How Many Calories Are in a Cup of Tea With Milk?

French aristocrat Marie de Rabutin-Chantal makes the first mention of adding milk to tea in her writings in 1680, according to Worldmags. Milk adds creaminess -- and calories -- to an otherwise low-calorie beverage.

Calories in Tea with Milk

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 6 ounces of brewed tea contains about 2 calories. Because a teaspoon of whole milk is about 3 calories, adding a teaspoon of whole milk increases the number of calories in a cup of tea to about 5.

Calorie Variations

Adding more milk or increasing the size of the cup of tea will increase the number of calories. A 12-ounce cup of tea with a tablespoon of whole milk increases the calorie count to about 13. Using cream will add an additional 3 calories per tablespoon, and using skim milk will reduce it by about 1.5 calories per tablespoon.

Added Calories

The addition of sugar or other sweeteners will increase the number of calories in a cup of tea with milk. Adding granulated sugar adds about 5 calories per teaspoon. Using lemon in your tea will add only about 1 calorie per teaspoon.