Pumpkin spice lattes are a popular autumnal treat at Starbucks, complete with rich espresso, steamed milk, pumpkin sauce, and often topped with a cloud of pumpkin sweet cream foam. But like most indulgent coffee drinks, they can rack up the calories quickly. So how many calories are actually in the sweet cream foam topping? Let’s break it down.
What is Pumpkin Sweet Cream Foam?
Starbucks pumpkin sweet cream foam consists of a few simple ingredients: vanilla syrup, 2% milk, heavy cream, and pumpkin spice sauce. The vanilla-flavored foam provides a creamy, sweet complement to the underlying espresso and steamed milk. It’s an optional topping for Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte and other seasonal fall drinks.
The pumpkin sweet cream foam contains approximately 45 calories per 2 tablespoons. This is based on Starbucks’ published nutrition information for the standard sweet cream foam. The pumpkin sauce likely adds negligible additional calories.
Calories in a Full Size Pumpkin Cream Sweet Cream Cold Brew
One of the most popular drinks topped with pumpkin sweet cream foam is the Pumpkin Cream Sweet Cream Cold Brew. This 16 oz cold coffee drink contains:
– 150 calories for the cold brew coffee base
– 90 calories for the vanilla sweet cream
– 45 calories for the pumpkin sweet cream foam (based on 2 tablespoons)
So the total calories for a full size Pumpkin Cream Sweet Cream Cold Brew with the foam topping is approximately 285 calories.
Calories in a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte
The pumpkin sweet cream foam is also commonly added to hot Pumpkin Spice Lattes. A grande (16 oz) hot Pumpkin Spice Latte contains:
– 150 calories for 2% steamed milk
– 50 calories for espresso
– 80 calories for pumpkin sauce
– 45 calories for pumpkin sweet cream foam (based on 2 tablespoons)
So the total calories in a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte with the added foam is approximately 325 calories.
Calories in Other Menu Items with Pumpkin Sweet Cream Foam
The pumpkin sweet cream foam can also be added to a number of other Starbucks coffee drinks, including:
Pumpkin Cream Nitro Cold Brew
– Grande (16 oz): 110 calories (cold brew) + 45 calories (2 tablespoons foam) = 155 calories
Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino
– Grande (16 oz): 300 calories (frappuccino base) + 45 calories (2 tablespoons foam) = 345 calories
Pumpkin Spice Crème
– Grande (16 oz): 230 calories (crème base) + 45 calories (2 tablespoons foam) = 275 calories
So the sweet cream foam generally adds around 45 calories to any drink it tops. The exact total calories will depend on the base beverage calories too.
Ways to Make Your PSL Healthier
While there’s no getting around the fact that pumpkin spice lattes and other creamy pumpkin drinks are high in calories, there are some easy ways to make them a bit healthier:
– Ask for nonfat milk instead of 2% to trim some fat and calories
– Select a smaller size drink like a Tall (12 oz) rather than a Venti (20 oz)
– Ask for fewer pumps of vanilla or pumpkin sauce to reduce added sugars
– Request less sweet cream foam or whip on top
– Opt for stevia or sugar-free syrups to cut back on sugar
– Substitute cold brew or Americano for some lattes to reduce milk and calories
Getting your PSL “skinny” or “light” is a great way to cut back on calories while still enjoying your favorite seasonal treat.
Nutrition Information for Pumpkin Sweet Cream Foam
To recap, here are the key nutrition facts for Starbucks’ pumpkin sweet cream foam topping:
Serving Size
– 2 tablespoons
Calories
– 45 calories
Fat
– 2.5g total fat
– 1.5g saturated fat
– 0g trans fat
Carbohydrates
– 3g total carbohydrates
– 3g sugar
Protein
– 0g protein
Sodium
– 15mg sodium
Sugars
– 3g sugars
So while not completely guilt-free, a couple tablespoons of the sweet cream foam adds a relatively modest amount of 45 calories and 3 grams of sugar to your drink order.
Creating Your Own Lower Calorie Pumpkin Sweet Cream
You can also try making a lighter version of the pumpkin sweet cream foam at home:
– Add 1 tablespoon pumpkin puree to 1 cup chilled nonfat milk
– Use 1 tablespoon sugar-free vanilla syrup
– Blend until foamy and light
– Top your homemade PSL or cold brew coffee
This creates a flavorful foam with way fewer calories, fat, and sugar than the Starbucks version. Feel free to adjust the pumpkin puree or vanilla to suit your tastes.
Conclusion
Starbucks’ pumpkin sweet cream foam adds a deliciously indulgent flair to autumnal coffee drinks. While the foam can contribute up to 45 calories and 3 grams of sugar per couple tablespoons, there are easy ways to enjoy your pumpkin spice latte or cold brew while limiting calories, fat, and added sugars. With some simple tweaks and smart customizations, you can still satisfy your pumpkin craving!