What Are the Best Low Calorie Coffee Sweetners? Guide & FAQs

Best Sugar Free Coffees: Sweet Solutions for Health-Conscious Coffee Lovers 

Are you a coffee lover who’s also health-focused? If so, you may be wondering what the best sugar-free coffee is, and which sweeteners are the healthiest for your coffee. Whether you are looking for low calorie coffee solutions, sugar-free coffee sweeteners, or simply natural sugar options with a lower glycemic index, you’re in the right place! 

Here, we will walk you through the best low-sugar coffee drinks, some healthy sweeteners for coffee, natural and artificial sugars, and more. That way, you can find a sweet solution for your healthy daily brew!  

List of Low-Calorie or Sugar-Free Coffee Sweeteners 

Here are some low-sugar, sugar-free, and natural sweetener options for coffee! 

Natural Low-Calorie Sweeteners for Coffee:

• Stevia: (and stevia leaf extracts like Truvia)

• Monk Fruit Extract

Usually derived from plants, these sweeteners are low in calories and suitable for managing blood sugar, with their GI of zero. 

Artificial Sweeteners for Coffee:

• Sweet One, Sunett (Acesulfame potassium)

• Equal, NutraSweet (Aspartame)

• Neotame (e.g., Newtame)

• Sweet ‘N Low (Saccharin)

• Splenda (Sucralose)

While the risks and benefits of artificial sweeteners must be weighed, in small amounts, these options can sweeten coffee without adding calories or causing blood sugar spikes. 

Natural Sugars and Sweeteners for Coffee (Besides Refined White Sugar):

• Honey 

• Agave 

• Coconut sugar

• Palm sugar

• Dates 

• Maple syrup

• Sucanat 

• Brown rice syrup 

• Organic cane sugar 

• Cinnamon

These natural sweetener options that could be substituted for sugar in coffee, and while they still add calories, are considered healthier than refined white sugar. 

What about the sugar in milk from coffee? 

Milk definitely plays a big role in coffee calories. For those seeking a better alternative to whole milk, skim milk has a good amount of protein and less sugar. Here’s a guide to milk options for coffee if you want to learn more!

What is the best low-calorie coffee?

If you are looking for healthier daily coffee options, your goal should be to maximize protein, minerals, and natural oils, while minimizing simple sugars. Black coffee, particularly high-quality natural organic black coffee, is always best. However, if you want something a little sweeter, opt for natural sugars (like honey or agave) or sugars known for a low glycemic index, like stevia or monkfruit, both of which have a GI of zero.  

Best Low Sugar Coffee List: 

1. Natural Organic Arabica Coffee (Like these)

2. Coffee Sweetened with Natural Ingredients (Agave, Honey, Cinnamon)

3. Coffee Drinks with a Low Glycemic Index

4. Coffee Drinks Made with Sugar-Free Syrups

5. Coffee Sweetened with Monkfruit or Stevia 

6. Cold Brew Coffee (Smooth without needing cream/sugar)

7. Americano Coffee Drinks

8. Protein Coffee

9. Sugar-Free Coffees (Lattes, Breves, Iced)

10. Flavored Black Coffee (Like this) 

Health Tip: Black Coffee is Inherently Low in Calories, Carbs, and Sugars

In general, a cup of black coffee has fewer than 3 calories and a glycemic index of zero. That’s because coffee beans themselves are not very nutritionally dense, although they do contain an array of trace minerals and are rich in antioxidants. Bearing this in mind, drinking black coffee should not affect your daily calorie count or spike your blood sugar. 

Even flavored coffees like these have less than two calories per cup and are naturally sugar-free. 

The 5 Best Sugar-Free and Low-Cal Coffee Drink Options 

The fact is, sugar isn’t great for your health. However, if you're still craving something sweet in your coffee, there are definitely some great options out there. Here are five awesome sugar-free/low-calorie coffee drinks to consider for health-conscious coffee drinkers. All of these drinks are either easy to order or easy to make yourself at home!

1. Black Coffee Brewed with Flavored Coffee Grounds (Like these) 

2. Healthy High-Protein Coffee Drinks (Protein added to healthy coffee drinks) 

3. Cold Brew Coffee (Steeped coffee)

4. Americano (Espresso and water)

5. Sugar-Free Latte (Hot or iced) 

 

5. Sugar-Free Latte 

Coming in at number five is the sugar-free latte. “Sugar free” lattes are like regular lattes, but made with sugar-free flavoring syrups in place of full-calorie sweeteners or syrups. These lattes can be ordered or made at home, and are essentially the same ingredient-wise when served hot or iced. The only difference, really, is that a sugar-free iced latte will have the added ingredient of ice, and may also have whipped cream. 

Sugar-free lattes are never truly sugar-free, as milk contains naturally occurring sugars. However, they are far less likely to cause a blood sugar spike than regular flavored/sugary lattes and contain as much as 80% less sugar. Ergo, a regular small McDonald's French Vanilla Latte has about 30g of sugar, but the sugar-free version of this latte has about 11g of sugar, primarily from the milk. 

• Who a Sugar-Free Latte is Best For

Sugar-free lattes are great for those looking to avoid blood sugar spikes or reduce added sugars in their diet. Particularly, those living with or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Since they are not loaded with refined sugars, they may also work well for people watching their weight. 

Keep in mind, the effects of sugar-free syrups, which contain artificial sweeteners (aspartame, saccharin, sucralose, etc.), on weight loss, are still being studied. The impact on gut health and metabolic effects from artificial sweeteners are still not fully known. 

• How to Order a Sugar-Free Latte

These days, you can order pretty much any latte in a sugar-free version. Simply ask the barista or person at the counter if the drink you want to order comes in a sugar-free variant. If not, ask if they have a similar drink that could be made with sugar-free flavoring syrups or powders.

Remember to factor in whether you want the sugar in the whipped cream if you are ordering an iced sugar-free latte. If not, you may need to specify that you’d like sugar-free whipped cream, or no whipped cream added. 

• How to Make a Sugar-Free Latte at Home

It’s not hard to make a sugar-free latte (iced or hot) at home. You just need an espresso maker of some kind. From there, it’s all about swapping your regular sweeteners, syrups, or drizzles for their sugar-free counterparts. Lattes are made up primarily of three ingredients: milk, espresso shots, and a flavoring syrup. So, making the sugar-free version of any latte isn’t very tricky!

Check out this in-depth latte guide to get more recipes. Then, simply swap the full-calorie sugary sweeteners for the sugar-free alternative of your choice! 

4. Americano 

Next up on our list of the best sugar-free coffees is the classic Americano. Americanos are a type of coffee drink, generally made with only espresso and hot water. Think black coffee, but stronger. What’s great about a classic Americano is that you can enjoy this drink without having to worry about calories or carbs, as espresso usually has between 2-6 calories, and less than >1g of carbohydrates. 

Americanos can be enhanced with other ingredients, like coffee syrups or milk. Milk, cream, and toppings like cold foam can help cut through the bitterness of an Americano, but will also add calories and glucose from any naturally occurring sugars. So, if you add any extras to your Americano, be sure to clock those additional calories. 

• Who is the Americano Best For

Americanos are great for those craving coffee and caffeine, but wanting to avoid excess calories, carbs, or sugars. An americano is very similar calorically to black coffee. So, if you are on Keto, Atkins, or any other low-carb diet, the Americano might just be for you! That’s right, the Americano is keto friendly. 

• How to Order an Americano

It’s easy to order an Americano at any coffee shop counter or kiosk. Just ask for an Americano, in the size you prefer. You can add things like cream, sugar-free syrups, or toppings to your Americano. These add-ins can help cut the bitterness and enhance your Americano’s flavor, but will also add to its sugar and calorie content. So, keep that in mind. 

• How to Make an Americano at Home

Making an Americano at home is fairly simple, as long as you have an espresso machine or a coffee maker that can brew extra-strength coffee shots. Basically, you add two shots of strong espresso per 12 oz of liquid. So if you wanted to make a 12-oz Americano, you would add two shots of espresso to 10 ounces of hot water. 

You can add other ingredients to your Americano, like honey, agave, cream, etc. If you want to keep your drink Keto-friendly, you can add cinnamon for a touch of sweetness! Check out this guide to the benefits of cinnamon in coffee and its anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Cold Brew 

Cold brew coffee can be a great option for those looking to keep their daily calorie count low or avoid excess sugar. This is because cold brew is naturally smooth and often lower in acidity than coffee made with heat. Cold brew coffee is steeped in cold water to produce a rich, inherently creamy, and refreshing drink. As such, many people enjoy cold brew coffee straight, without added sugars, flavorings, or even milk. 

Bearing that in mind, cold brew coffee can also be really tasty with sweet cream cold foam as a topping. Just remember that sweet cream cold foam contains sugar unless you make it yourself with a sugar-free syrup or other artificial sweeteners. 

The calories and sugar of your cold brew coffee will all hinge on what you add in. For instance, a Starbucks Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew has about 240 calories, while a regular black cold brew coffee is only around 5 calories. A cold brew with just whipped cream or cold foam has around 100 calories. 

• Who is Cold Brew Best For

Cold brew coffee is great for anyone seeking smooth, cold coffee with balanced acidity and a naturally creamy finish. Cold brew is naturally mellow with a great mouth-feel, meaning it doesn’t need sugar or cream to be palatable. Moreover, the slow extraction process often means that cold brew is a good choice for people who want a low-acid coffee drink. 

• How to Order Cold Brew

Not all coffee shops have cold brew coffee, and many will offer iced coffees instead of cold brew. However, with cold brew coffee rising in popularity recently, you may start to see it regularly on more mainstream coffee shop menus. When ordering cold brew, be aware of the drinks that come with simple cold brew vs. those topped with cold foam or flavored with syrups. 

• How to Make Cold Brew at Home

Making cold brew at home is easier than you may think! You can check out this cold brew coffee recipe guide with in-depth instructions. However, the process actually only involves two or three steps. Basically, you steep coffee grounds in cold water in the fridge for around 12-18 hours. Then, you strain out the grounds, and the leftover liquid is genuine home-made cold brew! From there, you can add homemade sweet cream cold foam or simply enjoy it straight! 

2. Coffee with Protein or Other Healthy Add-Ins

One great coffee solution for those seeking healthier brews? Protein. You can enjoy so many amazing coffee protein drinks! Protein is a great way to stay full, stabilize your blood sugar, and help your body build muscle. Plus, protein is an awesome, slow-burning energy source. When combined with caffeine, protein coffee can help you stay full and energized for hours. 

Other healthy coffee add-ins include fiber, olive oil, or cinnamon. Honey, cocoa, ginger, turmeric, and ghee can also be healthy in coffee, depending on what your health goals are. Skim milk can also be a good option for those seeking more protein and less sugar. 

Who is Protein Coffee Best For

Protein coffee can be great for anyone looking to stay full, reduce caloric intake, build muscle, and/or unlock more sustainable energy. It can be good for people working out early in the morning or anyone on the go who wants to boost their daily protein intake. 

How to Order a Protein Coffee

These days, some coffee shops actually offer protein-infused coffees! Whether this means a latte with protein-infused whipped toppings or a blended protein coffee drink, you can always check out the menu to see if anything new and protein-packed has been released. For example, Scooter's Coffee has a protein vanilla cold foam drink with 13g of protein. Or, starting Sept. 29, 2025, Starbucks coffeehouses in the U.S. and Canada will offer a Protein Cold Foam beverage alongside their line of Protein Lattes, with around 15 to 36 grams of protein in a 16-oz drink. 

How to Make Protein Coffee at Home

Want to make protein lattes or protein cold brew coffee at home? There are all sorts of protein and healthy coffee recipes to browse through! First, decide what kind of protein coffee sounds tastiest to you. Do you like the idea of a hot protein latte? Or, maybe you’re more in the mood for a creamy protein cold brew. Here are some tips on the best coffee to add protein to!

1. Black Coffee Brewed with Flavored Grounds 

Flavored black coffee is by far and away one of the best low-sugar coffee options! Not only are flavored coffee grounds naturally sugar-free, but they let you enjoy rich flavors and mouth-watering aromas without any extra calories. Onegreatcoffee.com has an extensive list of over 140 different flavored black coffee grounds with no sugar! 

You can sweeten black flavored coffee with a natural sweetener, or add a little heavy cream or skim milk, to give you a smooth, rich taste, depending on your dietary needs. These coffees can be used to craft flavored cold brew, lattes, Americanos, and more! Plus, they come in both regular and decaf flavored coffee options. 

• Who is Flavored Black Coffee Best For 

Flavored coffees can be great for anyone craving rich, bold, mouthwatering nuances in their coffee. Unsweetened but bold with fragrant aromatic essences, these are the ideal low-calorie coffee solution for people seeking tasty sugar-free drink alternatives without artificial sweeteners. Whether you are on a diet, trying to avoid added sugars, or simply want some amazing coffee flavors, these coffee grounds are an excellent choice.

• How to Order Flavored Black Coffee

The easiest way to get flavored black coffee grounds or beans is to shop online. That way, you’ll have the best, freshest selection of high-quality, small batch, flavored coffee grounds. You can order flavored black coffee grounds online now at Onegreatcoffee.com. 

• How to Make Flavored Black Coffee at Home

Brewing flavored black coffee is easy! Just get some delicious flavored coffee grounds and brew them as you would any other type of coffee! Or, opt for flavored coffee beans and grind them fresh for optimal coffee flavors. You can even use flavored beans ground very fine to make flavored espresso shots at home! You can even get flavored single-serve pods. 

The Takeaway: Choosing the Best Low-Calorie Coffee for You 

There are an array of awesome low-sugar, low-calorie, and sugar-free coffee options out there for health-conscious coffee drinkers. Flavored coffee grounds and coffee beans are an awesome choice for those who want to make tasty, naturally sugar-free coffee at home. You can get whole bean flavored coffee at OneCreatCoffee.com.

Americanos, cold brews, and protein coffees can also be great options. Finally, many coffee drinks are available in sugar-free variations for those keeping an eye on their blood glucose levels. 

In the end, you’ll want to consider your own dietary needs, flavor preferences, and health goals when choosing the best low-calorie coffee. Keep in mind that all of the coffees listed above could be sweetened by low-calorie, natural, or artificial sweeteners. It all comes down to what you’re looking to achieve!