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I started paying closer attention to almond milk after ordering it in a latte and noticing how much it changed the drink. It gives coffee a lighter, nutty finish without the same dairy feel.
For me, it became the swap I reached for most when I wanted something dairy-free without losing all the creaminess.
Starbucks does let customers replace dairy milk with almond milk, but the exact version behind the bar can depend on the store.
That was enough to make me check which almond milk Starbucks actually uses.
What brand of almond milk does Starbucks use?
Starbucks almond milk will vary from one store to the next as different locations use different brands.
Starbucks is partly a franchise. Although the company owns some branches, most of them, especially outside the United States, are franchises.
That means some stores can source ingredients locally instead of using the same supplies as every company-owned location.
I looked into the shelf-stable almond milk brands most commonly associated with Starbucks, rather than assuming every store uses the same carton.
Brands | Ingredients |
|---|---|
Silk | Almond milk (Filtered Water, Almonds), Cane Sugar, Contains 2% or Less of Vitamin and Mineral Blend (Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin E Acetate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D2), Sea Salt, Gellan Gum, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C To Protect Freshness), Natural Flavor. |
Califia Farms | Almond milk (Water, Almonds), Calcium Carbonate, Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Natural Flavor, Gellan Gum, Potassium Citrate |
Almond Breeze by Blue Diamond | Almond milk (Filtered Water, Almonds), Calcium Carbonate, Sea Salt, Potassium Citrate, Sunflower Lecithin, Gellan Gum, D-alpha-tocopherol (Natural Vitamin E). |
Important Reminder: Some Starbucks almond milk brands may not be listed here, especially from countries outside the United States. These brands are just the most popular ones they use in most stores.
Is Starbucks almond milk healthy?
Starbucks almond milk can be healthy – depending on the version.
Depending on what is available locally, your Starbucks may use a different brand or even switch between sweetened and unsweetened almond milk. I have seen that kind of variation from one location to another, and it is exactly why the label matters.
The main Starbucks almond milk brands I found were:
Silk Unsweetened Almondmilk
Califia Farms Unsweetened Almond Barista Blend
Blue Diamond's Unsweetened Original Almondmilk
Some potential health benefits of almond milk are:
Additionally, dairy alternatives like almond milk are also better for the environment as they use less land and emit fewer greenhouse gases.
Almond milk’s downside is that it contains less protein than regular milk or soy milk.
Starbucks’ almond milk is one of the lighter milk options on the menu, but I never think of it as the healthiest in any absolute sense.
Is it sweetened or unsweetened?
Many Starbucks branches use unsweetened almond milk so customers can adjust the sweetness of their drinks more easily.
So if you’re on Keto, you don’t have to be scared of switching to dairy-free milk for your coffee.
The hint of sweetness you notice in Starbucks almond milk usually comes from the almonds themselves, not from a heavily sweetened base.
Is Starbucks almond milk gluten free?
If you avoid gluten, this is one detail worth checking: Starbucks almond milk is typically labeled gluten-free.
However, note that not all non-dairy milk alternatives are free from gluten due to flavorings or preservatives in the milk.
Other Starbucks drinks may still contain gluten through add-ins such as Java chips and cereal ingredients.
Is it organic?
Yes, almond milk at Starbucks is organic.
Some of the brands mentioned above are marketed as non-GMO and made with organic ingredients, but those claims still depend on the exact carton.
A few of them are also certified kosher, although that can still vary by product and region.
How many calories does it have?
One reason I often choose almond milk is that it usually comes in lighter on calories than cow’s milk.
100 grams of 1% cow milk contains 42 calories, while the same amount of almond milk has less than half of its calorie content.
So, if you’re trying to cut down on calories, I suggest switching the milk of your favorite Starbucks beverage to almond milk.
How many grams of fat does it have?
It also has less fat and protein than full-fat cow’s milk, which is why it drinks lighter.
In fact, it has 37% to 75% less fat compared to cow’s milk, depending on the brand.
Ordering Starbucks almond milk drinks (Tips from a Barista)
Barista HQ Bonus Tip: You can buy Starbucks almond milk drinks at grocery stores! Yes, you read that right. The Starbucks DoubleShot coffee smoothie line uses almond milk instead of the usual milk. This means you can have your favorite Starbucks almond milk coffee at home!
Popular Starbucks drinks that use almond milk
FAQs
Does Starbucks charge extra for almond milk?
Yes, Starbucks charges US customers around 70¢ extra for almond milk. However, Starbucks UK is removing its extra fee for plant-based milk.
Is almond milk Keto friendly?
Yes, but only unsweetened almond milk may fit a keto-style order. Sweetened versions and some other variants add sugar and carbs.
What’s the healthiest milk at Starbucks?
I would not call almond milk the healthiest milk at Starbucks across the board. It is a lighter option, but the comparison changes depending on what you are comparing it against.
What almond milk does Starbucks use in the UK?
In the UK, the almond milk Starbucks uses can depend on the location.
Conclusion
Starbucks uses different brands of almond milk, including Silk almond milk, Califia Farms almond milk, and Almond Breeze.
Other countries may use different brands, especially where stores are franchise-run rather than owned and operated by Starbucks itself.
