Costa’s Large Toffee Latte Contains 73g Sugar, Exceeds Daily Limit

If you’ve ever wondered just how much sugar is really in your seasonal coffee shop drink, the numbers might shock you. A recent investigation reveals that some of the most popular festive coffee beverages contain alarming levels of sugar and calories—far beyond what most health authorities recommend for a full day, let alone a single drink.

The large full-fat toffee latte from Costa contains 73.3 grams of sugar and 610 calories. That’s more than double the daily sugar limit for women and nearly twice the limit for men, according to the World Health Organization.

The Sugar Shock in Popular Holiday Coffee Drinks

According to the UK’s Daily Mail, a large full-fat toffee latte from Costa contains an eye-watering 73.3 grams of sugar—equivalent to about 18 teaspoons (with 1 teaspoon equaling roughly 4 grams). This far exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommendation of no more than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day for women and 35 grams (9 teaspoons) for men. The same drink also packs 610 calories.

In comparison, Starbucks’ large winter seasonal eggnog latte contains 58.2 grams of sugar and 547 calories—still over double the female daily sugar limit. These sugary coffee drinks often include whipped cream, flavored syrups, and other high-calorie additives that ramp up both sugar and fat content.

Even non-holiday drinks can be surprisingly sugary. For example, Costa’s caramel hot chocolate contains 661 calories and the equivalent of 24 teaspoons of sugar (24 x 4g = 96g).

Caffeine Content in Coffee Shop Drinks

Coffee isn’t just about sugar and calories—it also delivers caffeine, which stimulates the central nervous system, improving alertness and cognitive function. However, caffeine is addictive, and reducing intake can trigger withdrawal symptoms such as increased blood pressure and anxiety.

A single shot of Costa espresso averages 185 milligrams of caffeine. Many of their drinks contain two to three shots, averaging around 277 milligrams per cup. In contrast, Starbucks’ larger brewed coffees can contain up to 320 milligrams of caffeine per serving—among the highest in UK coffee chains.

While caffeine can enhance focus, its stimulating effects vary by individual tolerance, and regular high intake may lead to dependency.

What the Experts Say About Excess Sugar and Calories

Nutrition experts warn that regularly consuming drinks with such high sugar and calorie content contributes to more than just weight gain. Excess sugar is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

British nutritionist Liana emphasized that a single toffee latte can exceed not just daily sugar recommendations, but also add 25% more calories than the average recommended daily intake. The WHO advises men to limit sugar to 35 grams (9 teaspoons) and women to 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day. Yet, these coffeehouse drinks can contain the equivalent of 18 to 24 teaspoons of sugar in one serving.

These beverages combine high calories, sugar, and saturated fats with minimal nutritional benefit. Occasional indulgence may be fine, but making them a habit can significantly impact long-term health.

What the Coffee Chains Say

Costa stated that they aim to offer customers choices, highlighting that their best-selling Christmas drink is a low-calorie latte made with skimmed milk at just 70 calories. They also noted that only one-seventh of their seasonal drink sales come from limited-edition items, and that customers can customize drinks to reduce calories—by choosing skimmed milk, removing cream, or opting for sugar-free syrups.

Starbucks similarly pointed out that baristas can recommend lower-calorie options, including the use of skimmed milk or skipping whipped cream. All stores inform customers about options like sugar-free syrups to help lower intake.

Examples of lower-calorie Christmas offerings from Costa include a unique blended tea with only 3 calories, and a gingerbread latte made with skimmed milk containing just 192 calories.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much sugar is in a large Costa toffee latte?

A large full-fat toffee latte from Costa contains 73.3 grams of sugar, which equals approximately 18 teaspoons. This is more than double the daily recommended sugar intake for women (25g) and nearly double for men (35g) according to the WHO.

How many calories are in a Costa toffee latte?

The large full-fat toffee latte from Costa contains 610 calories. That’s a significant amount, especially when compared to standard daily calorie recommendations for maintaining weight.

How does the sugar in Costa drinks compare to Starbucks?

A large Costa toffee latte has 73.3g of sugar, while Starbucks’ large eggnog latte contains 58.2g. Both exceed the WHO’s daily sugar limits for women and men, with Costa’s drink having the higher amount.

What is the caffeine content in Costa and Starbucks drinks?

A single Costa espresso has around 185mg of caffeine, with most drinks averaging 277mg. Starbucks’ larger brewed coffees can have up to 320mg of caffeine, among the highest in UK coffee shops.

Are there lower-sugar or lower-calorie options at Costa or Starbucks?

Both chains offer options to reduce calories and sugar, such as choosing skimmed milk, skipping cream or whipped topping, and using sugar-free syrups. Costa also offers a 70-calorie skimmed milk latte and a 192-calorie gingerbread latte as part of their Christmas range.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Lower-Sugar Coffee

For coffee drinkers looking to avoid sugary holiday drinks, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Classic Blend for a balanced medium roast with notes of caramel and dark cherry, or their Yirgacheffe for a bright, fruity option with citrus and floral highlights. Both are great black or with a dash of milk—no syrup needed. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.