Refreshing Low Calorie Starbucks Iced Tea Drink Recipes

The Best Low Calorie Iced Tea Drinks at Starbucks

Iced tea is a refreshing, low calorie drink that can be customized in so many delicious ways at Starbucks. With a variety of tea options and milk alternatives, you can create the perfect iced tea to enjoy on a hot summer day. Keep reading for the best low calorie iced tea recipe ideas to try on your next Starbucks run!

Choosing Your Tea

The first step in creating a delicious low calorie iced tea is choosing your tea base. Starbucks offers several high quality tea options to build your drink upon:

• Black Iced Tea - This classic iced tea has a smooth, robust flavor. It's lightly sweetened with a hint of lemon for a refreshing taste.
• Passion Tango Iced Tea - A blend of hibiscus and lemongrass gives this fruity tea a tangy, tropical flavor.
• Iced Green Tea - Sencha green tea leaves produce a delicate, grassy flavor in this lightly caffeinated iced tea.
• Iced White Tea - Made with Silver Needle white tea, this tea is subtle and sweet with notes of honey and pear.
• Iced Coffee - For a coffee-tea fusion, opt for Starbucks classic iced coffee as your base.

Choosing an unsweetened tea base is the best option for keeping your iced tea low in calories. The passion tango and white tea options have the most naturally sweet, fruity flavors if you want to skip adding sugar.

Pick Your Milk

Adding a splash of milk to your iced tea can give it a creamy, cooling taste. Opt for one of these low calorie milk options:

• Nonfat Milk - This milk has a light, refreshing taste and only adds 35 calories per 8 oz cup.
• Soy Milk - With 80 calories per cup, soy milk gives iced tea a rich, nutty flavor.
• Almond Milk - For a creamy, nutty flavor, almond milk has only 60 calories per cup.
• Coconut Milk - Coconut milk provides a tropical twist with only 80 calories per cup.

Stay away from whole or 2% milk, which can pack nearly 150 calories per cup. Adding just a splash of your milk of choice keeps calories low while giving your tea a flavor boost.

Flavor with Sugar Substitutes

If you want to add a touch of sweetness without excess calories, try these sugar substitute options:

• Stevia - Just a few drops of the zero calorie stevia extract can provide sweetness without artificial flavors.
• Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup - This syrup tastes just like the classic vanilla without the sugar and calories.
• Splenda - A sprinkle of Splenda packs sweetness while only adding minimal calories.
• Cinnamon - Add warming cinnamon spice flavor instead of traditional sweetness.

Stay away from the classic syrups, which can have over 100 calories per pump. Sugar free options let you customize the sweetness while keeping calories low.

Incorporate Fruity Flavors

Fruity flavors give iced tea a tasty flavor boost minus the calories. Try adding any of these refreshing options:

• Lemonade - The classic lemonade flavor perfectly complements tea. An 8 oz serving only has 70 calories.
• Strawberry Inclusions - These real strawberry pieces add just 10 calories per serving.
• Pineapple Infusion - Get a tropical twist by steeping pineapple chunks directly in your tea.
• Orange Wedges - For a bright citrus kick, add a slice or two of fresh orange.
• Lime Juice - Just a squeeze of tart lime juice enhances the flavors.

Play around with different fruit combinations to create your own signature iced tea flavors.

Give it a Boost with Herbs

Adding fresh herbs can provide flavor inspiration for creative low calorie iced teas. Consider blending these herbs into your drink:

• Mint - Add a handful of fresh mint leaves for refreshing flavor.
• Basil - Sweet basil complements fruit flavors like strawberry and pineapple.
• Rosemary - This savory herb enhances black or green tea.
• Lavender - For an herbal taste, add a few dried lavender buds.
• Ginger - Spicy ginger root gives any tea a zesty kick.

Be careful not to oversteep herbs, or they can make your tea bitter. Start with just a few leaves or pieces and adjust to your taste.

Low Calorie Starbucks Iced Tea Recipes

Now that you know how to customize your drink, try one of these slimmed-down recipes for a refreshing, flavorful iced tea under 100 calories:

Coconut Milk Black Iced Tea

• Grande black iced tea, no sweetener
• Coconut milk instead of water
• 1 pump brown sugar
• 1 scoop matcha

The nutty coconut milk pairs perfectly with earthy black tea and matcha. A touch of brown sugar adds sweetness for only 90 calories.

Skinny Strawberry Green Tea

• Venti green iced tea, unsweetened
• Splash of nonfat milk
• 3 stevia packets
• 1 strawberry infusion

This light green tea gets a boost of sweet fruitiness from ripe strawberries and just a hint of stevia sweetness. At only 60 calories, it's waistline friendly.

Spiced Chai Iced Tea Latte

• Grande iced chai tea latte with nonfat milk
• No added sweetener
• 3 pumps sugar free vanilla syrup
• 1 pump cinnamon dolce syrup
• Dash of cinnamon on top

Make your own spiced chai with bold tea flavor, a hint of sweetness, and warming cinnamon. This delicious treat has only 100 calories.

Apple Spice Black Iced Tea

• Venti black iced tea, unsweetened
• Splash of soy milk
• 1 pump sugar free vanilla
• 1 packet Splenda
• Cinnamon and nutmeg sprinkled on top

The apple spice flavor comes through beautifully in this autumnal blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and creamy soy milk. It comes in at just 90 calories.

Blood Orange and Basil Iced Tea

• Grande passion iced tea, no liquid cane sugar
• 1 packet stevia
• Splash of lemonade
• Sliced blood orange
• 5 basil leaves

Bring the flavors of Italy to your iced tea with zesty blood orange and fragrant basil leaves. Tart and refreshing, it's a slim 70 calories.

Tips for the Best Low Calorie Iced Tea

Keep these tips in mind when ordering your customized low calorie iced tea:

• Ask for no liquid cane sugar or classic syrups to avoid excess calories from added sugars.
• Request light ice to get more tea and maximize the flavor.
• Size down to a Tall or Grande to keep portions under control.
• Skip the pumps of flavored syrups and opt for sugar free versions instead.
• Ask for milk and fruit inclusions on the side to control how much gets added.

With infinite combinations to try, you'll never get bored sipping on refreshing iced tea drinks from Starbucks. Follow these recipes and tips to enjoy guilt-free iced tea all summer long.

FAQs

What are some of the best low calorie tea options at Starbucks?

Some great low calorie tea options are passion tango iced tea, white iced tea, green iced tea, and black iced tea. Choosing an unsweetened tea is best for limiting calories.

What milk should I use in a low calorie Starbucks iced tea?

The best low calorie milk options for iced tea are nonfat milk, soy milk, almond milk, and coconut milk. Stay away from whole milk or 2% to keep calories down.

How can I add sweetness without using sugary syrups?

Great low calorie sweeteners for iced tea include stevia, Splenda, sugar free syrups, and spices like cinnamon. You can also use fresh fruit for natural sweetness.

What are some tasty fruits to add to low calorie iced tea?

Fruits that pair deliciously with iced tea are lemon, lime, orange, strawberry, pineapple, and blood orange. You can add fruit juices, purees, or fresh fruit pieces.

What herbs can I use to flavor low calorie iced tea?

Herbs that enhance the flavor of iced tea without calories include mint, basil, lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, and ginger. Start with small amounts and adjust to taste.