What Almond Milk Does Starbucks Use? (Confirmed In 2023)

What Brand Of Almond Milk Does Starbucks Use?

Starbucks almond milk with vary from one store to the next as different locations use different brands. 

Why is this so?

Starbucks is a franchise. Although there are branches that the company owns, most of them, especially outside the United States, are franchises.

This means they can source some of their ingredients locally instead of getting the same supplies the leading stores use.

However, I have looked for all the possible shelf-stable brands that Starbucks uses, so you don't have to do the digging.

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? (Don’t Ruin Your Diet)

Before I dive into how healthy almond milk at Starbucks is, let’s talk about how this plant-based alternative is made. It is made by blending almonds to create a nutritious drink that can replace any dairy milk.

One advantage of this milk over regular cow’s milk or any dairy milk--whether almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk--is that they are healthier.

In addition to its health benefits, dairy alternatives are also better for the environment.[1] They use less land and emit fewer greenhouse gasses.

With the health benefits, non-dairy milk, particularly almond milk, has the same calcium content as cow's milk.

On top of that, they are often fortified with vitamins and minerals, like Vitamin D and Vitamin B12.

They also have less fat and calories, which makes almond milk and other Starbucks dairy-free drinks the best choice for health-conscious coffee drinks.[2]

The only downside is that almond milk contains less protein than regular milk or soy milk.[3]

So, when switching to almond milk from cow's milk as part of your normal diet, make sure that you consider getting a higher protein option elsewhere, like eating more legumes or nuts.

Is It Sweetened Or Unsweetened?

Most Starbucks branches use unsweetened almond milk to allow customers to adjust the sweetness of their drinks to their liking.

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 that you get from Starbucks almond milk comes from a naturally occurring sugar content from the almonds.

That's why the taste of unsweetened almond milk is still a little sweet, with light almond notes that make any coffee drink at Starbucks delicious.

Is Starbucks Almond Milk Gluten Free?

If you have Celiac disease and can't consume gluten, I have some good news: Starbucks almond milk is gluten-free.

However, note that not all non-dairy milk alternatives are free from gluten.

Depending on the manufacturer, some brands may add flavorings and preservatives to the milk containing gluten.

On top of that, other Starbucks drinks may contain ingredients with gluten, such as Java chips and cereal.

Is It Organic?

Yes, almond milk at Starbucks is organic. All the brands mentioned in the preceding section, including Califia Farms, are non-GMO and use organic ingredients to create healthy alternatives.

On top of that, these brands are also certified kosher, which makes them perfect for anyone to consume.

How Many Calories Does It Have?

One thing I love about almond milk is that it has lower calories compared to 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.[4]

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?

As mentioned, almond milk contains less fat and protein than full-fat cow’s milk.

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)

At Starbucks, you can use almond milk for any drink. In fact, numerous drinks list almond milk as their main milk ingredient.

However, if you're planning to order a coffee-based beverage that doesn't originally call for almond milk, requesting to replace the milk can be nerve-wracking.

Here are some tips that will make it easy for you to order:

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!

Common Starbucks Almond Milk Questions

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.[5]

Is almond milk Keto friendly?

Yes, but only unsweetened almond milk is keto-friendly. Sweetened and other variants contain sugar and carbs.

What’s the healthiest milk at Starbucks?

Almond milk is the healthiest milk at Starbucks.

What almond milk does Starbucks use in the UK?

The almond milk Starbucks uses in the UK depends 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 if they're a franchise and not owned and operated by the Starbucks company itself.

References:

1. https://ourworldindata.org/environmental-impact-milks
2. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/should-you-switch-to-plant-based-milk
3. https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2017/coconut-almond-soy-milk-cs.html
4. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/173441/nutrients
5. https://sports.yahoo.com/starbucks-finally-dropping-surcharge-plant-125559801.html