Starbucks' Worst Coffee Drinks: High-Calorie Blends

If you’ve ever wondered why your favorite Starbucks drink leaves you feeling more like you’ve had a slice of cake than a cup of coffee, you’re not alone. A major U.S. magazine didn’t just raise an eyebrow—it issued a harsh verdict on two of Starbucks’ most popular blended drinks, labeling them among the worst coffee beverages on the market. The reason? Shocking calorie content that turns your caffeine fix into a sugar-laden indulgence.

The answer is clear: Starbucks’ Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino (with whole milk and whipped cream) packs 520 calories, while the White Hot Chocolate (also with whole milk and whipped cream) hits 640 calories—far beyond a typical coffee’s 63 calories and even a regular blended drink’s 239 calories. That’s not just a coffee; that’s a dessert in a cup.

What Makes These Starbucks Drinks So Unhealthy?

According to the U.S. magazine’s evaluation, the issue isn’t the coffee itself—but what’s added to it. The magazine praised “the purest, blackest” coffee as a healthier choice, but flagged blended drinks loaded with chocolate, cream, eggs, and syrups as nutritional pitfalls. These add-ins transform the drink’s profile entirely, turning a low-calorie coffee into a high-calorie treat. The Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino, for instance, contains the equivalent of three-quarters of the daily recommended fat intake and sugar equal to about 10 popsicles. Meanwhile, the White Hot Chocolate has been likened to “drinking a dessert.”

Why Do Customers Keep Ordering Them?

Despite the health warnings, data shows that around two-thirds of Starbucks customers in New York still opt for these blended, calorie-heavy drinks. In China, too, when customers ask for a plain black coffee, staff often suggest sweeter, chocolate- or cream-based alternatives instead. The appeal is clear: flavor and texture win over health for many buyers. These drinks are designed to be indulgent, combining coffee with dessert-like elements that cater to cravings rather than caffeine needs.

What About Starbucks’ Other Business Moves?

This criticism of sugary drinks comes alongside another significant corporate decision. Starbucks has announced plans to sever ties with Kraft Foods, its longtime partner for distributing packaged coffee to supermarkets and retailers. The relationship, which spanned 12 years, has turned contentious. Starbucks accuses Kraft of blocking its executives from sales meetings, using shared knowledge to launch competing coffee brands, and harming Starbucks’ brand image. Starbucks intends to manage its grocery business independently and has started working with Acosta, a major U.S. supermarket distributor, to sell bottled coffee. Kraft, however, is seeking arbitration and argues that Starbucks owes compensation based on the fair market value of the business plus up to 35%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Starbucks drinks were rated the worst by the U.S. magazine?

The Double Chocolaty Chip Frappuccino with whole milk and whipped cream (520 calories) and the White Hot Chocolate with whole milk and whipped cream (640 calories) were named the worst for their extremely high calorie and sugar content.

How many calories are in a typical coffee versus these blended drinks?

A regular coffee or tea contains about 63 calories, while a typical blended coffee drink has around 239 calories. In contrast, the criticized Starbucks drinks contain 520 and 640 calories respectively.

What makes these drinks unhealthy compared to black coffee?

These drinks include added ingredients like chocolate, cream, eggs, and syrups, which significantly increase calorie, fat, and sugar levels, unlike plain black coffee, which is low in calories and free from such additives.

Do most Starbucks customers prefer blended drinks or black coffee?

About two-thirds of Starbucks customers in New York prefer blended, flavored drinks. In China, staff often suggest sweetened options when customers ask for black coffee.

Why is Starbucks ending its partnership with Kraft Foods?

Starbucks cites conflicts including Kraft’s refusal to allow Starbucks executives at sales meetings, use of shared knowledge for competing brands, and brand damage. Starbucks plans to handle its grocery distribution independently and is working with Acosta.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Health-Conscious Drinkers

For those avoiding high-calorie coffee drinks, FrontStreet Coffee offers several excellent single-origin options. The Ethiopia Yirgacheffe is bright and floral with citrus and stone fruit notes, perfect for a light, refreshing brew. The Colombia Narino Supremo delivers a balanced cup with caramel and nuts, ideal for espresso or pour-over. Both are low in calories and high in flavor—just brew with care. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.