Is Spanish Latte High In Calories? Discover The Calorie Count Of Iced Spanish Latte
Is a Spanish latte high in calories? This is a question I hear often, and the answer depends entirely on how it’s made.
This drink, a delicious mix of espresso, steamed milk, and sweetened condensed milk, has become a favourite in UK coffee shops from Caffe Concerto to Costa Coffee.
An iced Spanish latte from Caffe Concerto can contain up to 395 calories, while a low-fat version from Costa has 374 calories. The key is understanding where those calories come from.
This guide will break down the exact nutritional information and show you how to customise your drink for a perfect balance of flavour and mindfulness.
Key Takeaways
- A homemade iced Spanish latte (around 240ml) typically has about 134 calories, but larger café servings can easily exceed 290 calories with extras like whipped cream.
- The main calorie source is sweetened condensed milk, which adds 130-150 kcal for every 30ml. Swapping whole milk for skimmed or almond milk can save you up to 50 calories per cup.
- Brand recipes vary greatly. For instance, Costa Coffee’s low-fat Spanish latte (430ml) contains around 374 kcal and 9.5g of fat, highlighting how portion size impacts the final count.
- Zero-calorie sweeteners like Stevia and monk fruit are excellent alternatives to lower the sugar and energy in your Spanish latte without sacrificing sweetness.
- Choosing plant-based milks such as almond milk (which can have as few as 13-19 kcal per serving) is a simple way to reduce dairy and total calories.
What Is a Spanish Latte?
A Spanish latte is a coffee drink that blends strong espresso with both steamed milk and sweetened condensed milk. The result is a creamy drink that offers a perfect balance between bold coffee and rich sweetness.
Origins and Key Ingredients
Spanish latte recipes are defined by their use of espresso, regular milk, and sweetened condensed milk. While popular across Spain, where it is sometimes known as a Café Bombón, it has also found a huge following in Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia.
The drink’s origins likely stem from combining Europe’s café con leche tradition with the Latin American preference for using condensed milk, like the popular Nestlé brand La Lechera, as a sweetener.
A typical recipe involves:
- 30-60ml of espresso
- 120-180ml of whole milk
- 15-30ml of sweetened condensed milk
The bold flavour of a dark roast coffee stands up well to the intense sweetness. Some variations add spices like cinnamon on top, which creates a different mouthfeel compared to regular lattes from Italy.
Hot vs Iced Spanish Latte
A hot Spanish latte contains around 134 calories per serving, but an iced Spanish latte can climb as high as 291 calories. This is usually because iced versions are served in larger cups with more milk and sweeteners.
For example, a ready-to-drink iced version from a brand like EL&N offers about 121 calories in a 250g container. The calorie difference often comes from portion size, as iced drinks in the UK are frequently served in 16oz (454ml) cups, nearly double the size of a standard hot coffee.
The macronutrient profile also shifts. The cold version’s calories can be roughly 49% carbohydrates, 35% fat, and 16% protein. Adding syrups or whipped cream at chains like Starbucks or Costa Coffee will increase the calorie count further.
If you want lower-calorie choices, switching to almond milk or other milk substitutes is an effective strategy within your diet nutrition plan.
Nutritional Profile of a Spanish Latte
A Spanish latte’s nutrition information is shaped by three key elements: the milk, the condensed milk, and any extras. The final numbers depend heavily on the specific choices you make.
Calorie Breakdown
The calorie count of a Spanish latte can vary widely. The table below shows how different components contribute to the total.
| Serving / Brand / Ingredient | Calories (kcal) | Fat (g) | Carbohydrates (g) | Protein (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Condensed milk (30ml) | 130-150 | 2-4 | 22-25 | 3 |
| Whole milk (100ml) | 60-70 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 3.3 |
| Skimmed milk (100ml) | 30-40 | 0.2 | 5 | 3.4 |
| Almond Milk (Unsweetened, 100ml) | 13-19 | 1.1-1.5 | 0.1-0.3 | 0.4-0.6 |
| Oatly Barista Edition (100ml) | 59 | 3 | 6.6 | 1 |
| Costa Coffee Low Fat Spanish Latte (430ml) | 374 | 9.5 | 56 | 13 |
| Nescafe Spanish Latte (220ml) | 166 | 4.8 | 24 | 7 |
| Caffe Concerto Spanish Latte | 395 | 15 | 52 | 18 |
| Honey (1 tbsp) | 64 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| Maple syrup (1 tbsp) | 52 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| Stevia / Monk fruit | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fat, Protein, and Carbohydrate Content
Because it uses both whole milk and condensed milk, a standard Spanish latte contains more fat, sugar, and protein than many other coffee drinks. Below is a breakdown of the macronutrient values.
| Drink Type / Milk (per 240ml serving) | Fat (g) | Saturated Fat (g) | Protein (g) | Carbohydrates (g) | Sugar (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Spanish Latte | 7.7 | 4.8 | 3.6 | 13 | 12 |
| Iced Spanish Latte (average) | 6.0 | 3.5 | 6.0 | 12.0 | 11 |
| Whole Milk | 8 | 4.6 | 8 | 12 | 12 |
| Semi-skimmed Milk | 4.3 | 2.6 | 8.4 | 12.2 | 12.2 |
| Skimmed Milk | 0.2 | 0.1 | 8.4 | 12.2 | 12.2 |
| Almond Milk (Unsweetened) | 2.7 | 0.2 | 1 | 0.2 | 0 |
| Oat Milk (Barista) | 7.2 | 0.7 | 2.4 | 15.8 | 9.8 |
The most significant factor here is the condensed milk. A single 30ml serving can pack over 20 grams of sugar, which is the majority of the UK’s recommended daily intake of free sugars (30g) in one go.
What Factors Affect the Calorie Count?
The final calorie count in your Spanish latte is determined by your choice of milk and any added sweeteners or toppings. Simple swaps can make a huge difference to the nutritional facts and overall taste.
Milk Choices and Alternatives
The milk you choose is a primary driver of the calorie, fat, and protein content in your Spanish latte. Here’s how different options compare for a typical serving.
- Whole milk is the traditional choice, creating a creamy texture but adding around 200 to 210 kcal and 8 grams of fat per cup.
- Skimmed milk significantly reduces the calorie count to about 120 to 130 kcal and cuts the fat to under 1 gram.
- Semi-skimmed milk offers a middle ground with 160 to 170 calories and roughly 4 to 5 grams of fat.
- Almond milk is a great low-calorie, plant-based option, resulting in a drink with 90 to 100 calories. An unsweetened version like Alpro contains only 13 calories per 100ml.
- Oat milk provides a creamy, dairy-free alternative but is higher in calories, around 150 to 160 kcal. A popular choice like Oatly Barista Edition has 59 calories per 100ml.
In my experience with online coffee retail, the demand for plant-based milks has soared. While oat milk creates a superior foam, it’s useful to know it can have almost four times the calories of unsweetened almond milk.
Impact of Sweeteners and Add-ons
Sweeteners and other extras can quickly increase the calorie count of your Spanish latte. It is important to be mindful of what you add.
Here’s how common additions stack up:
- Sweetened condensed milk is the biggest contributor, adding 130 to 150 calories per 30ml.
- Sugar adds about 19 calories per teaspoon, so multiple spoonfuls accumulate quickly.
- Flavoured syrups like Monin Vanilla Syrup can add 20 to 30 calories per pump. Opting for a sugar-free version saves these calories entirely.
- Honey contains around 64 calories per tablespoon.
- Whipped cream is a significant addition. A standard serving from a coffee shop can add over 80 calories and 8 grams of fat.
A common pitfall is ordering a “skinny” latte with skimmed milk but then adding whipped cream. This can easily negate the calories you saved by switching milk.
Conclusion
A standard Spanish latte has around 134 calories, with the majority coming from sweetened condensed milk. Simple changes, like using skimmed or almond milk, can reduce this by up to 50 calories.
By making smart choices with your milk and add-ons, you can enjoy this delicious coffee without worrying about hidden sugars or fats. A portion size of around 200ml can easily fit into a balanced diet as an occasional indulgence.
In my decade of experience in the premium coffee industry, I have seen that the best coffee experience comes from understanding your ingredients. With a few thoughtful swaps, you can make every cup a perfect part of your day.
FAQs
1. How many calories does a Spanish latte offer per serving?
A standard 12-ounce Spanish latte made with semi-skimmed milk typically contains between 200 and 250 calories, primarily due to the addition of sweetened condensed milk.
2. Does using condensed milk in Spanish lattes increase calorie count?
Yes, just one tablespoon of a brand like Nestlé Carnation condensed milk adds approximately 65 calories and over 10 grams of sugar, significantly increasing the total.
3. Is an iced Spanish latte higher in calories than a hot version?
The calorie count is identical as it is determined by the ingredients, not the temperature of the drink.
4. Can I reduce the calorie count by choosing different types of milk?
Absolutely; switching from whole milk to unsweetened almond milk can save you over 100 calories per serving, making it the most impactful change you can make.
5. How does a Spanish latte compare with other coffee drinks like cappuccino?
A Spanish latte can have more than double the calories of a cappuccino of the same size, with a medium cappuccino containing around 120 calories while a Spanish latte often exceeds 250.
6. What makes the taste and texture unique in a Spanish latte compared to other coffees?
The condensed milk provides a uniquely velvety texture and a deep, caramel-like sweetness that is distinct from the sharper taste of granulated sugar used in many other lattes.