What Dietitians Are Saying About Starbucks' New Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte

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Every year, Starbucks rolls out holiday drinks just after Halloween. To help spread cheer in 2021, the coffee giant added a new item to the holiday drink menu: the iced sugar cookie almond milk latte.

The new drink, which debuts in stores today, marks a milestone for Starbucks: It’s the first-ever non-dairy holiday drink. And yup, Starbucks says it’s inspired by the beloved holiday treat, the sugar cookie.

People are already buzzing about the new drink on social media:

Here’s what you need to know about the new iced sugar cookie almond milk latte, plus how it fares in the nutrition department.

What’s in the iced sugar cookie almond milk latte?

The iced sugar cookie almond milk latte has a base of Starbucks Blonde Espresso and almond milk. That’s combined with sugar cookie flavored syrup and topped off with festive red and green cookie sprinkles, according to Starbucks. While it’s designed to be served over ice, you can have it hot instead—your choice.

Iced sugar cookie almond milk latte nutrition

The iced sugar cookie almond milk latte comes in the usual range of Starbucks sizes. But this is what you can expect if you have a grande iced version:

• Calories: 150

• Calories from fat: 30

• Total fat: 3.5 g

• Saturated fat: 0 g

• Cholesterol: 0 mg

• Sodium: 115 mg

• Total carbohydrates: 29 g

• Dietary fiber: 1 g

• Sugar: 25 g

• Protein: 2 g

• Caffeine: 170 mg
  

Is the iced sugar cookie almond milk latte healthy?

It’s important to point out upfront that Starbucks never claimed this is a health drink. But, if you’re curious, dietitians have some thoughts.

“It’s important to remember that this is a treat,” says Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety. “But no one is eating sugar cookie anything and expecting it to be a health-promoting product.”

Cording points out that the iced sugar cookie almond milk latte is “lower in sugar than a lot of other Starbucks seasonal beverages,” but she notes that 25 grams of sugar is still a lot. “That’s about six teaspoons—it’s not nothing,” she says.

Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet, agrees. “I wouldn’t call this a healthy drink since it doesn’t provide any real nutritional benefits, especially with 25 grams of sugar,” she says. “But compared to other Starbucks holiday drinks, it definitely is one of the better choices, with fewer calories and sugar.”

Almond milk has a health halo around it, but Cording notes that it tends to be low in protein and fat. “Because of that, your body is going to burn through that sugar super quick,” she says. “You could have a blood sugar spike and crash.”

So, what’s the healthiest way to enjoy the iced sugar cookie almond milk latte?

Technically, you’re fine to have it as-is. “For those looking to have a taste of the holidays while not breaking the caloric bank, this is a good option,” says Gina Keatley, a C.D.N. practicing in New York City. “Still a dessert beverage, this drink can be consumed as designed all by yourself—no need to share with only 150 calories.”

Cording recommends just looking at this as a treat. But, if you want to try to make it healthier, she suggests asking for just one pump of the flavored syrup, downgrading to a tall, and asking your barista to make it with dairy milk for a little protein to temper out all that sugar.

Overall, though, experts say you’re just fine to enjoy this drink the way Starbucks intended.

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