How do you order a mocha with less sugar? Mochas. Those drinks you order when you can’t decide between a latte or a hot chocolate. Or when you can’t figure out whether it’s morning or nighttime. Seriously though, exactly how much sugar is in these creamy chocolatey dreamy coffees? And how exactly can we order a delicious mocha with less sugar? Well, that is the question I am going to answer in this post.
To answer this question, I collated the sugar content data of the mochas at the big coffee chains – Starbucks, Peet’s, and Scooter’s. I then used the data to make deductions on how to order a lower sugar mocha. So, let’s dig in – how do you order a mocha with less sugar?
How to Order a Lower Sugar Mocha?
As a general rule, the best way to order a mocha with less sugar is:
- order a caffe mocha and not a white mocha.
- order the smallest size.
- order with soy, oat, or coconut milk
- hold the whip.
- ask if less mocha sauce can be added.
Before we continue, if you are interested in making a lower sugar mocha at home then you should definitely read the following posts I wrote:
Note that the below sugar contents are for the total sugar of mochas – this is both added sugar plus my naturally occurring sugar from milk.
Starbucks – How To Order a Mocha with Less Sugar At Starbucks
Sugar Content in Caffe Mochas at Starbucks
The caffe mochas at Starbucks are basically their milk chocolate mochas (see below for the sugar content of their white chocolate mochas).
On the Starbucks website, Starbucks provides the nutritional data for a drink based on the size ordered. However, that nutritional data does not update based on customizations (for example, if you ordered your mocha with different milk, ordered without the whip, or ordered with fewer mocha sauce pumps).
So, the below sugar contents are for the different sizes of mochas at Starbucks ordered with 2% milk. This includes the mocha coming with whipped cream on top.
| Cup Size | Sugar Content in Starbucks Caffe Mocha |
|---|---|
| Short (8oz) | 18g |
| Tall (12oz) | 27g |
| Grande (16oz) | 35g |
| Venti (20oz) | 45g |
Even though Starbucks does not provide the nutritional information for ordering a mocha with an alternative milk, this document here from Starbucks shows that soy milk and coconut milk at Starbucks are lower in sugar than dairy milk. So, one way to reduce the sugar content of your Starbucks mocha is to order yours with soy milk or coconut milk.
Another way of reducing the sugar content of your Starbucks mocha is to order yours without whipped cream on top – whipped cream tends to contain added and naturally occurring sugar.
The last way of reducing the sugar content of your Starbucks mocha is to ask for fewer pumps of the mocha sauce. There are 2 pumps of mocha sauce in a short size, 3 pumps in a tall size, 4 pumps in a grande, and 5 pumps in a venti size.
Sugar Content in White Chocolate Mochas at Starbucks
I also compiled the sugar contents for the different white mochas at Starbucks, depending on the cup’s size. All the below sugar contents are for Starbucks white mocha made with 2% milk, with whipped cream on top, and with the standard number of pumps of mocha sauce.
| Cup Size | Sugar Content in Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha |
|---|---|
| Short (8oz) | 27g |
| Tall (12oz) | 40g |
| Grande (16oz) | 53g |
| Venti (20oz) | 67g |
The first thing that is obvious is that the white mochas at Starbucks contain more sugar than the caffe mochas. Just ordering a caffe mocha instead of a white mocha will knock some sugar off your order, before any other customizations.
Best Ways To Order Low Sugar Mochas at Starbucks
In conclusion, the best way to reduce the sugar content of a mocha at Starbucks are:
- order caffe mocha and not the white mocha.
- order short size.
- order with soy milk.
- ask for just one pump of mocha sauce rather than two.
- hold the whipped cream.
If you are interested in other lower sugar drinks at Starbucks, then make sure to check out the following posts I wrote:
- Which Frappuccinos Contain the Least Sugar?
- 34 Best Low Sugar Drinks at Starbucks (10g of sugar or less)
- 12 Lowest Sugar Starbucks Cold Drinks You Need To Know
Peet’s – How To Order A Mocha With Less Sugar At Peet’s
Below is the sugar content for the caffe mocha at Peet’s, dependent on the cup size and milk ordered.
| Sugar Content in Peet’s Caffe Mochas | ||||||
| Peet’s Cup Size | Oat Milk | Soy Milk | Almond Milk | Whole Milk | 2% Milk | Non-Fat Milk |
| Small | 25g | 26g | 28g | 35g | 33g | 35g |
| Medium | 26g | 29g | 31g | 39g | 37g | 40g |
| Large | 35g | 39g | 41g | 50g | 48g | 51g |
The best way to order at lower sugar caffe mocha at Peet’s is to:
- order a small size.
- order your caffe mocha with oat milk.
A small oat milk caffe mocha from Peet’s will contain 25g of sugar. In comparison, a large non-fat caffe mocha at Peet’s will contain over double the sugar content at 51g of sugar.
White Chocolate Mochas at Peet’s
I have collated the sugar content data for the white chocolate mocha at Peet’s, dependent on cup size and milk.
| Sugar Content in Peet’s White Chocolate Mochas | ||||||
| Peet’s Cup Size | Oat Milk | Soy Milk | Almond Milk | Whole Milk | 2% Milk | Non-Fat Milk |
| Small | 27g | 31g | 33g | 40g | 39g | 40g |
| Medium | 28g | 34g | 36g | 44g | 43g | 45g |
| Large | 41g | 47g | 49g | 54g | 56g | 58g |
As you can see, the white mochas at Peet’s contain more sugar than the caffe mochas.
Best Ways to Order Low Sugar Mochas at Peet’s
In conclusion, the best way to reduce the sugar in your mocha at Peet’s is as follows:
- order a caffe mocha instead of a white chocolate mocha.
- order a small size.
- order your caffe mocha with oat milk.
- hold the whip.
- ask if they can reduce the amount of mocha sauce they add.
If you would like to know about other lower sugar drinks at Peet’s then make sure to read the post, I have written on the topic – Low Sugar and Zero Sugar Drinks at Peet’s.
Scooter’s – How To Order A Mocha With Less Sugar At Scooter’s
I have collated the sugar contents of the mochas at Scooter’s based on cup size and milk ordered, which you can see below:
| Sugar Content in Scooter’s Mochas | ||||||
| Scooter’s Cup Size | Oat Milk | Coconut Milk | Almond Milk | Whole Milk | 2% Milk | Skimmed Milk |
| Small | 30g | 33g | 33g | 36g | 36g | 37g |
| Medium | 44g | 48g | 49g | 53g | 53g | 53g |
| Large | 58g | 64g | 65g | 70g | 70g | 71g |
I also collated the sugar content data of the white chocolate mochas at Scooter’s which you can see below:
| Sugar Content in Scooter’s White Chocolate Mochas | ||||||
| Scooter’s Cup Size | Oat Milk | Coconut Milk | Almond Milk | Whole Milk | 2% Milk | Skimmed Milk |
| Small | 32g | 35g | 35g | 38g | 38g | 39g |
| Medium | 47g | 51g | 52g | 56g | 56g | 57g |
| Large | 62g | 68g | 69g | 74g | 74g | 75g |
As you can see the white chocolate mochas are also slightly higher in sugar than the caffe mochas at Scooters, but there is less of a difference than at other coffee chains.
Also, Scooters do make a super skinny mocha made with skimmed milk and sugar free mocha. You can see the sugar contents of the different sizes in the below table. The sugar content roughly is half for Scooter’s super skinny mochas in comparison to its regular versions.
| Scooter’s Cup Size | Sugar Content in Scooter’s Super Skinny Mocha |
|---|---|
| Small | 14g |
| Medium | 18g |
| Large | 24g |
Best Way to Order Low Sugar Mochas at Scooter’s
You can see that the best way to order a lower sugar mocha at Scooters is to order a small super skinny mocha. This is made with skimmed milk and sugar free mocha. Sadly, you can’t seem to order this with alternative milk options.
Sugar In Mochas F&Q
Do Mochas Contain Sugar?
Mochas almost always contain sugar. Most mochas contain added sugar from the mocha sauce or hot chocolate mix used. There is also naturally occurring sugar in milk. Any whipped cream on top will usually also contain naturally occurring and added sugar.
How Much Sugar is in a 12oz Mocha?
As a general rule, there are 27g-39g of sugar in a 12oz mocha.
How Many Teaspoons of Sugar Are in a Mocha?
As a general rule, there are 5-8 teaspoons of sugar in a mocha.
How Many Teaspoons of Sugar Are in a Starbucks Mocha?
There are 4.5-11 teaspoons of sugar in a Starbucks mocha ordered with 2% milk.
Is Starbucks Skinny Mocha Sugar Free?
Starbuck’s skinny mocha is not sugar free. Starbuck’s skinny mocha is made with skimmed milk but is still made with mocha sauce which contains sugar.
How Do You Reduce the Sugar in a Starbucks Mocha?
As a general rule, the following is how to reduce the sugar in a Starbucks mocha:
- order a caffe mocha and not a white mocha;
- order short size;
- order with soy milk;
- ask for just one pump of mocha sauce rather than two; and
- hold the whipped cream.
Does Starbuck’s Make Sugar Free Mocha?
Starbucks does not make sugar free mocha.
Do Peet’s Have Sugar Free Mocha?
Peet’s do not have a sugar free mocha. The best way to lower the sugar content of a mocha at Peet’s is to order as follows:
- order a caffe mocha instead of a white chocolate mocha.
- order a small size.
- order your caffe mocha with oat milk.
- hold the whip.
- ask if they are able to reduce the amount of mocha sauce they add.
Do Scooter’s Have Sugar Free Mocha Syrup?
Scooter’s do have a sugar free mocha syrup.
How Do You Order A Mocha With Less Sugar? – The Final Bite
How do you order a mocha with less sugar? What have we learned from the above? Well, when it comes to mochas you have to accept that there will always be some sugar in your drink. In fact, out of the three chains reviewed above only Scooter’s offers a Super Skinny Mocha.
If you must choose between regular Mochas and White Chocolate Mochas always opt for the regular Mochas. White Chocolate Mochas tend to be higher in sugar.
And Remember…
Ingredients and/or manufacturing processes may change. Always double-check ingredient lists and nutritional information before purchasing any food items.
WANT TO FIND MORE LOW SUGAR OPTIONS?
Do you want to learn about some other low-sugar options at your favorite coffee chains, fast food, or restaurant joints, or just while you are shopping for groceries? If you do, then check out some of my other articles below:
