The drink’s origins can be traced back to the 1990s when Starbucks introduced their original Mocha drink. However, it wasn’t until 2003 that the White Chocolate Mocha was officially added to the Starbucks menu, becoming an instant hit.
Starbucks offers quite a few drinks. Having too many options can confuse people. Ever felt the same while ordering at Starbucks?
If yes, you aren’t alone. Many of us recall that fresh coffee aroma and head to the nearest Starbucks, only to be confused by the numerous options. Today, however, you can say goodbye to this problem once and for all.
The list below consists of the 10 most famous Starbucks drinks you cannot go wrong with.
Starbucks History
Starbucks had a humble beginning in 1971 in Seattle. Starbucks’s first store in the Pike Place Market offered coffee beans, tea, and spices. The name “Starbucks” was inspired by the tale “Moby-Dick.” The twist, however, came when Howard Schultz discovered Starbucks 10 years later and fell in love with it. He joined the company in 1982 and transformed it a year later.
When Howard discovered Italy’s coffeehouses, he pivoted Starbucks’ business model to offer a more friendly experience and delicious ready-made coffee. Apart from changing the business model, he changed the apron colors from brown to green in 1987.
The resultant pivot to serve drinks instead of beans helped Starbucks expand rapidly. By 1996, Starbucks had expanded to many cities in the US, Canada, and even across the pacific.
In the next few years, Starbucks expanded to Europe and China. The exponential growth of Starbucks helped spread to thousands of neighborhoods globally to become a household name.
The Starbucks store count is over 30,000 across 80+ countries. In the United States alone, it has over 15,000 stores. According to some estimates, Starbucks sells over 4 million cups of coffee daily.
It is an excellent achievement for a company that started with a single store in Seattle in 1971.
Time for the most famous drinks now!
How did we compile the list of the 10 most famous Starbucks drinks?
Multiple data points were analyzed to compile this list.
- Instagram uploads & traction
- Google search counts
- Number of Starbucks Menu Stars by Customers
- Number of websites covering the drink
10 most famous Starbucks drinks
1. White Chocolate Mocha
The strong taste of espresso, the creaminess of the white chocolate sauce, and the rich texture of steamed milk make white chocolate mocha one of the most popular Starbucks drinks.
The drink’s origins can be traced back to the 1990s when Starbucks introduced their original Mocha drink. However, it wasn’t until 2003 that the White Chocolate Mocha was officially added to the Starbucks menu, becoming an instant hit.
The cultural significance of the Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha lies in its appeal to a wide range of consumers. The drink’s sweetness and creaminess have made it a popular choice for those who prefer their coffee with a dessert-like twist. It is also a popular choice for those who are not fans of the traditional coffee taste but still want a caffeine boost.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Concentrated coffee made with hot water and finely ground coffee beans |
| Steamed Milk | Milk that has been heated and frothed to create a smooth and creamy texture |
| White Chocolate Sauce | A sweet and creamy sauce made with cocoa butter, sugar, and milk solids |
| Whipped Cream (optional) | A sweet and airy topping made with heavy cream and sugar |
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 470 |
| Fat | 18g |
| Carbohydrates | 58g |
| Sugar | 53g |
2. Pink Drink
Pink drink initially made its debut on the secret Starbucks menu. However, the rising popularity made it a Starbucks regular.
The drink is nothing more than a strawberry açai refresher mixed with coconut milk and a scoop full of sliced Strawberries on top. The color and refreshing taste made it go viral, and the cafe finally added it to its regular menu in 2017.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Strawberry Acai Refresher | A fruity and refreshing beverage made with a blend of fruit juices, including white grape, apple, and strawberry, as well as acai berry extract |
| Coconut Milk | A dairy-free milk alternative made from the flesh of mature coconuts |
| Freeze-Dried Strawberries | Pieces of fresh strawberries that have been freeze-dried to preserve their flavor and texture |
| Ice | Frozen water used to chill and blend the ingredients together |
| Optional: Vanilla Syrup | A sweet syrup made with sugar and vanilla flavoring, often added to enhance the sweetness and flavor of the drink |
3. Caramel Frappuccino
Caramel Frappuccino is trending since 1999. The combination of caramel syrup, Frappuccino roast with whole milk, and ice, along with a drizzle of caramel on top, has captured the imagination of consumers, making it a popular drink.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Frappuccino Roast | A proprietary blend of coffee that has been specially roasted and ground for use in blended drinks like the Frappuccino |
| Milk | Dairy milk that has been chilled |
| Ice | Cubes of ice that are blended with the other ingredients to create the Frappuccino’s icy texture |
| Caramel Syrup | A sweet syrup made with sugar, water, and natural caramel flavoring |
| Whipped Cream (optional) | A sweet and airy topping made with heavy cream and sugar |
| Caramel Drizzle (optional) | A sweet sauce made with sugar, butter, and cream that is drizzled on top of the whipped cream for added caramel flavor and decoration |
4. Iced Caramel Macchiato
One thing you will notice on this list is the regular appearance of the caramel flavor. That is because most Starbucks patrons love the caramel flavor.
The Iced Caramel Macchiato offers high caffeine content, low calories, and delicious vanilla syrup. It might not be the most popular drink at Starbucks, but it is certainly a worthy competitor.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Concentrated coffee made with hot water and finely ground coffee beans |
| Milk | Cold milk, usually whole milk by default but can be customized to use other milk types |
| Vanilla Syrup | Sweet syrup made with vanilla flavoring and sugar |
| Caramel Sauce | A sweet and buttery sauce made with sugar, cream, and butter |
| Ice | Cubes of ice to chill the drink |
5. Cold brew
How about coffee steeped for over 20 hours?
Most Starbucks regulars won’t be surprised to find cold brew on this list. That is Starbucks Cold brew for you. It offers a super smooth flavor and high caffeine content without any additives.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Cold Brew Coffee | Coffee that is brewed with room temperature or cold water for an extended period of time, resulting in a smoother and less acidic flavor |
| Water | Water is used to brew the coffee and dilute it to the desired strength |
| Ice | The drink is served over ice to keep it cold and refreshing |
| Sweetener (optional) | Customers can add sweeteners such as simple syrup or flavored syrups to customize the taste |
| Milk or Cream (optional) | Customers can also add milk or cream to make the drink creamier and richer in taste |
6. Iced Matcha Latte
Matcha has never tasted so good! The precisely sweetened matcha with delicious milk and the vibrant green color is what made this drink so popular.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Matcha Powder | A finely ground powder made from specially grown and processed green tea leaves |
| Milk | The type of milk can vary, but typically it is a dairy milk like whole milk or 2% milk |
| Water | Added to the matcha powder to create a concentrated paste before adding milk |
| Classic Syrup (optional) | A sweetener made with sugar and water, used to add sweetness to the drink |
| Ice | Added to the drink to make it cold |
7. Pumpkin Spice Latte
Pumpkin spice latte is usually available in August & September but it has a loyal fan base.
The nutmeg, cinnamon, clove notes, pumpkin syrup, and coffee make it delightful. It is difficult to pick anything wrong with this latte.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Concentrated coffee made with hot water and finely ground coffee beans |
| Milk | Typically 2% milk, but customers can request different types of milk |
| Pumpkin Spice Sauce | A sweet and spicy sauce made with pumpkin puree, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices |
| Whipped Cream (optional) | A sweet and airy topping made with heavy cream and sugar |
| Pumpkin Spice Topping (optional) | A sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice seasoning on top of the whipped cream |
8. Peppermint Mocha
The competition between Peppermint Mocha and Pumpkin spice latte in seasonal Starbucks drinks is fierce.
You get a mix of peppermint syrup, espresso, mocha sauce, and steamed milk in this drink. The milk dilutes the sweetness to the right amount, making it easier to pick every taste note.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Espresso | Concentrated coffee made with hot water and finely ground coffee beans |
| Steamed Milk | Milk that has been heated and frothed to create a smooth and creamy texture |
| Mocha Sauce | A sweet and chocolaty sauce made with cocoa powder, sugar, and natural flavors |
| Peppermint Syrup | A sweet and minty syrup made with sugar, water, and natural peppermint flavoring |
| Whipped Cream (optional) | A sweet and airy topping made with heavy cream and sugar |
| Dark Chocolate Curls (optional) | Thin shavings of dark chocolate, often used as a garnish |
9. Purple drink
Instagram has made Starbucks’ purple drink famous. However, you won’t find that on the menu.
To order it, ask the barista to blend passion iced tea, Vanilla syrup with blueberries or blackberries scoop. You might fall for its aesthetics, but it is equally delicious.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Teavana Shaken Iced Passion Tango Tea | A blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, and apple flavors, brewed and chilled. |
| Soy Milk | A plant-based milk alternative made from soybeans. Can be substituted with regular milk or other alternatives. |
| Vanilla Syrup | A sweet syrup made with sugar and natural flavorings. Adds a touch of sweetness to the drink. |
| Blackberries | Fresh blackberries are added to the drink and serve as a garnish. |
| Ice | The drink is served over ice for a refreshing and chilled beverage. |
10. Nitro Cold Brew
How about sweet coffee without the sugar?
That is what nitro cold brew offers. Nitro cold brew is slow steeped to create a smooth taste. Infusion of nitrogen adds a unique sweet flavor and makes the drink more velvety. All this in only 5 calories.
| Ingredient | Description |
|---|---|
| Cold Brew Coffee | A coffee concentrate made by steeping coarse coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period of time, resulting in a smooth and less acidic coffee |
| Nitrogen | A gas that is infused into the cold brew to give it a creamy and smooth texture |
| Optional Sweetener or Milk | Customers can add syrups or milk to customize the flavor of their nitro cold brew |
Tips to customize your drinks at Starbucks
These Starbucks drinks are delicious, but you can make them more special by customizing them.
1. Substitute the milk option
Starbucks offers numerous milk options like
- Almond milk
- Coconut milk
- Soy milk
- Whole milk
- 2% milk
Choose the milk type as per your taste preference.
2. Go with less ice
Certain Starbucks beverages consist of significant ice. Mention “light ice” while ordering, and you won’t have to worry about dilution.
3. Reduce sugar content
Starbucks also offers numerous sweetener options like:
- Raw sugar
- Honey
- Sweet N low
- Equal sweetener
- Splenda
Substitute regular sugar with alternative sweeteners to reduce the sugar content.
4. Get your drink extra hot
Want your coffee to remain hot for longer?
Instruct the barista for “extra hot” coffee while ordering. Such coffee consists of steamed milk heated longer to increase its temperature.
5. Short size does exist
While ordering many drinks, you won’t notice the short size on the menu. However, all drinks are available in the short size of 8 ounces.
6. Always mention the number of pumps
By default, a tall drink will have three pumps, a grande drink will have four pumps, and a venti will have 5 or 6 pumps. However, you can customize the number of pumps according to your preference.
7. Order at the kid temperature
Do you find your Starbucks beverages too hot to drink?
If so, instruct the barista to make the drink at “kid temperature” the next time you place your order. Such a drink will be warm rather than hot, making it perfect for drinking immediately.
FAQ:
What are some of the most popular Starbucks drinks?
Some popular Starbucks drinks are Pumpkin spice latte, Caramel Frappuccino, White chocolate mocha, and Pink drink.
What is the Pumpkin Spice Latte?
The pumpkin spice latte consists of spice powders (cinnamon, nutmeg, clove), pumpkin syrup, and coffee. It is a seasonal Starbucks drink that has gone mainstream.
Are there any low-calorie options at Starbucks?
Yes, Starbucks offers a range of low-calorie drinks such as black coffee, unsweetened iced tea, and iced coffee. You can also customize your drink by requesting less syrup or using non-dairy milk.
Are Starbucks drinks gluten-free?
Most of the coffee and tea-based drinks at Starbucks are gluten-free. However, some flavored syrups and toppings may contain gluten, so it’s best to check with the barista before ordering.
Can you customize your drink at Starbucks?
Yes, you can customize your drink at Starbucks by requesting additional shots of espresso, different milk types, or less syrup.
How much caffeine is in Starbucks coffee?
The amount of caffeine in Starbucks coffee can vary depending on the type of drink and the serving size. However, a standard shot of espresso contains around 75mg of caffeine.
What is the healthiest drink at Starbucks?
Some of the healthiest drinks at Starbucks include black coffee, unsweetened iced tea, and a latte made with nonfat milk and sugar-free syrup.