ARE YOU BORED OF YOUR TYPICAL PASSION TEA LEMONADE, BERRY HIBISCUS, OR CARAMEL FRAPPUCCINO (If your summer “usual” is one of those drinks, trust me, you’re not alone).
As a Starbucks barista, I so often get asked, “Cassie, what’s something new I should try? What’s good cold drink?” And here, I’ve got the DL for you on what’s worth trying in a list of my ten favourite summer drinks.
Matcha Lemonade. This new addition to the menu, a part of the Lady Gaga “Born This Way” campaign, is surprisingly really good– if you like sweet and sour. I’m not a candy lover, but I have always loved Skittles, and for some reason, this drink reminds me of sour Skittles! PRO TIP: Order with 1/2 matcha and light ice if you’re not a fan of matcha powder.
Iced Blonde Cinnamon Almond Macchiato. I love our cinnamon dolce syrup, but I find just one pump so incredibly sweet! That’s why this macchiato, which is less sweet than usual beverages, is perfect– although I still prefer it half-sweet, and I unfortunately can’t have our caramel drizzle as I’m allergic to dairy, but I get the drink with 1 pump cinnamon, 1 pump caramel, and regular espresso. Customize it as you like, but I think you’ll find it quite delicious!
Espresso Frappuccino. Not too many people know about this delicious frappe, which is made with just coffee, your choice of milk, espresso, and sweetener. Blended up to make a delicious, smoother texture than a plain coffee frappe! Plus a wonderful buzz, and not super-sickly sweet like most frappuccinos.
Violet Drink. Also new to the menu, the Violet Drink is made with coconut milk and berry juice, and is a lovely pick-me-up and change-up to the regular Berry Hibiscus!
Iced Salted Caramel Americano with Almond Milk. Try ordering this drink (can be made decaf) with your favourite milk (we have nonfat, 2%, and whole, or lactose-free, coconut, almond, or soy), 2 pumps mocha, and 2 pumps toffee nut.
Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte. I am currently chillen IN Starbucks with my barista bestie KENYA, and her two cents is this: her fav Starbucks summer drinks are either iced passion teas, iced blonde vanilla lattes (she drinks both of these every day, I can attest to it), or iced blonde white mochas, usually half-sweet!
Iced Soy Chai Tea Lattes. I personally am not a huge fan of chai tea lattes, but I much prefer them iced to hot, and I think soy milk pairs so amazingly with the spicy-sweet chai. Be sure to get light ice on this drink for the must bang for your buck!
Mango Black Tea Lemonades. This ms my favourite of our sweet iced teas– Raspberry syrup in passion iced tea is delicious, too!
Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with Frapp Chips. Not a coffee drinker? The best not-caf frappuccino I’ve tried is the vanilla bean with frappe chips, which creates a sort of “cookies and cream” flavour.
“Pro-Tip”: Custom Iced Teas. You can order any of our hot teas over ice, with your favourite syrup/with lemonade or berry juice or without! I wouldn’t recommend ordering these in the drive-thru, though, as they take a while to steep!