Starbucks Caffè Latte

The Caffè Latte is the base drink of the Starbucks menu. Almost every flavored latte on the board starts here: espresso, steamed milk, a thin layer of foam, and nothing else. Because it has no syrup, it is also the cleanest way to taste how Starbucks pulls its shots, which run darker and more roasted than most independent cafes.

How it tastes

Milk forward, with the espresso coming through as a roasted, slightly bitter note rather than a sharp one. The default 2% milk gives it a little body without heaviness. A Grande has 190 calories and 18 grams of sugar, and all of that sugar is lactose from the milk, since nothing sweet is added. Whole milk makes it rounder and adds about 30 calories; nonfat makes it thinner and drops it to around 130.

How to order it

Sizes are the main decision. A Short and a Tall both carry one shot (75 mg of caffeine), while a Grande and a Venti carry two (150 mg), so the Grande is the sweet spot for strength. Ask for an extra shot if you want the coffee to lead. Oat milk is the most popular dairy swap and keeps the texture close to whole milk; almond is the lightest. A pump or two of vanilla turns it into a Vanilla Latte for about 20 calories a pump. Blonde espresso makes it smoother and slightly higher in caffeine.

Compared with the other milk drinks

The Cappuccino uses the same shots under a deep foam, so it is lighter at 140 calories and tastes stronger. The Flat White uses ristretto shots and whole milk for a richer, sweeter cup at 220 calories with more caffeine. The Caramel Macchiato is this latte with vanilla syrup and caramel drizzle on top, at 250 calories.

Who it is for

This is the everyday order for people who want coffee and milk and no sweetness. It pairs with anything on the food menu, and it is the cheapest espresso and milk drink on the board: $4.85 for a Short and $5.35 for a Grande at the reference store. Customers moving away from flavored lattes usually land here first.