Milk Alternatives at Costa UK
Costa is everywhere, which is both comforting and slightly suspicious. The good news is that Costa is pretty friendly if you want to swap dairy for a milk alternative, but the bad news is that it can sometimes cost a bit extra depending on what you choose.
This guide explains exactly what milk alternatives Costa offers in the UK, whether they cost more, and which ones make the most sense for the kind of coffee you actually order.
Milk alternatives available at Costa Coffee
Costa UK typically offers soya, oat, coconut, plus Costa’s Ultimate Blend (which replaced almond milk in many stores).
| Milk alternative | Extra cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soya milk | Usually no | Often the cheapest swap. Good all-rounder, higher protein than most alternatives. |
| Oat milk | Often yes (typically around +£0.45) | Creamy and slightly sweet, usually the best choice for lattes and flat whites. |
| Coconut milk | Often yes (typically around +£0.45) | You will taste the coconut. Better in mochas, iced drinks, or anything sweet. |
| Ultimate Blend | Often yes (can be a smaller surcharge than oat) | Costa’s own plant-based milk designed for coffee. Usually the most “dairy-like” option. |
| Almond milk | Not commonly available | Removed from many stores and replaced by Ultimate Blend. |
A quick reality check: Costa has a mix of company-owned stores and franchises, and pricing can vary by location and via app offers. If you see a different upcharge at the till, that’s not you going mad, that’s just Costa being Costa.
If you are choosing what to order, it’s worth checking the full Costa Coffee menu and prices so you can compare the base drink cost with any milk upcharge. For the bigger picture, our guide to milk alternatives in UK coffee shops compares Costa with other chains, including Starbucks, Pret and Caffè Nero, and highlights where you can swap milk without paying extra.
Does Costa charge extra for milk alternatives?
Sometimes, yes.
In many stores, soya is the free swap, while oat and coconut often come with a surcharge. Ultimate Blend can also carry an upcharge, although it is sometimes slightly cheaper than oat depending on the store.
Costa has also run Costa Club/app offers where milk alternatives are included at no extra cost, but these offers can change, so treat that as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
Best milk alternative at Costa (what actually works in coffee)
If you just want your coffee to taste normal, these are the safest bets.
For lattes and flat whites: Go oat milk if you do not mind paying extra. It’s creamy, slightly sweet, and it does not fight the espresso.
If price matters: Choose soya milk. It is usually the free swap and it holds up well in hot drinks, plus it has more protein than most alternatives.
If you want “closest to dairy”: Try Ultimate Blend. It’s designed specifically for coffee, which usually means better texture and a smoother finish than coconut.
If you want a noticeable flavour: Coconut milk is basically a personality choice. Great if you like coconut, not subtle if you don’t.
Allergens and dietary notes
Costa warns that it cannot guarantee drinks are allergen-free due to shared equipment and cross-contact risk
Soya milk contains soy (common allergen)
Oat milk may not be suitable for coeliacs unless it is specifically labelled gluten-free
Always tell staff if you have a serious allergy, especially if you are swapping milk
