If you’re somebody who likes their coffee decaf, you might be wondering if everybody’s favourite coffee place offers iced decaf coffee.
There’s good news, and there’s bad news. The good news is that yes, Starbucks does have decaf iced coffee options! You can get your favourite decaf espresso drinks (shaken, not stirred, thank you very much) iced instead of hot, and take it to work in one of those cute paper cups they use.
The slightly worse news is that Starbucks doesn’t offer brewed iced coffee, along with cold brew coffee, in decaf format, since not many people really want them.
What You Need To Know About Decaf Iced Coffee From Starbucks
- Starbucks baristas make brewed iced coffee and cold brew coffee in large batches which are slowly used over time. Neither is ever originally made as decaf, and that’s why neither are available as decaf.
To put it simply, there’s just not enough demand.
- If you’re having a hard time getting your hands on a Starbucks decaf iced coffee, here’s a tip: all standalone Starbucks locations (storefronts) stock decaf espresso beans. However, many licensed locations (those inside malls or grocery stores or even the nearby Target) don’t, and won’t be able to make you a decaf espresso.
- Like all decaf coffee options, Starbucks decaf coffee do have a bit of caffeine in them. To get a drink with less caffeine, combine decaf espresso and regular espresso, like ½ decaf and ⅓ decaf.
Does Decaf Iced Coffee Contain Caffeine?
Most java enthusiasts will be surprised to learn that at a certain size, even decaf coffee contains some amounts of caffeine in it. There’s certainly much less caffeine in a decaf iced espresso than regular espresso (about 97% roughly), but every 200ml cup of decaf coffee contains nearly seven teaspoons of caffeine in them.
Does Decaf Iced Coffee Still Taste Good?
Yes! Say what you will about Starbucks, but this coffee chain keeps up their standards. A Starbucks Decaf Iced Coffee is just as luxurious as the rest of their drinks, but, due to the coffee beans being extra processed, the taste is going to be a little more sour than usual. However, if you’re not heading out to a Starbucks every day, chances are you won’t even be able to tell the two apart.
Starbucks Decaf Iced Coffees That Taste Great
You didn’t think we were just going to leave you at “ask for a decaf iced espresso”, did you? Below, we’re going to list a number of decaf iced coffee options for people who prefer their coffee without a lot of things added in (and for people watching their daily calorie intake):
1. The Decaf Iced Americano
One of the absolutely best simpler options on Starbucks’ yard-long menu, the Decaf Iced Americano is an espresso shot topped with cold water and served over a little ice. It’s simple, it’s sweet, and if you’re looking for a pick-me-up that isn’t loaded with calories, it doesn’t get any better than this.
2. The Decaf Iced Coffee Pourover
A pour-over is a method of brewing coffee that makes a single cup at a time. If you’re looking for an actual cup of decaf iced coffee, and not decaf iced espresso, a pour-over is one of your best options. However, since pour-overs involve pouring hot water over ground decaf coffee into a cup filled with ice below, they can take some time to make.
3. Decaf Iced Shaken Espresso
Another espresso option is the new Iced Shaken Espresso, where the barista mixes espresso, classic syrup, and ice in a drink-shaker. There’s also a splash of 2% milk in there somewhere to make this espresso a creamy, heavenly decaf delight.
How Can You Order A Decaf Iced Coffee At Starbucks?
You’ll be thankful to know there’s no forms to fill out for when you want a decaf cup of iced coffee at your local Starbucks outlet. Instead, it’s as simple as telling the barista what drink you want, the size you want it in, and any toppings or extra ingredients you want added to it.
If you’re still on the fence, here’s how to do it:
- Head to the local Starbucks.
- Once you’re at the cashier, tell the cashier or the barista you want a “decaf iced coffee”, and any ingredients you want added to it, like almondmilk or whipped cream.
Note: make sure you tell them if you want a ⅓ decaf, ½ decaf, ⅔ decaf, or full decaf!
- The cashier’s going to ask you a few questions about your order. Just answer them like usual, and pay for your order. It’s that simple!
Starbucks Drink Sizes And How Much Caffeine They Contain
We thought you’d appreciate a closer look at how much caffeine you’re actually getting in your system when ordering a regular Starbucks decaf iced coffee, so here’s how that breaks down:
- Short (8oz): Up to 15 milligrams of caffeine
- Tall (12oz): Usually 20 milligrams of caffeine
- Grande (16oz): 25 milligrams of caffeine
- Venti (20oz): 30 milligrams of caffeine.
The Takeaway
Fortunately for anybody who’s not supposed to be having caffeine, Starbucks has no end of decaf iced coffee options for its customers. The java chain also offers the option to mix decaf coffee and regular coffee through options like ½ decaf, ⅓ decaf, ⅔ decaf, and full decaf. Keep in mind, though, that even a cup of decaf coffee contains significantly more than trace amounts of caffeine.
