Can You Make Starbucks' Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Keto-Friendly?
When it's Pumpkin Spice Latte season, PSL fans old and new flock to their nearest Starbucks for their favorite seasonal drink. In 2019 alone, U.S. consumers spent roughly half a billion dollars on pumpkin spice-flavored products, via GO Banking Rates. With so many products available on the market, it would seem like everyone who loves pumpkin spice would be able to participate to their hearts' content.
But, some fans are over the spiced hot drinks. If you're looking for a drink that'll make you feel festive and keep you cool to boot, coffee purveyors are delivering. In addition to Starbucks' Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, Dunkin's fall menu features the Pumpkin Swirl Frozen Coffee, the Iced Pumpkin Chai Latte, and its own version of a Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew. Sounds super festive, but also super sweet. But can everybody enjoy the seasonal sips? Is there a way to make Starbucks' Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew keto-friendly?
Substitute sugar-free vanilla
According to Healthline, the keto diet focuses on foods that are low in carbs and high in fats. The goal of this diet is to put the body in a state called "ketosis," in which a person's metabolism becomes elevated and burns fat instead of carbs, therefore burning fat more quickly. For this reason, in a keto diet, sugars are all but eliminated. Even some fruits are off-limits. Starbucks' Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew is a cold brew base with pumpkin spice topping, pumpkin cream cold foam, and two pumps of vanilla syrup. But rest assured, keto-followers: There's a way for everyone to enjoy the drink — all it takes is a modified order.
Instagram user @ketostarbucksdrinks breaks it down. When you order, they say, ask for sugar-free vanilla syrup and sugar-free cold foam. You can add sugar-free vanilla to the cold foam if you'd like, to retain that signature sweet taste. But, according to the post, you can't specify sugar-free vanilla cold foam via mobile ordering apps, so you'll have to order in person or at the drive-thru to make this customization. The rest of the ingredients — pumpkin sauce, heavy cream, and pumpkin spice topping — should be keto-friendly and good to go as normal.