"You know how much we love trying new Starbucks drinks and reporting back to let you know what’s worth the hype and what’s not, but when we aren’t doing that, we always have our tried-and-true drinks queued up for mobile orders on the way to the office. While there are only a handful of drinks on the menu, the possibilities of Starbucks orders are truly endless, and what’s better than the secret menu (is that still a thing?) is asking friends (read: TEG editors) what their favorite drinks are.
As self-proclaimed Starbucks connoisseurs, we are happily sharing what drinks light up our mornings and end up on our Instagram stories time and time again. If you are in need of a new favorite coffee or tea order, look no further than this list of editor favorites.
One of my most toxic traits in life is falling in love with seasonal items that have me longing for more for a majority of the year. Last fall, I consumed my body weight’s worth of the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, and after being forced to move on to other options as the fall season came to a close, I hopped on over to the next best thing: a Vanilla Cream Cold Brew. It’s not necessarily the same, but it still does the trick. I love a “sweet without being overpowering” moment, and if that’s your vibe, you have to give this one a try. I’ll be sipping on it all spring and summer long until my one true love, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, makes its way back onto menus, if only for a moment.
– Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Editor
I have to admit something I am not proud of: As much as I can appreciate the impact Starbucks has on society, I personally would not choose to get coffee from them. But their tea is a different story! I love pretty much all of their tea options, but my favorite by a country mile is the Medicine Ball. This refreshing (secret menu) drink was designed with a sore throat in mind, but I love to drink it all year long. To order it on the app, look for a “honey citrus mint tea” and add standard lemonade + preface 2 tea bags + 2 pumps of honey blend = perfection!
– Kirra Wallace, Graphic Designer
My favorite treat-yourself drink at Starbucks is the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, but sometimes, I need something that’s a little more subtle and doesn’t cost $6.50. On those days, I order a regular Shaken Espresso and customize it to include oat milk and whatever syrup I’m feeling that day—usually Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Dolce, or Sugar-Free Vanilla. I also change it to have no classic syrup and only two pumps of the flavored syrup I choose (versus the regular three in a Grande). This drink tastes great, it’s a little less sweet than the Brown Sugar Oatmilk one, and you can feel better about spending a little less. It’s only about a dollar difference, but I like to remind myself that those dollars add up.
– Jess Welsh, Associate Editor
Listen, I never said I was low maintenance. I love Starbucks because I can get micro and they know exactly what I’m talking about (also all the personalizable options when ordering on the app really do it for me). Even when the weather is cold, iced coffee always tastes better (am I right or am I right?) and I love frothy foam instead of milk because it tastes more luxe. Also, light ice is my go-to hack because you have more room for the drink while still keeping it cold.
– Josie Santi, Wellness Editor
Normally, I am a chai latte girl, but I will be the first to admit that I was 100% influenced by the “We Tried All of the New Starbucks Drinks So You Don’t Have To” article. Our taste-testing day was the first time I tried matcha (a shame, I know), and this drink sold me. It tastes like summer and will absolutely be my go-to Starbucks drink until my fall favorites return.
– Jessica Jones, Social Media Editor
This is my go-to order when I want something that’s a little fancier than a standard coffee but not as elevated (or expensive) as a latte. If you’re not familiar, a Cafe Misto is a one-to-one combination of fresh-brewed coffee and steamed milk. I make this a lot at home, but there is something extra special about getting it in a drive-thru. I like asking for cinnamon powder on top to add flavor without the need for syrups.
– Hailey Bouche, Editorial Assistant
I’ve been ordering this same drink since I was a freshly licensed high school junior. No matter how many drinks I try, I always find myself coming back to this tried-and-true. It’s the perfect refreshment for hot summer days, but I order it all year long (yes, even in the dead of winter). I typically get it with three pumps of liquid cane sugar, and that’s just sweet enough without being too sweet.
– Garri Chaverst, Managing Editor
I am an iced Americano girl through and through, and this is what I order nine out of 10 times I go to Starbucks. With two pumps of vanilla and a splash of milk, it’s the perfect amount of sweetness without being too much. I so prefer the taste of an iced Americano to an iced coffee; once I switched over, I never went back.
– Maddie Galassi, Fashion Editor
One late night when I was studying for finals in college, I was introduced to a dirty chai, and I’ve never looked back. I’m usually a brew-at-home kind of gal, so taking myself out for coffee from time to time is truly a treat! With that being said, I always opt for something spicy and a drink where I will savor every single sip. My other life-changing moment was when I came across this TikTok, which shares an easy way to save $1.60 on this sweet and spicy drink. For all of you who are Team Dirty Chai, you’ll definitely want to watch and bookmark the TikTok for your next trip to Starbucks!
– Andi Wynter, Social Media Coordinator
I’ve been making getting a drink from Starbucks a weekly treat for myself, and this drink has been my go-to order lately! The hot honey almond milk flat white was always one of my favorites, but once I saw that they could make it iced, I immediately made the switch. This drink combines the blonde espresso with steamed milk and a hint of honey. I like that it has a richer espresso taste than a latte because it has less milk but still has the perfect amount of sweetness to it without all the overpowering syrups.
– Keely Geist, Senior Social Media Editor