Nutrition information
Nutrition information: Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short)
| Serving size | 8 fl oz |
| Calories | 130 |
| Total fat | 4g |
| of which saturated | 2.5g |
| Trans fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrate | 19g |
| Total sugars | 17g |
| Includes added sugars (Boone estimate) | 10g |
| Fibre | 0g |
| Protein | 5g |
| Sodium | 110mg |
| Caffeine | 230mg |
Nutrition figures are Starbucks US published data for the standard recipe in this size, including the default milk and toppings. Starbucks publishes total sugar only, so added sugar is a Boone estimate. Boone converts the figures to the portion and age comparisons on this page.
Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) contains 130 calories, which is 6% of the 2,000-calorie Daily Value used on US food labels. It provides 4g of total fat, of which 2.5g is saturated, 17g of total sugars (an estimated 10g added), 110mg of sodium, 5g of protein and 0g of fibre.
The saturated fat content of 2.5g represents 12% of the 20g Daily Value.
Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) is assembled from 2 separately manufactured components, combined at the point of sale. The pecan syrup alone carries 2 different classes of additive. Across the whole drink the ingredient list names preservatives, acidity regulators and protein isolates. None of these add nutritional value. They exist to make components survive industrial production, storage and transport.
Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) is a high-caffeine drink
Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) contains 230mg of caffeine, 57% of the 400mg a day the FDA cites as an amount not generally linked with negative effects in healthy adults, and at or above the 200mg a day advised in pregnancy.
FDA Daily Values (2,000-calorie diet)
Calories2,000
Total fat78g
Saturated fat20g
Carbohydrate275g
Added sugars50g
Fibre28g
Sodium2,300mg
Protein50g
Ultra-processed food: what is really in it
Processing and additives: Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short)
Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) is assembled from 2 separately manufactured components, combined and served at the point of sale. Reading the ingredient list closely, it contains preservatives, acidity regulators and protein isolates. These are not there to add nutritional value. They make industrial production and distribution possible.
Preservatives
Slow the growth of bacteria, yeasts and moulds, or stop fats going stale, in centrally prepared components. Found in the pecan syrup.
Acidity regulators
Control sourness and keep syrups and bases stable on the shelf. Found in the pecan syrup.
Protein isolates
Concentrated proteins extracted industrially to raise the protein count or form a glaze. Found in the pecan crunch topping.
Boone classifies Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) as NOVA group 4, ultra-processed, based on the additives named above. NOVA groups foods by how far they are from their whole-food form, not by how nutritious they are. A group 4 food is not automatically unhealthy, and a group 1 food is not automatically healthy. Read from the published ingredient list, October 2026.
Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) contains at least 13 distinct ingredients: 9 raw and 4 manufactured. Raw means something you could buy and cook with at home; manufactured means a substance that only exists as an output of industrial processing.
Ingredient count: Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short)
| What you order | Raw | Manufactured | Total | % manufactured |
|---|
| Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) on its own | 9 | 4 | 13 | 31% |
The 4 manufactured ingredients
citric acid, corn protein glaze, potassium sorbate, rice hulls.
The 9 raw ingredients
apple, brewed espresso, cane sugar, carrot, milk, pecan, salt, sugar, water.
What those ingredients are, by type
Fruit, vegetables and nuts3
Sugars and syrups2
Preservatives and acidity regulators2
Meat, fish, dairy and eggs1
Coffee, tea and cocoa1
Water1
Salt and minerals1
Protein isolates1
Grains and starches1
Boone counts every distinct named ingredient on Starbucks’ published component lists, including sub-ingredients, and removes duplicates, so sugar appearing in three syrups counts once. Ice and water added at the counter are not counted. Raw covers whole foods and basic kitchen staples such as milk, sugar, salt and oil. Manufactured covers substances that only exist as an output of industrial processing. Every figure here is a minimum.
Ingredients
Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) is made from 4 components, 2 of them separately manufactured.
Ingredients by component: Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short)
Brewed espresso
Brewed Espresso.
Pecan syrup
Sugar, Water, Natural Flavor (Pecan), Salt, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid.
Pecan crunch topping
Cane Sugar, Natural Flavor (Pecan), Salt, Corn Protein Glaze, Fruit and Vegetable Juice for Color (Carrots, Apple), Turmeric (), Rice Hulls.
Ingredients taken from the Starbucks US menu at starbucks.com, retrieved October 2026, for the standard recipe. Recipes change and customisations alter them, so always check in store before ordering if you have an allergy.
Allergens at a glance
Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short) contains milk and tree nuts.
Allergen information: Starbucks US Pecan Cortado (Short)
| Allergen | Status |
|---|
| Milk | Contains |
| Eggs | Not declared |
| Fish | Not declared |
| Crustacean shellfish | Not declared |
| Tree nuts | Contains |
| Peanuts | Not declared |
| Wheat | Not declared |
| Soybeans | Not declared |
| Sesame | Not declared |
Contains 230mg of caffeine. Contains = named in the Starbucks US ingredient list for the standard recipe; Starbucks does not publish a separate allergen statement for most drinks. Starbucks prepares drinks with shared equipment, so no drink can be guaranteed allergen free, and changing the milk or adding toppings changes the allergens. UK rules also require barley, oats, mustard, celery and sulphites to be declared; these are shown where the ingredient list names them. Retrieved October 2026.
