What’s in a Starbucks Pistachio Latte? (How to make it, how to order it + more information)
Starbucks keeps on introducing drinks that match different seasons. One of the popular winter drinks you can try is the Pistachio latte. What’s in a Starbucks Pistachio Latte?
The Starbucks Pistachio latte contains milk, espresso, brown butter cookie topping, and pistachio syrup. You are probably wondering how healthy is this latte? Since I have been watching my weight, this was one of the first questions I asked myself when I learned about the comeback of the Pistachio latte.
After going through the nutritional information of this drink, I decided that it would not be an everyday indulgence for me. I created this post to help you learn everything regarding Starbucks pistachio latte. You will learn its ingredients, how to order it and how to make it at home. Enjoy!
Table of Contents
What’s in a Starbucks Pistachio Latte (ingredients)?
This drink comprises pistachio syrup, milk, espresso, and a topping of brown butter cookie. Though Starbucks uses 2% milk to make this latte, you can still request the barista to make it with a non-dairy alternative. The drink is strong since it is made using brewed espresso. Besides the main ingredients, this latte also contains sea salt, vegetable and fruit color, and corn starch.
What is the recipe for making a Starbucks Pistachio Latte?
This is a simple beverage that you can make at home. You can make the latte with one cup of milk, 1 or 2 shots of espresso, ½ a teaspoon of pistachio flavoring, two teaspoons of butter, half a teaspoon of sugar, some salt, and a teaspoon of brown sugar.
To make this latte, start by brewing the espresso using an espresso machine. If you don’t have this machine, you can utilize instant espresso powder to make the latte. You should then proceed with making the brown butter topping. You can achieve this by heating the butter in a skillet over medium heat.
Keep on tilting the pan until the butter turns golden brown. Using a light-colored saucepan can help you see when the butter begins to brown. Once it does, remove the butter from the heat, then combine it with salt and brown sugar and stir.
You can then proceed with heating the milk to 150 degrees on a stovetop or microwave. Add sugar and pistachio syrup. You can make the milk foamy by using an immersion blender. After this, add the brewed espresso and pistachio flavoring to a glass that can withstand intense heat, then stir.
Add the steamed milk, then top it off with the frothed milk. You can then top the latte with the brown butter topping. To make it more colorful and delicious, you can add crushed pistachios to this beverage.
What does Starbucks Pistachio Latte taste like?
If you enjoy the taste of nuts, you will like this drink since it is nutty and sweet. The brown butter topping gives this Starbucks beverage a slightly salty taste. This drink also has some buttery undertones from the topping. Since the pistachio flavor in this beverage is subtle, some people wish this flavor could be a bit stronger in the drink.
Unlike lattes that are too sweet, this Starbucks drink has a low to medium level of sweetness that is not overpowering. Most Starbucks customers that have tried it also reveal that it does not have an artificial taste.
How do you order the Starbucks Pistachio Latte?
You can ask for the iced or hot version of this latte at Starbucks. Most customers find the iced version more refreshing on a hot day. Specify the cup size you want, then tell the barista the drink’s name. If you don’t want the beverage with too much pistachio sauce, you can ask for three pumps instead of the four pumps that Starbucks adds to the drink.
Though you cannot make this drink vegan, you can try a different latte flavor by ordering it with other milk alternatives instead of the 2% milk it comes with. Feel free to order a Starbucks pistachio latte with coconut, almond, or nonfat milk.
Would you like more caffeine in your latte? If yes, you can tell the barista to add an extra shot of espresso to your Starbucks Pistachio Latte. You can also order this latte through the Starbucks app and customize it according to your preference.
What is the nutritional information of Starbucks Pistachio Latte?
A grande pistachio latte at Starbucks contains 320 calories. This 16-ounce drink is made up of 9 grams of fat, 45 grams of sugar, 48 grams of carbs, and 12 grams of protein. If you order the tall Starbucks Pistachio latte, you should expect 230 calories in the drink. This contains 6 grams of fat, 33 grams of sugar, 230 mg of sodium, and 35 grams of carbohydrates.
Though this beverage is delicious and can keep you warm on a cold day, the nutritional details reveal that it is not very healthy. The beverage is not only high in calories but also contains more than the recommended amount of sugar. You should therefore avoid taking it too frequently.
Final thoughts
Since Starbucks announced the return of the Pistachio latte in 2022, customers have been buying it frequently. What’s in a Starbucks Pistachio latte? This is made with steamed milk, signature espresso, pistachio syrup, and brown butter topping. Try it today.
FAQ section
Does Starbucks pistachio latte have real pistachios?
Yes. The sauce used in this latte is made with some real pistachios.
Does Starbucks pistachio latte have whipped cream?
No. The pistachio latte that Starbucks sells does not include whipped cream as one of the ingredients. You can, however, order your latte with whipped cream and oat milk if you want to try a different flavor from the regular pistachio latte.
Is Starbucks pistachio latte seasonal?
Yes. This is a seasonal drink that forms part of the Starbucks Winter menu. Since it is available for a limited duration, you should try it before it is no longer offered.