Do you love Starbucks? If so, you’re definitely not alone. The coffee shop is a favorite among many for its delicious drinks and snacks – in fact, for plenty of people around the world, grabbing a drink from these shops is part of a pretty frequent routine.
Whether you visit the chain coffee shop weekly or daily, as the seasons change, there are times when a boiling hot mocha just won’t cut it. And that’s where some of the best Starbucks cold drinks can really come to the rescue.
From iced lattes to frothy frappuccinos, Starbucks really knows how to make a beverage, regardless of the temperature.
So, it’s time to explore what Starbucks specializes in when it comes to cold drinks, and we’ll also discuss some of the most popular cold beverages from the coffee giant. If you’re looking for a delicious cold drink to enjoy on a hot day, look no further than Starbucks!
What Sort of Cold Drinks Does Starbucks Offer?
As mentioned, Starbucks is mostly known for its hot coffee, but the company also sells a variety of cold drinks. These include:
- Frappuccinos
- Cold brews
- Iced coffees
- Refreshers
- Iced teas
Some of these drinks are sugary, sweet, and more like dessert than a cup of coffee. In comparison, others are the perfect caffeinated pick-me-up or a refreshing end to a meal.
The most popular Frappuccino flavors are caramel and mocha, while the most popular iced coffee is vanilla. Refreshers are made with green coffee extract and come in a variety of fruity flavors. Lastly, Starbucks sells both hot and cold teas.
So, which should you choose? If you’re looking for something sweet, Frappuccinos or iced coffees are your best bet. If you want something refreshing, try a Refresher. And if you’re looking for a healthy option, tea is always a good choice.
Are Cold Drinks Better Than Hot Drinks From Starbucks?
Ultimately that depends on what you’re looking for in a beverage. Starbucks hot drinks are their signature item for a reason – they’re delicious.
But if you’re looking for something to cool you down on a hot day, or you want a refreshing alternative to your standard order, cold drinks from Starbucks are definitely worth trying.
Plus, with their cold drinks, you can also get a lot more choices when it comes to caffeine-free drinks or even coffee-free drinks. So, if you’re heading to the coffee shop and don’t fancy a coffee buzz, a cold drink might be your best bet.
Starbucks Cold Drinks: The Best Ones From the Menu
So, without further ado, here are some of the best cold drinks that Starbucks has to offer!
Best Sweet Cold Drinks at Starbucks
First things first, let’s tackle those drinks that are going to most appeal to those with a serious sweet tooth.
As well as giving you a caffeine hit, Starbucks can also give you a pretty good sugar rush if you know which drinks to order. So, these are the best sweet cold drinks at Starbucks.
Iced Lemonade
A simple classic! Starbucks iced lemonade is perfect for when you’re looking for something refreshing and sweet. The classic recipe is citrusy and tangy, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Iced Passion Tea Lemonade
You can’t go wrong with flavored lemonade, and this is a personal favorite of mine. It’s a great balance of sweet and tart, and the passion fruit flavor is delicious.
It’s a blend of hibiscus, lemongrass, and apple, combined with lemonade and hand shaken to create the perfect summer drink.
The Pink Drink
Made famous by Instagram fans around the world, the Pink Drink is fast becoming a Starbucks classic. The base is the strawberry acai refresher (another delicious cold Starbucks drink), but this one is made with coconut milk instead of water.
This gives it a delicious creamy taste that you just don’t get with the standard refresher. The blend of creaminess and fruitiness with subtle hints of passionfruit makes it super refreshing, and definitely one of the best cold drinks on the menu.
Best Cold Coffee Drinks at Starbucks
Known, after all, primarily for coffee, Starbucks certainly has a range of exciting choices when it comes to delicious cold coffee beverages.
Iced Latte
A classic, you simply can’t beat a latte when you want a milky coffee drink. And for those hot summer months, the iced version is enough to satisfy anyone’s craving.
Made with Starbucks espresso and cold milk, they can be customized to your liking with different syrups and milk. Personally, I love the vanilla one and think it gives just the right amount of sweetness.
Cold Brew
Starbucks cold brew is made with a special blend of coffee beans that are roasted and ground, then steeped in cold water for 20 hours.
This results in a coffee that is less acidic and has a smoother taste. It’s perfect on its own or can be combined with milk and flavorings to create different drinks.
Iced Caramel Macchiato
A classic cold drink that’s made with milk, ice, shots of espresso, vanilla-flavored syrup, and a generous helping of caramel sauce drizzled on top. The result? A delicious cold coffee that hits all the right sweet spots.
The perfect pick-me-up for those mornings (or afternoons!) when you need an energy boost but don’t want a hot drink.
Iced White Chocolate Mocha
For those chocoholics out there, this will be right up your street. The perfect combination of Starbucks espresso, milk, ice, and creamy white chocolate sauce.
Finally, it’s completed with sweetened whipped cream to produce this excellent white chocolate treat. The result is a rich and creamy cold coffee that is sure to hit the spot.
Iced Blonde Americano
Blonde espresso is another Starbucks specialty. These beans are delicately roasted to produce a much less intense flavor than traditional coffee drinks.
This iced blonde americano is made with Starbucks blonde espresso, combined with water, ice, and pumps of vanilla syrup. It’s a simple but effective drink that is perfect for coffee lovers who want something lighter.
Iced Dark Chocolate Mocha
The polar opposite of the white chocolate mocha, this dark chocolate mocha is made with Starbucks dark chocolate sauce, combined with espresso and milk.
It’s then finished with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder. This drink is perfect for those that want a rich and indulgent cold coffee.
Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte
Everybody’s fall favorite from Starbucks, the pumpkin spice latte is made with their signature espresso, milk, and ice. It’s then combined with pumpkin spice syrup and topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice.
This delicious infusion of pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove is the perfect cold drink for those that want to enjoy all the flavors of fall in one cup!
Iced Honey Almond Milk Flat White
For creamy deliciousness in a cup, this drink is made with Starbucks blonde espresso, combined with ice and almond milk, and finished off with a touch of caramel drizzle on top.
Compared to other iced drinks, this one has no froth and is a similar consistency to a simple iced coffee rather than the slight froth on a regular flat white. Nonetheless, the hint of honey adds the perfect amount of sweetness to a classic cold coffee.
Cold Starbucks Drinks Without Coffee
Of course, if you aren’t a coffee drinker, you might wonder what Starbucks has for you. But there are plenty of coffee-free beverages that you can buy from the store. Here are some of the most popular cold Starbucks drinks that don’t contain any coffee.
Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade
This thirst-quenching drink has a mixture of spearmint, lemon verbena, and lemongrass blended together with some delicious lemonade.
The hint of mint compliments the sweetness of the peach perfectly to create a refreshing drink that’s perfect for a garden party. It’s the perfect summer drink and is sure to quench your thirst on a hot day.
Iced Tea
Simple, but sometimes an iced tea is exactly what you need. Starbucks offers a variety of iced teas, both with and without caffeine.
Whether you want a classic black iced tea, an English breakfast tea latte, iced green tea, or something fruity, Starbucks has got you covered.
Iced Matcha Latte
My personal favorite coffee-free cold Starbucks drink is the iced matcha latte (but I do love matcha tea!). A bit of an acquired taste to some, the matcha drink is made with milk and ice and combined with matcha green tea powder.
It’s then sweetened to perfection, making it a rich and creamy cold drink that is perfect for those hot summer days.
Starbucks Cold Drinks With No Caffeine
Now, of course, many of those coffee-free drinks above also contain caffeine – mainly because they’re tea-based instead.
But, what if you want a complete break from caffeine? Here are some of the best cold drinks at Starbucks that have no caffeine in them.
Dragon Drink
A curiously named drink that contains, you guessed it, dragonfruit. Inspired by tropical climates, this drink is hand-shaken with creamy coconut milk, ice, sweet mango flavors, and a scoop of real diced dragon fruit.
It’s refreshing, creamy, and perfect for those that want to enjoy a tropical drink without caffeine.
Pineapple Passionfruit Starbucks Refresher
Another drink containing real chunks of fruit – this time pineapple – this refresher is hand-shaken with a fruity and tropical combination of pineapple juice, passion fruit-flavored syrup, and ice.
The perfect summer drink, this iced tea is tart, sweet, and delicious. It’s also finished off with a scoop of real diced pineapple for an extra burst of flavor. The perfect drink for those hot summer days!
Blended Strawberry Lemonade
Blended lemonades are almost slushy in lemonade form. And this particular blended lemonade is made with a delicious combination of strawberry purée, lemonade, and ice.
It’s then finished off with a sweet and tangy strawberry drizzle on top. A refreshing cold drink that is perfect for those that want something sweet and tart.
Iced, Blended, and Frappuccino Drinks
Last but not least, let’s talk about the most elaborate cold drinks on the Starbucks menu. These types of drinks are all cold drinks that have been blended with ice to create a delicious and refreshing treat.
Usually much creamier, richer, and packed with flavor (not to mention calories!), these drinks are a real naughty but nice treat.
S’mores Frappuccino
Can you really beat marshmallows and coffee? For throwback memories of campfire days and toasting marshmallows, tuck into a s’mores frappuccino.
A chocolatey and sweet drink that is blended with milk, ice, marshmallow-infused whipped cream, and graham cracker crumbs. It’s then finished off with a toasted marshmallow topping – perfect for those with a sweet tooth as you could pretty much have this as a dessert!
Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
The savory saltiness mixed with coffee and the sweetness of sticky caramel makes for a delicious and unique cold drink.
It’s made with Starbucks’ signature cold brew coffee, milk, and ice, and then finished off with a salted caramel cold foam top. If you enjoy salted caramel chocolate, you’re sure to love this as a cold drink!
Iced Pistachio Latte
The final drink on this list is something a bit different – you won’t find this at your everyday coffee shop (unless your everyday coffee shop is a Starbucks, of course).
Made with milk, ice, and espresso shots, and flavored with pistachio syrup, this is a delicious and nutty cold drink that’s not as sweet as many of the drinks from Starbucks. Plus, it’s perfect for those that enjoy something a little different.
Happy Caffeinating!
