Despite my love for trying out local shops, you really can't go wrong with the home of the green straw. Starbucks has a special place in the hearts of many coffee lovers everywhere, being the way that many are first introduced to coffee, including yours truly. What started as an occasional Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino as a frothy sweet treat in high school, or a peppermint mocha when I was feeling extra-festive in the winter, evolved into an iced skinny vanilla latte being a semi-permanent fixture for going to class, traveling, and pretty much any activity where bringing a drink wasn't explicitly prohibited.
Here is my completely subjective countdown of the best Starbucks drinks. Some are seasonal, some I haven't had in years but they were a firm part of my life back in the day, and some are part of my regular rotation. You'll see that I have a pretty narrow palette (if it's iced or involves vanilla, I'll probably like it), but I hope this list gives you some inspiration if you're looking to mix up your Starbucks order!
Iced pineapple matcha
Made with coconut milk and a touch of ginger, this 2020 drink was a summer treat that accompanied me on (pre-corona) road trips and offered a refreshing beverage on sunny days. It is much more citrus-y and sweet than a traditional matcha latte, but I highly recommend the pineapple matcha if you're looking for a departure from coffee and want something tropical to brighten your day.
Peppermint mocha
The PM is an absolute holiday staple, with all the deliciousness of espresso, a candy cane, and chocolatey-mocha in one festive red cup. I don't order this as much as I used to, but this was a favorite in high school when I was merely a budding Caffeine Queen. Looking back, this was probably way too much caffeine and sugar for a teen to be drinking at 8 in the morning, but this accompanied me to homeroom, winter finals, and other snowy days when my love for Starbucks was starting to bloom.
Green tea frappuccino
Another favorite of my teen self, the green tea frappuccino was a staple for hot afternoons and summer days. This was before matcha hit the mainstream (I don't remember matcha being in the drink name back in the day, but it is now). I found the green tea flavor in blended form so interesting, and it was nice for when you wanted something more hearty than a refresher or iced tea but not quite as heavy as a coffee.
Dragon drink
The Dragon Drink was the star of summer 2019. She was stunning. She was bold. She was a mango dragonfruit refresher with coconut milk. I was ecstatic to see this drink back on the menu this year and got it several times over the summer. Get it for the highly Instagrammable magenta hue, keep it for the fun flavors.
Peach green tea lemonade
This fruity favorite was as much of a college staple for me as my Victoria's Secret PINK backpack and my Arizona State water bottle (partly because it was a drink that was eligible for 50-cent refills). The light caffeine and refreshing flavor justified a near-constant consumption of this drink. I haven't ordered this in years, but after thinking about it for this post, I think I need some PGTL in my life soon.
Iced blonde vanilla latte with almond milk
This is my go-to order. I've said "grande iced blonde vanilla latte with almond milk" more than I've said my own name. The Starbucks blonde espresso, launched in 2018, was truly a game-changer. If you haven't had a blonde drink, I highly recommend subbing blonde espresso into your regular latte order. It adds a light creaminess and sweetness to any drink. (Be aware it surprisingly contains more caffeine than regular espresso, so maybe downgrade from a venti to a grande if going blonde and you don't want the jitters.) When I first made the switch to almond milk in my lattes, I was concerned it would make the texture of this drink water-y (as almond milk sometimes does), but the nutty taste actually took it to another level, and the effervescent blonde espresso kept it creamy, rendering my fears null. This drink never lets me down.
Vanilla sweet cream cold brew
An old favorite that I've recently rediscovered, the VSCCB tastes similar to the previous drink, but a bit richer because of the cold brew. It's a little cheaper than a latte, but still packs a punch. This drink is a Starbucks staple for me.
Pumpkin cream cold brew
At last, we've arrived at the gold standard of Starbucks and of fall beverages in general. As much as I adore pumpkin spice, I actually don't order the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte™ that often. (When I do, I get it iced - obvi - and with blonde espresso. Try it!) But the PCCB is what has me going to Starbucks way too many times during the fall months. When this little autumn delight made its debut last year, it was love at first sip. The PCCB is a cold brew with a touch of vanilla, a dollop of pumpkin foam, and a dusting of pumpkin spice. The rich cold brew keeps it strong, while the fall-flavored foam keeps it sweet. If you find the PSL too sweet, I think you'll find an absolute treasure with the PCCB. Starbucks rolled out this year's fall menu on Aug. 25, and you know I went to snag one on opening day. I've seen some recipes for homemade versions that are a tad healthier, so stay tuned for my review of those as I test them out!
What's your favorite Starbucks drink? Let me know!
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