Brian Nagele
Enter the welcoming arms of the Starbucks in your neighborhood, a haven where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee beckons and the baristas’ calligraphy skills transform your name into a work of art. Beyond its warm atmosphere and welcoming vibe, Starbucks is a veritable gold mine of inventive coffee concoctions. The coffee selection here is a gourmet playground, ranging from the smooth and creamy Flat White to the exotic delights of the Hidden Menu. Our guide will assist you in finding your next favorite caffeine fix, regardless of whether you’re a seasoned Starbucks enthusiast or a first-time visitor. Join us on this stimulating adventure as we discover the world of must-try coffee beverages that Starbucks has to offer.
Caffe Mocha
If you want a drink that never disappoints, Starbucks Caffe Mocha is a great option. Not only is this really easy to order and fast for baristas to prepare, but we believe it’s tastier than the majority of the fancy drinks Starbucks has to offer. And, these mochas are generally healthier with less sugar and you can get it hot or iced. Caffe Mochas carry a double shot of espresso to give you that much-needed caffeine kick for a busy day ahead. But, if you’re not a fan of this much caffeine, you can simply ask for just one shot alongside a scoop of hot chocolate and whole milk. Of course, if you’re lactose intolerant or vegan, you can ask for non-dairy milk like almond or soy. If you can consume dairy products, the whole milk may not be the healthiest option but it’s certainly the tastiest. While you can add more sugar to the drink, we believe it’s tasty enough without it.
Blonde Vanilla Latte
Do you like vanilla? Check! Like lattes? Check! Then, you will love Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Lattes. These are made with steamed milk, a shot of espresso, and vanilla syrup. As with the Caffe Mocha, Vanilla lattes are super easy to order and they can be made in no time. So, while your friend is waiting for their complicated beverage with 2,000 ingredients, you can slurp away on your delicious Vanilla latte. These lattes are the ideal blend between regular coffee and something a little fancier. You usually get a ton of syrup in these for the most exuberant vanilla flavor but you can ask Starbucks to go a little lighter on the syrup if preferred. The vanilla syrup, when mixed with a shot or more of espresso, is a must for anyone who visits Starbucks.
Venti Coffee
“Venti coffee please.” These are the words we want to hear you say the next time you head to Starbucks. While it sounds fancy, a Venti coffee is basically a large black coffee. If you regularly have busy mornings or manic commutes, a Venti coffee is perfect for you. It takes a Starbucks barista just a few seconds to prepare and serve you one and they are packed full of caffeine. In fact, each Venti coffee contains around 400 mg of caffeine. Now, that’s the boost you need in the morning! Once you have had your Venti coffee, you will feel like you have just drunk an entire cup of pure caffeine mixed with still water. You will experience a rush that will see you reaching all of your work goals by lunchtime! Go on, give it a try!
Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino
If you like cinnamon and coffee, you’re in for a treat with Starbucks’ Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino. This beverage consists of vanilla bean frappuccino, cinnamon dolce syrup, white mocha syrup, and a topping of cinnamon dolce powder. Yummy! If you’re in need of a burst of caffeine, this drink may not be the best choice. Although it doesn’t boast a great deal of caffeine, it remains a superb choice for coffee drinkers who are a little sensitive to caffeine. Each sip contains a ton of flavors that will undoubtedly have you coming back for more.
Iced White Chocolate Mocha
Not all coffees have to be piping hot. Starbucks Iced White Chocolate Mocha brings chocolate beverages to life! Plain old white hot chocolate can become a little tedious on the taste buds after a while but Starbuck’s version provides a beautiful taste that remains long after you have consumed it. Consisting of white chocolate sauce, white chocolate syrup, one shot of espresso, frothed milk, and some chilled ice, this is the perfect drink for a hot, summer’s day. Or, if you’ve just hit the gym and feel like you deserve a treat to get your energy levels back up, the iced white chocolate mocha is waiting for you. If you feel like your mocha is lacking a kick, ask for an additional shot of espresso. This should do the trick!
Salted Caramel Cold Brew
Need some salty and caramel goodness in your life? Look no further than this Salted Caramel Cold Brew from Starbucks. As soon as your lips touch the cup, you will be met with a wave of salt that goes pouring into your mouth. While this may be a bit much for some, it’s a delicious treat for those who love the taste and sensation of salt in their food and drinks. Unsurprisingly, this cold brew contains over 330 mg of sodium so don’t go drinking this too often. It’s not very healthy but, in small doses, it’s supremely delicious.
Iced Flat White
Consisting of ice, ristretto, and whole milk, the Iced Flat White is a slightly sweeter version of a hot flat white drink. While a hot flat white has that divine texture that appeals to most, the iced version remains just as tasty. However, the espresso is certainly somewhat sweeter in this iced version. With 130 mg of caffeine in a grande, 11 grams of sugar, and 150 calories, it may not be the healthiest iced coffee on the menu but it’s a good choice if you’re in the hurry for an ice-cold caffeine refreshment.
Cafe Americano
Starbucks Cafe Americano is a perfect tribute to the simple elegance of an espresso. The cafe Americano has only two ingredients – a double shot of espresso and hot water poured on top immediately afterward. Although a simple recipe, it yields an impressive taste. The depth and subtlety that Starbucks Americano exudes are exclusive to their freshly ground espresso beverages. This is simplicity done at its best. Sometimes, there is no need for salted caramel, vanilla, or other elaborate ingredients. All you need is a classic coffee. For an extra pick me up, you can always get a venti as well. This Italian classic has an even ratio of espresso and hot water. In other words, you get a great deal of caffeine to power you through your day. But, get the addition of the hot water timed wrong and the Americano could get ruined. Luckily, Starbucks baristas are carefully trained so you can enjoy the intense coffee flavor of their Cafe Americanos every time.
Doppio
Here we have another simple drink. The Doppio is essentially a double-shot of espresso. Simple but certainly a winning formula for a strong Doppio. This serves as the main foundation for larger and more complex espresso-based drinks. Thankfully, this drink isn’t just tasty but it’s affordable too. As soon as you take one sip, you will experience the punch it packs despite its small size. If you’re a keen coffee drinker, you probably know that all popular caffeine drinks tend to start with a simple shot of espresso. However, the Doppio takes the biscuit when it comes to caffeine simplicity in a cup.
Veranda Blend (Blonde Roast)
Here, we have cold-brewed coffee. We believe that light-medium roasts or dark roasts suit the cold brewing method best. Medium roasts are best left to hotter brewing processes in our opinion. Cold brewing allows the coffee drinker to experience the depths of what the coffee beans have to offer. One excellent example of a cold brew from Starbucks is this Veranda Blend of Latin America. Sporting a great deal of character, this brew allows you to sink into the bean’s flavor without having to worry about any kind of acidity in the drink. There are hints of chocolate with a tinge of a malty flavor in the blonde roast of these beans. It simply highlights all of the beloved aspects of Latin American coffees in just one drink. Instead of those rich caramel flavors and the brown sugar you typically get from such a blend, this Blonde Roast is perfect if you’re in the mood for a cold brew.
Caramel Macchiato
Now we’re talking! This brew sees espresso poured over a creamy foam and steamed milk. These blend below a patchwork of sweet caramel producing a complex, yet sugar Caramel Macchiato. Similar to the Caramel Frappuccino, the flavored syrup in this macchiato provides an additional sweetness that feels both warm and indulgent. So, if you love your coffee (we guess you do if you’ve read this far) and you have a sweet tooth, this Caramel Macchiato from Starbuck is wholeheartedly recommended by us. While this drink is perfect for a cold, winter’s day, you should swap it out for the iced caramel macchiato on a sunny, summer’s day.
Flat White
We mentioned the Iced Flat White earlier on but now it’s the turn of the hotter version. The Flat White is actually a relative newcomer to the Starbucks menu. It hails from Australia and has fast become a popular beverage for coffee drinkers worldwide. With a double-shot of espresso, this flat white gets a bigger caffeine kick than Starbucks lattes. On top of this brew is a delicate head of steamed milk that provides a beautiful silky texture as you sip away. We see the flat white as the perfect pick-me-up. It provides comfort and warmth for those colder days but is just as enjoyable in hot weather. For vegan versions, you can ask for coconut milk or almond milk instead of regular whole milk. This creates a pretty different taste to the original but, even if you’re not vegan, we suggest trying different kinds of milk at least once. You may like it!
Komodo Dragon Blend
Up next is another cold brew coffee blend. Unlike the Veranda Blend above, the Komodo Dragon Blend is a lot darker. Originating in Indonesia, this blend was met with some trepidation by many coffee drinkers. This is because of its earthy, herbal flavors that have been described as an “acquired” taste by some. However, as a cold brew staple, the Komodo Dragon Blend does an excellent job! Those earthy, herbal, low-acidic qualities from the Indonesian coffee beans improve when they are paired with certain brewing methods that are not all about the acid. In other words, these beans produce a sweeter, richer taste that is delicious and still gives you that caffeine boost you sometimes crave.
Guatemala Casi Cielo
We’re going to stick with the blends for a moment as we look at the Guatemala Casi Cielo. This single-origin medium roast is a medium roast and actually works extremely well for a cold brew. These beans sport a complex flavor as well aroma that mellows out perfectly without muddying any other flavors in the drink. What you are left with is a smooth, rich glass of delicious cold brew that remains refreshing and wonderfully light to drink.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Enjoying its peak in popularity around Autumn, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is one of our favorites. The classic version of this latte contains a single shot of espresso, steamed milk, and a light layer of pumpkin cream cold foam. Simply wonderful! The good news is that Starbucks seems to come out with new varieties of this offering every year so you will never get bored of it. The Pumpkin spiced latte is, without doubt, Starbucks most anticipated seasonal product every year. And there is a good reason too. Its pumpkin spice sauce blends hints of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove together to create a nostalgic combination of autumnal flavors. Add some whipped cream and vanilla syrup on top and you may just have the perfect drink for fall.
Pike Place Blend
As you can see from our list, some of the best drinks on Starbucks ’ menu are not too fancy. Simplicity is the name of the game and that continues with the Pike Place Blend. Familiar, flavorful, and perfectly simple. This medium roast blend, named after where the original Starbucks opened in 1971, is a signature Starbucks offering. Smooth and wonderfully balanced, the Pike Place Blend has been pleasing coffee drinkers for a long time. If you’re ever in need of something to warm you up and make you feel relaxed, this is certainly one to try. You will not be disappointed!
Java Chip Frappuccino
The Java Chip Frappuccino contains mocha sauce and Frappuccino chips which are then blended with milk, coffee, and ice. Topped off with whipped cream and mocha drizzle, this drink provides an endless stream of java joy. Although this is one of the tastiest drinks on the menu, don’t go drinking it too often. The java chips are pretty fattening and alongside the cream and mocha drizzle, you could soon see those pounds start to pile on. For a healthier version, you can ask for a lighter java chip frappuccino. These contain more ice, nonfat milk, and a light frappuccino syrup. Instead of the original 72 grams of total carbs, this lighter version equates to only 40 grams.
Honey Oat Milk Latte
If you’re looking to switch to non-dairy milk in your daily Starbucks beverage, then this honey-tinged latte is a great place to start. Featuring oat milk, this is a vegan-friendly alternative to the whole milk Starbucks frequently uses in its drinks. The oat milk and signature espresso are combined with a succulent hint of honey as well as a toasted honey topping. This is simply a savory tribute to everything sweet and salty.
Classic Cappuccino
With a never-ending supply of different and unique flavors, the traditional Starbucks Cappuccino can easily go unnoticed. Some would argue why you would order something so bland when there are so many distinct flavors on offer. Well, if you love coffee, the classic cappuccino should always fill that caffeine void. This espresso’s bold taste perfectly mixes with its foamy topping. With just 120 calories and only 10 grams of sugar in the drink, it’s a healthier option than many of the flavored beverages on show. If the flavor is just a little too dull for your liking, add some syrup. A classic but always a winner in our eyes. There are too many coffee-based drinks to choose from at Starbucks. But, this is not a bad thing! Each year, new coffees and drinks are being added to the menu. So, until a new drink hits the coffee chain’s menu, try and get your way through our list above. You’ll surely find a few that will satisfy your coffee cravings for a while. Looking for more of our faves? Check out the top drinks at Dunkin’ right here.
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