Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Life

Caffeine Fix: My Go-To Starbucks Drinks

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UIC chapter.

Coffee is a college student’s best friend. With busy schedules and sleepless nights, daily caffeine boosts are a necessity. Although my bank account may hate me for it, I frequently turn to Starbucks for a convenient coffee fix. As we get closer and closer to finals week, I will be relying on my favorite drinks to get me through the semester.

Iced Vanilla Latte with Oat Milk

Very basic, but a classic. I tried oat milk for the first time a couple months ago and fell in love. The milk has a thicker texture and adds subtle sweetness to any drink. The vanilla syrup provides the perfect balance to the bitter espresso. I will say that it is fairly easy to recreate this at home if you’re looking to save some money (which I should probably be doing).

Iced Chai Latte

The sweet mix of cinnamon and warm spices makes this drink perfect for adding a little coziness to a long day of working. While the black tea does have a considerable amount of caffeine, adding a shot of espresso can give you the extra boost you need to get through the day.

Double Shot on Ice

For me, this drink just screams sleep deprivation. When I’m running on a few hours of sleep and low on motivation, the double shot on ice gets me the energy I need to get into a productive mood. The rich shots of espresso are mixed with a bit of milk and classic syrup, all served over ice. I’m not a huge fan of bitter coffee, so I like to enjoy mine with vanilla sweet cream foam and white mocha syrup. 

Iced Matcha Latte with Soymilk

Over the last couple years, this drink has consistently been at the top of my favorites. Unlike traditional matcha, which has no added sugar, the Starbucks matcha is notably sweeter. Substituting for soymilk adds a richer texture and brings out flavors that are otherwise absent. It also tastes great served hot!

White Chocolate Mocha

I love rewarding myself with a white mocha after a tiring day. The sweetness can be a bit overpowering, so I would recommend ordering it “half sweet” to subdue the intensity. During the holiday season, I especially love the White Peppermint Mocha. The latte gets a festive twist with a subtle peppermint flavor.

Iqra is a third-year student majoring in Applied Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching her favorite shows on Netflix, and trying new coffee shops. Iqra also loves getting involved in creative projects!
UIC Contributor.