Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso Starbucks: Build and Calories
This is an iced espresso drink: light roast shots shaken with brown sugar syrup and cinnamon, then topped with oatmilk. It is dairy-free, only lightly sweet and strong on caffeine. Check the tables below for shots, caffeine and calories by size, then see the customization tips.
The iced brown sugar shaken espresso Starbucks serves is blonde espresso shaken with brown sugar syrup and cinnamon, then topped with oatmilk over ice. It is dairy-free by recipe, strong on caffeine and only lightly sweet.
This page covers what goes in the cup, how many shots you get by size, the numbers on calories and caffeine, and the easiest ways to change your order. For the rest of the cold lineup, see all Starbucks menu categories or jump to the iced coffee and espresso drinks page.
Starbucks Iced Shaken Espresso: What Makes This Drink Different
A shaken espresso is an iced espresso drink where the shots are shaken with ice and syrup before any milk goes in. The shaking chills the espresso fast and whips in air, so the top of the cup carries a light foam.
That is the main difference from an Iced Latte, which pours espresso over cold milk and ice and gets stirred, not shaken. In a shaken drink the milk is a topper, not the base. You get more coffee flavor per sip and less creaminess.
This one launched on March 2, 2021, alongside the nationwide rollout of Oatly oatmilk at most U.S. stores. Starbucks later built more shaken espresso flavors on the same pattern, including seasonal ones.
Starbucks Brown Sugar Syrup, Cinnamon and Oatmilk: The Build
The drink has five parts: Starbucks Blonde Espresso, brown sugar syrup, cinnamon powder, oatmilk and ice. Blonde roast is lighter and a little sweeter than the signature roast, which is why this drink tastes smooth rather than roasty.
A grande uses three espresso shots and, according to a published side-by-side review of the in-app build, four pumps of brown sugar syrup. Other sizes follow the shot counts in the table below, and pump counts change with size, so ask your barista if you need an exact number.
The oatmilk was Oatly when the drink launched, and the brand can vary by store. Published ingredient lists show oatmilk made from water and oats, with canola oil.
For a rundown of every pump flavor, read the Starbucks syrups and sauces guide.
Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Calories, Sugar and Caffeine
A Grande of this drink has 120 calories and 13 grams of sugar, according to the nutrition figures published at launch. A Tall has 90 calories and a Venti has 170. Protein sits at 2 to 3 grams and fat at 2.5 to 5 grams across sizes.
Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Calories, Sugar and Caffeine
| Size | Calories (launch figures) |
|---|---|
| Tall | 90 |
| Grande | 120 |
| Venti | 170 |
Caffeine is the standout number. A Grande carries about 255 mg, which is more than a Grande Cold Brew at roughly 205 mg. That is why this drink feels like a jolt even though it tastes mild.
You may see higher numbers elsewhere. Some independent calorie calculators list a Grande at about 150 calories and 15 grams of sugar, and recipes do get adjusted. Starbucks nutrition pages are the final word, and they are most reliable in the app for your exact order. For the wider picture, the nutrition and calorie guide puts these figures next to other drinks.
Compared with milk-based espresso drinks, this one is lower in fat and protein, since oatmilk replaces dairy. That is a fact about the recipe, not a health claim.
How to Customize an Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso Starbucks Order
You can change almost every part of this drink, and each change is simple to say at the counter or tap in the app.
Ask for fewer pumps of brown sugar syrup to cut the sweetness. Two pumps instead of four makes the drink roughly half as sweet. Swap oatmilk for almond, coconut, soy or dairy milk if you like, though nut milks make the cup thinner.
Want more punch? Add a shot. Want less caffeine? Go down a size, or ask for half-caff or decaf, even though the drink was designed around blonde shots. You can also ask for signature espresso for a deeper, roastier cup, or for no cinnamon.
Price depends on size, store and what you change, and extra shots or foam raise it. Check the app before you order.
Brown Sugar Cold Foam Starbucks Add-On
A flavored foam is not a standard part of this drink, but cold foam can be added to most iced espresso orders. Ask whether a brown sugar style foam is available at your store, because foam options rotate.
Foam turns the drink into a dessert-style cup, with more calories and sugar. Read how each foam is made in the cold foam flavors guide.
Shaken Espresso Questions People Ask
How much caffeine is in this Starbucks shaken espresso?
A Grande has about 255 mg of caffeine, based on published launch figures. That comes from three blonde espresso shots. A Tall has two shots and a Venti has four, so those land lower and higher. Check the app for your size.
How many calories are in a Grande?
A Grande has 120 calories and 13 grams of sugar by the figures published at launch. Some third-party calculators show about 150 calories and 15 grams, which may reflect recipe updates. The Starbucks app shows the current number for your order.
How many shots of espresso are in a Tall, Grande and Venti?
A Tall gets two shots, a Grande gets three and a Venti gets four, according to published reviews of the in-app build. That is more than Starbucks's at-home recipe, which uses two shots for a single drink.
What kind of espresso does the drink use?
It uses Starbucks Blonde Espresso, which is lighter in roast and slightly sweeter than the signature roast. The lighter roast keeps the drink smooth despite the high shot count. You can ask for signature espresso instead if you prefer a bolder, darker cup.
How many pumps of brown sugar syrup are in each size?
A Grande is reported to carry four pumps, based on an in-app build seen by reviewers. Pump counts shift with size, and Starbucks can change them, so ask your barista. If you want it less sweet, say how many pumps you want.
Is it dairy-free?
The standard recipe uses oatmilk, not dairy milk, so it has no milk in it. Allergen details can vary by store because of shared equipment, so check the allergen information in the app if you have a serious allergy.
Can I get a different milk or less sweet?
Yes. You can swap oatmilk for almond, coconut, soy or dairy milk, and you can ask for fewer pumps of syrup. Both changes are free to request, though some milks may add a charge. Nut milks make the drink thinner.
What is the difference between a shaken espresso and an iced latte?
A shaken espresso is shaken with ice and syrup, then topped with a little milk, so it is stronger and frothier. An iced latte pours espresso over cold milk, so it is creamier and milder. The shaken version usually has more shots.
Can I get it hot?
It is built as an iced drink, since the shaking and ice are part of the recipe. A hot version is not a standard menu item as far as we can tell. A hot oatmilk latte with brown sugar syrup is the nearest custom order.
Does it come with cinnamon on top?
Cinnamon goes into the shaker with the syrup, so it flavors the whole drink, and some baristas finish with a dash on top. If you do not like cinnamon, ask for none when you order.