*Updated November 2026 by Registered Dietitian Lauren Hubert MS, RD
Move over fall and all things pumpkin spice! Starbucks holiday drinks and red cups are back November 5, 2026.
That means your favorite Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée, Gingerbread, and Sugar Cookie drinks are back, plus a new Tiramisu Velvet Cold Brew and Tiramisu Velvet Latte to try. Yum!
If you’re looking for low calorie Starbucks holiday drinks, you’re in the right place. Just like my pumpkin drink swaps, I’m sharing simple ways to customize your favorite Starbucks holiday drinks to better fit your fat loss and weight maintenance goals, without giving up the seasonal flavors you love.
As a Registered Dietitian, I’m always reminding my clients that one food or drink doesn’t determine your progress. Your habits over time matter much more. That said, if your favorite holiday coffee contains 400–500 calories and you order it regularly, a few simple swaps can help you enjoy it while being more mindful of your overall calorie intake.
Below, I’ve rounded up my top 5 low calorie Starbucks holiday drinks, plus a bonus Sugar Cookie Latte swap. You’ll get the exact order for each drink, estimated calories, and easy modifications to make them your own.
Want even more Starbucks swaps? Grab my free Low Calorie Starbucks Holiday Drinks Guide for more ideas to help you order your favorite holiday drinks and flavors for less calories.
All comparisons based on a standard grande. Calories are estimates based on Starbucks published nutrition information.
| Drink | Regular grande | My swap | You save | How to order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iced Peppermint Mocha | 420 cal | 80 cal | Save 340 | Grande cold brew, 1 pump mocha sauce, 1 pump peppermint syrup, splash of sweet cream |
| Hot Peppermint Mocha | 440 cal | 175 cal | Save 265 | Grande nonfat latte, 1 pump mocha sauce, 1 pump peppermint syrup, 1 packet of stevia |
| Iced Gingerbread Latte | 320 cal | 65 cal | Save 255 | Grande cold brew, 1 pump gingerbread syrup, 1 pump chai, splash of half and half |
| Iced Caramel Brulée Latte | 400 cal | 85 cal | Save 315 | Grande iced coffee, 1 pump caramel brulée sauce, 1 pump sugar free vanilla, splash of cream |
| White Chocolate Mocha | 430 cal | 95 cal | Save 335 | Grande blonde roast, 1 pump white chocolate mocha sauce, 2 pumps sugar free vanilla, splash of cream |
| Iced Sugar Cookie Latte | 150 cal | 75 cal | Save 75 | Grande iced coffee with almond milk, 2 pumps sugar cookie syrup |
Iced peppermint mocha: 80 calories vs. 420 for a grande
Save 340 calories when you order my healthier iced peppermint mocha for 80 calories instead of a standard grande iced peppermint mocha with whipped cream for 420 calories.
To order, ask for 1 grande cold brew with 1 pump mocha sauce, 1 pump peppermint syrup and a splash of sweet cream (1/4 inch on the app). If you prefer almond milk, swap the cream for a splash of almond milk to make the drink approximately 60 calories.
Hot peppermint mocha: 175 calories vs 440 for a grande
Save 265 calories when you order my healthier peppermint mocha latte for 175 calories instead of a grande peppermint mocha is 440 calories.
To order, ask for a grande nonfat latte with 1 pump regular mocha sauce, 1 pump peppermint syrup and 1 packet of stevia for additional sweetness.
*Another option: Do a tall coffee (I ordered a pike roast) with 1 pump peppermint, 1 pump mocha, light splash of half and half creamer (1/4 inch) and 1 packet of stevia. This swap is not a traditional latte, but will save you even more calories. This drink is 70 calories total.
Gingerbread latte: 65 calories vs 320 for a grande
Save 255 calories when you order my healthier gingerbread latte for 65 calories instead of a grande iced gingerbread latte for 320 calories.
To order, ask for 1 grande cold brew with 1 pump gingerbread syrup, 1 pump chai and a splash of half-and-half, approximately ¼ inch.
*This is my most popular drink swap, and to make it more festive I change up the drink from it’s original version… and add in chai! You’ll be obsessed.
Iced caramel brulee latte: 85 calories vs 400 for a grande
Save 315 calories when you order my lighter iced caramel brulée coffee for 85 calories instead of a standard grande caramel brulée latte for 400 calories. Keep in mind that this swap uses iced coffee instead of a latte, so the drinks have different bases.
To order, ask for 1 grande iced coffee with a splash of cream, 1 pump caramel brulée sauce and 1 pump sugar-free vanilla syrup. If you prefer a hot drink, you can order a blonde roast with the same flavor additions.
White chocolate mocha: 95 calories vs 430 for a grande
Save approximately 335 calories when you order my lighter white chocolate mocha coffee swap for 95 calories instead of a standard grande white chocolate mocha for 430 calories. This version uses brewed coffee instead of a full latte, so the drinks aren’t a direct, like-for-like comparison.
To order, ask for 1 grande blonde roast with 1 pump white chocolate mocha sauce, 2 pumps sugar-free vanilla syrup and a splash of cream. If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, you can also order espresso over ice with 1 pump white chocolate mocha sauce.
As always if you want it more sweet, add 1 splenda or stevia to the drink for no additional calories.
Iced Sugar Cookie Latte: 75 calories (BONUS SWAP)
Save 75 calories when you order my lighter sugar cookie latte swap for 75 calories instead of a standard grande sugar cookie latte for 150 calories.
To order, ask for grande iced coffee with almond milk and 2 pumps sugar cookie syrup.
Additional Drink Links:
- Sugar Cookie Cold Brew (80 calories)
- White Chocolate Mocha (85 calories)
- Chestnut Praline Cold Brew (65 calories)
- How to make any drink from Starbucks healthier
Want even more holiday drinks from Starbucks made lower in calorie and healthier for your goals? I have a free guide with my favorite hot and iced holiday drinks here for you!
Starbucks Holiday Drink FAQs
What is the lowest calorie Starbucks holiday drink?
One of my favorite low calorie Starbucks holiday drinks is my 65 calorie Gingerbread Latte swap. It combines cold brew, gingerbread syrup, chai, and a splash of half and half for a festive drink without the calories of a traditional latte.
Can you get Starbucks holiday drinks sugar-free?
You can customize many Starbucks drinks with sugar-free vanilla syrup when it’s available. However, seasonal sauces like mocha, white chocolate mocha, and caramel brulée can still contain sugar. To reduce the sugar in your drink, ask for fewer pumps of seasonal syrup or sauce.
What is the healthiest Starbucks holiday drink?
There isn’t one Starbucks holiday drink that’s automatically the healthiest. It depends on your preferences and nutritional needs. If you’re looking to reduce calories, you can customize your favorite drink with fewer pumps of syrup, a smaller amount of milk or cream, or a coffee base instead of a full latte base.
How can I make Starbucks holiday drinks lower in calories?
The easiest way is to customize your order! Try using cold brew or iced coffee as your base, reducing the number of syrup pumps, choosing a splash of milk or cream instead of a full latte, and skipping toppings you don’t particularly enjoy. You can still enjoy your favorite seasonal flavors without ordering the standard recipe.
Can I drink Starbucks holiday drinks and still lose weight?
Absolutely! You don’t have to give up Starbucks or your favorite holiday drinks to lose weight. Your overall calorie intake over time matters more than any single food or drink. If you order seasonal drinks regularly, making a few simple swaps can help you enjoy them while working toward your goals.