When it comes to the best coffees, it’s a miss if not mention the best Starbucks iced coffee drinks. From traditional coffee to espresso, all of them capture customers’ hearts. Yet, which are the differences between these kinds? And whether we can brew them at home?
If you’re a fan of this famous brand, don’t miss our post about Starbucks’ iced coffee. We make sure it will not let you down.
12 Best Starbucks Iced Coffee – Top Ranking From Starbuck Lovers
1. Iced Coffee Drink
Overview
If you have a chance to visit Starbucks on a certain summer day, don’t miss the traditional iced coffee. This drink is considered an icon of the brand at the top of the menu! We admit that this is one of the boldest and most cheery coffee tastes ever we’ve experienced.
So, how do bartenders make a Starbucks iced cafe glass?
The iced cafe comes brewed with double strength and hot water having the temperature twice than usual, then cooled down quickly.
After that, they will mix this liquid coffee with syrup to ease its bitterness as well as sourness without losing the original smell and taste. This special syrup is a mixture of sugar dissolved with water with a 1:1 ratio. Sometimes, they use another material like vanilla or cinnamon instead of sugar.
Only with three straightforward ingredients: coffee, ice, and syrup, this is how Starbucks makes a delicious beverage that pleases even the pickiest drinkers.
Make An Iced Coffee At Home
Want to enjoy a cup of Starbucks coffee without queuing up at the store? Well, here are some guides about the pick-up materials and some tips for brewing. Take note, and you’ll have a barista-quality homemade iced coffee.
The secret behind the yummy Starbucks iced coffee is the pure cafe drops brewed by a specialized coffee machine. So, it would help if you refrigerate this liquid by putting it into the fridge as soon as you take it from the coffee maker.
This way, you can keep its original taste and smell.
The next key to creating this famous drink’s success lies in making syrup. Starbucks knows that sugar doesn’t have its moment when stirred directly into the liquid cafe, yet it only sinks under the bottom of the glass.
Hence, they have created the liquid sugar recipe (half sugar and half water), and it’s effortless for you to make it at home. You can also store this mixture in the refrigerator for extended shelf life.
Every time you crave a coffee glass, just pour a little into a cup, add a sufficient amount of syrup and then put lots of ice in! It’s time to sip a homemade iced coffee.
2. Cold Brew
Overview
You can easily catch the insight of many comments giving compliments to cold brew drinks at Starbucks. That’s why you should try this drink at least once in your life.
Instead of going through grinding like the iced kind, beans for cold brew will be slow-stepped in water for 20 hours at room temperature. This way, this five-star drink of Starbuck becomes smoother and contains so much caffeine.
Alongside normal cold brew, Starbucks also has Nariño nitrogen cold brew produced from the coffee blend of Colombia – known as the homeland of fruity and nutty beans.
Unlike cold brew types, this nitrogen beverage will be served with a smooth foam layer above the surface of the cup without ice.
But both would not include sugar or any filler ingredients to keep the authentic taste of the brewing process in customers’ hands.
Way To Have Better Cold Brew At Home
It would be best if you got a coffee grinder at home. The grinding step requires a high standard of coarseness to ensure the smoothness of coffee grounds and keep them out of bitterness when leaving overnight.
Hence, you should have to separate beans into many batches to easily watch and control the grinding strength.
The next thing you should consider is dividing and measuring the ratio between water and coffee grounds. Here is the standard recipe for you. Every ounce of coffee will correspond to each cup of water.
With that ratio, you will get drip falling around a half-ounce of coffee per cup. Depending on how large the cup is and how much coffee you wish to get, you can adjust up and down the above recipe accordingly.
You also need to pay attention to the filter during brewing. This is the crucial stage to determine whether your cafe cup gets pure.
Starbucks has professional tools to brew and filter, relying on gravity to pull the coffee drops out of the coffee ground. But, you are able to do the step with a filter without the assistance of this equipment.
Using the filter may put you in a pickle. It will become a mess if you are not skilled in doing it manually.
Yet, let’s think of the moment you can enjoy with it! We believe that this is worth it.
3. Iced Latte
Overview
Latte is the combination of espresso and milk, with milk taking up the majority. Trust us! Missing it will be your regret ever.
Let’s see why we said that!
At Starbucks, they serve this drink in 2 types: hot or cold with the amount of espresso and milk depending on the size of the cup.
Compared to other drinks made with espresso, the ratio of milk in lattes is much more (normally 2% milk). Yet, you could request more than this figure.
You also can order drinks following the half and half recipe, or even choose one different material like soy, oat, or almond milk instead of fat milk to minimize high calorie consumption.
Almost all beverages of Starbucks have a signature syrup to flavor the drinks. Latte is not an exception. Vanilla and cinnamon dolce syrup are two common ingredients used for this drink.
Starbucks baristas use a scoop to estimate how much ice they should put into a cup of iced lattes. But if you would like a lot of ice, just ask them – they never refuse to add for you.
Make A Homemade Starbucks Iced Vanilla Latte
It’s time to try making the Starbucks iced vanilla latte at home! Let’s apply our recipe to have a latte cup in 5 minutes without wasting time and money.
The first important thing is that we have to choose high-quality coffee. You cannot expect a high-end product that the quality of ingredients is not guaranteed.
Coffee beans are always the priority choice for latte brewing, but instant coffee is not as bad as you think. Indeed, a premium instant coffee pack can give you a latte glass faster if your friends visit your home.
Because latte brew uses more syrup, it would be best to prepare a batch of vanilla syrup in advance. Here is the detailed method.
First of all, put all brown sugar, granulated sugar, and water into a saucepan with the ratio: ½ – ½ – ¾ cup, respectively. Then, boil the mixture at low heat until it becomes thicker. Finally, stir it with two tablespoons of vanilla!
Once this mix cools down, pour the liquid into a bottle with a lid and store it in the fridge! There is a little note for you: this syrup is only fresh for a week; toss it if you take it longer.
4. Iced Americano
Overview
Another iced drink must-have in your iced coffee list is Iced Americano. The traditional way to brew an Americano is to dilute liquid espresso with water and then add a lot of ice. But, Starbucks baristas do these steps in contrast.
It means that they put water into the espresso shots to make a crema layer for their drink without making any changes in the overall taste. You can see the crema on the surface of an Americano cup, while it doesn’t appear with normal iced coffee.
However, not all espresso can create a refreshing Americano. It must be an espresso from an espresso machine or an official Nespresso.
Starbucks serves this drink in 3 main sizes: tall (12 ounces), grande (16 ounces), and venti (24 ounces), which contain 2 – 3 – 4 shots of espresso in the order given.
In addition, they also have decaf and blonde espresso to use for special Americano. One thing you need to know is that there is no syrup or milk added to an Americano cup. Thus, if you adore them in your drink, let’s note them during ordering.
Prepare Drink At Home
Whether or not we can do this drink at home? – And the answer is yes.
An espresso machine is required in making an Americano.
Yet, if you don’t have one, don’t worry, and try with a Moka pot. It is not difficult to find this coffee maker at an affordable price.
Now, get the pot on the stove and boil the water! After that, you pour this amount of boiled water into a cup and get an ice cube. Fill approximately ¾ of the cup, and then insert two shots of espresso simultaneously!
5. Iced Cafe Mocha
Overview
We’re reaching very close to the end of the iced coffee list that you must try at Starbucks. In this section, we will mention iced cafe mocha.
This drink is a combination of dark espresso, white chocolate mocha, milk, and ice. The barista will cover it with whipped cream on the top of the cup. So, you can feel the fatty and mouthful taste on your tongue right from the first sips.
If you like a kind of cream drink, it will be the best option ever.
Make Your Own Iced Caffe Mocha With Expert Tips
Choosing good quality chocolate will determine the success of bartending at home. That’s because it enables your drink to be rich and fragrant.
You ought to use cocoa powder or utilize chocolate syrup for cooking hot chocolate. Similar to these above kinds, you can prepare this syrup in 2-week advance and preserve it in your refrigerator.
After that, you whip the cream up and put it on top of the cup.
6. Iced Shaken Espresso
Overview
The last one on this list that we would like to introduce to you is iced shaken espresso. The drink doesn’t have much sweetness and calories.
One of the unique things about brewing: this kind is handcrafted and shaken by a barista. Thereby, it requires workmanship at a high level to shake an iced espresso.
After the shaking step, they will add half of the classic syrup and then pour a cold milk layer to complete an iced shaken espresso.
There are some variants of iced shaken espresso you could hit a try, like iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso, and iced chocolate Almond Milk shaken espresso.
How To Make An Iced Shaken Espresso As Starbucks Barista Do?
The shaken espresso has basic ingredients such as ice, espresso, classical syrup, and milk. All you need is a shaker and then put all the materials except for milk and shake it. Is it simple, right?
Shake it strongly about 10 times to make sure that all things are well mixed. The final step is that you cover around 2% milk on top of the mixture.
After finishing, let’s find a chair and sit down to enjoy your result!
7. Iced Espresso
As we all know, espresso is the base of Starbucks’ coffee. It plays an important role in making each cup of joe perfect. The iced espresso drinks at this chain often come with different syrups, milk, and cream. You can choose to have them blended or unblended as you like.
8. The Pink Drink (Strawberry Acai Refresher)
This is one of the most popular Starbucks iced coffee drinks in recent years. And it’s not only because of its attractive color but also the lovely taste.
The main ingredients of this drink include:
– 1 pack of strawberry acai refresher
– 3 pumps of vanilla syrup
– Coconut milk
– A cup of ice
For those who don’t know, the strawberry acai refresher is a powdery mix of white tea, acai berry juice, and freeze-dried strawberries. It has a sour-sweet taste with an aromatic undertone of hibiscus.
First, you make the strawberry acai refresher according to the instruction on the pack. Then, add 3 pumps of vanilla syrup (you can adjust the amount to get your desired sweetness).
After that, pour in some coconut milk (again, you can control the amount to get your ideal consistency). Finally, add a cup of ice and give it a good stir. Voila! Your lovely pink drink is done.
9. S’mores Frappuccino
This is a classic and rich-flavored iced coffee that everybody falls in love with at the first sip. The drink features a creamy blend of chocolate, marshmallow, and graham cracker, making it perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
To make this yummy frappuccino at home, you will need:
– 1 cup of coffee
– 1/2 cup of milk
– 1/3 cup of chocolate syrup
– 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
– 3 tablespoons of marshmallow fluff
– 2 graham crackers, crushed
Preparation:
1. Brew the coffee and let it cool down.
2. In a blender, combine the coffee, milk, chocolate syrup, and vanilla extract.
3. Add marshmallow fluff and graham crackers.
4. Blend until smooth and serve over ice.
10. Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew
This is one of the most unique and best-selling Starbucks iced coffees. It has a foamy layer on top that is made of nitrogen gas combined with vanilla sweet cream.
The drink itself is cold brew coffee that is slowly steeped for 20 hours, then blended with milk and sugar. What makes it so special and different is the texture and flavor.
The drink is creamy and slightly sweet with a hint of vanilla. It’s also less acidic and has a mellower taste than traditional coffee.
Nitro cold brew is not only unique but also healthy for you as it contains more antioxidants than other types of coffee. If you have a chance to visit Starbucks, don’t forget to try this drink.
11. Iced Honey Almondmilk Flat White
This is one of the most popular iced coffee drinks from Starbucks. It contains a shot of espresso, steamed milk, and flavored syrup – in this case, honey and almond. If you want to make it at home, all you need is:
– 1/2 cup whole milk
– 2 tablespoons of honey
– 1 tablespoon almond butter
– 1 shot of espresso
Instructions:
1. Heat the milk and honey in a saucepan over medium heat.
2. Once it’s hot, add the almond butter and stir until combined.
3. Pour the mixture into a blender and blend until frothy.
4. Pour the espresso into a glass and top with the frothy milk.
5. Serve immediately.
12. Iced Caramel Macchiato
The iced caramel macchiato is one of the best Starbucks iced coffee drinks. It has a sweet and rich flavor with hints of vanilla, coffee, and caramel. The drink is made by layering espresso, milk, and ice, then adding a shot of caramel syrup on top.
Tips For Ordering Starbucks Iced Coffee Drinks
Starbucks’ iced coffee drinks are available in different flavors, sizes, and intensities. You can find them in any Starbucks store or order them online to get delivered to your doorstep.
When you come to Starbucks, the first thing you see is a long list of drinks with confusing names and no detailed explanation. If you don’t know what to order, here are some tips from us:
– Firstly, know your coffee. There are 4 main types of iced coffee at Starbucks: cold brew, blonde roast, Pike’s Place roast, and espresso.
– Secondly, identify the flavors you like. If you want a sweet iced coffee, matcha or chocolate can be added to your drink. You can also choose from a variety of syrups such as caramel, vanilla, or hazelnut.
– Thirdly, choose your milk. The most popular milk options are whole milk, 2% milk, soy milk, and almond milk.
– Fourthly, decide on the size that you want. Tall, Grande, or Venti?
– Lastly, choose the number of pumps of syrup that you want. The more pumps, the sweeter your drink will be.
FAQs About Best Starbucks Iced Coffee
1. What is the most popular latte flavor?
There are many flavors of latte that you can find at Starbucks, but the most popular one is probably the vanilla latte. It has a smooth and creamy taste that many people love.
If you’re looking for something different, you can also try the caramel latte or the mocha latte. Both of them are also very popular and have their own unique flavors.
2. What coffee is sweet at Starbucks?
The answer is the caramel macchiato. It’s a drink made of espresso, milk, and caramel sauce. The barista will finish it with vanilla-flavored syrup.
This coffee is suitable for those who want to try something sweet but not too sugary. If you love the smell of caramel, this one is definitely for you.
3. Which Starbucks coffee is the least bitter?
As we all know, Starbucks is the king when it comes to coffee. The coffee beans they use are roasted to perfection, and the baristas make sure each cup is served with love.
However, not everyone can handle the strong taste of Starbucks coffee. If you’re one of them, don’t worry because we’ve got you covered.
We will introduce to you the 5 least bitter Starbucks coffee drinks:
1. Blonde Roast Coffee
If you’re looking for a less intense coffee, Blonde Roast is the way to go. It has a smooth and mellow taste that is perfect for those who are new to the coffee world. Blonde Roast is made with Starbucks’ lightest-roasted beans.
2. Pike Place Roast Coffee
Pike Place Roast is another great choice for those who want to enjoy a cup of Starbucks without the bitter taste. It has a medium-roast profile that is well-balanced and smooth. Pike Place Roast is a great everyday coffee that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.
3. Caffe Misto
This coffee drink is made with Starbucks’ signature Blonde Roast coffee and steamed milk. It has a smooth and creamy texture that is perfect for those who want to enjoy a cup of Starbucks without the bitter taste.
4. Cappuccino
A cappuccino is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. It has a strong and intense flavor that is perfect for those who want to enjoy a cup of Starbucks without the bitter taste.
5. Latte
A latte is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed milk. It has a smooth and creamy texture that is perfect for those who want to enjoy a cup of Starbucks without the bitter taste.
These are the 5 least bitter Starbucks coffee drinks that you can try. If you’re looking for a less intense coffee, Blonde Roast is the way to go.
4. What is Starbucks famous for?
The first thing that comes to our mind is the green-white logo with a twin-tailed mermaid. It becomes an icon and one of the most successful branding in the world. Moreover, Starbucks is also famous for its luxury space design and professional baristas who create high-quality coffee drinks.
In addition, this American company also provides a variety of products such as pastries, sandwiches, and salads,… And Starbucks iced coffee is definitely one of the most popular drinks.
5. What does iced coffee mean?
Iced coffee refers to a type of cold coffee drink. It’s made by brewing hot coffee and then pouring it over ice cubes or adding ice cream. This way helps to create a smooth and less bitter taste.
Coffee ice cubes are also a great way to make iced coffee. You can make them by freezing leftover coffee in an ice tray, then adding them to your drink.
6. What is Starbucks Secret Menu?
Did you know that Starbucks has a “secret menu”? It’s true! The so-called “secret menu” is a list of drinks that are not on the regular Starbucks menu. These drinks are created by baristas and customers alike.
To order a drink from the secret menu, you simply need to know the recipe and order it by name. The best part about the secret menu is that it’s always changing. So, if you’re a Starbucks fan, be sure to check back often to see what new drinks have been added!
7. How do you order Starbucks caramel iced coffee?
There are two ways to order caramel iced coffee from Starbucks. The first one is by using the Starbucks app, and the second one is through the drive-thru. If you want to use the app, you have to create an account and login.
Once you’re logged in, click on the “Order” button and select “coffee”. You can then choose the type of coffee you want, and add caramel to it. If you want to order through the drive-thru, simply tell the barista that you want a caramel iced coffee.
Last Words
What is the best Starbucks iced coffee that you’re looking for? The list we refer to might help you find the ideal drink for yourself.
These drinks are served at Starbucks in all seasons. What are you still waiting for? Hang out with your friends and try at least one kind on our list! If the lockdown has put you off, our homemade guide will come in handy.
Thank you and see you soon!
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