The Worst Coffee Drinks According to Men’s Health

If you’ve ever wondered which coffee drinks are actually doing more harm than good, a definitive list from U.S. men’s health magazine Men’s Health reveals the top six unhealthiest coffee beverages—many of which are popular seasonal or dessert-like drinks. These aren’t your standard black coffees, but high-calorie, sugar-loaded concoctions that masquerade as coffee.

The magazine’s research found that the worst offenders among coffee drinks can pack over 600% more calories than plain black coffee, with some containing more sugar than a handful of candy bars. Two Starbucks drinks and one from McDonald’s made the blacklist.

The Problem with Sugary Coffee Drinks

Men’s Health emphasizes that pure, black coffee is one of the healthiest ways to enjoy caffeine—but once you mix in chocolate, cream, syrups, and other additives, you’re no longer drinking coffee in its simplest, healthiest form. These additions ramp up calories, sugar, and fat, turning your drink into a dessert or worse, a diet saboteur.

The magazine tracked New York coffee drinkers and found roughly two-thirds of Starbucks customers opt for blended or flavored drinks. These average 239 calories per serving—compared to just 63 calories for regular coffee or tea.

The Worst Offenders Ranked

Here are the six coffee drinks flagged by Men’s Health as the unhealthiest, along with their calorie counts and why they made the list:

• Starbucks Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino (whole milk & cream): 520 calories. Contains the equivalent of 75% of your daily recommended fat intake and sugar equal to about 10 popsicles.
• McDonald’s Caramel Latte (whole milk, large): 330 calories. Loaded with unnecessary calories and unhealthy sugars.
• Starbucks White Hot Chocolate (whole milk & cream): 640 calories. More like a dessert than a coffee.
• Dunkin’ Donuts Gingerbread Latte (iced): 450 calories. A holiday-themed sugar bomb.
• Cold Stone Creamery Caramel Latte Lotta (with ice cream): 1790 calories. The single most caloric coffee drink on the list.
• Cosi DoubleOh! Arctic Mocha: 434 calories. A “polar” offender in both temperature and calories.

What Makes These Drinks So Bad?

All of these drinks share a common problem: they’re not really coffee drinks in the traditional sense. They’re heavily sweetened, cream-laden beverages that often include ice cream, syrups, and flavorings. The calories mostly come from fats and added sugars, not from the coffee itself. For example, the Starbucks Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino derives most of its bulk and calories from whole milk, cream, and chocolate syrup—not espresso or coffee grounds.

The magazine’s concern isn’t just calorie count—it’s that these drinks undermine the health benefits associated with moderate black coffee consumption, and can actively work against weight loss or healthy dietary goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Starbucks drinks are on the Men’s Health worst coffee list?

The Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino (made with whole milk and cream) with 520 calories, and the White Hot Chocolate (whole milk and cream) with 640 calories. Both are seasonal or specialty drinks, not part of the regular coffee lineup.

Did McDonald’s have a bad coffee drink on the list?

Yes, McDonald’s Caramel Latte (large, whole milk) was listed with 330 calories, criticized for its high sugar and calorie content without nutritional justification.

What’s the most caloric coffee drink according to the list?

The Cold Stone Creamery Caramel Latte Lotta, which contains ice cream, weighed in at a staggering 1790 calories—more than many fast-food meals.

Are any of these drinks available year-round?

Most are not. For example, the White Hot Chocolate is reported as non-existent at McDonald’s locations in Beijing, and the Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino is a seasonal (summer) offering in China. The Gingerbread Latte is also seasonal, typically around the holidays.

Why are these drinks considered unhealthy?

They combine high levels of sugar, saturated fat, and calories with little to no actual coffee benefit. A single drink can contain the sugar of multiple desserts and more fat than a full meal, negating any health positives from caffeine alone.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Healthier Brewing

For a coffee experience that’s actually good for you, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend or Yirgacheffe single origin. The Classic Blend offers balanced notes of caramel and nuts, ideal for black brewing, while Yirgacheffe brings bright citrus and floral tones perfect for pour-over. Both highlight coffee’s natural flavors without added sugars or fats. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.