Starbucks Secret Menu: Off-Menu Drinks and How to Order
The Starbucks secret menu is not an official menu. It is a list of fan-made drinks that baristas build from regular ingredients, by starting with a menu drink and changing it. To order one, ask for the base drink and then list the changes, because most baristas will not know the nickname.
This guide covers popular off menu items at Starbucks and how to order each one. The prices below are the base drink price for a Grande from our Starbucks menu with prices. Extra syrups, sauces, drizzles and toppings can add to the cost.
Is There Really a Starbucks Secret Menu
No. Starbucks does not publish or train staff on a secret menu. The drink names come from customers and social media, and the recipes change from one source to the next. That means two baristas can make the same “secret” drink in slightly different ways.
All the drinks here are made from items that are already stocked. If a store is out of an ingredient, such as java chips or a seasonal syrup, the drink cannot be made as written.
Popular Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks and How to Order
Recipes come from several drink guides and fan posts, so treat them as starting points. Pump counts are for a Grande unless noted.
| Drink | How to order | Base drink (Grande, about) |
|---|---|---|
| Butterbeer Frappuccino | Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino with 3 pumps caramel syrup, 3 pumps toffee nut syrup and caramel drizzle on top. Whole milk is often suggested. | Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino, $5.60 |
| Twix Frappuccino | Caramel Frappuccino with 2 pumps hazelnut syrup, java chips, extra caramel sauce and mocha drizzle. | Caramel Frappuccino, $5.95 |
| Peanut Butter Cup Frappuccino | Mocha Frappuccino with toffee nut syrup, whipped cream and mocha drizzle. | Mocha Frappuccino, $5.95 |
| Nutella Frappuccino | Coffee Frappuccino with 2 pumps mocha syrup, 2 pumps hazelnut syrup and whipped cream, plus caramel and mocha drizzle. | Coffee Frappuccino, $5.60 |
| Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino | Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with white mocha syrup and cinnamon dolce syrup, topped with cinnamon dolce powder. | Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino, $5.60 |
| Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte | White Chocolate Mocha with 2 pumps cinnamon dolce syrup and whipped cream. Blonde espresso is a popular swap. | White Chocolate Mocha, $6.45 |
| Hot Cocoa Cold Brew | Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew with 2 pumps mocha syrup and extra sweet cream. | Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew, $5.65 |
| Cha Cha Latte | Matcha Tea Latte with chai syrup added. Works hot or iced. | Matcha Tea Latte, $5.45 |
| Dirty Chai Latte | Ask for a Caffe Latte with pumps of chai syrup. One fan tip is 4 pumps for a Grande, which can cost less than a chai latte with espresso added. | Caffe Latte, $4.95 |
| Strawberries and Cream Refresher | Strawberry Acai Refresher with no water, a light scoop of strawberry puree and sweet cream. | Strawberry Acai Refresher, $4.95 |
Prices are for the base drink only. Each syrup pump, sauce or topping can add a charge, and the final price depends on your store. Starbucks no longer charges extra for nondairy milk.
Secret Drinks That Became Official
Some secret drinks later joined the regular menu. The Pink Drink began as a fan idea with Strawberry Acai Refresher and coconut milk, and it now sells for about $5.45 as a Grande. The tea known as the Medicine Ball is another example. It is the same drink as the Honey Citrus Mint Tea, about $4.80 for a Grande. Read our full guide to the Starbucks Medicine Ball for the recipe and what is in it.
How to Order a Secret Menu Drink Politely
- Order by ingredients. Say the base drink first, then each change. Do not rely on the nickname.
- Use the app. Mobile order lets you add syrups, sauces and toppings without a long chat. It is the easiest way to order a custom drink.
- Keep it short. Long orders slow down the line. Choose a drink with three or four changes, not ten.
- Avoid rush hour. Custom drinks are easier for staff to make when the store is not busy.
- Be ready for a no. Baristas can say no if an ingredient is missing or the store is slammed.
- Consider a tip. Complex drinks take extra work, and a tip is a kind way to say thanks.
Seasonal and Limited-Time Notes
Some secret drinks use items that are not always sold, such as lavender powder, pumpkin sauce or peppermint syrup. If your store does not have the item, ask what is close. For what is on offer now, see our Starbucks fall menu and Starbucks holiday menu guides.
Secret Menu Tips to Save Money
Add-ons are where the cost grows, so pick drinks with few changes. Starting with a cheaper base, such as a Caffe Latte at about $4.95 instead of a White Chocolate Mocha at about $6.45, keeps the total lower. You can also order a Tall to cut the number of pumps. Rewards members can spend Stars to take money off a syrup or an espresso shot, which helps with custom drinks.
If you like the idea of trying off-menu drinks at other coffee shops, you can browse the Dunkin menu, the Dutch Bros menu, the Tim Hortons menu and the Scooter’s Coffee menu for base drinks to customize. Many of those shops have their own fan-made recipes too.
Frequently asked questions
Does Starbucks have a secret menu?
Not officially. The secret menu is a set of fan-made drinks that baristas build from regular ingredients. Starbucks does not publish it.
How do I order off menu items at Starbucks?
Ask for the base drink first, then list each change, such as the syrup pumps or toppings. The mobile app makes this easier.
How much do Starbucks secret menu drinks cost?
You pay for the base drink, about $4.95 to $6.45 for a Grande in our price check, plus a charge for add-ons. The final price depends on your store.
Will every barista know the secret menu names?
No. The names are not official, so order by ingredients and not by nickname.
Is the Medicine Ball a secret menu drink?
It started that way, but it is the same as the Honey Citrus Mint Tea, which is now on the menu.
Prices are typical U.S. prices before tax and can vary by location. Menus Info is not affiliated with any restaurant mentioned. See how we check prices.
