Starbucks sweet cream has become an incredibly popular addition to many of the coffee chain’s signature drinks. But what exactly is in the sweet, creamy concoction that has customers raving? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutrition facts behind Starbucks’ sweet cream.
What is Sweet Cream?
Starbucks describes its sweet cream as a “delicious sweetened cream that complements any beverage.” It has a smooth, creamy texture and a sweet vanilla flavor.
Sweet cream is intended to be a healthier alternative to the high-fat, high-calorie whipped cream typically dolloped on top of coffee drinks. It has a lighter consistency closer to half and half.
Starbucks sweet cream contains just 35 calories in 1 tablespoon versus 50 calories in the same amount of its whipped cream. It was developed as part of Starbucks’ initiative to offer more lower-calorie options.
Standard Sweet Cream Ingredients
According to the Starbucks website, the ingredients in its Original Sweet Cream are:
- Heavy whipping cream
- Vanilla syrup
Heavy whipping cream, also known as heavy cream, contains between 36-40% milk fat. This gives it a thick, indulgent texture when whipped.
Starbucks sweet cream is made by combining heavy cream and vanilla syrup, then whisking the mixture until soft peaks form. The vanilla syrup incorporates sugar and natural vanilla flavor.
The exact ratios of heavy cream and vanilla syrup used are proprietary secrets. But Starbucks sweet cream does contain less sugar than the flavor syrups typically added to coffee drinks.
Nutrition Information
One tablespoon (15ml) of Starbucks sweet cream contains:
- 35 calories
- 3.5g fat
- 2g saturated fat
- 5mg cholesterol
- 15mg sodium
- 1g carbohydrates
- 1g sugar
- 0g protein
So while not completely guilt-free, Starbucks sweet cream is a lower calorie option than alternative coffee add-ins like whipped cream or flavored syrups. For example, adding the same 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup would contain 45 calories and 11g of sugar.
Customization Options
Starbucks offers several ways to customize its sweet cream to suit your tastes:
Flavored Sweet Cream
Starbucks occasionally releases special flavored sweet creams for a limited time. Past options have included pumpkin spice, chocolate, and sugar cookie. These contain additional flavor syrups and may be higher in calories than the original sweet cream.
Salted Sweet Cream
This popular variant includes a touch of sea salt to provide a subtle salty-sweet flavor contrast.
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
Cold foam is made by blending the sweet cream until it reaches a light, foamy texture. It’s then added as a floating layer on top of iced coffees. The cold foam is a lower calorie way to get the sweet cream flavor with a smooth texture.
Sweet Cream Substitutions
You can also ask for substitutions like:
- Non-fat sweet cream
- Vegan sweet cream
- Sweet cream with half pumps of vanilla syrup
This allows you to better customize the sweetness level or dietary needs of your drink.
Drinks Commonly Made with Sweet Cream
Some of Starbucks’ most popular sweet cream drinks include:
| Drink | Description |
|---|---|
| Iced Vanilla Latte | Espresso and milk with vanilla syrup, topped with sweet cream |
| Cold Brew with Sweet Cream | Smooth cold brew coffee topped with sweet cream |
| Nitro Cold Brew with Sweet Cream | Nitrogen-infused cold brew with a cascade of sweet cream |
Sweet cream is also often added to Frappuccinos, White Chocolate Mochas, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes for an extra creamy sweetness.
Tips for Ordering
Here are some tips for ordering Starbucks drinks with sweet cream:
- Request the number of pumps of vanilla syrup in the sweet cream. The standard is 2 pumps for a Tall, 3 for a Grande, 4 for a Venti
- Ask for light, standard, or extra sweet cream to control the amount
- Substitute 2% milk or non-dairy milk in drinks to reduce calories
- Order an iced espresso and ask for sweet cream on the side to control how much you add
- Combine sweet cream with sugar free syrups to reduce sugar
Is Sweet Cream Keto-Friendly?
The keto diet requires consuming very low carbs and high fat. How does Starbucks sweet cream measure up?
Unfortunately, the vanilla syrup used in the standard sweet cream contains sugar which does not fit keto guidelines. However, you can request sugar-free vanilla syrup instead. Be sure to ask for heavy whipping cream only, no 2% milk.
With these modifications, the sweet cream can be ordered keto-style. You may also want to request extra sweet cream or double the portion to increase the fat ratio.
Can You Make Sweet Cream at Home?
It’s easy to whip up a Starbucks-style sweet cream at home with just 2 ingredients:
Homemade Sweet Cream Recipe
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Heavy whipping cream | 1 cup |
| Vanilla syrup or extract | 1-2 tbsp |
- Whip the heavy cream on high speed until soft peaks form, about 2-3 minutes
- Add in vanilla syrup or extract and whip briefly to incorporate
- Refrigerate until ready to use. Keeps up to 1 week.
Adjust the amount of vanilla to your taste preference for sweetness. Sugar-free vanilla syrup can also be substituted.
You now have a quick homemade version you can add to coffee drinks or use as a topping for desserts!
Conclusion
Starbucks sweet cream puts a delicious spin on coffeehouse drinks with its rich yet lighter texture and sweet vanilla flavors. Made from just heavy cream and vanilla, it can be customized to suit different dietary needs. While not calorie-free, sweet cream offers a lower fat and sugar option compared to traditional whipped cream. Tip: Ask for the number of pumps of vanilla syrup to control the sweetness. So next time you visit Starbucks, consider upgrading your drink with a splash of sweet cream!