If you’re a regular Starbucks customer, it’s likely that you already have your favorites. But with dozens of beverages available at the popular coffeehouse chain and over 170,000 ways to customize them, it can be very exciting to order something you haven’t tried before. So, whether you’re a loyal patron who is in the mood to try something new or a curious first-timer looking for recommendations, we’ve got you covered. Below is a list of some of the best Starbucks drinks that you need to try at least once.
What are the best Starbucks drinks?
Pumpkin Spice Latte
One of Starbucks’ popular seasonal drinks, the Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) drops at Starbucks locations across the United States every fall. It is made with the chain’s signature espresso and milk with a delicious flavor combination of sweet pumpkin, cinnamon powder, nutmeg, and clove. The iced drink comes complete with just the right amount of whipped cream and real pumpkin spice topping for a tastier afternoon pick-me-up. The PSL is considered by many as one of the best Starbucks beverages because its pumpkin flavor doesn’t taste artificial and balances the coffee flavor nicely.
If you love pumpkin-flavored drinks but prefer something that has a less sweet taste, try the chain’s Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew.
Pink Drink
While the marketing for this beverage originally leaned into its Instagrammable pink color, it eventually became a fan favorite because of its surprisingly good taste. Made with Starbucks’ Strawberry Açai Refresher combined with creamy coconut milk and accents of passion fruit, the Pink Drink evokes a fruity flavor and refreshing sip of spring any time of the year. When perfectly mixed with the Strawberry Açai Refresher, the coconut milk gives the drink a beautiful pastel pink hue that has become synonymous with the beverage, which started as a Starbucks secret menu drink.
Caramel Macchiato
This drink has been on the Starbucks menu for many years now, so there’s always a sense of nostalgia that comes with it. Despite being one of the old offerings, it remains one of the best Starbucks beverages because of its straightforward sweet flavor. The coffee drink is made of freshly steamed milk with vanilla syrup. To make an iced Caramel Macchiato, the vanilla-flavored classic syrup is added to the bottom of the cup first, followed by the espresso shots and steamed milk. The drink is then finished with a caramel drizzle on top of the foam. The result is a sweet, creamy, and decadent coffee beverage that is perfect for Starbucks fans who enjoy a subtle caramel taste with their coffee.
Matcha Green Tea Latte
Do you love green tea? Then you’ll love this Starbucks drink! While some may find this beverage unexciting, the Matcha Green Tea Latte is actually a great substitute for an ordinary latte. Matcha is naturally thick and foamy, making it the perfect base for a latte. Featuring a smooth texture and earthy-tasting notes, this matcha latte will transport your senses to pure green delight and make you feel like you’re doing something good to your body.
Chai Tea Latte
This chai latte is a tea infused with cinnamon, clove, and other warming spices, combined with steamed milk, and topped with foam for the perfect balance of sweet and spicy. Though this has more caffeine than the abovementioned Matcha Green Tea Latte, it still contains far less caffeine than a regular latte, so it’s ideal for those cutting down on their caffeine intake.
Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
This eccentric-looking refresher is one of the most popular drinks at Starbucks, especially on a hot summer day. Hand-shaken with ice, this thirst quencher is bursting with tropical flavors. It is crafted with a combination of sweet mango and dragonfruit flavors, plus a scoop of real diced dragonfruit. Since dragonfruit isn’t a common flavor option, the uniqueness of this refreshing drink serves as one of its selling points.
Caramel Frappuccino
Perfect for caramel lovers, this beverage has been one of the most in-demand Starbucks drinks since it joined the Starbucks menu back in 1999. Thanks to its strong yet not overwhelming salted caramel flavor, the drink has remained its popularity among customers. Made with rich caramel syrup mixed with Starbucks coffee, milk, and ice, this creamy pick-me-up is blended to perfection and topped with whipped cream and buttery caramel sauce. It’s also available in affogato style with a hot shot of espresso poured right over the top.
If you think caramel-flavored frappuccino is overly sweet for you, then the Mocha Frappuccino may be the better choice for you. The chocolate flavor is the dominant taste in Mocha Frappuccino, with a slight coffee undertone, so it’s perfect for Starbucks customers who enjoy chocolate and want a slightly richer, more decadent drink.
S’mores Frappuccino
A drinkable version of S’mores, this seasonal Frappuccino at Starbucks features a marshmallow-infused whipped cream, milk chocolate syrup, and a graham cracker crumble. The S’mores Frappuccino is the perfect indulgent treat for summertime fun ― no campfire necessary.
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
This Starbucks drink is basically the chain’s regular Cold Brew coffee, but accented with vanilla and topped with a delicate float of house-made vanilla sweet cream that cascades throughout the cup. This super-smooth Starbucks cold brew has a velvety coffee flavor that is more suitable for those who can’t get enough sweets.
Flat White
Looking for a great morning coffee? Starbucks’ Flat White is definitely worth the try. Introduced in 2015 as a permanent menu item, Flat White is admired by customers for its signature look. But more than its physical creamy appearance, the classic drink is hailed by many as one of the best Starbucks offerings because it has a better taste than the chain’s cappuccino. Both drinks have steamed milk, but the former is made with whole milk and ristretto, which is essentially an espresso shot made with less water. The whole milk and ristretto come together to make it a more intense and creamier Starbucks drink than the cappuccino.
White Chocolate Mocha
A popular choice among fans, this Starbucks drink is made with espresso, steamed milk, and white chocolate-flavored syrup. It is finished with whipped cream and an optional drizzle of caramel syrup.
The beverage has a rich and creamy flavor with a hint of sweetness from the white chocolate sauce. The espresso adds a bold, roasted flavor and caffeine boost to the drink, while the steamed milk helps to balance out the sweetness of the white chocolate. The whipped cream and the non-compulsory caramel drizzle on top add a decadent touch to the drink and enhance the overall flavor profile.
The sip is a classic Starbucks beverage that is available all year round and can be ordered hot, iced, or blended. It’s a great option for those who have a sweet tooth.
Peppermint Mocha
Initially introduced as a holiday drink but now a permanent menu item, Starbucks Peppermint Mocha is made with steamed milk, mocha sauce, and peppermint syrup, as well as whipped cream and dark chocolate curls on top. The drink can be customized with additional flavors, such as caramel or vanilla, or with different milk options, such as almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. It is considered one of the best Starbucks beverages because it is a comforting and indulgent treat that is perfect for warming up during the cold winter months of the holiday season.
Cinnamon Dolce Latte
This can easily become your next favorite Starbucks drink. This beverage combines the chain’s classic espresso with steamed milk, whipped cream, and cinnamon dolce syrup, which is basically a brown sugar syrup made with ground cinnamon and vanilla. It is considered one of the best Starbucks offerings because it has the perfect balance of sweetness and spiciness. The cinnamon flavor adds a warming and cozy element to the espresso, which is complemented by the sweetness of the cinnamon dolce syrup and the creaminess of the steamed milk.
Iced Green Tea Lemonade
This lightly flavored Starbucks drink is made with green tea blended with mint, lemongrass, lemon verbena, and lemonade. The green tea is steeped and then chilled, and then mixed with lemonade to create a refreshing and slightly sweet drink. Most people love the drink for its thirst-quenching qualities and its right balance of sweet and tangy flavors. The green tea provides a subtle earthy and grassy note, which is balanced out by the bright and zesty flavor of the lemonade. This simple drink can be customized with additional flavors, such as peach syrup or raspberry syrup, and can also be made with different types of tea, such as black tea or passion iced tea.
Nitro Cold Brew
One of the best Starbucks drinks, the Nitro Cold Brew is made by infusing the chain’s slow-steeped cold brew coffee with nitrogen. The nitrogen infusion gives the drink a velvety mouthfeel and a frothy head, similar to that of a beer. Its unique creamy texture sets it apart from other iced coffee beverages, and the nitrogen infusion creates a one-of-a-kind experience.
Chestnut Praline Latte
This latte is a seasonal holiday drink offered by Starbucks during the fall and winter months. It is a latte made with espresso, steamed milk, and flavors of caramelized chestnuts and spices. It is topped with whipped cream and spiced praline crumbs.
Many people consider the Chestnut Praline Latte to be one of the best Starbucks drinks because of its rich and complex flavor profile. The combination of chestnut, praline, and espresso creates a nutty, caramelized flavor that is both sweet and savory. The addition of whipped cream and spiced praline crumbs gives the drink a festive touch and adds texture and crunch.
Iced Passion Tango Tea
This iced tea is made using a blend of hibiscus flowers, lemongrass, and apple, and is caffeine-free. The tea is steeped in hot water and then poured over ice, making it a refreshing and cooling drink. Some variations of the drink include added flavors or sweeteners, such as lemonade or raspberry syrup.
Many people consider the Iced Passion Tango Tea to be one of the best Starbucks drinks because of its bright and fruity flavor. The blend of hibiscus flowers and fruit creates a tangy and slightly tart taste that is balanced by the natural sweetness of the ingredients. Another reason the Iced Passion Tango Tea is a popular choice is that it is a customizable drink. Customers can add flavors or sweeteners to suit their taste preferences, such as honey or classic syrup. Additionally, the tea can be served with or without ice and can be made in various sizes, making it a versatile and adaptable drink that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Java Chip Frappuccino
This popular blended beverage at Starbucks is made with a combination of mocha sauce and Frappuccino chips with coffee, milk, and ice. The drink is topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of mocha sauce. Many people consider it one of the best Starbucks drinks because of its rich and indulgent flavor. The coffee and chocolate chips combine to create a mocha flavor that is both sweet and slightly bitter. The milk and ice, meanwhile, create a smooth and creamy texture that is perfect for sipping on a hot day.
Strawberry Crème Frappuccino
Another fan-favorite blended beverage at Starbucks, this drink is with a creamy blend of milk, ice, and strawberry puree. It is topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of strawberry sauce. The strawberry puree gives the drink a fruity and slightly tart taste that is perfect for sipping on a hot day. The creamy texture of the milk and ice blends well with the strawberry puree, creating a smooth and refreshing drink that is perfect for indulging in a sweet treat.
Irish Cream Cold Brew
This seasonal beverage is made with Starbucks’ signature cold brew coffee, Irish cream syrup, vanilla sweet cream cold foam, and a dash of cocoa powder. The cold brew coffee has a smooth and bold taste that is enhanced by the sweetness of the Irish cream syrup. The vanilla sweet cream cold foam adds a creamy and decadent layer to the drink, while the dash of cocoa powder adds a hint of chocolatey flavor.
Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino
This signature Frappuccino blends buttery caramel syrup with coffee, milk, and ice, which is then topped with a layer of dark caramel sauce, whipped cream, caramel drizzle and a crunchy caramel-sugar topping. It is one of the best Starbucks drinks because it combines the perfect balance of sweet and crunchy, making it a delicious treat for any time of day. The smooth caramel flavor and crunchy biscuit pieces make this Frappuccino a unique and flavorful treat.
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
This is a cold, espresso-based drink that combines Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast with oatmilk, brown sugar syrup, and ice. It has a sweet, creamy, and nutty flavor that many coffee lovers enjoy. A lot of people consider it one of the best Starbucks drinks because it gives them a quick boost of energy. It is vegan-friendly, and it also has a delicious flavor that makes it a perfect refreshment for any time of the day.
Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
Creamy, sweet, and indulgent, this espresso-based drink is made with espresso, white chocolate sauce, and steamed milk. It is topped with whipped cream and toasted white chocolate sprinkles. It is one of the best Starbucks beverages because it has a perfect balance of sweetness, creaminess, and espresso flavor. It’s also a great way to indulge and treat yourself without feeling guilty.
White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
This drink features a frozen blend of coffee, white chocolate, and milk, and is topped with whipped cream and mocha drizzle for a perfect balance of sweet and creamy. May Starbucks fans love it because it’s perfect for summer and combines all the flavors of coffee and chocolate that you love in one delicious treat.
Iced London Fog Latte
This Starbucks drink combines Earl Grey tea with steamed milk and vanilla syrup. It offers a unique flavor combination of bergamot from the Earl Grey tea, sweetness from the vanilla syrup, and a creamy texture from the steamed milk. It is one of the best Starbucks drinks because it is a delicious and refreshing way to get your caffeine fix and it isn’t overly sweet.
Other must-try Starbucks beverages
Here are other fan-favorite Starbucks beverages that you need to try:
- Earl Grey Tea
- Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino
- Matcha Crème Frappuccino
- Mocha Frappuccino
- Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
- White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino
- Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
- Iced London Fog Latte
- Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte
Not a fan of coffee drinks? Check out our list of the best Starbucks beverages for non-coffee drinkers.