We Ranked the Best Starbucks Drinks of All Time
Starbucks has proven to be America's premier chain coffee shop, weathering flavor trends, inflation, and everything in between for over 50 years. The cult-favorite coffee shop opened at Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington in 1971. Its origin inspired its iconic Pike Place Roast, known for its smooth, robust flavor with hints of cocoa and praline. Of course, over the past few decades, Starbucks has come to be known for much more than just its coffee. Nowadays, the green-and-white roasters whip up stellar hot and cold beverages, including teas, Refreshers, Frappuccinos, and more.
For a better understanding of the full Starbucks beverage portfolio, ahead you’ll find 20 of the best Starbucks drinks. When perusing the beverages, keep in mind that they’re all somewhat tailorable. For example, many hot drinks can be served iced and if you’re not a fan of cow’s milk, you can choose from various alternatives, including oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and soy. Without further ado, your new favorite Starbucks drink awaits.
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Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
It’s a bit of a tongue twister to recite off to the barista but this delectable espresso beverage is well worth the effort. Starbucks Blonde espresso, brown sugar, and cinnamon combine for a flavorful base that’s topped off with oat milk for a creamy finish. To make it even better, consider asking for it to be topped off with vanilla sweet cream cold foam—it’s a popular TikTok hack that we can attest is divine.
Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Refresher
Searching for a delightful warm-weather pick-me-up? Look no further than the lightly caffeinated Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Refresher. A medley of strawberry, passion fruit, and citrus makes this iced beverage a sweet spot in any day. (FYI: If you’re not a fan of freeze-dried fruit in your beverages, simply ask to skip the strawberry inclusions.)
Honey Citrus Mint Tea
Also known as the Medicine Ball, the Starbucks Honey Citrus Mint Tea is a customer favorite when battling a cold or simply needing a comforting pick-me-up. It combines green tea with hints of lemon verbena, candied pineapple, chamomile blossom, and spearmint mixed with steamed lemonade and a drizzle of honey. Believe it or not, this concoction didn’t come from the minds of Starbucks—it was a customer creation that became so popular the coffee shop added it to its menu.
Java Chip Frappuccino
The Java Chip Frappuccino is a Starbucks cult classic. The blended beverage has been on the menu since the late ‘90s and its popularity led to the category's expansion. The Java Chip Frappuccino showcases a blend of coffee, milk, and ice with mocha sauce and Frappuccino chips. It’s topped off with whipped cream and mocha drizzle for an extra chocolatey sipping experience. It’s been a personal favorite for nearly 20 years.
Dragon Drink Refresher
If you love fruity flavors but prefer a milky base, opt for the Dragon Drink Refresher. The tropical beverage combines sweet mango and dragonfruit with a creamy coconut milk base. Like the Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher, the Dragon Drink features freeze-dried fruit pieces that some people love and some people aren’t the biggest fans of. If they’re not your jam, simply ask them to make it without the inclusions.
Related: Starbucks Refreshers are now on the permanent menu
Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha
Another 2024 newbie, the Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha was created to welcome spring—and after just a few weeks on the menu, it’s quickly become a must-try. The aesthetic iced beverage combines grassy matcha with creamy oat milk for the base, topped off with delectable pale purple lavender cream cold foam. It’s a subtle floral beverage that’s perfect for the warmer, brighter days ahead.
Related: Our review of the Starbucks lavender drinks
Chai Tea Latte
The Chai Tea Latte is one of the brand’s longest-running, most beloved beverages. It features a cinnamon- and clove-infused black tea base mixed with the steamed milk of your choosing. For an extra frothy sipping experience, it’s topped off with foam. It’s the perfect choice for cooler days, though, you can also order it iced, making it a flavorful, spicy pick any time of year.
Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade
As delicious as the Starbucks Iced Green Tea is on its own, it’s even better when peach and lemonade are added to the mix. As you sip, you’ll notice hints of spearmint, as well, giving the beverage an even more refreshing profile. It’s the perfect order for warm spring and summer days or any time you’re hoping to channel the energy of that time of year.
Oleato Caffé Latte
This Sicilian-inspired Starbucks drink has been making the rounds on social media since debuting earlier this year. It combines Starbucks Blonde Espresso with steamed oat milk and a spoonful of Partanna® extra virgin olive oil. While it might not seem like the most appetizing concoction, the combo is actually a Mediterranean fave for its delicious and nutritious effect.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a divisive beverage but one of Starbucks’s most-renowned drinks. The seasonal beverage can’t currently be purchased at Starbucks locations—it’s a fall staple—but it’s one worth keeping an eye out for. It combines Starbucks' signature espresso with steamed milk, pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. Then, to make it even more dessert-like, it’s topped off with whipped cream and pumpkin pie spices. No wonder it’s such a seasonal sensation.
Related: When will the PSL return?
Honey Almond Milk Flat White
The Honey Almond Milk Flat White debuted in early 2020 and has caught the attention of many in the years since. It blends Starbucks Blonde Espresso with almond milk and honey for a bold and nutty caffeine fix. It’s a unique flavor profile that you’ll either love or you’ll hate—but many fall into the former camp. (If, at first, you're not a fan, consider trying it iced to see how your opinion changes.)
Peppermint Mocha
Around the holidays, you’ll find the cult favorite Peppermint Mocha on your local Starbucks menu. It blends espresso and steamed milk with sweet mocha sauce and peppermint syrup, topped off with whipped cream for a nostalgic flavor profile that the whole family loves. (Though, you should think twice about giving it to little ones given the caffeine content.)
Related: Starbucks Winter Menu
Iced Caramel Macchiato
Looking for a sweet start? The Starbucks Iced Caramel Macchiato is a classic that combines flavorful, robust espresso with vanilla syrup, and the milk of your choosing served over ice and topped off with sweet caramel drizzle.
Caramel Brulée Latte
Another holiday staple, the seasonal Caramel Brulée Latte combines espresso with steamed milk and sweet caramel brulée sauce for a flavor profile that feels like a present with every sip. It’s topped off with whipped cream and caramel caramel brulée bits for an even sweeter finish.
Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
The Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino is a lot like the Java Chip Frapp, only it’s made with Frappuccino Roast coffee and features a whipped cream base and crunchy chocolate cookie crumble topper. It’s a real treat.
Pink Drink
If you love the Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Refresher but are looking to try something new, go with the Pink Drink Refresher. It swaps lemonade for creamy coconut milk, making it a more filling beverage.
Related: How to order the Pink Drink at Starbucks
Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino
If you love vanilla lattes but are craving something frozen, be sure to try the Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino. It combines Frappuccino® roast coffee and vanilla bean powder, with milk, ice, and whipped cream. (FYI: There’s a common misconception that the Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino is caffeine-free and thus great for kids. In reality, it does have caffeine—you’ll want to order the Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino if you’re looking for something that won’t make you or your little ones wired.)
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Craving a classic flavor profile on ice? Opt for the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew. Made with Starbucks Cold Brew, vanilla syrup, and a vanilla sweet cream topper, it’s a cool, frothy beverage that flatters most taste palettes.
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
If you love the idea of a PSL but prefer colder, less milky beverages, opt for the seasonal Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, available only in fall. It’s a vanilla-infused cold brew topped off with pumpkin sweet cream foam. If you prefer subtle flavors, be sure to ask for just one pump of vanilla (it comes with two).
Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
Another popular Starbucks iced beverage is the Mango Dragonfruit Refresher. It’s a tropical treat with freeze-dried dragonfruit. If you don’t love chunks in your beverage, simply ask to skip the inclusions—the drink itself is plenty flavorful on its own.
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