The 20 Best Warm Starbucks Drinks (Some Aren’t on the Menu)

If you’re like the many other coffee drinkers in the world, you likely spend a lot of time at Starbucks. If you don’t, then you may be missing out. The company continues to make some of the best coffee drinks in the world and many folks depend on them to provide the jump they need each morning. The company is particularly good when it comes to their hot beverages. Today, we’re going to tell you about the best warm Starbucks drinks. 

These are some of the best drinks they offer, and they are tasty and full of energy. Some of these aren’t even listed on the menu, so buckle up and let’s get started.

Cappuccino

This is one of Starbucks classic drinks, and it continues to be a fan favorite to this day. As the company puts it, this is a time-honored dark roast that brings with it notes of caramelized sugar and molasses. To make it, they brew one shot of espresso and then froth a warmed milk or dairy alternative. After combing them, they sprinkle chocolate or cinnamon shavings on top. This is a great beverage that will put some pep in your step, but it’s far from overpowering.

Honey Almond Milk Flat White

The Honey Almond Milk Flat White is a take on their Flat White beverage. It uses a combination of sweetened almond milk, blonde espresso, and a bit of honey. The result is a drink that is both nutty and sweet. This is a coffee drink for folks who don’t love coffee but still want that nice pick-me-up. If you do love the function of coffee more than the taste, then add an extra shot of espresso.

Cinnamon Dolce Latte

This is similar to the Caramel Macchiato, but it has a unique taste. It’s a drink that’s influenced by old Italy. While it’s a smaller drink that’s more like a shot of espresso, it packs a flavorful punch. To produce this drink, the barista uses hot, frothy milk to “stain” the espresso. This is a small drink, but it’s meant to be sipped like you were in a cafe in Italy. If you need a coffee boost, consider this drink.

Espresso Macchiato

This is similar to the Caramel Macchiato, but it has a unique taste. It’s a drink that’s influenced by old Italy. While it’s a smaller drink that’s more like a shot of espresso, it packs a flavorful punch. To produce this drink, the barista uses hot frothy milk to “stain” the espresso. This is a small drink, but it’s meant to be sipped like you were in a cafe in Italy. If you need a coffee boost, consider this drink.

Pumpkin Spice Latte

Even if you don’t typically drink coffee, you've likely heard of the Pumpkin Spice Latte. To create it, baristas pour steamed milk over espresso to create a latte. The pumpkin spice is created by using a combination of nutmeg, pumpkin, cinnamon, and clove. The mixture is then topped with whipped cream and a light dusting of the famous pumpkin spice. Drink this beverage too much, and it can be overwhelming, but as a casual beverage, it’s very tasty.

Snickerdoodle Latte

The first of the best warm Starbucks drinks is one that’s not on the menu, and it’s the Snickerdoodle Latte. It’s like eating a liquified cookie, and it’s perfect on winter days. To make it, ask for a modified Blonde Vanilla Latte. Next, you add up to two pumps of white mocha syrup, milk streamed with ground cinnamon and a single pump of cinnamon dolce syrup. To perfect the combination, ask to have it topped with cinnamon dolce topping and whipped cream.

White Chocolate Mocha

If you’re looking for a warm drink that’s like enjoying a delicious dessert, then the White Chocolate Mocha is for you. This is a sweet drink that’s made with whipped cream and white chocolate, but it does have espresso, which means it will still keep you on your toes. There’s also steamed milk. Granted, this drink is not for everyone. If you’re just looking for a pick-me-up, then you may go with the standard coffee. However, if you’re looking for something special, this is the way to go.

Espresso

When you ask most people about a type of coffee with which they’re familiar, many will likely say espresso. It’s a widely popular classic Italian coffee that packs a powerful punch, though it’s only made with hot water and finely ground coffee. Starbucks uses an espresso roast, which provides signature caramel notes. This is only for folks who demand a strong drink to get through the day. If you haven’t had one before, you may want to build your way up to it. 

Espresso Con Panna

When you’re looking for the next level of espresso, go with the con panna. It’s made with two shots of espresso and it's topped off with lots of whipped cream. It’s light and sugary and has notes of both bold and bitter. When it’s all combined, it's delicious. Yet another espresso variation is the doppio, which is simply two shots of espresso.

Peppermint Mocha

Although it’s only available during the winter, the Peppermint Mocha is a must-have during your Starbucks run. Ask the barista for this one and you’ll get a combination of mocha sauce, brewed espresso, peppermint, and dark chocolate, and it's all loaded with tasty whipped cream. This drink is tasty, but it’s also super sweet since it’s made of two different types of syrup, so beware if you don’t like sweetness.

Caramel Macchiato

The Caramel Macchiato is a great drink that goes well in all seasons. This drink is fairly simple. It’s espresso, caramel drizzle, vanilla syrup, and fresh milk that’s steamed and poured into a cup. This drink is sweet like the Peppermint Mocha, but it’s not so sweet that it's overpowering. If you like the sweetness but you also want an extra caffeine boost, ask for the grande, which comes with an extra shot of espresso. 

Cafe Americano

This is one of the easiest drinks your barrisats can make, but it’s a great pick-me-up, and it's the Cafe Americano. This drink only requires espresso and hot water, but it’s very refreshing. It’s close to being like typical drip coffee but it’s much smoother. As an interesting fact, this coffee gets its name based on the fact that Americans in Italy prefer it and often ask for it because Italian cafes don’t have the capability to make drip coffee.  

Oatmeal Milk Latte

This customized beverage is a bit of an acquired taste, but it is still one of the best warm Starbucks drinks that’s not technically on the menu. It’s basically a play on the Almond Honey Flat White. However, you would order oat milk to replace the almond milk and request no more than three pumps of vanilla syrup. It’s a very grounded drink that will set you up for success the rest of the day.

Nutella Hot Chocolate

There’s nothing quite like a hot chocolate on fall or winter days when the chill in the air is a bit too much to take. This special drink is not on the menu. The good news is that it’s very easy to order. You start with a simple hot cocoa. Then, add 1-2 pumps of hazelnut syrup because that’s what gives you the Nutella flavor. Finally, top off this masterpiece with sprinkles or chocolate drizzles and whipped cream.

Toasted Pumpkin Marshmallow Latte

You won’t find this drink officially listed on the menu, but it’s available, especially during the fall season. When you place your order, you tell the barista that you’re asking for a modified Pumpkin Spice Latte. The modifications include making it with half and half for creaminess and then adding at least two but no more than three pumps of toasted white mocha syrup. Finally, ask it to be topped off with the cinnamon dolce topping instead of the typical pumpkin spice topping.

Blonde Vanilla Latte

This is a great drink for casual Starbucks who are looking for something to give them a little boost without being too strong. As the name suggests, the drink is made with blonde espresso that’s lighter to drink and better for sipping. There’s also vanilla syrup that provides a nice sweetness, and steamed milk creates a taste that’s not too potent. It’s a great drink that will keep you going, at least during the first half of your workday. 

Vanilla Creme

This is one of the few beverages on this list that is amazing, but it doesn’t contain any coffee. It’s a drink that you can enjoy while at home watching TV, or you can order it if you go to Starbucks with a friend and you just want something tasty. It’s made with pumps of sweet vanilla syrup and steamed milk, and then it’s loaded with whipped cream. This is not a drink to pass up.

Raspberry Cheesecake Latte

This one seems almost too good to be true, and it is, at least for most people, because it’s not on the menu. To get it, you simply order the basic version of the latte with your chosen variety of milk. Then, request 1-2 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, caramel syrup, and raspberry syrup. Finally, add some whipped cream. It’s like having your favorite piece of cheesecake in liquid form, and it’s a true game-changer. Tell your friends about it, and maybe one day it will be a permanent fixture on the menu.

Flat White

This beverage is essentially espresso and steamed whole milk. The secret is that the espresso is ristretto shots. It’s a great coffee drink for people who don’t want something that puts them on edge. It’s mild, but it does the job. The drink also doesn't include any added sweeteners or sugars.

Medicine Ball

Our final entry on the list of the best warm Starbucks drinks is the Medicine Ball, which is another beverage that’s more of a tea than a coffee. You won’t find this on every menu, but it is starting to pop up in some places. You may see it called the Honey Citrus Mint Tea. In reality, it’s simply a mix of citrus, green tea, mint, and honey. You can ask for that at the counter. It’s a great drink for colder days and for sore throats.

Conclusion

These are some of the best warm Starbucks drinks that you can get at the popular restaurant. There are many other available beverages that will suit your needs, but if you love coffee, you must check these out at least once. Remember that you can make your own drink your way, so stop in and be creative!

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com.