Starbucks Cappuccino with semi-skimmed milk contains 103 kcal in a Tall, 138 kcal in a Grande and 175 kcal in a Venti — 5%, 7% and 9% of the adult 2,000 kcal daily reference intake respectively. Calories vary with milk choice — a Tall with almond milk drops to approximately 57 kcal. The Cappuccino is one of the lower calorie hot espresso drinks at Starbucks because it uses a higher proportion of foam to liquid milk than a latte — air has no calories. The only calorie sources are the espresso and the steamed milk; no syrups, no sauces and no cream are added to the standard preparation.

Tall (semi-skimmed milk): 103 kcal, 3.4g fat (3.4g saturated), 11g carbohydrate (9.5g sugar), 7.4g protein, 0.22g salt, 89mg caffeine. Grande (semi-skimmed milk): 138 kcal, 4.5g fat (3.2g saturated), 14g carbohydrate (12g sugar), 9.8g protein, 0.29g salt, 118mg caffeine. Venti (semi-skimmed milk): 175 kcal, 5.8g fat (4.2g saturated), 18g carbohydrate (15g sugar), 12.5g protein, 0.37g salt, 150mg caffeine. All sugar is natural lactose from the milk — no added sugar at any size.

Starbucks Cappuccino with semi-skimmed milk contains 9.5g of sugar in a Tall, 12g in a Grande and 15g in a Venti — 32%, 40% and 50% of the adult daily free sugar limit of 30g respectively. All of this sugar is natural lactose from the milk — there is no added sugar, no syrup and no sweetener. Natural milk sugars do not count toward the NHS free sugar limit. Switching to plant milks reduces total sugar — a Tall with almond milk is approximately 5g, oat milk approximately 6g, soya milk approximately 6.5g. The Cappuccino is one of the lowest added-sugar hot espresso drinks at Starbucks. The NHS free sugar limit is 30g per day for adults, 24g for children aged 7 to 10, and 19g for children aged 4 to 6.

Starbucks Cappuccino contains approximately 89mg of caffeine in a Tall, 118mg in a Grande and 150mg in a Venti. The caffeine comes entirely from the espresso — the milk and foam contribute no caffeine. The Tall at 89mg uses 22% of the NHS daily maximum of 400mg for adults and 45% of the NHS pregnancy maximum of 200mg. The NHS recommends a maximum of 400mg per day for most adults and 200mg per day during pregnancy — a Tall Cappuccino is within the pregnancy limit, a Grande at 118mg also remains within it, and a Venti at 150mg uses 75% of the pregnancy limit.

Starbucks Cappuccino with semi-skimmed milk contains 3.4g of saturated fat in a Tall, 3.2g in a Grande and 4.2g in a Venti — 17%, 16% and 21% of the adult daily guideline of 20g. With whole milk a Tall contains approximately 4.8g. With skimmed milk a Tall drops to approximately 0.2g. Plant milks are low — a Tall with oat milk contains approximately 0.5g, almond milk approximately 0.1g. All saturated fat comes from the steamed milk — no sauce or cream is added to the standard Cappuccino.

Starbucks Cappuccino with semi-skimmed milk contains 7.4g of protein in a Tall, 9.8g in a Grande and 12.5g in a Venti — 15%, 20% and 25% of the adult daily reference intake of 50g. Protein comes entirely from the milk. A Tall with soya milk delivers approximately 6.5g — similar to semi-skimmed dairy. Oat milk drops to approximately 1.8g per Tall, almond milk to approximately 0.9g. The Cappuccino is a surprisingly good protein source relative to its low calorie count when made with dairy or soya milk.

Starbucks Cappuccino contains milk as the only declared allergen when made with dairy milk. The espresso contributes no allergens. It does not contain wheat/gluten, egg, soya, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, celery, mustard or sesame. Switching to soya milk adds soya as a declared allergen. The light dusting of cocoa powder on top contains no major allergens in the quantities used. Always tell your barista if you have a severe allergy before ordering.

Starbucks Cappuccino is suitable for vegetarians with any milk choice. It is suitable for vegans when ordered with a plant-based milk — oat, almond, soya or coconut milk. The espresso contains no animal-derived ingredients. For vegans prioritising protein, soya milk at approximately 6.5g protein per Tall is the closest equivalent to dairy. For lowest calories, almond milk at approximately 57 kcal per Tall is the best option.

No. Starbucks Cappuccino contains caffeine from espresso — approximately 89mg per Tall — which the NHS advises children should avoid where possible. The sugar at 9.5g per Tall is entirely natural lactose from the milk and does not count toward the free sugar limit. It is the caffeine that makes the Cappuccino unsuitable for children at any size. Chamomile Tea or Mint Majesty Tea are the caffeine-free, zero-sugar alternatives at Starbucks.

No. NOVA 2 — minimally processed. The Cappuccino is espresso, steamed milk and frothed milk foam — two ingredients in different physical states, no additives, no syrups and no sauces. It sits alongside the Caffe Latte, Latte Macchiato, Flat White and Cortado as one of the few NOVA 2 espresso drinks at Starbucks. The trace cocoa powder dusting on top does not alter the NOVA classification in the quantities used. Adding any syrup or sauce immediately moves it to NOVA 4.

Both the Cappuccino and Caffe Latte use espresso and steamed milk, but in different proportions and textures. A Caffe Latte uses more liquid steamed milk with a thin layer of microfoam — approximately 5:1 milk to espresso — producing a larger, creamier, milder drink. A Cappuccino uses less milk and a much thicker, airier layer of frothed foam — approximately equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foam — producing a stronger, more espresso-forward flavour in a smaller cup. The higher foam ratio in the Cappuccino means fewer calories and less sugar per cup than a Tall Caffe Latte at the same nominal size — a Tall Cappuccino with semi-skimmed milk contains 103 kcal versus a Tall Caffe Latte with whole milk at 178 kcal, because foam replaces a significant portion of the calorie-contributing liquid milk.

Starbucks Cappuccino is one of the lowest calorie, lowest sugar and least processed hot espresso drinks on the menu. NOVA 2 — espresso and milk only. No added sugar at any size. Milk only allergen with dairy milk. The foam-heavy preparation naturally reduces calories relative to a latte at equivalent size. With almond milk a Tall drops to approximately 57 kcal and 5g of natural sugar — among the most calorie-efficient caffeinated milk drinks available at any UK coffee chain. For adults who want a classic espresso milk drink with a bold coffee character, thick foam and no added sugar, the Cappuccino is one of the best nutritional choices on the Starbucks menu.