Starbucks Pistachio Latte Review
You can rely on Starbucks to have an exciting drink on the menu that perfectly matches the weather—no matter the season—whether it’s a pumpkin spice latte that reminds you of the changing leaves or a peppermint mocha to cheer up your holidays. Starbucks also introduced the Pistachio Latte in 2019, and this drink is now a favorite winter beverage for many Starbucks lovers.
Nutty, warm, and comforting is the perfect way to describe the Pistachio Latte’s distinctive flavor that blends well with any milk you choose. This latte has a strong pistachio flavor–it is made with a creamy pistachio sauce blended with espresso and topped with a salted brown butter mixture, which may appeal to you if you are someone who also enjoys the Caramel Brulee Latte.
The Pistachio Latte from Starbucks is filling, warm, and has the perfect amount of flavor. It’ll remind you of a flat white (even though traditional flat whites have no syrup or sauce) because the Starbucks Pistachio Latte is reminiscent of the creaminess and warmth of a flat white.
Thinking of making your own coffee, instead? Click here for the best beans for your Jura machine.
Nutritional Breakdown for the Starbucks Pistachio Latte
While this latte sounds like a cozy way to stay warm during the winter season, it’s good to know what exactly you are drinking. Below is the nutritional breakdown for a sixteen-ounce grande Pistachio Latte:
- 320 calories
- Nine grams of fat
- Five grams of saturated fat
- 310 milligrams of sodium
- Forty-eight grams of carbohydrates
- Twenty-five milligrams of cholesterol
- Twelve grams of protein
- Forty-five grams of sugar
The Starbucks Pistachio Latte is high in sodium and calories, which may be a concern for some people. In addition, this latte has a substantial amount of sugar. The American Heart Association suggests different amounts of daily sugar intake depending on gender, age, and other factors, but this beverage has a higher sugar content than what is recommended for any group.
Even a small Pistachio Latte (twelve ounces) contains approximately thirty-three grams of sugar. According to the American Heart Association, the minimum daily sugar intake is thirty-six grams for men and twenty-five grams for women. So, even though it’s okay to enjoy a sweet treat occasionally, drinking this latte frequently will leave you dealing with the side effects of consuming too much sugar–which could include dental cavities, weight gain, or increased appetite.
Thankfully, you can reduce the sugar content in your Starbucks Pistachio Latte by dialing back on the amount of pistachio sauce you add to your beverage or avoiding the brown butter topping. In addition, the Pistachio Latte contains five grams of saturated fat, which is a lot for any dessert or drink. If you’re concerned about your heart health, avoid this latte, as research shows that saturated fat consumption is linked to a higher risk of heart disease.
On the positive side, the Pistachio Latte packs twelve grams of protein, which is equivalent to what you get from eating two eggs. Additionally, this drink will leave you feeling satisfied longer because it has a high protein content.
The amount of protein, carbohydrates, and fat in this latte is closer to that of a full meal than a typical cup of coffee. Thus, this Pistachio Latte is perfect as an occasional treat if you love the flavor–just remember that it is high in fat, sodium, and sugar and is probably not an ideal option as a regular morning drink.
Final Thoughts
You shouldn’t make this Pistachio Latte an everyday drink; however, with some moderation and some tweaks to the sugar levels, it’s a treat that will undoubtedly put you in the holiday mood. Of course, if you prefer your drink cold, you can also order this Pistachio Latte in a frappuccino form or iced. All in all, the Starbucks Pistachio Latte is a cozy and fun-flavored drink worth trying.
Not a huge Starbucks fan, or wanting to explore other brands? Check out our recent Death Wish Coffee review or our Stumptown Coffee review.
