The 25 Best Starbucks Drinks to Try Right Now
With over 30,000 locations worldwide, Starbucks has become synonymous with innovative, customizable beverages that cater to every taste preference. As a former Starbucks barista, I've crafted thousands of drinks and tasted nearly everything on the menu. Whether you're a coffee purist, tea enthusiast, or someone with a sweet tooth, this comprehensive guide to the best Starbucks drinks will help you discover new favorites and elevate your ordering game.
☕ Coffee Classics: Timeless Starbucks Favorites
The iconic Blonde Vanilla Latte remains a customer favorite year-round
1. Blonde Vanilla Latte
When you want to actually taste the espresso but still crave something sweet, the Blonde Vanilla Latte delivers perfect balance. The smooth blonde espresso (which actually contains more caffeine than dark roast) pairs beautifully with vanilla syrup and your choice of steamed milk. For a lighter option, try it with almond milk or oat milk.
Customization Tip: Ask for half the standard pumps of vanilla syrup for a less sweet version that lets the espresso shine through.
2. Caffè Misto
This underrated gem is essentially a half-and-half mix of freshly brewed coffee and steamed milk. It's a budget-friendly alternative to a latte with a richer coffee flavor. The Caffè Misto works wonderfully with any milk option and is perfect for morning commutes when you need something substantial but not overly indulgent.
3. Flat White
The Flat White features ristretto shots (more concentrated, sweeter espresso shots) topped with velvety steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam. This drink showcases Starbucks' espresso craftsmanship and provides a stronger coffee flavor than a standard latte. It's ideal for coffee enthusiasts who appreciate nuanced flavors.
4. Caramel Macchiato
This beloved classic combines vanilla syrup, steamed milk, espresso, and caramel drizzle in a beautifully layered presentation. While technically an "upside-down vanilla latte" rather than a traditional macchiato, its sweet caramel notes and rich mouthfeel have made it a menu staple for good reason.
🍓 Refreshers: Fruity Caffeinated Delights
The Strawberry Açai Refresher offers vibrant color and refreshing taste
5. Strawberry Açai Refresher
This vibrant, Instagram-worthy drink combines strawberry flavors with notes of passionfruit and açai. It contains green coffee extract for a gentle caffeine boost without the coffee taste. The real strawberry pieces add a fun textural element that makes this one of the best Starbucks drinks for hot summer days.
6. Pink Drink
A secret menu item that became so popular it earned a permanent spot on the official menu, the Pink Drink is essentially a Strawberry Açai Refresher made with coconut milk instead of water. The result is a creamy, fruity beverage with a beautiful pink hue that tastes like a lighter, more refreshing strawberry milkshake.
7. Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
With its striking purple color and tropical flavor profile, this refresher combines sweet mango and exotic dragonfruit flavors. The freeze-dried dragonfruit pieces not only add visual appeal but also enhance the fruity taste. For a creamier version, ask for it with coconut milk (known as the "Dragon Drink").
Did You Know? Starbucks Refreshers contain green coffee extract, which provides a mild caffeine boost (about 45-55mg per grande) without the coffee flavor.
🍂 Seasonal Specialties: Limited-Time Favorites
The iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte signals the arrival of fall for many coffee lovers
8. Pumpkin Spice Latte
The drink that launched a thousand memes, the PSL combines espresso with pumpkin spice sauce, featuring notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Topped with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices, it's become the unofficial beverage of autumn. For a less sweet version, ask for half the standard pumps of pumpkin sauce.
9. Chestnut Praline Latte
Often overshadowed by the PSL, this winter favorite deserves more attention. The combination of caramelized chestnut flavors and warm spices creates a sophisticated, nutty profile that pairs beautifully with Starbucks' espresso. The spiced praline crumbs on top add a delightful textural contrast.
10. Pistachio Latte
A newer addition to the winter lineup, the Pistachio Latte features sweet pistachio sauce, espresso, and steamed milk, finished with a salted brown butter topping. The nutty, slightly salty flavor profile makes this one of the best Starbucks drinks for those who prefer less sweetness in their coffee beverages.
11. Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato
This fall favorite combines the flavors of baked apples, brown sugar, and cinnamon with blonde espresso and creamy oat milk. The layered presentation allows you to enjoy the apple flavors first, followed by the espresso, creating a dynamic drinking experience reminiscent of apple desserts.
"The seasonal menu at Starbucks isn't just about flavors—it's about creating moments and memories tied to specific times of year. That's why these drinks inspire such loyalty."
— Former Starbucks Product Developer
🥤 Frappuccinos: Blended Beverage Sensations
The Caramel Frappuccino remains one of Starbucks' most popular blended beverages
12. Caramel Frappuccino
This iconic blended beverage combines coffee, milk, ice, and caramel syrup, topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. It's essentially a coffee milkshake that has developed a cult following for its perfect balance of coffee and caramel flavors. Ideal for those hot summer days when you need both caffeine and cooling refreshment.
13. Matcha Crème Frappuccino
For matcha lovers, this vibrant green Frappuccino delivers earthy tea flavors in a creamy, ice-cold format. The natural grassiness of matcha is balanced by the sweetness of the Frappuccino base, creating one of the best Starbucks drinks for those who enjoy tea flavors but want something more indulgent.
14. Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino
This caffeine-free option gets its flavor from real vanilla bean powder rather than vanilla syrup, resulting in a more authentic vanilla taste. It's essentially a vanilla milkshake with the signature Starbucks Frappuccino texture. Popular with younger customers, it's also the base for many "secret menu" creations.
Calorie Alert: Frappuccinos tend to be the highest-calorie options on the Starbucks menu. A grande Caramel Frappuccino with whipped cream contains approximately 380 calories and 54g of sugar.
🍵 Tea Infusions: Steeped to Perfection
The Passion Tea Lemonade offers a perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors
15. Passion Tea Lemonade
This refreshing combination pairs tart hibiscus tea with Starbucks' slightly sweetened lemonade for a perfect balance of flavors. The vibrant red color makes it as visually appealing as it is delicious. It's caffeine-free, making it one of the best Starbucks drinks for afternoon refreshment without disrupting your sleep.
16. London Fog Tea Latte
This sophisticated beverage combines Earl Grey tea with vanilla syrup and steamed milk for a comforting, aromatic experience. The bergamot in the Earl Grey creates a distinctive flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy milk and sweet vanilla notes. Try it with almond milk for an interesting flavor variation.
17. Iced Peach Green Tea
Sweet peach flavor perfectly complements the earthy notes of green tea in this refreshing beverage. With hints of spearmint, lemon verbena, and lemongrass, it offers a complex flavor profile that's both satisfying and thirst-quenching. For added tartness, ask for a splash of lemonade.
18. Honey Citrus Mint Tea
Known unofficially as the "Medicine Ball," this soothing beverage combines Jade Citrus Mint Tea and Peach Tranquility Tea with hot water, honey, and a splash of lemonade. It's become a customer favorite for its comforting qualities, especially during cold and flu season.
Caffeine Content
- Green Tea: 25-45mg
- Black Tea: 40-60mg
- Herbal Tea: 0mg
- Coffee (for comparison): 155-235mg
Customization Options
- Add lemonade for tartness
- Substitute honey for classic syrup
- Request light water for stronger tea flavor
- Add vanilla syrup to black teas
❄️ Cold Brew Creations: Smooth & Strong
The Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew showcases the beautiful cascade effect of cream through coffee
19. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
This sophisticated cold coffee option features Starbucks' slow-steeped cold brew topped with a house-made vanilla sweet cream that gradually cascades through the coffee. The result is a visually stunning beverage with a smooth, less acidic coffee flavor and subtle sweetness that doesn't overwhelm the coffee notes.
20. Cold Brew with Cold Foam
For those who prefer their coffee with minimal sweetness, the Cold Brew with Cold Foam offers the rich, smooth flavor of cold brew topped with a light, airy cold foam. The textural contrast between the silky coffee and the frothy foam makes each sip interesting and complex.
21. White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew
This seasonal favorite combines smooth cold brew with macadamia syrup and a white chocolate macadamia cream cold foam. The nutty, sweet flavors complement the coffee perfectly, and the crunchy cookie topping adds a delightful textural element that makes this one of the best Starbucks drinks for cold coffee lovers.
4.8
Cold Brew Satisfaction
🌟 Pro Tips: Order Like a Starbucks Regular
The Starbucks mobile app allows for extensive drink customization
1. Know Your Milk Options
Starbucks offers numerous milk alternatives at no extra charge for many drinks. Oat milk adds creaminess, almond milk keeps it light, and coconut milk adds tropical notes. Experiment to find your perfect pairing with different beverages.
2. Customize Syrup Pumps
Standard Starbucks drinks can be quite sweet. A grande typically gets 4 pumps of syrup. Ask for "half sweet" (2 pumps) or specify exactly how many pumps you want for a more customized sweetness level.
3. Try "Upside Down" Drinks
Ordering a macchiato "upside down" reverses the build order, resulting in a more evenly mixed drink. This works especially well with the Caramel Macchiato if you prefer the caramel and espresso to be distributed throughout.
4. Ask for Light Ice
Starbucks typically fills cold drinks with quite a bit of ice. Requesting "light ice" will give you more actual beverage. This works especially well for cold brew and iced teas where dilution isn't as beneficial.
5. Use Mobile Ordering
The Starbucks app allows for extensive customization options that might be awkward to explain in person. Plus, you can save your favorite custom creations for easy reordering in the future.
"The best way to discover your perfect Starbucks drink is to start with something you know you like, then make one small change each time you order. Eventually, you'll craft something uniquely yours."
— 5-Year Starbucks Barista
📱 Mobile App Hacks & Limited-Time Alerts
The Starbucks app offers rewards, special offers, and customization options
App Ordering Benefits
- Skip the line with mobile ordering
- Save favorite custom drinks
- Access exclusive app-only offers
- Earn rewards points on every purchase
- Receive notifications about new drinks
Seasonal Release Schedule
- Spring menu: Usually early March
- Summer menu: Typically early May
- Fall menu (PSL season): Late August
- Holiday menu: Early November
- Winter menu: Early January
Pro Tip: Enable notifications in the Starbucks app to be alerted when new seasonal drinks launch or when you have enough points for a free drink reward.
Final Thoughts: Finding Your Perfect Starbucks Match
With so many options, there's a perfect Starbucks drink for every preference and occasion
The best Starbucks drinks are ultimately the ones that match your personal taste preferences and needs. Whether you're a coffee purist who appreciates the nuanced flavors of a Flat White, a sweet-tooth satisfier who craves a Caramel Frappuccino, or a tea enthusiast who enjoys the Iced Peach Green Tea, Starbucks' extensive menu has something for everyone.
Don't be afraid to experiment with customizations – they're the key to discovering your perfect beverage. Start with one of our recommended best Starbucks drinks and then make it your own by adjusting the milk type, sweetness level, temperature, or toppings.
Remember that seasonal offerings come and go, so when you find a limited-time favorite like the Pumpkin Spice Latte or Chestnut Praline Latte, be sure to enjoy it while it's available. And for year-round staples, the mobile app makes it easy to save your custom creations for consistent ordering.
What's your go-to Starbucks order? Are you loyal to the classics or always eager to try the newest seasonal creation? Whatever your preference, the world of Starbucks beverages is vast and waiting to be explored.
