Costa Cortado (UK Price & Calories 2026)
A Cortado is named after the Spanish verb “cortar” — to cut — because that’s exactly what it does: cuts the sharpness of espresso with a small measure of steamed milk, without drowning it the way a latte or cappuccino would. At Costa, that translates to a short, dense drink where the coffee still leads. There’s no thick foam cap to work through and no long pull of milk to dilute the shot, so the flavour lands fast and stays strong from the first sip to the last.
Costa keeps things simple by selling the Cortado in a single 120ml takeaway measure for £3.60, rather than offering it across the usual small/medium/large sizing you’ll see on lattes and flat whites. It’s built on Whole milk by default and comes in at a modest 73 kcal, with Milk as the only listed allergen. Below you’ll find the full nutrition breakdown, what the milk swaps and extras actually cost, and where the Cortado fits if you’re deciding between it and something like a Flat White or Macchiato.
Nutrition, allergen and product details are based on Costa Coffee’s official product information. Prices shown are estimated UK prices and may vary by store, order type and delivery platform. Information last reviewed: 24 July 2026.
| Nutrient | Per 100g (In) | Eat In (100ml) | Takeaway (120ml) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy (kcal) | 60 | 60 | 73 |
| Energy (kJ) | 250 | 250 | 305 |
| Carbs (g) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.7 |
| Sugars (g) | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.5 |
| Fat (g) | 3.2 | 3.2 | 4 |
| Saturates (g) | 2 | 2 | 2.5 |
| Protein (g) | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.8 |
| Salt (g) | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.12 |
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Cortado at a glance
- One size only: 120ml takeaway, £3.60, 73 kcal
- Made with Whole milk by default; Soya swaps in at no extra cost
- Oat and Coconut milk both add +£0.45
- Milk is the only allergen listed — suitable for vegetarians, not vegans on standard milk
- Extra espresso shot +£0.80; whipped cream +£0.60; marshmallow or light whip +£0.50
- Seven syrup options available, including three sugar-free flavours
Why does Costa only sell one size of Cortado?
A traditional Cortado is defined by its ratio, not its volume — roughly equal parts espresso and steamed milk, served in a small glass. Stretching that into a medium or large would turn it into a different drink entirely, closer to a Flat White. That’s why Costa doesn’t offer size tiers here the way it does with a Latte or Cappuccino: the 120ml takeaway measure (100ml eat-in) is the drink. If you want more volume without losing the espresso punch, your options are to add an extra shot to this same cup, or to order a Flat White instead, which is built for a longer, creamier pour.
Cortado calories and nutrition, explained
You’ll notice two figures floating around for this drink: 60 kcal and 73 kcal. That’s not an error — it’s the difference between the 100ml eat-in serving and the slightly larger 120ml cup used for takeaway orders. The nutrition per 100ml stays identical either way; takeaway just gets a bit more liquid in the cup, so the totals scale up with it. Either way, this sits well below a Latte or Cappuccino on calories, simply because there’s so little milk involved.
Sugar and saturates are both low on the standard Whole milk version, and there’s no added sugar in the drink itself — anything sweet comes from milk swaps, syrups or extras layered on top. Here’s the full nutritional breakdown for the standard 120ml takeaway Cortado:
| Portion | Energy (kcal) | Fat (g) | Saturates (g) | Carbohydrate (g) | Sugars (g) | Protein (g) | Salt (g) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single (120ml) | 73 | 4 | 2.5 | 5.7 | 4.5 | 3.8 | 0.12 |
Switching to Coconut milk (+£0.45) trims the fat and calorie count slightly compared to Whole, while Oat (+£0.45) tends to push both up a touch but softens the bitterness of the espresso. Soya is the only alternative that costs nothing extra.
What extras cost, and which ones actually change the drink
Costa’s Cortado customiser breaks down into three groups: strength, texture, and flavour. For strength, an extra espresso shot is +£0.80 — worth it if you find the standard ratio too gentle. For texture, you can add whipped cream (+£0.60), light whip (+£0.50) or marshmallow (+£0.50), though these push it further from a classic Cortado and closer to a dessert coffee. For flavour, there are seven syrups on offer — Caramel, Vanilla and Hazelnut at standard pricing, plus Sugar Free Caramel, Sugar Free Vanilla, Sugar Free Gingerbread and Sugar Free Cinnamon Bun for anyone watching sugar intake but still wanting the flavour hit.
Keep it closest to the original: order it plain on Whole or Soya milk, no extras.
Want it stronger: add the extra shot.
Want it sweeter without extra sugar: pick a sugar-free syrup rather than whipped cream or marshmallow.
Is the Cortado worth ordering?
The Cortado makes the most sense for two kinds of orders: when you want a proper coffee hit without the milky bulk of a Latte, or when you want something quicker to drink than a full-size cup on your way somewhere. At £3.60 for 73 kcal, it’s one of the lower-calorie options on the hot drinks menu that still tastes like real coffee rather than sweetened milk. Where it falls short is volume — if you’re after something to nurse for twenty minutes at a table, a Flat White or Latte will serve you better. But for a short, strong, no-nonsense coffee, it does exactly what it’s meant to.
How to order it your way
- Stick with Whole or Soya milk if you want the standard nutrition figures with no added cost.
- Choose Oat (+£0.45) if you prefer a naturally sweeter, creamier finish that softens the espresso edge.
- Choose Coconut (+£0.45) for a lighter, slightly lower-fat alternative with a subtle flavour of its own.
- Add the extra espresso shot (+£0.80) if the standard ratio feels too mild for your taste.
- Pick a sugar-free syrup over whipped cream or marshmallow if you want flavour without pushing the calorie count up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer
Prices shown are typical UK menu estimates for 2026 and may vary by store location, promotions, delivery services, or eat-in vs takeaway pricing. Nutritional values are based on standard drink configurations and may change depending on size, milk choice, extras, or recipe updates made by the brand.