I began working at the Michigan State University Starbucks last November. During my time there I have met many great people, learned a great deal, and tried a wide variety of drinks and food. There are so many options available at Starbucks, it can feel overwhelming to decide what’s good. In this article, I will categorize all the different foods and drinks based on the types of dishes being served.
Milk Options
At Starbucks, we understand that everyone has their unique preferences. That’s why we offer a wide range of milk options including whole, 2%, skim/non-fat, oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, and soy milk. Whether you’re a fan of the creaminess of whole milk or the nutty flavor of almond milk, there’s something for everyone. My personal favorite is oat milk, but feel free to choose your own.
Espresso Types
Blonde, regular, and decaf are the available options. Blonde is the sweetest kind of espresso and my favorite. Regular espresso is the standard and decaf espresso is the same type with little to no caffeine.
Hot Coffee
Options are Pike Place, Sumatra etc. (plain black coffee), hot latte, which is espresso with steamed milk (you can add any flavor you want), mocha and white mocha, americanos, which is espresso with hot water, cappuccino, which is a latte but with extra foam, caramel macchiato, which is steamed milk first, then espresso, and caramel drizzle.
While many people dislike hot coffee, especially teenagers and young adults, I have found myself enjoying it from time to time. I particularly enjoy a brown sugar latte with steamed oat milk and blonde espresso. The brown sugar adds a subtle sweetness, the oat milk creates a creamy texture, and the blonde espresso brings a unique flavor profile.
Hot Drinks
Chai tea latte, chai water and steamed milk, and matcha latte, steamed milk with matcha in it are the options.
Cold Coffees
If you’re a fan of iced coffees, you’re in for a treat at Starbucks. We offer a variety of options including iced coffee, cold brew, iced lattes, caramel macchiatos, iced white mochas, and mochas. One of the most popular choices is the brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso, which I also enjoy. However, all our iced coffees are popular, so you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Refreshers
Strawberry acai, mango dragon fruit, and a seasonal flavor, currently blackberry sage, are always available. Each drink also has a coconut version: the pink drink for the strawberry acai, the dragon drink for the mango dragon fruit, and the midnight drink for the blackberry sage. I am a die-hard strawberry acai fan, but I prefer mine with just water, which is something to try. Be sure to keep an eye out as refreshers rotate and new ones emerge.
Cold Drinks
Frappuccinos are essentially milkshakes with coffee added, but they have a different consistency. Matcha and iced teas are also available. I typically don’t reach for any of these items as I like other things, and none of them appeal to me.
Teas
There are many different tea options at Starbucks, including passion, green, and black teas. People typically mix and match these teas with lemonade and peach juice. There are also a bunch of hot teas. The ones that are the most popular, and my favorites, are the honey citrus mint tea, a chamomile and honey blend with water and steamed lemonade, and the London fog, which is earl grey with milk and vanilla. The London fog can also be iced. My favorite tea to order is the London fog with oat milk and lavender (seasonal powder) cold foam.
Pastries
There are many different pastry options available. My favorites are the chocolate croissants, chocolate brownie (which is unfortunately being discontinued), blueberry muffin, and the everything bagel. There are many more options though and some of the most popular ones are the cheese danish, the butter croissant, cake pops, and loaves.
Sandwiches
At Starbucks, they have lunch sandwiches and breakfast sandwiches. They offer a variety of options and have a lot to choose from. The most popular choices are the bacon gouda, sausage egg wrap, and double-smoked, but it ultimately comes down to the consumer’s preference. For the sandwiches people typically choose grilled cheese or a ham and Swiss panini, but all are popular options. Additionally, some more different bites are popular and pretty delicious. My favorites of the sandwiches are the egg pesto mozzarella and the grilled cheese. I also love pairing these with avocado spread to enhance the flavor and make them even more yummy.
All in all, there are many options and variations of drinks available at Starbucks. I recommend downloading the Starbucks app to earn rewards, place mobile orders, and view all the customizable options. Ask employees what their favorite go-to is, and feel free to share your recommendations and experiences with your Starbucks employees!