An iced shaken espresso is a popular coffee drink made by shaking espresso with ice and milk. It’s a refreshing way to get your caffeine fix on a hot day. But like all coffee drinks, it does contain calories that add up, especially if you drink them regularly or order larger sizes. So how many calories are actually in an iced shaken espresso? Let’s take a detailed look.
What is an Iced Shaken Espresso?
An iced shaken espresso starts with a shot or two of espresso that is shaken vigorously with ice to chill and dilute it. Milk is then added, typically 2% milk or nonfat milk. The milk helps give the drink a frothy, foamy texture. Sometimes simple syrup or flavored syrups are added as well for extra sweetness. An iced shaken espresso tends to be lighter and frothier than an iced latte. It’s made “upside down” with the espresso added to the milk rather than the other way around. Once shaken, it’s poured over fresh ice to serve.
Unlike brewed coffee which is water-based, espresso is made by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee beans. This produces a concentrated shot of coffee. A single shot of espresso has about 40-75 mg of caffeine, while a double shot has about 150-200 mg 1. So an iced shaken espresso gives you a good boost of caffeine.
At most coffee shops like Starbucks, you can customize your iced shaken espresso in several ways:
– Number of shots – single, double, triple
– Type of milk – whole milk, 2% milk, nonfat milk, soy milk, almond milk
– Size – short (8 oz), tall (12 oz), grande (16 oz), venti (24 oz)
– Syrups – vanilla, caramel, hazelnut, cinnamon dolce, etc.
– Toppings – flavored toppings like caramel drizzle or cocoa powder
With all these customizations, the calories can vary quite a bit. So let’s analyze the calories in some popular versions.
Calories in a Small Iced Shaken Espresso
Let’s start with a small or “tall” 12 oz iced shaken espresso made with 2% milk and no customizations.
This typically contains:
– 1 shot of espresso (about 1 oz)
– 2% milk (about 11 oz)
One shot of espresso has 3 calories 2.
11 oz of 2% milk has 121 calories 3.
So a plain tall iced shaken espresso has about:
124 calories
This is a moderate amount of calories for a 12 oz drink. As a comparison, here are calories for some other common 12 oz drinks:
– Coke: 140 calories
– Orange juice: 168 calories
– 2% milk: 122 calories
– Brewed coffee: 4 calories (without added cream or sugar)
As you can see, the iced shaken espresso is fairly comparable to these other beverages calorie-wise. The milk adds a good amount of calories, but it’s still lower than fruit juice.
Nutrition Info for Small Iced Shaken Espresso with 2% Milk
| Calories | Fat | Protein | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 124 | 2.5 g | 8 g | 14 g |
Calories with Nonfat Milk
What if you opt for nonfat or skim milk instead of 2%?
11 oz of nonfat milk has 91 calories3.
So a tall iced shaken espresso made with nonfat milk has about:
94 calories
That shaves off 30 calories compared to using 2% milk. Here’s the nutrition info:
Nutrition Info for Small Iced Shaken Espresso with Nonfat Milk
| Calories | Fat | Protein | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 94 | 0.5 g | 9 g | 12 g |
As you can see, the fat content drops significantly going from 2% to nonfat milk. So if you’re trying to reduce calories and fat, opting for nonfat milk is an easy way to cut back.
Calories with Whole Milk
What if you prefer the richer taste of whole milk?
11 oz of whole milk has 169 calories3.
So a tall iced shaken espresso made with whole milk contains:
172 calories
That’s 48 more calories than using 2% milk. Here are the full nutrition facts:
Nutrition Info for Small Iced Shaken Espresso with Whole Milk
| Calories | Fat | Protein | Carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 172 | 5g | 8g | 15g |
As you can see, the fat content increases significantly when switching from 2% to whole milk.
So if limiting fat and calories are priorities for you, opt for nonfat or 2% milk. But if you’re willing to spend a few extra calories for the richer taste of whole milk, that’s still a reasonable option.
Calories for Larger Iced Shaken Espresso
Now let’s look at larger sized iced shaken espressos.
A grande 16 oz size with 2% milk contains:
– 1 shot espresso (3 calories)
– 15 oz 2% milk (165 calories)
Total = 168 calories
And a venti 24 oz extra large contains:
– 2 shots espresso (6 calories)
– 23 oz 2% milk (253 calories)
Total = 259 calories
So as you increase the size, the calories scale up roughly in proportion.
The venti has over double the calories of the tall size.
Here’s a summary of the calories at each size:
Calories by Size of Iced Shaken Espresso with 2% Milk
| Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| Tall 12 oz | 124 |
| Grande 16 oz | 168 |
| Venti 24 oz | 259 |
So if limiting calories is your priority, stick to the smaller sizes. Or consider splitting a larger size with a friend.
Added Calories from Customizations
We’ve looked at calories in a standard iced shaken espresso so far. But what happens when you start customizing with additional syrups and toppings? Calories can climb further.
Some popular ways to customize and the additional calories they add:
| Customization | Extra Calories |
|---|---|
| Add flavored syrup (1-2 oz) | 60-120 |
| Whipped cream (2 oz) | 50 |
| Caramel or mocha drizzle (1 oz) | 60 |
| Soy or almond milk instead of dairy | 0-30 |
As you can see, those pumps of syrup, dollops of whipped cream, and drizzles can significantly increase the calorie count. A venti iced shaken espresso with whipped cream and mocha drizzle can have well over 400 calories!
So if limiting calories is your goal, stick to the standard versions without too many extras. Or only ask for light drizzles of syrups and toppings.
Tips for a Lower Calorie Iced Shaken Espresso
Here are some easy tips to order an iced shaken espresso with lower calories:
– Choose nonfat milk or 2% milk over whole milk
– opt for the smallest size that will satisfy you
– Avoid or limit high-calorie syrups and toppings like whipped cream
– Ask for a single shot of espresso instead of double
– Request light drizzles of syrups or toppings
– Split a larger size with a friend
This way you can still enjoy your coffeehouse treat while keeping calories in check.
Nutrition Benefits of Iced Shaken Espressos
While iced shaken espressos are a higher calorie drink, they do provide some key nutrients:
Protein – 8-11 grams from the milk
Vitamin D – 10-25% DV from milk
Calcium – 20-35% DV from milk
Caffeine – 150-300mg from espresso for energy and focus
Milk provides a good dose of protein, vitamin D, and calcium. And espresso gives you that caffeine kick to help you get going in the morning or whenever you need it.
So while high in calories, an iced shaken espresso can fit into a balanced diet when consumed in moderation.
Conclusion
An iced shaken espresso contains anywhere from 100-400 calories depending on size, milk type, and customizations. Sticking to nonfat or 2% milk, smaller sizes, and fewer toppings can keep calories on the lower end. Overall, an iced shaken espresso has moderate calories compared to other coffee drinks and beverages when customized properly. So enjoy your frothy, chilled espresso drink guilt-free by making small adjustments to cut calories while still getting those essential nutrients.