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13 Best Starbucks Latte Flavors on the Menu

Terrace of Starbucks Store

Entering Starbucks is more than just getting a coffee fix—it’s an adventure into flavor, with lattes taking center stage with their smooth textures and alluring scents. We cordially invite you to embark with us on an enthralling voyage through the world of Starbucks lattes in this article, where you will uncover the complex and delightful profiles that enhance the coffeehouse experience. Starbucks provides a wide range of options to suit every palate, from the traditional warmth of a latte to the inventive fusions that combine distinctive flavors and textures. We’ll explore the variety of lattes, each one expertly blended to bring out the richness of espresso and the opulent warmth of steaming milk.

Pistachio Latte

Pistachio Latte
Source: Instagram

Starbucks sweet pistachio sauce pairs well with rich, dark espresso to make the Pistachio Latte. I love pistachios and coffee, so this drink is a long-time favorite.  I think the best part, even as much as I love pistachio nuts, is the topping. Starbucks tops this already rich drink with sweetened whipped cream and a topping they could sell by the bowlful for people to eat with a spoon.  The salted brown butter cookie topping takes this beverage over the top. Every time I have one, I wonder why I don’t order that topping on every coffee. 


Caffe Mocha

Caffe Mocha
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Starbucks Caffè Mocha pairs a bittersweet mocha sauce with Starbucks espresso for a drink mocha lovers will enjoy.  Simple flavors make this no-frills drink a treat that’s easy to customize. I like to pick my favorite syrups that taste good in a mocha. Using different syrup helps me not get bored by ordering the same thing too often.  Fortunately, the variety of options Starbucks offers allows so many different combinations that boredom isn’t possible.


Gingerbread Latte

Gingerbread Latte
Source: Instagram

The warm spice and gingerbread flavor in this drink make it one of the best Starbucks lattes you can order. This treat’s appearance always helped make winter a little toastier.  Gingerbread syrup, vanilla syrup, and whipped cream give the Gingerbread Latte its distinctive flavor. Nutmeg and ginger bring to mind Thanksgiving and Christmas treats.  The drink didn’t make the holiday menu in 2020 or 2021, but don’t worry. If it’s missing again, you can create one. Order a Cinnamon Dolce Latte in the Grande size with one pump of chai tea concentrate and two pumps of white mocha syrup.  Have your barista add a few shakes of nutmeg, and you can enjoy a Gingerbread Latte anytime. 

See also  17 Best Starbucks Tea Drinks

Cinnamon Dolce Latte

Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Source: Instagram

This flavor serves as the base for a Gingerbread Latte when it’s not on the menu, but it’s delicious on its own. The Starbucks proprietary cinnamon-dolce syrup and topping make this drink stand out in a crowd.  The classic espresso and steamed milk of your choice shine when the cinnamon-dolce flavor is mixed in, and sweetened whipped cream makes the perfect finishing touch.  A Grande gets four pumps of the cinnamon-dolce syrup. For a chocolate and cinnamon treat, ask for two pumps instead and two pumps of mocha syrup. Substitute white mocha syrup to enjoy a latte that tastes like a cinnamon roll. 


Starbucks Reserve Hazelnut Bianco Latte

Source: Instagram

Milk infused in-house with hazelnut and praline flavor gives this sweet and nutty drink a unique taste. Starbucks also uses a small-batch coffee to make the Reserve Hazelnut Bianco.  This yummy drink uses Starbucks Reserve Espresso as its base. Starbucks Reserve is a small-lot coffee grind made from their rarest beans and combinations.  Expect a rich, nutty, and sweet experience with this specialty coffee. If you love mint, a pump of peppermint gives this coffee a holiday twist. 


Starbucks Reserve Latte

Starbucks Reserve Latte
Source: Instagram

The Starbucks Reserve Latte uses the same small-batch hand-crafted espresso as the Reserve Hazelnut Bianco Latte. In this drink, the only ingredients are espresso, steamed milk, and light foam that let the rich coffee flavor shine through.  I like the Reserve Espresso as a base because the deep, rich flavor is less acidic and sharp than the standard Starbucks espresso. The taste is well-rounded with more depth.  The Starbucks Reserve Latte makes a perfect drink to order if you plan to add custom syrup combinations and flavors. 


Blonde Vanilla Latte

Blonde Vanilla Latte
Source: Instagram

If you like espresso but prefer a light, mild roast, you’ll probably love the Blonde Vanilla Latte. Simple ingredients like milk and vanilla syrup make this one of the best Starbucks lattes available.  Starbucks roasts a mixture of East African and Latin American beans to create a rich and rounded extra-smooth flavor. This Blonde Espresso blend has a slightly sweet and versatile taste that lends itself to hot or cold drinks.  Add pumps of your favorite flavors to join the vanilla and create a unique drink. 


Caramel Brûlée Latte

Caramel Brûlée Latte
Source: Instagram

The Caramel Brûlée Latte is one of the highest-calorie lattes Starbucks offers with a Venti that’s 500 calories. The Grandi is 410 calories and is delicious enough to be worth cutting back on something else to enjoy the occasional caramel treat.  Caramel Brûlée sprinkles dot the sweetened whipped cream that floats on top of espresso flavored with Caramel Brûlée sauce.  The vanilla syrup adds more flavor, and the sweetness will make you forget, or not care, about the calories. As usual, you can switch out the milk, toppings, or other ingredients to customize your coffee.

See also  9 Best Starbucks Cold Brew Drinks to Order

Honey Oatmilk Latte

Honey Oatmilk Latte
Source: Instagram

If you like sweet and salty, try the Honey Oatmilk Latte.  Sweet honey mixed into the coffee makes this drink a treat for people with a sweet tooth. They toast a sweet, salty honey topping and sprinkle it over the sweetened whipped cream. This drink will satisfy sugary and salty cravings simultaneously.  Whether you avoid lactose or you choose oat milk for its richness, you’ll probably agree that the Honey Oatmilk Latte is one of the best Starbucks lattes available. 


Chocolate Caramel Chai Latte

Chocolate Caramel Chai Latte
Source: Instagram

Have you ever heard of the Starbucks “secret” menu? The secret menu isn’t a menu they hide from the general public. By ordering certain drinks and customizing them, you can create the secret menu flavors whenever you want.  One of the best Starbucks lattes on this secret menu is the Chocolate Caramel Chai Latte. This drink is a good one for people unfamiliar with custom orders. I like remembering two ingredients instead of asking for a list of things.  Here’s the secret: Order a Chai Tea Latte and request one pump of caramel syrup and one pump of mocha, and enjoy.  


Matcha Latte 

Matcha Latte 
Source: Instagram

Matcha green tea is surging in popularity. People drink it for the soothing flavor, the ritual of preparing it, and the purported health benefits of green tea.  This Matcha Latte combines the richness of matcha green tea with sugar and milk for a simple but full-flavored cup of tea.  Add syrups, toppings, and your preferred milk to customize the drink, but it’s delicious ordered as-is, too. If you want a sweet, hot pick-me-up without the caffeine in espresso or black tea, this menu item is an option.  Green tea does have caffeine, but it contains less than regular tea blends. 


Cookie Butter Latte

Cookie Butter Latte
Source: Instagram

The name of this drink is enough to make my mouth water. The Cookie Butter Latte isn’t on the official menu. This coffee is another Starbucks secret menu item.  The order has a couple more ingredients than the Chocolate Caramel Chai Latte, but the result is worth the extra effort.  To enjoy one of the best Starbucks lattes from their secret menu, order a Soy Latte. Ask for one pump of cinnamon dolce, one toffee nut, and one white mocha syrup pump.  Add sweetened whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel on top to complete the cookie butter flavor profile. I have asked for the salted brown butter cookie topping sprinkled on top before, and it’s delicious. 


Pumpkin Spice Latte

Pumpkin Spice Latte
Source: Instagram

Does anyone in the industrialized world hear the words “pumpkin spice” without instantly thinking about Starbucks? Starbucks helped popularize this distinctively fall flavor with their Pumpkin Spice Latte that usually appears on the menu in early November.  Absence makes the heart grow fonder, they say, and that’s true in the case of this seasonal coffee drink. Pumpkin Spice appears annually to ring in the holiday season and disappears each new year. This coffee flavor has become a tradition for some people as nostalgic as turkey and pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving. Pumpkin sauce and a spiced topping that tastes like pumpkin pie make this drink addictive.  Try a fun twist when you’re ordering your tenth Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season. Replace half the pumpkin sauce with toffee nut syrup or one to two pumps of mocha syrup for chocolate pumpkin spice flavors. 

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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