Iced coffee with pumpkin cold foam has become an increasingly popular seasonal drink at coffee shops like Starbucks. Cold foam is a thick, creamy, and frothy topping that is made by blending nonfat milk until it develops a rich, mousse-like texture. It provides a delicious complement to iced coffee, adding sweetness and pumpkin spice flavor. But how many calories does this trendy coffee drink contain?
In this article, we’ll break down the typical calorie count of iced coffee with pumpkin cold foam, looking at the calories in each component. We’ll also provide some tips for customizing your drink order to reduce the calorie count while still enjoying the delicious flavors. Whether you’re counting calories or just curious about what’s in your coffee cup, read on to learn more.
Calories in Iced Coffee
The base of the drink, plain iced coffee, contains minimal calories on its own. According to the USDA, an 8-ounce serving of black iced coffee contains just 3 calories[1]. Iced coffee is brewed strong, then chilled and served over ice. Since it contains no added sugars, flavors, or dairy, the calorie count is extremely low.
Here is a calorie breakdown for an 8-ounce serving of black iced coffee:
| Serving Size | Calories |
|---|---|
| 8 fl oz | 3 |
However, most coffee shops allow you to customize iced coffee with different add-ins that impact the nutrition facts:
– Added sugar: Adding sugar or flavored syrups like vanilla, caramel, or mocha will add calories. Just 1 tablespoon of white sugar contains 49 calories[2]. Sugary syrups often contain a similar amount.
– Milk: Dairy milk adds calories and fat. An 8-ounce serving of whole milk contains about 150 calories and 8 grams of fat[3]. Lower fat milk options like skim or non-dairy milks contain fewer calories.
– Whipped cream: Topping your iced coffee with whipped cream can add 50 or more calories per serving[4].
– Flavored swirls: Some coffee shops allow you to add pumps of flavored swirls like hazelnut or vanilla. These add around 20 calories per pump[5].
So while black iced coffee is very low in calories, customized versions with dairy, sugar, and flavors can range from 100-250+ calories for an 8-ounce serving.
Calories in Pumpkin Cold Foam
Now let’s look at the pumpkin cold foam topping. Cold foam is typically made by blending nonfat or low fat milk with pumpkin spice flavoring. This creates a light, foamy texture thanks to the air incorporated during blending.
The calorie count of pumpkin cold foam can vary based on the milk type and amount of foam added:
– Nonfat milk: 50 calories per 8 ounces[6]
– 2% reduced fat milk: 120 calories per 8 ounces[7]
– Heavy cream: 800 calories per 8 ounces[8]
Most coffee shops use nonfat or 2% milk as the base. A typical 4-ounce serving of pumpkin cold foam made with nonfat milk contains around 25 calories. With 2% milk, that would increase to around 60 calories.
The pumpkin spice flavoring also adds minimal calories, about 5-10 calories per serving. So in total, a standard 4-ounce pumpkin cold foam topping contains roughly:
| Pumpkin Cold Foam | Calories (4 oz) |
|---|---|
| Made with nonfat milk | 25-30 |
| Made with 2% milk | 60-70 |
Total Calories in Iced Coffee with Pumpkin Cold Foam
Adding it all up, here are the typical calorie counts for an 8-ounce iced coffee with 4 ounces of pumpkin cold foam:
| Iced Coffee | Pumpkin Foam | Total Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Black coffee (3 calories) | 25 calories (with nonfat milk) | 28 |
| With 2% milk (120 calories) | 60 calories (with 2% milk) | 180 |
| With nonfat milk and flavored swirl (50 calories) | 30 calories (with nonfat milk) | 80 |
As you can see, the total calorie count ranges widely based on customizations, from just 28 calories for black coffee with nonfat foam up to 180+ calories for versions made with higher calorie dairy products and added flavors.
Tips for a Lower Calorie Iced Coffee
If you’re looking to keep your iced coffee beverage on the lighter side, here are some tips:
– Choose black coffee or coffee with nonfat milk instead of higher fat dairy options
– Ask for less cold foam, just 1-2 ounces instead of 4 ounces
– Skip the flavored syrups and sweeter swirls
– Request fewer or no pumps of flavor in the cold foam
– Ask for a dusting of pumpkin spice on top instead of cold foam
– Order a smaller size coffee to limit calories
– Substitute stevia or other zero-calorie sweetener for sugar
With some simple customizations and keeping portions in check, you can still enjoy all the delicious pumpkin spice flavor while minimizing the impact on your daily calorie intake.
The Bottom Line
Iced coffee with pumpkin cold foam can range from around 30 calories for a black coffee with a small amount of foam made with nonfat milk up to 200+ calories for a larger sweetened coffee with heavy pouring of foam made with higher fat milk. Pay attention to your customizations, as the calories add up quickly with syrups, heavy cream, larger sizes, and generous foam portions. To keep your drink lighter, opt for nonfat dairy, easy on the flavors, and a reasonable portion size. This way, you can still have this popular seasonal treat while maintaining your nutrition goals. So go ahead and sip that PSL-inspired goodness – just be mindful with your choices!
References
[1] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171705/nutrients
[2] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169785/nutrients
[3] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171270/nutrients
[4] https://www.calorieking.com/us/en/foods/f/calories-in-beverages-whipped-cream/4-kDwMzK-Rnm4NvNpkT5ROw
[5] https://mobilesyrup.com/2019/08/14/starbucks-canada-new-frappuccino-calorie-counts/
[6] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171269/nutrients
[7] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171275/nutrients
[8] https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/171229/nutrients