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Heavy cream is probably my favorite add-in for coffee, and nothing else really does the same job for me.
The first thing I notice is how quickly it softens the drink. It makes coffee feel smoother, creamier, and a little easier to drink when I want something less sharp.
Over time, though, I realized heavy cream is not all the same.
So, which heavy cream does Starbucks use?
What brand of heavy cream does Starbucks use?
Starbucks uses different brands of heavy cream, depending on the local dairy providers available in the area of a store.
The answer is that the brand can vary from store to store and from one market to another.
I’ve noticed that variation even within the U.S., where two stores can carry different cream suppliers.
The same thing can happen internationally, since the supplier behind the carton depends on the market.
Key takeaways
The most commonly used brands
However, I did some research, and the most common brand in the US is Borden. In Canada, the Dairyland brand of cream is what you’ll usually see.
That means the heavy cream in one Starbucks market may not be the same brand used in another.
What to know about Starbucks heavy cream
The labels I hear most often are whipped cream, sweet cream, and heavy cream, and each one behaves a little differently in the cup.
When I was a barista at the chain, we made the Starbucks whipped cream with heavy cream, along with vanilla syrup.
Starbucks sweet cream also contains heavy cream, but includes other ingredients like vanilla simple syrup and 2% milk.
Heavy cream on its own is not sweet.
Starbucks’ heavy cream is 100% cow’s milk.
That part stays pretty consistent across brands, even if the packaging changes.
So, even if you want to know what heavy cream Starbucks use, it doesn’t really vary much between brands.
I also see heavy cream turn up in some Starbucks baked goods, not just drinks.
How much does it cost to add heavy cream at Starbucks?
In my experience, adding heavy cream usually felt like a small customization rather than something that changed the order much.
I’ve usually seen it treated like part of the drink unless another add-on changes the total.
At the register, I’d usually just ask for extra heavy cream and leave it at that.
For example: “One white chocolate mocha with extra heavy cream and vanilla syrup.”
Barista HQ Tip: Chocolate lovers, heavy cream can elevate your favorite chocolate drinks, even the signature hot chocolate. Just ask for a heavy cream, and your chocolate beverage will become extra creamy! You can also ask for a half and half or breve instead of just heavy cream.
Starbucks cream nutritional facts
Calories, fat, and sugar are the part I pay most attention to:
Calories
The brand of heavy cream Starbucks stores uses, Borden, only has 45 calories per tablespoon/half an ounce of heavy cream.
Most heavy creams sit in roughly the same range, around 45 to 50 calories.
What changes the final number is how much cream you pour into the drink.
Fat
Heavy cream is also high in fat. The Borden heavy cream in the references lists 5 grams of fat.
If I want less fat in the cup, I switch to a lighter creamer or a non-dairy milk instead.
Sugar
Most heavy creams do not have added sugar.
The Borden version lists one gram of sugar, and that comes naturally from the cream itself.
Starbucks sweet cream is different, since it includes vanilla syrup and therefore has added sugar.
Heavy cream alternatives at Starbucks
I’ve tried plenty of dairy and nondairy substitutes for heavy cream.
A few that come up often are:
Half and half (breve)
Breve is the first thing I think of when I want something lighter.
It’s just half milk and half cream, so the milk takes some of the heaviness out of the cream.
Coconut milk
Coconut milk is the closest substitute I’ve found when I want a thick feel without dairy.
Part of that is probably just that I already like coconut.
The texture is still creamy enough to feel close to heavy cream, and it keeps the drink dairy-free.
More milk
Sometimes I want the cup to feel milkier, but I don’t want all of that richness to come from heavy cream.
It adds up fast on the calorie side.
In those cases, I’ll combine regular milk and heavy cream.
Sweet cream
For cold coffee, I’ve found vanilla sweet cream gives a softer, sweeter result than plain heavy cream.
The vanilla syrup in the sweet cream pushes iced coffee toward a creamier, sweeter profile than plain heavy cream. If lactose is a concern, I stick with a dairy-free option instead.
Starbucks heavy cream drinks to try
When I want a richer cup, heavy cream is still one of the quickest ways I’ve found to change the texture.
A few drinks I keep in mind when I want that richer texture are:
Vanilla Latte with Heavy Cream
I’ve seen it ordered with espresso shots, steamed milk, a splash of cream, a light layer of foam, and vanilla syrup.
Pink drink
The result reminds me of strawberries and cream, just in a colder, more drinkable form.
It’s made with strawberry acai base, freeze-dried strawberries, coconut milk, heavy cream, milk, and acai base.
For a fuller finish, extra whipped cream helps.
FAQs
How much heavy cream does Starbucks use in a grande drink?
One Starbucks build I’ve seen uses 2 ounces of heavy cream in a grande-sized drink.
How much heavy cream is used in iced beverages at Starbucks?
In the version I’ve seen, it’s typically about one ounce in a tall, two in a grande, and three in a venti.
Is heavy cream suitable for diet plans?
Heavy cream can fit into lower-carb or no-sugar orders, but I still think of it as a calorie-dense add-in.
Do you have to pay for extra whipped cream at Starbucks?
In the stores I’ve used, whipped cream has usually been treated more like part of the drink than a chargeable extra. Add-ons like vanilla syrup or caramel sauce are the ones that tend to change the total.
Conclusion
So the answer really does depend on the store.
In the U.S., I’ve usually seen Borden mentioned, while Canadian stores are often linked with Dairyland.
The brand may vary, but in coffee it still gives the same basic effect: a thicker, richer texture.
