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Being lactose intolerant made me start scanning coffee menus for dairy-free options almost automatically, especially when I still wanted the drink to taste like coffee.
Oat milk is the alternative I order most often, so I was glad when Starbucks added it to the lineup. It made a lot of standard espresso drinks easier to order.
What I really wanted to know was which brand they used. That sounds minor, but after tasting a few oat milks side by side, the differences in body and sweetness are hard to miss.
Key takeaways
Can you order drinks with oat milk at Starbucks?
Yes, Starbucks offers oat milk as a dairy-free alternative for all your favorite hot and cold beverages.
Whether I order it in a hot latte or an iced drink, oat milk changes the whole feel of a Starbucks beverage. Steamed, it gives the cup more body and a softer finish. Iced, the oat flavor stays a little cleaner and reads more plainly.
It is not limited to customizations, either. Starbucks also has a few drinks on the regular menu built around non-dairy milk.
Two of the most popular Starbucks oat milk drinks in recent years are the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, and the Honey Oatmilk Latte (these have quickly become two of my faves!)
Other Starbucks oat milk menu options include:
The first thing I notice with oat milk is how much smoother and rounder it feels than cow's milk. It fills out the drink without making it feel heavy.
The flavor leans nutty and a little earthy, with enough natural sweetness to remind me of an oatmeal cookie. In coffee, that usually reads as warm rather than sugary.
What brand of oatmilk does Starbucks use?
Starbucks uses Oatly Barista Edition oat milk.
Oatly is a Swedish company that makes oat milk, and its products are known for a creamy texture that works especially well in coffee drinks.
Oatly specializes in oat-based products, using their own steel cut oats for their alternative dairy products.
It also makes oat-based yogurt and ice cream, so oat milk is only one part of what the company sells.
Oatly says its milk uses less water and land than several other types of milk, which is part of why Starbucks highlighted it when it rolled out oat milk.
According to Senior Vice President Luigi Bonini in 2021, Starbucks looked for the following when it came to finding the perfect oat milk:
“When selecting an oatmilk, we looked for a high-quality ingredient that is not only delicious, but also complements our coffees and inspires new handcrafted beverages…”
Bonini also said Oatly stood out because:
“Oatly’s oatmilk has a smooth and velvety texture, foams beautifully, and pairs perfectly in our light and dark roast coffees, opening up new possibilities for beverage innovation at Starbucks.”
Toni Petersson, Oatly's CEO, said they were "excited to be part of Starbucks' ongoing commitment to sustainability."
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Does Starbucks oat milk have sugar?
Oatly oat milk is unsweetened, which makes it easy to use in coffee or baking without adding extra sugar. It still tastes naturally mild and slightly sweet.
However while this keeps the oat milk healthy, depending on the hot and cold beverages you order, the drinks themselves (like the Honey Oatmilk Latte) may have other sweeteners.
Is Starbucks oat milk gluten free?
If you have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease, Oatly brand oat milk is certified gluten-free.
Barista edition oatly vs regular oatly
There are now two different types of Oatly oat milk available: Regular Oatly and Barista Edition Oatly.
The main difference starts with the nutrition label.
A serving of Barista Edition Oatly has 130 calories, while regular Oatly has 120.
Both varieties have 2 grams of protein and 4 grams of fat, but the Barista Edition has slightly less sugar at 5 grams per serving.
In practice, the Barista Edition feels a little richer in coffee, while regular Oatly is the lighter option if you are comparing calories or want a less creamy pour.
In addition to being a creamier texture, Barista Edition is also significantly cheaper than regular Oatly.
That also affects the price gap. In some places, the Barista Edition costs less, which makes the regular version harder to justify.
Starbucks Barista Edition Oatly is the version that feels closest to what I want in coffee. Both versions deliver a solid oat flavor, but the texture is what separates them.
Why has oat milk become so popular in coffees?
A lot of people like oat milk for practical reasons beyond taste.
One is that it contains no cholesterol and is low in saturated fat.
It is also a good source of fiber and vitamins, including vitamin A and vitamin D.
Oat milk is made from oats and water, which is one reason it is often described as a more sustainable plant-based option than several other milks.
Those are a big part of why it has become so common in coffee shops.
Is oat milk good for you?
It can also be a source of fiber and contains minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium, depending on the product.
Oat milk is lower in calories and fat than some other options, which is one reason people choose it.
It also works well for people who avoid dairy, since it does not contain the same proteins as cow's milk.
If you’re looking for a low-calorie or low-fat option, oat milk is the perfect choice.
Although it does have some health benefits, it is important to remember that it’s not a miracle food and should still be consumed in moderation.
Are all oat milks gluten free?
One of the most common oat milk questions is whether it is gluten-free.
The answer depends on how it is made.
Most oat milks are made from oats that have been specially processed to remove the protein that triggers the celiac condition.
Some brands skip a gluten-free processing step, so traces of gluten can still show up in the finished product.
If you are celiac or very sensitive to gluten, the label is the safest place to check.
FAQs
Why doesn’t my local Starbucks have oat milk?
If your Starbucks stores are not offering oat milk, it may be because some Starbucks locations are facing a shortage. Oatly oat milk shortages have been reported in both 2021 and 2023 – so make sure to check it’s in stock before ordering.
Can I purchase Starbucks’ oat milk in stores?
I often see people buy it at Target or Walmart for home drinks, and it can also turn up at Meijer, Amazon, and Kroger.
What kind of oat milk does Starbucks use in Canada & the UK?
Starbucks offers oat milk in Canada and the UK, too. In Canada, Starbucks has Oatly's original oat milk, while in the UK it offers both Oatly's original oat milk and Barista Edition oat milk. I always check the local menu for that kind of detail instead of assuming the U.S. lineup applies everywhere.
How much extra is oat milk at Starbucks?
It usually costs about $0.80 to $1.00 extra at Starbucks. That does not sound like much, but it adds up quickly if oat milk is your default.
What are some popular Starbucks oat milk drinks?
There are plenty of popular lattes, frappuccinos, and other drinks that work with oat milk.
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken, Honey Oatmilk Latte, Oatmilk Iced Vanilla Latte, Oatmilk Mocha Cookie, Chai Tea Latte, and Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso are just a few.
Conclusion
If you want a non-dairy swap in a hot or cold drink, local Starbucks is an easy place to start.
The menu is broad enough that oat milk does not feel like an afterthought, and Oatly's texture holds up well in coffee. I like it most in drinks where I want a creamier sip but still want the espresso to show through.
