18 Best Starbucks Drinks For Vegans

Navigating Starbucks can be challenging or intimidating for plant-based coffee and tea drinkers. Vegans, the lactose intolerant, and folks who just don't care for milk or animal products have to be diligent about double- and triple-checking a drink recipe before ordering. Even then, you run the risk of residual dairy ending up in your coffee because of the shared preparation areas (via Starbucks allergen disclosures) or an ingredient containing sneaky dairy/animal products. For example, the Starbucks chai concentrate contains honey, so even making a chai tea latte with alternative milk wouldn't be a vegan drink. There's also some mixed information out there over whether Starbucks sprinkles contain the animal product gelatin, so opting out of sprinkles altogether is the safest option for a plant-based Starbucks order.

A flurry of conversation sparked around vegan Starbucks options after the announcement of the fully-plant-based Applecrisp Oatmilk Macchiato in 2022, and with many newer products on the chain's menu already animal-product-free as a default, it's a perfect time to start curating a list of vegan S-bucks favorites. (Keep in mind that while Starbucks doesn't offer certified vegan beverages, they're vegan-friendly.) Our amazing baristas are often running 100 miles per hour — so if you are nervous to ask about what's vegan at Starbucks and hold up the line, we've compiled a list of our favorite vegan drinks, plus a few recommendations from other plant-based Starbucks lovers.

The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is a tweaked version of a longtime favorite. Before this year's fall menu, the drink was actually the Apple Crisp Macchiato and made with cow milk as a default. When it launched the product last year, Starbucks admitted that the exploration of fruit and coffee flavors combined is "a new territory" for the brand and that the drink's development was in response to a clear needs-more-apple message from customers. The new 2022 recipe is made with all the same components — apple brown sugar syrup, blonde espresso, spiced apple drizzle — except it replaces the default cow's milk with dairy-free oat milk, making it Starbucks' first official fall vegan drink.

We tried the plant-based reinvention of the autumn favorite when the seasonal menu dropped in August 2022, and the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato received positive marks in its hot, iced, and blended forms. The recipe is tailored around the inclusion of oat milk, but if you'd like to use a different alternative, we'd recommend almond first and then soy.

Cinnamon dolce is a warm, comforting permanent Starbucks flavor perfect for cold-day pick-me-ups. The default Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte recipe, though, uses 2% milk as its base and tops the drink with whipped cream. The cinnamon dolce syrup is, fortunately, animal product free, so all you need to do is choose your favorite alt milk and forgo the whipped cream. The cinnamon dolce sprinkles are also made with a butter product, so you'll sadly need to skip those too.

You can use whatever alternative milk you prefer to make the Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte vegan, but we recommend oat milk. It smells and tastes like the crumbly streusel on top of a baked good or a comforting bowl of oatmeal. Almond milk goes great in this latte, too, for a taste like cinnamon-roasted almonds. The only thing you'll miss out on, of course, is the toppings — you can ask for extra foam and a sprinkle of cinnamon powder on top of your drink if you want something comparable to sip on.

Since mocha is the only Starbucks sauce free of animal products, building several favorites off this ingredient will expand your vegan Starbucks menu. You can add any syrup to the mocha that you'd like, but we recommend ordering an iced mocha made with toffee nut syrup and almond milk. This beverage is the perfect level of sweetness and tastes like a decadent candy bar. Be sure to indicate no whipped cream, too, since that is a default part of the recipe.

Here are some other vegan ways to variate the iced mocha that we love: substitute coconut milk and add vanilla syrup (tastes like Mounds); substitute almond milk and add hazelnut and caramel syrups for a Turtle/Snickers latte; substitute oat milk and add cinnamon dolce for an iced mocha inspired by the spicy Mexican chocolate mole; or use soymilk in an iced mocha with raspberry for a chocolate-raspberry tart flavor. There are infinite ways to personalize any drink made with mocha sauce, but keep in mind that Starbucks' other three sauces — pumpkin, white mocha, and caramel — contain milk products in the United States.

Until the pumpkin sauce is made dairy-free in the U.S., or at least until a plant-based pumpkin syrup alternative is released (cough cough, Starbucks), vegan customers must sadly find other autumnal drinks to enjoy in the September-October season. The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato remains a leading choice, but if that one is a bit too heavy or sweet for you, try a vegan-ized Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice instead. This steamy, comforting fall pick is normally made by combining steamed apple juice with cinnamon dolce syrup, then topping the creation with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

Sadly, the best part — the caramel sauce — is made with dry milk and heavy cream, so to vegan-ize Starbucks apple cider, you'll need to ask for caramel syrup in the drink instead. We have to be honest — we find this preferable, since a little bit of drizzle on top isn't enough to get a caramel apple flavor, anyway. You'll be missing out on the whipped cream, but there's a chance your barista will be willing to whip up cinnamon almond milk hot foam to top the cider with instead. It's perfect for an afternoon of apple picking.

We think matcha is magical; it's loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that may regular blood pressure, help defend the body against cancer, regulate cholesterol, and boost energy, per WebMD. But since the Starbucks Iced Matcha Tea Latte is made with cow's milk as a default, we have to tweak the latte a little to reap as much plant-based goodness as possible. We think matcha lattes are made best with coconut milk; something about the two flavors together is irresistible, and we feel coconut milk rarely harmonizes with other tastes rather than clashing with them. Plus, the fat content in coconut milk helps mimic the silky-smooth texture of matcha made with dairy.

If you want to jazz up your matcha a little, try adding a pump or two of raspberry syrup. The tart fruitiness goes so well with the slightly-sweet matcha and rich coconut milk. We think citrus and tart berries go best with matcha, but vanilla is another popular additive. Starbucks' Iced Matcha Lemonade is also vegan by default and not milk based at all if you're searching for a lighter fare.

The Starbucks Pistachio Latte is a seasonal fan favorite, but since the drink is made with cow's milk and a dairy-based pistachio sauce, vegan coffee drinkers don't get to participate in this holiday-time delight. Vegan Starbucks fans on Instagram claim to have come up with a passable alternative: a matcha latte with no cane sugar, adding hazelnut and toffee nut syrups, and substituting in almond milk. The recipe is an attempt to recreate the nutty pistachio flavor without the dairy-based pistachio sauce, but it does miss out on the salted brown butter cookie-flavored topping (which, according to the topping's ingredients, doesn't contain any animal products). We haven't tried the customer-created alternative, but it comes with positive reviews.

Pistachios have a unique flavor, however, so if you have the time to commit to a homemade vegan pistachio latte, we recommend going for it. All you'll need are pistachios, hot water, coffee or espresso, a date for sweetening, vanilla, and sea salt. The pistachios are easily made into milk by soaking them in water and then blending them. Then the milk is combined with the other ingredients for a smooth latte that is both authentically pistachio and truly vegan.

Looking for a refreshingly delicious pick-me-up? The delectable Passion Tea Lemonade is one of our top recommendations. This unique beverage is not just an herbal tea, it's a palate-pleasing experience created from Teavana's standout Passion Tango tea.

This blend features intriguing notes of lemongrass, lending a subtle citrus undertone. The bold hibiscus adds a radiant pink hue, while apple infusions bring a hint of fruity sweetness. The tea is then meticulously shaken together with zesty lemonade, yielding a delightfully sweet and tangy drink that's the epitome of refreshment.

Considering this is an herbal tea-based drink, it's an excellent choice to introduce your children to the diverse range of Starbucks beverages, making it a family-friendly option. You, too, are sure to enjoy the well-balanced taste. And for those with a sweet tooth, Starbucks is always ready to cater to your preferences. Just ask your friendly barista to add a touch more sweetener.

What sets this drink apart is its exquisite taste, refreshing character, and vegan-friendly nature. It's right off the menu, no alterations or substitutions are necessary, making it a go-to choice for those adhering to a vegan lifestyle. Feeling adventurous? Consider adding apple or peach juice into the mix for a delightful twist. These could serve as exciting substitutes or could be incorporated in addition to the lemonade, leading to a multi-layered flavor profile. 

If you're drawn to a drink with a more vibrant magenta hue, the Dragon Drink should be your go-to choice. This beverage shares similarities with the Pink Drink, but it swaps the Strawberry Açaí base for the Mango Dragonfruit Refreshers base, resulting in a richer color and a slightly different taste profile.

The Dragon Drink's ingredient list mirrors that of the Pink Drink, but it boasts freeze-dried dragon fruit pieces instead of freeze-dried strawberries. These fruit pieces lend a unique exotic flavor that's distinctly different from its pink cousin. Like the Pink Drink, the Dragon Drink also has a base of creamy coconut milk, adding to its smooth texture.

Regarding taste, we find the Dragon Drink to be more fruit-forward than the Pink Drink. Additionally, it tends to lean more toward the sweet side, making it a delightful treat for those with a sweet tooth. Like the Pink Drink, the Dragon Drink also contains caffeine, providing a pick-me-up whenever needed. Plus, vegans can sip this one without worries, since it's also plant-based.

With an increasing array of alternative milk options, it's never been easier to customize your Starbucks drink to fit your vegan lifestyle. While fruity beverages have their charm, sometimes all you crave is a good old iced coffee. We suggest you start with a base of Starbucks' Cold Brew coffee and build from there.

Next, it's time to choose your flavorings. Caramel and vanilla are our top picks, adding a delightful sweetness to the robust cold brew. It's worth noting that most of Starbucks' syrups are vegan-friendly, so as long as you stick with these, you can be confident your coffee remains plant-based. However, do exercise caution with thicker sauces like white chocolate mocha or even pumpkin spice, as they typically contain dairy. On a brighter note, Starbucks' regular mocha sauce is vegan, offering a chocolatey indulgence without compromising your vegan diet.

Finally, select your preferred dairy-free milk. Whether it's the richness of oat milk, the nutty undertones of almond milk, or the smoothness of soy milk, each alternative brings its unique charm to the cold brew coffee. Each option pairs excellently with cold brew, enhancing its bold flavor while adding a touch of creaminess.