Starbucks' Highest-Sugar Drinks Ranked Worst for Health

When you order a coffee at Starbucks, you might assume you’re getting a low-calorie, caffeinated beverage. But many of the chain’s most popular drinks are heavily sweetened blends loaded with syrups, cream, and chocolate—turning a simple cup into a dessert-like indulgence with serious health implications.

Yes, two Starbucks blended drinks are among the worst-rated coffee beverages for health. According to a U.S. magazine, the Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino (with whole milk and whipped cream) contains 520 calories, while the White Chocolate Mocha (also with whole milk and whipped cream) packs 640 calories—both far exceeding the 63 calories found in a basic black coffee or tea.

What Makes These Starbucks Drinks So Unhealthy?

The issue lies not with coffee itself, but with what’s added to it. The magazine’s panel evaluated drinks based on calorie count, sugar content, and nutritional value. Regular brewed coffee or tea is low in calories, but once you mix in chocolate syrup, whole milk, whipped cream, and flavored sauces, the drink transforms into a high-calorie treat. The Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino alone contains the equivalent of 10 popsicles’ worth of sugar and about 75% of your daily recommended fat intake. The White Chocolate Mocha is so sweet it’s been likened to “drinking a dessert.”

Why Do So Many Customers Still Choose These Blends?

Despite the health risks, research shows that around two-thirds of Starbucks customers in the U.S. opt for blended or flavored drinks over plain black coffee. In China, baristas have been observed steering customers away from black coffee toward sweeter, cream-based options like those with chocolate or whipped toppings—even when customers specifically ask for a standard black coffee.

How Do These Compare to Regular Coffee?

A standard black coffee or tea contains just 63 calories—minimal and sugar-free. In stark contrast, the two Starbucks drinks flagged as the worst contain 520 and 640 calories respectively. That’s more than three times the calories of a typical slice of pizza. The extra calories come from full-fat dairy, sugary syrups, chocolate, and whipped cream—all of which contribute to their high sugar and fat content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which two Starbucks drinks were rated the worst for health?

The Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino (with whole milk and whipped cream) and the White Chocolate Mocha (with whole milk and whipped cream) were named the worst by a U.S. magazine. They contain 520 and 640 calories respectively—far higher than regular coffee.

How many calories are in a regular black coffee?

A standard black coffee or tea contains only 63 calories, with no added sugar or fat.

What makes these Starbucks drinks unhealthy?

These drinks are loaded with whole milk, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and other sugary flavorings, resulting in extremely high calorie and sugar content—equivalent to multiple desserts in one serving.

Why do people still order these blended drinks?

Research shows around two-thirds of Starbucks customers in the U.S. prefer sweet, creamy blended drinks. In China, staff sometimes suggest these options even when customers ask for black coffee.

Are there any low-calorie options at Starbucks?

Yes—ordering black coffee, an Americano, or an unsweetened espresso drink will drastically reduce both calories and sugar. Skip the syrups, whipped cream, and whole milk.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Black Coffee

For a healthier, low-calorie coffee experience, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend, known for its balanced sweetness and chocolate notes without added sugar, or the Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright fruit and floral tones. Both shine as black coffees and contain zero calories or sugar. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.