Healthy Low Carb Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte
The New Year is the perfect time to embrace new foods and resolutions including opting for a Healthy Low Carb Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte instead of the sugar filled one.
The Starbucks Pistachio Latte is a limited time offering that comes after the holiday season is over, that has captured the hearts of many coffee enthusiasts every Winter.
This cozy drink brings together the nutty, cozy flavors of sweet pistachio with rich brown butter undertones in a coffee creation that you will never forget!
Recreating this indulgent treat at home with a sugar-free twist is a fantastic way to savor the experience of this sweet drink without compromising health goals.
I will walk you through making your own sugar free pistachio sauce and then show you how you can turn it into your own grande pistachio latte minus the trip to the local coffee shop!
We will compare the nutrition facts of the new pistachio latte at the Starbucks Coffee Company Coffee Chain versus my very tasty, lower calorie, no added sugar, low carb pistachio latte.
Keep reading as I also go over tips, substitutions, and frequently asked questions you may have about making your own Healthy Low Carb Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte.
So what is the Nutrition Information for a Starbucks Pistachio Latte?
Before delving into the recipe for a homemade version of the Pistachio Latte Syrup, let’s examine the original Starbucks creation’s nutrition information for this new drink.
The 16 fl oz Grande Pistachio Latte made with dairy milk contains approximately 320 calories, 9 grams of total fat, 0.3g trans fat, 48 grams of total carbohydrate, 0.25 g cholesterol with 45 grams of sugar and 12 grams of protein.
It is a blend of Starbucks signature espresso or Starbucks Blonde Espresso, salted brown buttery sauce, and steamed milk, topped with a generous dollop of whipped cream and a brown butter topping.
In this one coffee order, you are getting way more than your recommended daily value limit of sugar and recommended total carbs in one serving of food.
There is hope though for those of us wanting to enjoy the wonderful flavors of a pistachio latte without that much sugar, not even a little bit needed!
Lets Craft our own Low Carb Pistachio Syrup
To replicate the pistachio flavor for your Low Carb Pistachio Latte without the .added sugar, we must make a homemade pistachio syrup.
Here is what you will need to make your own Low Carb Pistachio Sauce:
- 1 cup allulose sweetener
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup roasted, shelled, pistachio nuts
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- Glass Bottle or glass jar
- Funnel
- Measuring Cup with pour spout
- Whisk
Keep in mind that the sweetener you choose will determine whether it forms crystals in the fridge or not.
Allulose will not form crystals. It is the best sugar free alternative to use in making syrups as it stays liquid even after being chilled. You can of course use erythritol or other sugar free alternative but know you may have to warm it up before use. I would also suggest putting it in a jar rather than a bottle as it will not be able to be poured.
In a small saucepan add in your water and allulose sweetener.
Turn the heat to medium high and bring it to a boil while whisking.
Hand chop your pistachios with a cutting board and chef’s knife.
You can whir them in the food processor or coffee grinder if you wish, but not too long or you will have pistachio butter. Once the sugar free simple syrup has come to a boil add in your finely chopped real pistachios and whisk again.
Bring the mixture back to a boil and then turn the heat down to low so it simmers with little bubbles.
Do not leave it unattended as you are waiting for it to boil as it will boil over.
Leave it on low heat to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing down on the pistachios to extract maximum flavor.
Save the pistachios to make a pistachio version of my Gluten Free Low Carb Cinnamon Walnut Muffin recipe.
Whisk in almond extract and a pinch of salt.
Transfer the syrup to a heat-proof glass bottle or airtight container for storage.
Creating The Perfect Sugar-Free Pistachio Latte
Now, let’s put that homemade pistachio syrup to good use and create your own delicious sugar-free Pistachio Latte.
Here is my simple recipe that is very close to the real Starbucks Pistachio Latte
You will need:
- 1-2 espresso shots or ½ cup of strong cold brew coffee
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or any preferred plant-based milks like dairy-free coconut milk or oat milk)
- 2-3 Tbsp homemade sugar-free pistachio syrup (which equals 2-3 pumps of pistachio sauce)
- 1/2 Tbsp salted butter or unsalted butter (depends on whether you used salted pistachios or unsalted pistachios in the syrup)
Start by brewing your espresso, or strong coffee. Put your butter in a small heat proof pan and melt over medium heat until it begins to sizzle and turn a golden brown.
Watch it closely as it will go from brown to burnt in a matter of milliseconds so don’t leave it. Once browned, remove from the heat.
Pour your coffee into your mug followed by the brown butter.
Stir or whisk in the salted brown butter.
Now add in 2-3 Tbsp of the sugar free pistachio syrup you made earlier.
This is also equivalent to 2-3 pumps if you have a bottle with a pump. Whisk your coffee again.
Now warm up and froth your unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice and add to your cup. You can get some great ideas on how to create your milk foam in different ways in my post for an Easy Cappuccino Recipe Without a Machine.
Enjoy immediately. I like to give my sugar free pistachio latte a sip and see if it is sweet enough for me then adjust accordingly with an additional tablespoon of sugar free pistachio syrup or not.
If you don’t finish your Low Carb Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte while its hot, turn it into a quick iced pistachio latte. As a busy work-at-home-Mom I don’t always get to finish my coffee while its hot, so an iced latte is my answer.
What about making this into a Pistachio Cream Cold Brew?
Yes, that is so easy now that you have your pistachio sauce that you can make a Starbucks Cold Brew with Pistachio Cream anytime!
The trick is to get your browned butter cooled down then whisk it with your sauce before beginning.
This allows the butter to blend well without clumping up in the cold temps.
Begin by gathering the essential ingredients:
- a cup of cold brew coffee, or strong brewed coffee that has been cooled
- a few tablespoons of sugar free pistachio syrup
- a splash of vanilla sweet cream
- (Optional: handful of crushed pistachios for topping)
Gradually mix the browned butter with the pistachio syrup in the bottom of a glass.
Now fill glass with ice cubes, then pour in the cold brew until the glass is 3/4 full.
Make your cold brew easy with my post on How to Make Cold Foam With Coffee Creamer Plus Recipe.
Next, gently pour the vanilla sweet cream over the coffee, allowing it to create a beautiful marbled effect.
You can also opt to go with whipping up some whipping cream to make your own whipped cream and top with that instead.
Finally, sprinkle the crushed pistachios on top as a delectable garnish.
You can make a tall pistachio cream cold brew from this version of the small pistachio cream cold brew simply by doubling the amounts in a taller glass like a quart mason jar.
Increase or decrease the sweetness by using the smaller amount of pistachio syrup called for or the larger.
Using less pumps in the taller version helps to reduce the sweetness and turn up the coffee flavor. For example, 1 tablespoon equals 1 pump of syrup from Starbucks menu.
They usually use 4 pumps in a 16 fl oz Grande and 5 pumps in a 20 fl oz Venti.
Give your creation a quick stir to blend the flavors, and voila, a homemade Starbucks Pistachio Cream Cold Brew!
Tips, Substitutions and FAQs
- It is best to seek out allulose for making syrups since it helps keep the syrup in a liquid form rather than crystallizing.
- When you go to make the Pistachio Latte Syrup, choose unsalted pistachios if you want to use salted butter in the creation stage. Vice versa if you choose salted pistachios then choose unsalted butter so it is not too salty.
- If you want to use cow’s milk or non-fat milk instead of the plant-based milks it will work out just fine and still have the same amazing nutty flavor you expect!
- Make this a vegan pistachio latte when you choose vegan butter and a plant-based milk for your latte creation.
- If you want to try out using keto brown sugar instead of allulose in making the pistachio syrup you can! It will add a depth of flavor that gives it a natural baked good taste.
- Give your Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte a strawberry flavor when you use a mashup of pistachio syrup and half strawberry syrup. Use the recipe for strawberry syrup from my post for my Easy Dairy Free Iced Strawberry Latte Recipe.
- Easily create a copycat white chocolate mocha or peppermint mocha when you add in 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder into your coffee before adding the milk.
Can I leave out the browned butter and it taste just fine? Yes, you can easily leave out the browned butter and it will still taste fantastic!
Can I add the pistachio syrup to my cold foam while I make it, so it has the pistachio flavor as well? Yes, you can add 1-2 tablespoons to your milk or creamer before foaming it to create a pistachio cold foam.
Are there other ways I can use the pistachio syrup other than in my coffee drinks? Yes, you can! Brush it over a pound cake for added flavor. You can also use it to sweeten your hot tea or even steamed milk for children who cannot have coffee.
What should I do with the pistachios once I have strained them off of the syrup? Since they are already sweetened, they are ready to stir into pancake batter, waffle batter, or to top a scoop of ice cream! They are now softened and taste great sweetened!
When you experiment with copycat recipes of your favorite beverages like the cozy flavor of the Starbucks Pistachio Latte, you can tailor recipes to be sugar free and healthier with natural flavors.
Whether you’re aiming for weight loss, following a low-carb lifestyle, or seeking dairy-free and vegan options, making your own coffee drink allows for customization. So, grab your coffee gear, mix up some pistachio syrup, and enjoy a delightful cup of homemade sugar-free Pistachio Latte to kickstart your day!
Healthy Low Carb Copycat Starbucks Pistachio Latte Recipe
Equipment
- Small saucepan
- Wooden Spoon
- Sieve or Colander
- Coffee Mug
- Whisk or Coffee Frother Wand
- Liquid Measuring Cup with Pour Spout
- Glass Heat Proof Jar or Heat Proof Glass Bottle with airtight lid
Ingredients
Low Carb Pistachio Syrup:
- 1 cup allulose sweetener
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup Pistachio nuts shelled, roasted
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 1 pinch of salt if you chose unsalted pistachios
Sugar-Free Pistachio Latte:
- 1-2 shots espresso or ½ cup of strong cold brew coffee
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or any preferred plant-based milks like dairy-free coconut milk or oat milk
- 2-3 Tbsp homemade sugar-free pistachio syrup which equals 2-3 pumps of pistachio sauce
- 1/2 Tbsp salted butter or unsalted butter depends on whether you used salted pistachios or unsalted pistachios in the syrup
Instructions
Low Carb Pistachio Syrup:
- In a small saucepan add in your water and allulose sweetener.
- Turn the heat to medium high and bring it to a boil while whisking.
- Hand chop your pistachios with a cutting board and chef’s knife. You can whir them in the food processor or coffee grinder if you wish, but not too long or you will have pistachio butter.
- Once the sugar free simple syrup has come to a boil add in your finely chopped real pistachios and whisk again.
- Bring the mixture back to a boil and then turn the heat down to low so it simmers with little bubbles.
- Do not leave it unattended as you are waiting for it to boil as it will boil over.
- Leave it on low heat to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.
- Remove from heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
- Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth, pressing down on the pistachios to extract maximum flavor.
- Whisk in almond extract and a pinch of salt if you used unsalted nuts.
- Transfer the syrup to a heat-proof glass bottle or airtight container for storage.
Sugar-Free Pistachio Latte:
- Start by brewing your espresso, or strong coffee.
- Put your butter in a small heat proof pan and melt over medium heat until it begins to sizzle and turn a golden brown.
- Once browned, remove from the heat.
- Pour your coffee into your mug and stir or whisk in the salted brown butter.
- Now add in 2-3 Tbsp of the sugar free pistachio syrup you made earlier.
- This is also equivalent to 2-3 pumps if you have a bottle with a pump.
- Whisk your coffee again.
- Now warm up and froth your unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice and add to your cup.
- Top with whipped cream and chopped pistachios as an alternative to milk foam.
Notes
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 2 tablespoons | |
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 165 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 16.2g | 21% |
| Saturated Fat 7.1g | 36% |
| Cholesterol 27mg | 9% |
| Sodium 141mg | 6% |
| Total Carbohydrate 3.6g | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber 1.4g | 5% |
| Total Sugars 1g | |
| Protein 2.9g | |
| Vitamin D 7mcg | 36% |
| Calcium 47mg | 4% |
| Iron 1mg | 3% |
| Potassium 152mg | 3% |
Nutrition
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Check out these other low carb coffee creation recipes
Gluten Free Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe
Easy Dairy Free Ice Strawberry Latte Recipe
Easy Homemade Cappuccino Recipe Without a Machine
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