10 Starbucks Low-Calorie Holiday Drinks That Still Taste Festive

Holiday drinks at Starbucks are always tempting, but they’re not exactly known for being light.

I love the seasonal flavors—peppermint, caramel, toasted marshmallow—but I don’t love the calorie shock that usually comes with them.

Over time, I started experimenting with different ordering tricks, and I realized how easy it actually is to keep the flavor while cutting the heaviness.

Small changes like reducing pumps, switching milk, or skipping whipped cream can make a big difference without taking away the holiday vibe. So instead of skipping your favorites, you can still enjoy them in a smarter way.

These low-calorie versions taste just as festive, and you won’t feel like you’re ruining your day with one drink. Here are the easiest ways to lighten up the classics.

1. Low-Calorie Peppermint Mocha

A Peppermint Mocha is usually one of the heaviest holiday drinks, but you can slim it down without losing the flavor.

Start by switching to nonfat milk or almond milk, then ask for one pump of mocha and one pump of peppermint instead of the standard four.

Skip the whipped cream, because that alone saves around 110 calories.

The drink still tastes sweet and minty, just not overly heavy. Ordering it this way gives you a cozy holiday drink without the guilt.

How to order: Tall Peppermint Mocha, almond milk, 1 pump mocha, 1 pump peppermint, no whip.

Calories: ~140–160

2. Low-Calorie Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte

The original Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte is already lighter than most holiday drinks, but I still tweak it.

I order it with one pump of sugar cookie syrup instead of two, and I always choose almond milk because it keeps the calories lower.

I skip the sprinkles, too. They are cute, but unnecessary. The drink keeps its sweet sugar-cookie flavor, especially if you ask for a light blonde espresso shot for a softer taste.

It feels festive without feeling overly sweet, and I like that it doesn’t sit heavy the way some holiday drinks do. It’s one of the easiest drinks to lighten up.

How to order: Tall Sugar Cookie Latte, almond milk, 1 pump sugar cookie syrup, no sprinkles.

Calories: ~90–110

3. Low-Calorie Chestnut Praline Latte

Chestnut Praline Latte is naturally rich, so cutting it down makes a big difference.

I order it with nonfat milk and only one pump of chestnut praline syrup, which keeps the flavor warm without the extra sweetness.

Skipping the whipped cream and topping cuts more calories than you’d expect. You still get the cozy praline flavor, but the drink feels lighter and more balanced.

It doesn’t lose the holiday vibe either because the espresso and syrup combination is strong enough.

This low-calorie version is smoother and less sugary, which makes it easier to enjoy every day without feeling weighed down.

How to order: Tall Chestnut Praline Latte, nonfat milk, 1 pump syrup, no whip.

Calories: ~120–140

4. Low-Calorie Caramel Brulée Latte

I love the caramel richness of this drink, but the original version is heavy. So I lighten it by switching to almond milk and asking for one pump of caramel brulée syrup instead of the standard four.

Skipping the whipped cream and toppings removes a huge calorie load, but the drink still tastes caramel-sweet with a light texture.

Even with fewer pumps, it keeps that signature burnt-sugar flavor and adding blonde espresso makes it taste smoother.

This lighter version gives me all the holiday sweetness without blowing a whole meal’s worth of calories in one sip.

How to order: Tall Caramel Brulée Latte, almond milk, 1 pump syrup, no whip, no topping.

Calories: ~110–130

5. Low-Calorie Gingerbread Oatmilk Latte

Even when Gingerbread isn’t officially back on the menu, many locations still have the syrup.

I order it with one pump of gingerbread syrup and choose oat milk because it blends nicely with the spiced flavor. I skip the whipped cream, and I don’t add extra toppings.

The drink keeps that warm bakery-spice taste, but it’s nowhere near as heavy as the original classic. If oat milk feels too creamy, switching to almond milk drops the calories even more.

This version gives that nostalgic seasonal flavor without feeling like dessert in a cup.

How to order: Tall Gingerbread Latte, oat milk, 1 pump gingerbread syrup, no whip.

Calories: ~140–160

6. Low-Calorie Toasted White Chocolate Mocha

The Toasted White Chocolate Mocha is one of the highest-calorie holiday drinks on the menu, but it can be adjusted in a way that still keeps the toasted sweetness.

I ask for almond milk and reduce the syrup to one pump instead of four. Skipping the whipped cream brings the calories down dramatically, and the drink still has that cozy toasted-marshmallow taste.

If you want even more flavor without adding calories, ask the barista to add extra espresso—stronger coffee sharpens the flavor and reduces the sweetness.

This version keeps everything you like without overwhelming your palate.

How to order: Tall Toasted White Chocolate Mocha, almond milk, 1 pump toasted white chocolate mocha sauce, no whip.

Calories: ~120–140

7. Low-Calorie Pumpkin Spice Latte

Even after fall, most stores still have pumpkin syrup, so it sneaks into the holiday season.

To lighten it up, I go for almond milk and one pump of pumpkin syrup, which keeps the spiced flavor without the sugar overload. I skip the whipped cream and ask for no topping.

The drink still tastes rich because the pumpkin syrup itself is bold.

If you want a stronger coffee flavor, blonde espresso is smooth and cuts the sweetness even more.

This version feels warm and cozy while staying low in calories and much lighter on the stomach.

How to order: Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte, almond milk, 1 pump pumpkin, no whip, no toppings.

Calories: ~110–130

8. Low-Calorie Irish Cream Cold Brew

The Irish Cream Cold Brew is already lighter than many hot drinks, but there’s still room to trim.

I order light Irish cream syrup (1 pump instead of 2) and ask for no vanilla sweet cream cold foam. Instead, I ask for cold foam made with nonfat milk. This cuts a big chunk of calories but still keeps the drink smooth and creamy.

The cocoa-topped cold foam still gives it a holiday feel, and the cold brew base brings enough richness. It tastes festive but way lighter and easier to drink daily through the season.

How to order: Irish Cream Cold Brew, 1 pump Irish cream syrup, nonfat cold foam, no vanilla sweet cream foam.

Calories: ~90–110

9. Low-Calorie Peppermint White Mocha

Peppermint and white chocolate together are delicious but extremely sugary.

To lighten it up, I choose almond milk for the base and ask for one pump white mocha plus one pump peppermint. I skip the whip completely.

The peppermint still shines because the flavor is strong even at a single pump. The white mocha adds sweetness without overpowering everything. The lighter version tastes crisp and minty but smoother and less syrupy.

If you want a stronger coffee kick, ask for an extra shot. It helps balance the sweetness even further.

How to order: Tall Peppermint White Mocha, almond milk, 1 pump white mocha, 1 pump peppermint, no whip.

Calories: ~150–170

10. Low-Calorie Holiday Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Even though cinnamon dolce is available year-round, it shows up heavily in holiday drinks because of its warm, spicy sweetness.

To keep it low-calorie, I pick nonfat milk and reduce the syrup to one pump. I also skip whipped cream and the crunchy topping.

The drink still tastes cozy, especially when ordered with blonde espresso for a lighter flavor. It becomes a creamy cinnamon drink without excess sugar, and it still feels festive.

This version gives that holiday warmth without the heavy finish you get from the full-sugar version.

How to order: Tall Cinnamon Dolce Latte, nonfat milk, 1 pump cinnamon dolce syrup, no whip, no topping.

Calories: ~80–100

Check out more delicious Starbucks drinks:

• Best Starbucks Christmas Coffee Drinks to Try This Holiday Season
• 20 Best Copycat Starbucks Recipes to Make at Home
• 15 Starbucks Pumpkin Drinks You’ll Want to Sip All Season