Starbucks Cortado contains 56 kcal per serving — less than 3% of the adult 2,000 kcal daily reference intake. It is one of the lowest calorie dairy-containing coffee drinks at Starbucks, sitting above the Espresso con Panna at 35 kcal and well below the Caffe Latte at 178 kcal per Tall. The small serving size — equal parts espresso and steamed milk in approximately 120ml — means the calorie count is naturally low. The Cortado is a fixed-size drink at Starbucks and is not available in Tall, Grande or Venti sizes.

Per Cortado (whole milk): 56 kcal, 3.1g fat (2.0g saturated), 4.8g carbohydrate (4.3g sugar), 3.5g protein, 0.08g salt, 75mg caffeine. The sugar at 4.3g is entirely natural lactose from the small quantity of steamed milk — there is no added sugar. The drink is served in a fixed small glass of approximately 120ml — equal parts espresso and milk — so these figures reflect the entire serving.

Starbucks Cortado contains approximately 75mg of caffeine from a double shot of espresso — the same caffeine as a Tall Caffe Latte or Americano, but in a much smaller volume of drink. The milk in the Cortado contributes no caffeine. At 75mg the Cortado uses 19% of the NHS daily maximum of 400mg for adults — one of the lower caffeine drinks at Starbucks for those wanting espresso intensity without large caffeine doses. The NHS recommends a maximum of 400mg per day for most adults and 200mg per day during pregnancy — a Cortado at 75mg is well within the pregnancy limit.

Starbucks Cortado contains 4.3g of sugar — just over one teaspoon and 14% of the adult daily free sugar limit of 30g. All of this sugar is natural lactose from the small amount of steamed milk — there is no added sugar and no syrup. Natural milk sugars do not count toward the NHS free sugar limit of 30g per day. The Cortado is one of the lowest total sugar dairy coffee drinks at Starbucks — below the Caffe Latte at 12g per Tall and the Flat White at 10g, simply because the smaller milk volume means less lactose.

Starbucks Cortado contains 2.0g of saturated fat per serving with whole milk — 10% of the adult daily guideline of 20g. The saturated fat comes entirely from the steamed milk. With semi-skimmed milk it drops to approximately 1.2g, with skimmed milk to approximately 0.1g. At 2.0g saturated fat for 56 kcal, the Cortado is one of the most calorie and saturated fat efficient ways to enjoy espresso with milk at Starbucks.

No. NOVA 2 — minimally processed. The Cortado is espresso and a small amount of steamed milk — two ingredients, no additives, no syrups, no sauces. It sits alongside the Caffe Latte, Flat White, Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato and Espresso con Panna as one of the few NOVA 2 drinks at Starbucks that contain dairy. Adding any syrup or flavouring would immediately move it to NOVA 4.

Starbucks Cortado contains milk as the only declared allergen. 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. Always tell your barista if you have a severe allergy before ordering.

Starbucks Cortado is suitable for vegetarians. It can be made vegan by switching to a plant-based milk — oat, almond, soya or coconut milk. The espresso contains no animal-derived ingredients. A Cortado with oat milk contains approximately 38 kcal and 2.5g natural sugar — the lowest calorie and sugar vegan espresso-milk drink at Starbucks after a plain Espresso.

No. Starbucks Cortado contains approximately 75mg of caffeine from a double espresso shot — well above safe levels for children based on FSA guidance of 3mg per kg of body weight per day. The NHS advises children should avoid caffeine where possible. Chamomile Tea and Mint Majesty Tea are the caffeine-free alternatives at Starbucks.

Yes — with care. Starbucks Cortado contains approximately 75mg of caffeine per serving — 38% of the NHS recommended daily maximum during pregnancy of 200mg. It is one of the more pregnancy-appropriate espresso options at Starbucks as the fixed small size limits caffeine to a single-shot equivalent level. Two Cortados in a day would use 75% of the pregnancy caffeine allowance. Accounting for caffeine from other sources throughout the day is important. If in doubt, consult a midwife or GP.

A cortado is a Spanish coffee drink — equal parts espresso and steamed milk in a small glass of approximately 120ml. The equal ratio of coffee to milk produces a drink that is more intense and espresso-forward than a latte, but smoother than a straight espresso. A Caffe Latte uses a much higher ratio of milk to espresso — approximately 5:1 — producing a much larger, milder drink. A Flat White uses a higher ratio of espresso to milk than a latte but less than a cortado — approximately 1:2 — and uses ristretto shots for a more concentrated espresso character. The Cortado at Starbucks is served in a fixed small glass with a double shot and an equal volume of steamed milk.

Starbucks Cortado is one of the lowest calorie and lowest sugar dairy coffee drinks on the menu at 56 kcal and 4.3g of natural sugar. NOVA 2 — espresso and steamed milk only. Milk only allergen. 75mg caffeine — one of the lower caffeine espresso options at Starbucks given its single serving size. Fixed serving size means no size upgrades. For adults who want an intense, concentrated espresso-milk drink with minimal calories, no added sugar and a NOVA 2 processing status, the Cortado is one of the best nutritional choices in the Starbucks espresso range — maximum flavour intensity for minimum nutritional impact.