The Best Starbucks Coffee: 14 Drinks To Try

feeling lost in line at a starbucks? this article contains everything you need to know about the best starbucks coffee to order.

If there’s one thing Starbucks is known for, it’s having a wide variety of beverage options. Some would say that there are too many drink options on the standard menu and on the secret menu, so it’s completely understandable to feel totally lost and overwhelmed in line at starbucks.

Reading: Best coffee to order from starbucks

not to mention, the second most obvious thing; the price of starbucks coffee is ridiculously high. And if I’m going to pay a dime for a coffee, it had better be good. So, to prevent all you new Starbucks drinkers from buying an expensive coffee just to make it taste like expired milk, here are the 14 best Starbucks coffees that won’t let you down. grab a cup of home made coffee and let’s get started.

the best starbucks coffee to try

1. mocha coffee

caffe mocha is by far my favorite starbucks drink, not only because it’s so easy to order, but because it’s tastier than 90% of all those fancy drinks with tons of sugar. it’s a good old fashioned combination of milk, espresso and rich chocolate.

A caffe mocha is a double shot of espresso, but if you don’t want too much caffeine, order a shot of espresso, a dollop of hot chocolate, and whole milk. Also, if you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, tell them to withhold milk and cream and add plant-based milk like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk. but personally, nothing makes me better than whole milk.

You can add sugar if you want, but why would you? this top starbucks coffee option already tastes like pure heaven. It’s usually made with a darker espresso, but its blonde roast surprisingly pairs well with a mocha, making it worth a try.

2. venti coffee

venti café is basically a fancy way of saying big black coffee.

If you have busy mornings, venti coffee is perfect for you because it takes seconds to brew and packs a ton of caffeine. each venti coffee contains 400 mg of caffeine. after drinking it, you will feel as if you had drunk a cup of pure caffeine mixed with water.

The rush it gives you is crazy. It goes without saying, but if you have a low tolerance for caffeine, this drink is not for you at all.

3. vanilla latte

a starbucks vanilla latte is made with steamed milk, a shot of espresso, and vanilla syrup. it’s super easy to order, simple and delicious.

It’s the perfect mix between a regular coffee and something fancy with tons of syrup. Vanilla syrup mixed with your espresso shot(s) is also a must-experience as it removes any potential bitterness.

4. cinnamon roll frappuccino

A coffee with a dessert flavor is a perfect combination. After all, Frappuccinos are more like liquid desserts than coffee drinks if we’re really honest with ourselves. Starbucks sells a lot of snacks, but you probably don’t need to pair one with this drink; unless you’re looking for a sugar rush.

A Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino is made up of:

Vanilla Frappuccino
white mochasyrup
dolce cinnamon syrup
topped with cinnamon powder

It does not have a lot of caffeine, so it is ideal for coffee lovers who are sensitive to caffeine. it also packs a ton of flavor for every sip you take. it’s great for those with a sweet tooth.

5. coffee with milk

chai is a classic. A chai latte is a black tea infused with cloves, cinnamon, and other delicious spices sprinkled on top. starbucks simply process as they have their own chai flavored syrup.

It’s also mixed with milk foam and topped with foam, giving it an amazing balance of sweet and tangy. if you want a little sweeter, feel free to ask for some whipped cream on top.

Chai lattes usually come without coffee, so some customers may find the name misleading, but you can order a shot or two of espresso to create what’s known as “dirty chai.” strong spices pair perfectly with a bold espresso.

6. iced white chocolate mocha

everyone knows how boring white hot chocolate tastes, but have you ever tried an iced white chocolate mocha? consists of;

white chocolate sauce
white chocolate syrup
milk foam
a shot of espresso
ice cold

sounds delicious!

For an extra kick, order an extra shot of espresso, as it will make your iced white chocolate mocha taste more like coffee. you can also substitute this drink for a mocha frappuccino if they don’t have white syrup but still have the regular mocha sauce; It’s not the same, but it still hits the spot.

7. strawberry frappuccino with a twist

If you’re obsessed with coffee and strawberries like I am, a strawberry frappuccino is perfect.

a strawberry frappuccino is made up of;

frozen strawberries
brown sugar
vanilla extract
vanilla ice cream
ice cubes

However, I’m not a big fan of the regular strawberry frappuccino. I’ll ask you to swap the vanilla ice cream for some coffee ice cream and I’ll ask you to add a shot of espresso. this creates the perfect blend between coffee and strawberries, which sounds like a weird flavor combination, but it works!

8. salted caramel cream ice cream

This drink is your best friend if you love the sweet and salty parts of life. This drink is a delicious combination of vanilla syrup, cold salted caramel cream foam, and cold coffee.

Once you put your lips to it and start drinking, a rush of salt enters your mouth. and this shouldn’t come as a surprise since it contains over 330 mg of sodium. Since cold brew coffee is smoother than espresso, it’s really the salted caramel that brings the strongest flavors to the mix.

oh my god!

if you like caramel sauce, possibly more than the taste of coffee, you’ll also love their iced caramel macchiato or caramel frappuccino with caramel syrup if your local starbucks doesn’t have cold brew.

9. pumpkin spice latte

You know it’s fall when the pumpkin spice latte returns to starbucks, so of course it’s the best starbucks coffee. The company spices things up for its customers each fall by adding a few seasonal items to the menu, but the most enduring and beloved is the pumpkin spice latte, which they launched in 2003.

since this starbucks bestseller is a once a year thing, be sure to savor it the next time it’s psl season. pumpkin spice latte blends milk and espresso with welcoming fall flavors like pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

10. mint mocha

The Peppermint Mocha is quite possibly the pumpkin spice latte of the holiday season, and it’s the best starbucks drink on the seasonal menu, complete with a signature red mug. Like the PSL, this Starbucks best seller is a once-a-year item, so savor the moment by holding one in your hands.

The drink mixes espresso milk, mocha drizzle and mint syrup. it is an acquired taste. some people think it tastes like a candy cane, but others feel it’s more like toothpaste, especially if you go overboard with the mint syrup.

Anyway, what’s wrong with taking a risk and trying something new? it could end up being your favorite hot beverage of the holiday season. This is the best coffee to get from Starbucks if you’re feeling festive.

11. white flat blonde

a flat white seems a bit bland compared to the other items on this list of the best starbucks coffees. After all, you can get a common java drink like a flat white, cappuccino, Americano, or latte at pretty much any other coffee shop, probably for a lot less money. so isn’t starbucks about trying drinks you can’t get anywhere else?

but, as i mentioned earlier, starbucks blonde roast is in a league of its own. A Starbucks Flat White made with blond espresso is smooth, rich, and creamy with little to no bitterness. you can order it without all the fuss of other starbucks drinks on this list.

12. sweet vanilla ice cream

if you’re bored of a regular cold beer, why not try something with a twist? Cold Brew Coffee with Sweet Vanilla Cream infuses refreshing cold brew coffee and vanilla syrup with Sweet Vanilla Cream to create a smooth, cold beverage.

13. whipped espresso with oat milk and iced brown sugar

shaken, not stirred; the iced brown sugar whipped espresso with oat milk is a must try. But first things first, what is a whipped espresso?

Shaken espresso is basically a variation of shakerato, where you shake some espresso, ice, and sugar in a cocktail shaker. sounds refreshing, right? add some brown sugar, cinnamon, and oat milk to the mix, and you have this refreshing drink.

14. iced hazelnut bianco latte

If you love iced coffee, but want to introduce new flavors to your palate, then you must try the bianco hazelnut iced latte. it’s sweet and nutty without completely wiping out the flavor profile of the coffee. this drink is made with starbucks own hazelnut praline infused milk, espresso and ice.

starbucks best cold brew coffee

when it comes to starbucks cold brew coffee, i prefer light-medium roast or dark roast; medium roasts seem more suited to hot brew methods, for the most part. however, cold brewing provides the perfect opportunity to plumb the depths of what the bean has to offer, so complex coffee is definitely an opportunity.

here are some of my picks for the best starbucks cold brew stuff:

1. veranda blend (tan blonde)

This blend of Latin American coffees has a lot of character. the cold brew method provides a great opportunity to soak in the flavor without worrying about acidity.

The blonde roast of the beans brings out the regional aspects and all the things I love in Latin American coffees: hints of chocolate and a malty flavor are a departure from some of the richer caramels and brown sugar you normally get. it’s messy but easy to drink and is well suited to cold brew settings.

2. komodo dragon mix

Another blend is this one on the significantly darker side. When this Indonesian mix originally came out, I wasn’t the biggest fan, I’ll admit; the earthy, herbal flavors of the brew just weren’t my speed at that point in my coffee hobby.

but it really does an excellent job as a cold brew staple – the earthy, low-acid qualities of Indonesian beans are only enhanced when combined with a brewing method that no longer emphasizes acid, leaving a sweeter result and rich that still gives you a jolt.

3. Guatemala almost heaven

This single origin medium roast is the exception to my rule of preferring very light or very dark roasts for cold brew because it has been one of my starbucks favorites since its initial release.

The complex flavor and aroma of these beans work well in a variety of settings, and cold brewing helps smooth everything out, without muddying the flavors. instead, what you’re left with is a rich, smooth glass of cold beer that achieves a light, refreshing taste.

the best starbucks drinks for non-coffee drinkers

There was a brief period in my life when I developed an intolerance to coffee (thankfully not caffeine) and had to stop drinking even decaf coffee for several months.

During that time, I tried everything non-coffee that starbucks served, and I still enjoy sampling the options available to customers looking for something other than coffee whenever I can.

These are my top starbucks drinks for non-coffee drinkers:

1. starbucks passion tango tea lemonade

This drink is a favorite of working baristas in the hot months, and there’s no mystery why. It’s refreshing, light and crisp, with a good balance of sweetness and tartness, and contains no caffeine at all.

The base is an herbal infusion of hibiscus, lemongrass and apple, mixed with lightly sweetened lemonade. if you want to cool down, this is a classic option.

2. purple drink

If you want to get technical, this drink contains green coffee extract, but it doesn’t have any of the flavors you’d associate with traditional coffee, so it’s a different animal altogether in my opinion.

At 45mg of caffeine per large serving, it’s not as strong a caffeine rush as a comparable cup of coffee, but it still packs a punch. I’m a big fan of the flavor combination of blackberries, hibiscus, and creamy coconut milk, and the color is striking too. you’ll also see that this is known online as the purple drink.

3. flavored cream (spicy)

Although the Starbucks menu typically only includes one or two flavors of hot cream drinks, it’s helpful to know that you can get a cream made with any of the flavored syrups available at the Starbucks location.

This option is a bit heavy on sugar, usually made with syrup, steamed milk, and whipped cream, but it’s a decadent treat that you can adapt to your preferences to satisfy your sweet tooth all year long. in my opinion this is the best starbucks drink because it is a relaxing option.

4. the pink drink

starbucks is probably best known for its fun fruity drinks that are featured on tiktok, instagram and pinterest. Even though it’s a cafe, they are jacks of all trades. Although it was originally on the secret menu at Starbucks, the pink drink is now an official drink.

the pink drink is a refreshing mix of strawberry acai, passion fruit, acai, coconut milk and strawberries. You’ve probably already seen this light pink concoction on social media, so why not see what all the fuss is about?

5. vanilla frappuccino

Despite the name, the vanilla frappuccino does not actually contain any coffee beans. its pure white appearance is definitely unique.

This cold drink is made from vanilla bean, milk, and ice and is topped with whipped cream.

6. the drink of the moon

the moon drink is a starbucks secret menu item that gained popularity thanks to tiktok. therefore, you won’t find this on the official menu, and not all baristas will be familiar with it.

To order the drink of the moon, ask your barista for a large iced matcha latte with coconut milk and two pumps of chai syrup. this drink supposedly gets its name because it tastes like “the moon.”

7. mango pitahaya lemonade soft drink

If you’re tired of traditional lemonade, you’ll love this tropical drink. you enjoy the classic taste of lemonade fused with mango and pitahaya. served with ice and some real pitahaya toppings.

Appearances are not the end when it comes to coffee, but this vibrant pink drink looks appetizing.

8. matcha green tea latte

If you like to lead a healthier lifestyle, you will enjoy a green tea with milk. There’s no coffee in this, and trust me when I say that matcha and espresso aren’t the best flavor combination. this drink is just pure matcha tea with steamed milk, and you should keep it that way.

however, if it’s a hot day, you can swap your hot drink for iced matcha green tea, especially if you don’t like iced coffee.

9. hot chocolate

Starbucks is famous for its coffee, but one thing they’re also surprisingly good at is their hot chocolate drinks. You’ll see lots of fun variations on menus during the fall and winter, but their standard hot chocolate really is the star of the show.

a starbucks hot chocolate is so yummy because they use mocha sauce, whereas most other coffee shops use powdered hot chocolate, which if you ask me, can result in a very powdery and grainy drink if made wrong.

if you find plain hot chocolate too boring, order a pump of vanilla syrup.

the last word on the best starbucks drinks

While overpriced, starbucks coffee tastes amazing, and if you’re considering trying one of their drinks, it would be a sin not to opt for one of these delicious coffees, especially since we’ve cut it down. for you. Even if you don’t like coffee drinks, they have plenty of other options too.