 95 mg
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 42 g

Iced Chai Tea Latte

If you prefer your warm spices served in a cold drink, the iced Chai Latte features the same chai concentrate, water, cold milk, and ice. For the iced grande chai latte:

• Caffeine: 95 mg
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 42 g

London Fog Tea Latte

A sophisticated tea experience, the Starbucks London Fog Tea Latte features 1-2 sachets of signature Earl Grey tea with notes of lavender and bergamot, vanilla syrup, and steamed milk with just a little foam on top. For the grande size:

• Caffeine: 40 mg
• Calories: 180
• Sugar: 29 g

Iced London Fog Tea Latte

When ordering this beverage, keep in mind it might take a little longer since the barista has to wait for the tea to brew. The Iced London Fog Tea Latte features Starbucks signature Earl Grey tea, cold milk, vanilla syrup, and ice.

• Caffeine: 40 mg
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 25 g

Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte

Beginning with a base of brewed English Breakfast tea, the Starbucks English Breakfast Tea Latte adds classic syrup, hot milk, and just a touch of foam to elevate the tea-with-milk experience into something special. 

For a grande:

• Caffeine: 40 mg
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 21 g

Iced Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte

Cold and sweet, the iced Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte features the same classic blend of full-leaf black tea and classic syrup, with cold milk and ice. 

For the grande size:

• Caffeine: 40 mg
• Calories: 140
• Sugar: 25 g

Matcha Green Tea Latte

For a classic taste out of Asia, and specifically Japan, Starbucks blends sweetened matcha powder into their matcha green tea latte, along with hot water, milk, and just a touch of foam for a velvety texture. 

A grande green tea latte has:

• Caffeine: 80 mg
• Calories: 240
• Sugar: 32 g

Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte

The Starbucks iced matcha tea latte features the same matcha green tea powder, sweetened with sugar, along with milk and ice to create a creamy green dream of a drink. 

The grande iced matcha latte has:

• Caffeine: 80 mg
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 28 g

Starbucks Syrup Flavors

While Starbucks rotates various syrups through each season as they launch and retire limited edition drinks, the coffee shop also keeps around a core set of flavors to enhance all of their coffee drinks. 

You can request any of the following in just about any drink you want, for a small fee:

• Vanilla
• Caramel
• Cinnamon Dolce
• Hazelnut
• Toffee Nut
• Peppermint
• Raspberry 
• Classic (simple, unflavored syrup)

You can mix and match as you please–and in fact, some of the “secret menu” options take advantage of the base syrups that are around year-round. 

An old-school Starbucks barista favorite is to add Toffee Nut syrup to a strawberries and crème frappuccino to get something that tastes very close to Cap’n Crunch Crunchberries cereal. 

It’s also possible to mix and match syrups that go in Starbucks drinks, for example, substituting caramel syrup for the vanilla that goes into a caramel macchiato. 

Some Starbucks regulars also add a pump or two of syrup to jazz up and sweeten mochas or just customize their latte.

Related Read: Starbucks Secret Drinks

Frequently Asked Questions