Starbucks Decaf Drinks (Best Ones You Should Try)

Starbucks is known for its delicious coffee that wakes you up every morning, but what if you don’t want to have a caffeine boost to start the day? The good news is you can find decaffeinated versions of almost any of your preferred Starbucks drinks. Some options are lesser-known, but many of them are everyday favorites.

The best decaf drink you should try at Starbucks is the Decaf White Chocolate Mocha. This drink is packed with white chocolate, decaf coffee, and whipped cream. The delicious flavor is enough to satisfy your sweet tooth without giving you coffee jitters or keeping you awake throughout the night.

If you prefer a little less sweetness, you could also try some of the following drinks:

• An iced decaf americano
• A decaf caramel macchiato
• The decaf latte (iced or hot)
• A decaf flat white
• The decaf cappuccino

In this article, we’ll dive into the details about each drink, how to order them, and several varieties. We’ll also discuss whether or not there are trace amounts of caffeine in decaf Starbucks drinks (the answer might surprise you!).

Decaf White Chocolate Mocha

Starbucks’ White Chocolate Mochas are a fan favorite for those who love diving deeper into the menu. It might not be as popular as their Pike’s black coffee, but there’s no denying the bold flavor that’s suitable around the clock. Fortunately, this drink can be ordered with decaffeinated espresso to make it perfect whenever you want it.

The decaf white chocolate mocha is made with a shot of decaf espresso, steamed 2% milk (some stores let you sub it for fat-free, soy, or almond milk), white chocolate mocha syrup, and whipped cream. You can order it without the whipped cream to cut back on the calories. Another calorie-reducing option is to ask for two or three pumps of white chocolate syrup instead of the standard four pumps.

Decaf Iced Americano

Americanos are popular throughout the USA and Italy. They’re a watered-down version of an espresso shot that American soldiers made to substitute the coffee they had back at home. The decaf iced Americano from Starbucks consists of espresso shots steeped in cold water with ice. You can also get the drink served hot.

A decaffeinated Americano is an excellent choice for those who want less caffeine without getting rid of the rich, bold espresso flavor. You don’t have to be energized to enjoy these drinks, which is why they’re ordered all over the place. Feel free to order the decaf iced Americano with creamer or by itself.

Decaf Caramel Macchiato

Caramel macchiatos are typically the first sweet coffee drink people try. They’re layered with steamed milk, caramel syrup, vanilla syrup, and espresso. For a familiar taste without the caffeine boost, you can order this drink decaf. However, keep in mind that it still packs a bit of energy due to the sugar content, much like the previously mentioned decaf white chocolate mocha.

You can order the decaf caramel macchiato iced or hot. The caramel is layered on top but quickly drops to the bottom, blending the whole drink. To reduce its sugar content, ask for one to two pumps of vanilla syrup instead of the standard three pumps. You’ll still get the same amount of caramel, so you don’t have to worry about losing too much flavor.

Decaf Latte (Iced or Hot)

The Starbucks Decaf Latte, also known as the Caffe Latte (Decaf), is a top choice for those who enjoy steamed milk and foam in their coffee. This drink is mainly steamed milk topped with foam and a shot of espresso (or more, depending on the size you choose). Enjoy your latte iced or hot for the ultimate decaf cup.

Starbucks explains this drink is a much softer flavor compared to their other espresso-based drinks. The steamed milk and foam dull it down without removing the sought-after coffee bean taste. You can add pumps of vanilla, caramel, and other syrups to your decaf latte if you want to boost its flavor profile.

Decaf Flat White

Like the decaf latte mentioned earlier, the decaf flat white consists of steamed milk and espresso shots. However, it doesn’t include the layer of foam at the top, which is perfect if you want more coffee in the cup. It also has a higher coffee-to-milk ratio, meaning there’s more coffee rather than steamed milk.

The additional coffee and lack of foam at the top of the cup make this drink’s texture closer to an Americano rather than a creamy latte. Getting an iced decaf flat white is ideal for those who want a splash of espresso without being overwhelmed by the rich flavor. Although it’s not always on the menu screen, you can order a flat white at any Starbucks location.

Decaf Cappuccino

If you enjoy the steamed milk of a latte but prefer a stronger coffee taste, a decaf cappuccino from Starbucks should be at the top of your list. It’s made with half the amount of steamed milk as a latte, allowing much more room for coffee. It has more coffee than a flat white, too. You can add foam on top of a decaf cappuccino, too.

Cappuccinos often come in many flavors, but you’ll have to ask for pumps of mocha, caramel, or vanilla if you want something outside the norm. A standard decaf cappuccino tastes like espresso and steamed milk without hiding the natural coffee flavor you know and love. Starbucks sells bottled cappuccinos in grocery stores if you don’t want to wait in line.

What’s a Good Decaf Drink at Starbucks?

Starbucks has plenty of good decaf drinks. According to Grounds to Brew, you can order any espresso-based drink at Starbucks as a decaf cup. However, you can’t order decaf black or green tea since the company doesn’t have enough demand.

Starbucks sells many herbal teas that don’t naturally have caffeine, but they’re not considered ‘decaf’ since caffeine wasn’t removed.

All lattes, macchiatos, frappucinos, and cappuccinos can be ordered decaffeinated. Some locations let you order decaf iced coffee and other drinks, but it’s not guaranteed. Always feel free to ask the store, though.

Does Starbucks Decaf Have Caffeine?

Contrary to popular belief, decaf coffee isn’t caffeine-free. You might’ve noticed drinking your favorite coffee at 6 PM left you tossing and turning all night, and it’s not a placebo! Decaf coffee typically has a fraction of the caffeine of regular coffee, but it’s often enough to increase your energy levels and make you more alert.

If you’re not a steady coffee drinker, you might feel the effects of decaf coffee more than others. Someone who drinks Starbucks daily could often avoid the energy jolt of decaf variants, but that doesn’t mean it’s wise to drink a cup before bed. Coffee at Three explains many espresso drinks at Starbucks contains 25mg of caffeine per cup.

Adding an extra shot of decaf espresso will increase the caffeine content of a decaf drink by 12mg. Since lattes, macchiatos, and similar espresso-based drinks have one to two shots, you could imagine how quickly it’d add up. In addition, bigger sizes contain more espresso shots, boosting the caffeine content.

It’s not unheard of to order a large (Venti) or extra-large (Trenta) and consume up to 60mg of caffeine. However, if you want to drink Starbucks decaf orders without too much caffeine, it’s best to order a small (Tall) or medium (Grande). These sizes stick within the recommended one to two espresso shots to keep the caffeine content minimum.