Starbucks has a substantial drink menu to choose from, and to strong starbucks drinks honest, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what each drink is. To repeat customers, this is not a challenge, but to those who don’t frequent this coffeehouse chain for their usual cup of joe, the possibilities can seem limitless.
We know there are a lot of hot drinks at Starbucks to choose from and we want to make it as easy as possible, so we created a helpful guide to some of the best hot drinks at Starbucks to get you started. The reason this Starbucks drink is the last on our list has nothing to do with flavor. It is really tasty, but many don’t know about it or think to order it when faced with other autumnal options. However, if you want a fall-inspired drink that isn’t the usual Pumpkin Spice Latte, you may want to consider giving the Caramel Apple Spice a try. But if you’re one of those who can’t get enough pumpkin everything, there is a trick to making this drink feel even more fall.
Delish says you can order this with pumpkin sauce to achieve that perfect blend of seasonal spices in one cup. Just be warned: this drink does not include any tea or coffee, therefore does not have any caffeine. The Pistachio Latte is relatively new to the Starbucks menu, but has already proved to be a solid addition. Steam milk combined with a few pumps of pistachio syrup and salted brown butter topping creates a tasty treat for your taste buds.
And while you may think this is just another sweet drink, think again. Its mild nutty flavor complements almost anything sweet. It makes sense that Starbucks would jump on board with the flavor when searching for a new latte. If you’re a big Starbucks fan, there’s a good chance you’ve had their Pike Place blend coffee. With a name that comes from the original coffeehouse location in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, Starbucks says it created this coffee blend for its stores everywhere back in 2008.
How you drink this coffee is up to you: black or with milk and sugar, cream, or adding in a flavored syrup of your choosing. It’s a good option for those who want a simple cup of coffee when they go to Starbucks or feel a bit overwhelmed by the extensive menu. Be warned, this drink can have a strong, bitter taste, as Starbucks is known for, which can be a bit too much for those who want something a little lighter. It’s no secret that Starbucks coffee sometimes has a dark roast, which can be too much for some. It’s much lighter than the medium and dark roasts and offers a milder flavor while still giving the customers what they like: a smooth cup of coffee.
Like any of the regular coffee options at Starbucks, you can have it your way with milk or sugar, but we say it’s best on its own with just a little bit of cream — its natural flavor is too nice to cover up. It’s a great choice for anyone who wants a plain old cup of coffee that isn’t too bitter and isn’t looking for anything sweet. Sure, we love our usual cup of coffee brewed from an everyday dependable roast, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to switch things up now and then. If you’re like us and love hazelnut recipes you’re bound to enjoy the Starbucks Reserve Hazelnut Bianco Latte.
Though it is also available as an iced latte, we think this it works better as a hot beverage. One of Starbucks’ tastiest winter creations takes inspiration from a classic dessert. The Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa is made with white chocolate mocha and cinnamon dolce syrup to give that ultra-sweet taste of a freshly-baked warm Snickerdoodle cookie. The whipped cream on top with the dolce cinnamon sprinkles helps, too.
We’re happy to have the Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa added to the mix and can’t agree more with this recommendation from Baking Mischief: “Pair it with a good book, some fluffy socks, and maybe a real snickerdoodle or two, and have yourself a perfectly cozy night in. Anyone who looks forward to the fall months is probably familiar with apple crisp. The simple cool weather standard, which is prepared with baked apples, cinnamon, and oats, gets a boost when topped with ice cream. Starbucks brings this tasty dessert combo into one cup with its Apple Crisp Macchiato. Whether you call it hot chocolate or hot cocoa, one thing is for sure: we love this warm and chocolatey beverage on a cold day. What’s Cooking America explains that, back in the day, hot chocolate was not at all like we know it today. The very first recipe for hot chocolate was made with wine and Chile peppers, in addition to cocoa beans.
The hot chocolate at Starbucks will surely feed your craving for something decadent on a chilly winter night. Made with steamed milk and mocha sauce, it’s rich in flavor. Top it off with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate, and this is a standard cup of chocolaty goodness that won’t disappoint. What do you get when you mix a bergamot tea blend with steamed milk and vanilla syrup?