When it comes to coffee, people usually fall into one of two distinct camps; either they don’t ever drink it, or they can’t get through the day without at least one cup. If you fall into the latter camp, you have probably spent a fair amount of time in your adult life queuing up at Starbucks.
Originally founded in the US way back in 1971, Starbucks has gone on to achieve global domination. These days, the coffee brand can be found in 78 countries across six continents and boasts more than 30,000 locations operating under its name. In the UK alone, there are almost 1,000 stores. As well as being among the most popular and well-known coffee shops in the world, Starbucks is also known for its quick and easy ordering system, where baristas write your name on a cup then simply shout it out when your order is ready to collect. As you probably already know, Starbucks baristas are often derided on social media for misspelling people’s names (or getting them completely wrong) and this has become one of the brand’s defining features. In fact, there are even some people who believe that Starbucks do this on purpose to get free advertising, but we’ll reserve our judgement on that one.
Considering how omnipresent Starbucks is, you probably think you know all there is to know about the coffee house. Well, think again because Starbucks is actually home to a secret menu full of drinks and flavour combinations that you won’t see up on the board above your barista’s head.
If you want to have full access to the Starbucks secret menu, check out our extensive roundup below which lets you in on all of Starbucks' secrets. The secret menu features everything from seasonal drinks which you can actually enjoy all year round, to colourful creations which are perfect for sharing on your Instagram feed. We’ve rounded up a huge list of all of the secret items you can find on Starbucks’ menu below, so next time you’re craving a coffee, try ordering one of these bad guys.
Secret Starbucks menu Instagrammable drinks
The standard Starbucks menu is not the most colourful of affairs, but the secret menu is full of unique Frappuccino’s and lattes which look great on the ‘gram. Not only are these unique drinks bursting with colour, they are also full of flavour resulting in a picture perfect drink that tastes as good as it looks. Check out some of our favourite Insta-friendly drinks from the Starbucks secret menu below.
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Mermaid Frappuccino (pictured)
How to order it: It’s hard to deny just how Instagrammable so called Mermaid Frappucinos are. All you have to do to enjoy this riot of colour is order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with three scoops of blackberry inclusions. Next up, ask for a drizzle made with three pumps of toasted coconut, eight pumps of white mocha and three scoops of matcha powder.
Purple Drink
How to order it: If you fancy ordering something a little different from your usual coffee drink, instead opt for a passion iced tea. Pair it with soy milk, vanilla syrup, and blackberries to create a purple-hued drink that looks fun, tastes great and makes for a perfect snapping opportunity.
Bubblegum Frappuccino
How to order it: This simple hack involves just two easy steps - order a Strawberries and Crème Frappuccino, but ask your barista to swap out classic syrup for raspberry syrup. Voila!
Blue Drink
How to order it: This colourful concoction is sure to rake in the likes, but is deceptively simple to make. Simply order a Passion Iced Tea, then add vanilla syrup and soy milk.
Rainbow Sorbet Frappuccino
How to order it: To create this Instagram-friendly sip, order a Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino, but ask for it to be made with orange refresher instead of strawberry puree. Then, add a scoop of vanilla bean powder and a pump each of raspberry syrup and peach syrup. To finish, blend over ice.
Fruity Pebbles Frappuccino
How to order it: American cereals are becoming ever more popular in the UK and Fruity Pebbles is something of a classic. To recreate a similar taste at Starbucks, order a Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino, then add two pumps of vanilla syrup, one pump of raspberry syrup and finish with a splash of orange-mango juice.
Raspberry Caramel Macchiato
How to order it: To mix up your next Macchiato order, follow this simple hack - order a Caramel Macchiato as usual, but ask for raspberry syrup instead of vanilla syrup.
Peach Ring Tea
How to order it: To create this sunset-like concoction, order half a Valencia Orange Refresher and half a Passion Tea, but ask for no water. Then add your preferred amount of peach syrup - we’d recommend six pumps for trenta, five pumps for a venti, three pumps for a grande and two pumps for tall.
Butterbeer Frappuccino
How to order it: Potter heads unite, as your love of all things wizardry can now extend to your morning cup of coffee. Order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and simply ask for one to two pumps of caramel syrup, followed by one or two pumps of toffee nut syrup and a caramel drizzle to finish.
Hot Butterbeer Latte
How to order it: For more Harry Potter inspired fun, order a whole-milk steamer, then add two to four pumps each of caramel syrup, toffee-nut syrup and cinnamon dolce syrup. Next add whipped cream and salted caramel bits and finish with a shot of espresso (optional).
Cotton Candy Frappuccino
How to order it: To remix your standard Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, simply add a couple of extra pumps of raspberry syrup to your drink. The extra syrups will turn the drink into a bright pink hue that resembles the fairground favourite of candyfloss, while for an extra treat you can finish it off with a topping of whipped cream.
Raspberry Milk Tea
How to order it: To create a Raspberry Milk Tea, you need to order an iced black tea that’s made with half and half instead of water. Next up, you have to add an extra pump of classic syrup alongside two pumps of toffee nut syrup and between one to two pumps of raspberry syrup.
Skittles Frappuccino
How to order it: If you want to ‘taste the rainbow’ next time you visit Starbucks, try out this remix of a classic Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino. Simply skip the usual syrup and instead add between two to four pumps of vanilla syrup and one to two pumps of raspberry syrup to create a Skittles-inspired delight.
Pink Drink
How to order it: Pink restaurants have seen a resurgence on London’s dining scene in recent years, and it seems that our love of all things pink extends to drinks too. To make the Pink Drink at Starbucks, you’ll need to ask for a Strawberry Açai Refresher and top it with coconut milk and a helping of real blackberries and strawberries.
Grasshopper Frappuccino
How to order it: Don’t worry, Starbucks hasn’t started blending insects into its drinks. Instead, the secret Grasshopper Frappuccino gets its name from its bright green colour – how is this green hue achieved? Well, order a Mocha Frappuccino topped with java chips and a couple of pumps of peppermint syrup.
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Matcha Pink Drink (pictured)
How to order it: The Matcha Pink Drink is a riot of flavours and colours, but it’s actually pretty simple to create. Next time you are in Starbucks, just ask your barista for a mixture of matcha and coconut milk, which is then topped with a Pink Drink (a Strawberry Açai Refresher finished off with coconut milk, blackberries and strawberries).
Matcha & Espresso Fusion
How to order it: This fusion drink offers a winning combination of two of people’s favourite warm concoctions. In order to create your Matcha & Espresso Fusion, you will need to mix matcha powder into water and ice, add your choice of milk (pick from dairy, soya and more) and then top it up with one or two Affogato shots.
Chocolate Dalmatian Frappuccino
How to order it: For a hot drink that Cruella de Vil would think is terribly chic, order a Hot White Chocolate Mocha. Then add java chips and chocolate chips to create a Dalmatian print drink that will keep you nice and cosy in the winter season (no need for one of Cruella’s fur coats then).
Liquid Cocaine Drink
How to order it: This rather controversially named drink gets it moniker from the sheer amount of caffeine involved in making it. If you’re in need of a serious energy boost, ask for enough ice to fill a Grande sized cup, then add four shots of espresso, four pumps of white chocolate syrup and milk.
Dragon Frappuccino
How to order it: Don’t be put off by this drink's fearsome name, as the Dragon Frappuccino is actually just a remix of the Starbucks Green Tea Frapp. Simply add vanilla bean powder and a swirl of berry syrup at the bottom of the cup, before finishing off your drink with a helping of whipped cream and a smattering of purple sprinkles.
Chunky Monkey Frappuccino
How to order it: To make a Chunky Monkey, you’ll need to order any cream-based Frappuccino, and then add a whole banana and two scoops of vanilla bean powder. Next, add two pumps each of mocha, hazelnut and toffee nut syrup before finishing off your drink with caramel and mocha drizzle.
Purple Pink Drink
How to order it: To make this colourful hybrid drink, you will need to order half of a Purple Drink and half of a Pink Drink. In order to make the ombré effect, you’ll need to ask your barista to slowly add the pink drink over the ice, resulting in the kind of Instagram-friendly sip that is guaranteed to rake in the likes.
Java Berry Frappuccino
How to order it: We can’t guarantee that this berry drink will count towards one of your five a day, but hey, at least it tastes pretty damn good. Order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino topped with strawberry sauce and java chips, before finishing it off with a helping of whipped cream and lashings of mocha drizzle.
Secret Starbucks menu dessert drinks
Part of the joy of the Starbucks secret menu is that it’s full of little known recreations of staple American desserts, as well as other sweet treats such as candy, cereal and chocolate bars. If you’ve got an unstoppable sweet tooth, these sugary concoctions are sure to tempt you, with flavours ranging from Banana Split to Apple Pie and everything in between.
Image: Starbucks
S’mores Frappuccino (pictured)
How to order it: If you’ve ever been camping, then it’s likely that you’ve had the pleasure of eating s’mores. To recreate that epic taste at Starbucks, order a Java Chip Frappuccino and finish it off with pumps of cinnamon dolce and toffee syrup, before blending in whipped cream.
S’mores Hot Chocolate
How to order it: For even more S’mores goodness, order a hot chocolate, then add one pump each of cinnamon syrup and toffee-nut syrup. Blend and then top with cream, chocolate sauce, biscuit bits and marshmallows.
Blackberry Cobbler Frappuccino
How to order it: To recreate a taste of this classic American dessert, simply order a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino, then ask your barista to add a pump or two of white mocha syrup to your drink depending on the size of your cup and then add blackberries.
Cookies ‘n’ Cream Frappuccino
How to order it: A dessert of milk and cookies was always a treat as a child, but now you can enjoy this classic in drink form. Simply order a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino, then add a pump of white mocha syrup.
Cookie Dough Frappuccino
How to order it: We can’t get enough of all things cookie dough, so this Starbucks hack is a must try. Order a Cinnamon Dolce Crème Frappuccino, then add mocha syrup and ask for java chips to be blended in. Next, add chocolate whipped cream and cookie crumble to finish it off.
Girl Scout Cookie Frappuccino
How to order it: If you’re an American expat who’s missing the taste of home, check out this Starbucks hack to recreate the taste of the famous Girl Scout cookies. Order a Matcha Green Tea Crème Frappuccino, then add two pumps chocolate syrup, one pump mint syrup and top with java chips and honey.
Caramel Snickerdoodle Frappuccino
How to order it: For those not in the know, Snickerdoodles are a popular type of cookie in the US. To make your own liquid version at Starbucks, order an Iced Soy Caramel Macchiato, then add one or two pumps each of vanilla syrup and cinnamon dolce syrup.
Nutter Butter Frappuccino
How to order it: A staple cookie brand in American homes, but less well known on this side of the pond is Nutter Butter. If you are a fan though, you can make your next Starbucks drink taste like one. All you need to do is order a Hazelnut Frappuccino, blend in a whole banana and then add pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup and toffee-nut syrup.
Banana Split Frappuccino
How to order it: To get your hands on this nostalgic drink, order a standard Strawberries and Crème Frappuccino, but ask your barista to throw in a chopped up banana, java chips and vanilla bean powder. To finish, request a topping of whipped cream and mocha and caramel drizzles.
Key Lime Pie Frappuccino
How to order it: To make a drinkable version of this classic dessert, order a Cool Lime Refresher with whole milk. Add cinnamon dolce syrup, vanilla syrup and white mocha then ask for whipped cream to be blended in.
Banana Cream Pie Frappuccino
How to order it: To spice up your regular Starbucks Frapp, all it takes is adding a few unexpected syrups. To try a Banana Cream Pie variation, simply ask for a regular Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, but then request an extra pump or two of vanilla and hazelnut syrups, plus a whole banana.
Apple Pie Frappuccino
How to order it: This hack is more complicated than most, but we’re sure you’ll be able to sweet talk the barista into making this all-American drink. They’ll need to fill up to the cup’s first line with cream and up to the second line with apple juice. Next, add two pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup and two pumps of caramel syrup. Then, blend the mix with ice.
Cake Batter Frappuccino
How to order it: Were you the type of child to eat cake batter straight from the bowl while your Mum was baking? If so, you’ll love this easy hack to recreate the flavour through your morning Frappuccino. All you need to do is order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and ask for extra almond flavouring to be added.
Captain Crunch Berry Frappuccino
How to order it: Captain Crunch is a much-loved US cereal, so if your efforts to find it in the UK have proved fruitless, you can always recreate the taste with a Starbucks Captain Crunch Berry Frappuccino. Start off with a Strawberries and Crème Frapp and add one pump each of caramel, hazelnut and toffee syrup, before finishing off with java chips.
Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino
How to order it: If you had told us a few years ago that we could enjoy the breakfast staple of cinnamon rolls in liquid form we probably wouldn’t have believed you, but with Starbucks anything is possible. To recreate a cinnamon roll, order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and add two (or more!) pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup on top.
Raspberry Cheesecake Mocha Frappuccino
How to order it: Part of the joy of Frappuccinos is that they are like delicious liquid desserts. This is especially true of the secret Raspberry Cheesecake Mocha Frappuccino. To achieve it, all you have to do is order a White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino and add up to three pumps of raspberry syrup, as well as a handful of vanilla sprinkles.
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Twix Frappuccino (pictured)
How to order it: The title for best chocolate bar in the UK is a hotly contested one, but a Twix sits among the greats in our humble opinion. You can enjoy a Twix Frappuccino at Starbucks by ordering a Caramel Frappuccino and then adding two pumps each of caramel syrup and hazelnut syrup, before finishing off with a sprinkling of java chips.
Nutella Frappuccino
How to order it: If you’ve ever felt inclined to eat Nutella straight out of the jar (no judgement here) then you know just how irresistible the chocolate spread can be. To recreate the taste at Starbucks, order a Coffee Frappuccino then add a pump of hazelnut syrup, two pumps of mocha syrup and blend in whipped cream. Top with caramel drizzle.
Biscotti Frappuccino
How to order it: While we admit that some of the Starbucks hacks on this list are a little complex, others are ridiculously simple. The Biscotti Frappuccino falls in the latter camp, because all you have to do is order a regular Vanilla Bean Frappuccino (or any Frapp for that matter) and ask your barista to blend a Biscotti biscuit in with it.
Orange Creamsicle Frappuccino
How to order it: To create this orange drink, you’ll need to get your barista to fill the cup with orange mango juice to the first line, followed by milk to the second line. Then create a base with pumps of cream and classic syrup, before adding ice and blending. Finish off with a topping of whipped cream.
Cadbury’s Crème Egg Frappuccino
How to order it: To recreate everyone’s favourite Eastertime treat, order a Java Chip Frappuccino and pad it out by adding two shots of espresso, as well as vanilla bean powder, caramel syrup and vanilla syrup. Remember to tailor the amount of pumps you add to the size of the cup you’re ordering.
Pumpkin Pie Frappuccino
How to order it: If you fancy amping up your Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino, ask your barista to add one to two pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, followed by blending in whipped cream and adding cinnamon dolce sprinkles on top. Note that the Pumpkin Spice Frapp is only available in the autumn, so you’ll need to time it right.
Red Velvet Frappuccino
How to order it: Red velvet cakes took the baking world by storm a few years back, and now the country’s red velvet obsession has turned to drinks. To make a Red Velvet Frappuccino, ask your barista to combine a half white chocolate mocha with half a regular mocha Frappuccino, then add two pumps of raspberry syrup and top your drink with whipped cream.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Frappuccino
How to order it: Next time you’re in the mood for something cinnamon, whip up a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Frappuccino with the help of your local barista. Combine a White Mocha Frappuccino with a pump of cinnamon dolce syrup, a dash of hazelnut syrup and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar on top.
Secret Starbucks menu Christmas drinks
Every year, the Starbucks Christmas menu is hotly anticipated, featuring festive versions of lattes, hot chocolates and more. We’ve been talking to Santa’s elves though and it turns out that there are a few off-menu Christmas sips you can order too, including some which are available all year round. Check them out below.
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Christmas Cookie Frappuccino (pictured)
How to order it: Fancy making your own festive drink outside of the official Starbucks Christmas menu? Well, you can enjoy this sip at any time of the year! Simply order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, then ask for two pumps of peppermint syrup and one pump of toffee nut syrup. Finish it off with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
Candy Cane Frappuccino
How to order it: We all know that everybody goes crazy for Starbucks around the Christmas season, so if you can’t get your hands on a drink from the coffee house’s festive menu, you might as well have a go at making your own. To try the Candy Cane Frappuccino, you just need to order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and ask for one or two pumps of peppermint syrup.
Ferrero Rocher Frappuccino
How to order it: Although the box of Ferrero Rocher in your kitchen cupboard is normally reserved for Christmas, they are available to buy all year round. You can also find them at your local Starbucks (kind of), by ordering the following combination: a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino topped up with mocha syrup, hazelnut syrup and hazelnut drizzle.
Holly Jolly Latte
How to order it: When the famous red cups return to Starbucks, it’s clear that the Christmas season is nearing. To give your latte a festive twist, ask for an Eggnog Chai Latte and then add one or two pumps of peppermint syrup. To finish up, top your Christmassy sip with nutmeg and a swirl of whipped cream.
Gingerbread Eggnog Chai
How to order it: Nothing says Christmas quite like gingerbread. To incorporate this festive treat into your morning pick-me-up, order a Chai Latte but request it to be made with eggnog instead of milk. To finish, add a pump or two of gingerbread syrup and top your drink with a helping of whipped cream.
If you want to expand your coffee knowledge beyond Starbucks, check out the London coffee shops and cafés that we can’t get enough of.