10 Best Starbucks drinks for lactose intolerance (Starbucks Drinks Even lactose-intolerant People Can Enjoy + More information)

If you are a lover of beverages but are lactose intolerant, this review will help you choose specific drinks from Starbucks that even you can enjoy without any fears of a health hazards. This write-up will focus on the “Best Starbucks drinks for lactose intolerance”.

Sometimes last year I began developing strange symptoms every time I took whole milk. Nausea, bloating, sometimes vomiting, and stomach cramps were clear indications of lactose intolerance. That never meant that I could not have my favorite beverages. So I went out on a hunt to sample drinks that I still could enjoy, without being paranoid about my health. Starbucks was my first stop and I found just what I was looking for.

Is Starbucks milk lactose-free?

Starbucks Milk has lactose. However, in cases where there’s a need for lactose-free milk, Starbucks has different types of plant-derived kinds of milk that could work as a substitute. Normally, Starbucks would use whole milk, also known as 2% milk unless advised otherwise by the client. The plant-derived milk that Starbucks uses for their lactose-intolerant customers includes, Oatmilk, Soymilk, and Coconut milk all of which are lactose-free.

What’s the best milk substitute at Starbucks?

Coconut milk is used mostly as a substitute for Milk at Starbucks. This is because it gives an alternative rich flavor to their lattes. A drink at Starbucks with coconut milk would give you a generic rich, smooth taste and a nutritious intake.

One of the main reasons Starbucks would substitute their milk for coconut milk would be customers’ preference. Always for lactose intolerance. Other main substitutes used at Starbucks include Almond milk, oat milk, and soymilk.

What milk is good for lactose intolerance at Starbucks?

At Starbucks, to choose the best milk for lactose intolerant people, they resort to their plant-based kinds of milk. They include Coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, and soy milk. These are the most common kinds of milk that Starbucks uses for its lactose intolerant clients.

What is a lactose-free beverage at Starbucks?

A lactose-free beverage at Starbucks is a drink from their store that does not include any dairy product. In place of using whole milk in the drink, they resort to plant-based milk as stated above. Plant-derived milk has no lactose. This makes them safe for all lactose intolerant customers at Starbucks. Starbucks has a variety of such drinks in their menu. If you are a lover of any of their drinks, note that milk in some of their drinks can be substituted by a plant-based milk in cases of lactose intolerance.

How we choose the Best Starbucks drinks for lactose intolerance

The drinks you will find in this list are chosen using specific criteria that work best to the advantage of lactose intolerant beverage lovers. This technique of choice puts into account the combination of ingredients in the drinks and the effect that dairy products would have on lactose intolerant individuals.

The most vital part of any drink is its nutrient value and the health effect it may have on the consumer. When it comes to Starbucks drinks, the kind of milk they use determines whether the drink will have a side effect on the consumer or is safe for ingestion. In determining the safety of their drinks, they consider the source of the milk used to determine its safety for lactose intolerance.

Natural whole milk would constitute the following;

• 87.7% water4.9% lactose
• 3.4% fat
• 3.3% protein
• 0.7% minerals (referred to as ash)

Note that, Lactose intolerance is the inability of your gut to digest the lactose, a sugar present in milk and its products. It is a disaccharide containing glucose and galactose. Its presence in milk is what makes whole milk risky to lactose-intolerant individuals because their digestive system cannot break it down.

However, plant-based milk is safer because they lack this component. Coconut milk for instance would contain;

• Water (50%)
• Fat
• Protein

Plant-derived kinds of milk have therefore proven to be safe for these users. Without losing the intended taste, Starbucks has put to use this plant-based milk to substitute whole milk with Lactose. Used to brew any beverage, they are safe for the consumer who is lactose tolerant.

The content of milk used is exactly what Starbucks considers when choosing the Best drinks for lactose intolerance.

10 Best Starbucks drinks for lactose intolerance

Most of the Starbucks drinks that are recommended for lactose intolerant individuals can as well be made using whole milk with lactose. However, in tailoring them to be safe for everyone, alternative lactose-free kinds of milk are used in brewing. Below are some of the best Starbucks drinks for this feature.

Iced Matcha Green Tea Latte

The matcha green tea latte contains steamed coconut milk, and matcha tea and is lightly sweetened. In order, be sure to ask for coconut milk, to be sure that whole milk is not used.

This is made by adding warm water to a bowl with matcha tea. The mixture is whisked until all is dissolved and no lumps are seen. Ice is added to a glass, then topped with coconut milk. The matcha mixture is then added to the glass and the drink is ready to enjoy.

Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino

This is the simplest drink to order at Starbucks if you are lactose intolerant. Of all it contains, you only choose the type of milk you would like to use, added to the vanilla bean and ice. Just make sure that when you order you order it without whipped cream.

Iced/hot caramel macchiato

The Starbucks caramel macchiato contains steamed coconut milk, vanilla syrup, espresso, and a drizzle of caramel. When ordering this at Starbucks, ask for a Carmel Macchiato (hot/cold) with coconut milk.

This drink guarantees you a bitter-sweet blend of sweet coconut and bitter coffee with a velvety caramel flavor.

Pink Drink

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Pink Drink constitutes Starbucks’s Strawberry Acai refreshers, coconut milk, acai, and passion fruit and topped up with actual strawberries.

With coconut milk added to this, it tastes heavenly. It is the drink that brought to fame coconut milk drinks at Starbucks.

When ordering, simply ask for a “Pink Drink”.

Chai Tea Latte

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The Chai Tea latte can be ordered in hot, cold, or Frappuccino form.

It is black tea mixed with cloves, cinnamon, and other preferred spices. The infusion is then topped with steamed coconut milk and crowned with foam.

This drink is known for adding a spicy taste to your caffeine. To order a chai latte, ask for a “Chai latte” and specify, whether cold, hot, or in Frappuccino form with coconut milk and no whip.

Iced/hot Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Latte

This Vanilla Bean Latte contains Vanilla bean powder, and coconut milk and is topped with espresso.

This drink happens to be among the latest entries into the Starbucks menu as a latte containing coconut milk.

When ordering, ask for an “iced or hot vanilla bean coconut milk latte.

White Hot Chocolate

This is a hot chocolate drink made with white chocolate and steamed coconut milk. For lactose intolerance, be specific with “No whip”.

This drink is fun and has no caffeine in it. The coconut milk however makes it taste like a coconut macaroon. When ordering it from Starbucks, ask for a “white hot chocolate with coconut milk and no whip”

Iced/hot pumpkin spice latte

The hot pumpkin slice latte includes steamed milk and espresso flavored with pumpkin, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg. Heavenly.

If you are lactose intolerant, order this drink with coconut milk. The coconut milk blends so well with the spiciness in the latte.

Ask for a pumpkin spice latte with coconut milk and no whipping, when ordering at Starbucks.

Mocha Frappuccino

Mocha Frappuccino contains coconut milk, mocha sauce, Frappuccino roast coffee, and ice.

Note that this drink only comes as iced. It comes in handy for chocolate lovers. The coconut milk adds an extra taste that makes it feel like a Mounds bar. When ordering, ask for a “Mocha Frappuccino with coconut milk and no whip”.

Cold-brew with coconut milk

This is a cold brew of coffee with coconut milk.

Cold-brew tastes so perfectly and is silky. For lactose intolerance though, coconut milk added gives it a complimentary “fancy drink feeling”. For extra fanciness, you can opt to add some flavored syrup like vanilla bean and caramel.

Order as a “cold brew with a splash of coconut milk”.

Informative Section 

What Starbucks drink is lactose-free?

Lactose-free drinks at Starbucks substitute whole milk in their list of ingredients. Borrowing from your favorite Starbucks drinks, you can be specific on the alteration to replace whole milk and whip cream by using coconut, oat, or soymilk.

Can lactose intolerant people drink Starbucks?

Yes, they can. Starbucks has a wide range of drinks that are friendly to lactose intolerant beverage lovers.

What is the best dairy-free drink at Starbucks?

Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is the best dairy-free drink you can enjoy from Starbucks.