13 Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks That Are Kid-Friendly
There are many different ways to get your coffee fix in the morning. Perhaps you make your coffee at home with a Keurig or Nespresso machine, or maybe you treat yourself while running errands or heading to the gym, work, or school. In any case, if you have children, you can bet they're watching you prepare or order your coffee. And if your child is like so many of ours, they're probably hoping they have their own specialty drink coming.
Well, there's good news for your little one: Starbucks has many kid-friendly drinks. You just need to know where to look. On the Starbucks base menu, several drinks are kid-friendly — the Pumpkin Crème, Strawberries and Creme, and Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccinos are all caffeine free, for example. The Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade also comes naturally caffeine free, too. These drinks are delicious, but they may not immediately grab your child's attention. However, we're pretty confident there's a secret menu item they'll absolutely love.
Babyccino
You may have heard of a puppuccino for your fur baby, but Starbucks can also make a Babyccino for your little one. While a cappuccino and latte both have espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk, a Babyccino is not caffeinated at all.
For this drink, order your child steamed milk with extra milk foam. You can also ask your barista to steam the milk for the child's temperature rather than the typical hot default. On the app, this means adjusting the temperature to warm. You can also order this in a small kid's size.
Not only will your child feel ultra fancy while drinking out of a cup similar to yours, but they're also getting some nutritious milk in there as well. And if your child typically drinks a milk alternative, you can specify that in your order as well. Oat milk, for example, makes an excellent drink and foams up beautifully, especially for an incredibly foamy drink like a cappuccino, or, in this case, a Babyccino.
Starbucks Apple Berry Juice Freeze
This drink feels like a mix between a slushie and a smoothie. To order, ask your barista to pour apple juice up to the first line and add strawberry puree on top to the second line. Then, they should add ice and blend it all up. Your barista may not know quite how to ring this one up, but ours chose to ring it in as a frozen apple juice with strawberry purée. If they ring it in that way, it's also a fairly inexpensive drink since it is mostly juice and ice.
This drink was refreshing and a nice mix of apples and berries. We did find it to be very apple juice heavy, and then the strawberry came on the back end. Because apple juice has plenty of sugar from the apples, there's no need to add extra sweetener, and for a kid's drink, that's always a plus because all the sweetener comes just from the juices. We also enjoyed that this drink has a texture closer to juice than a Frappuccino, so kids find it very easy to enjoy.
Candy Cane Frappuccino
For a drink sure to get you and your little one in the wintertime spirit, check out the Candy Cane Frappuccino. Candy canes are a popular treat during Christmas, and while there is more than one theory for how they became a Christmas tradition, these stick candies with a hook on the end have been popular throughout the 20th century. There are also many different bizarre candy cane flavors, but the peppermint variety is undoubtedly the most common and serves as the inspiration behind this sweet secret menu drink.
We love that this one requires very few modifications. Begin with a base drink of a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and add peppermint syrup. For a tall, request one pump, make it two for a grande, and three for a venti. We were very impressed with how impactful the peppermint pumps were in this drink. The creaminess of the vanilla bean perfectly mixes with the peppermint to create a minty treat that isn't too overwhelming. Even if your kiddo doesn't typically love minty flavors, this Frappuccino is smooth enough that they may absolutely love it.
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk
The Shaken Brown Sugar Oatmilk has been a popular drink since it first premiered. And while it's a great drink, it's certainly not for kids thanks to the espresso. You can order a similar drink for your little one — without the espresso, of course — by ordering iced milk with brown sugar syrup. Request three pumps for a tall, four in a grande, and five with a venti. When you do that, you'll have an Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk that will make your child feel ultra fancy while remaining safe for them.
While you can replace the oat milk with regular milk or any milk alternative, oat milk offers a creamy and delicious base that is dairy and nut free. Not only that, but it mixes very well with coffee syrups. Brown sugar syrup is an ultra-sweet syrup that offers something a little different than a typical sweetener. If your child really enjoys milk but likes something a little sugary every now and then, this could be a great offering.
Frozen Hot Chocolate Frappuccino
A secret menu option can come from all sorts of places, and while the first Frappuccinos were coffee based, there are now plenty of non-caffeinated choices for you and your starry-eyed kiddo. For an excellent treat, check out the Frozen Hot Chocolate Frappuccino. Starbucks offers two primary kinds of hot chocolate: regular hot cocoa and white hot chocolate. The primary difference between these two is the kind of chocolate in the recipes. Since the chocolate used in the hot chocolate is the same kind used in the caffeinated mochas, the chocolate actually tends to be a little bitter in Starbucks' cocoas. This Frozen Hot Chocolate Frappuccino recipe uses the darker hot chocolate.
To order one, begin with a Double Chocolate Crème Frappuccino and add vanilla syrup in increments of two, three, or four pumps for a tall, grande, or venti, respectively. This will help soften the bitterness of the mocha sauce. Request that your barista add in some whipped cream to be blended with the drink, and top with whip and mocha drizzle. This delicious chocolate treat delivers a chilled hot chocolate, just like the name suggests. The creaminess of the whipped cream mixed in with the mocha will make this a fast favorite for little palates. And the best part is that since little ones tend to be very sensitive to even mildly warm drinks, they get that chocolatey taste of everyone's favorite winter beverage without the heat of steamed milk.
Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
As leaves change and cooler winds blow, the pumpkin drinks once again find their way into Starbucks stores. With these sweet and spicy flavors come a slew of new and delicious drinks to help ring in the autumn season. While the perennial favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte is absolutely delicious, it isn't exactly great for little kids. So, instead, we recommend a Pumpkin Pie Smoothie.
For this drink, begin with a base drink of a Pumpkin Crème Frappuccino. This smooth and seasonal drink already has the creme base you'll need as well as the pumpkin sauce. Ask your barista to add cinnamon dolce syrup in the amount appropriate to the size you've ordered. That'll be one pump for a tall, two for a grande, and three for a venti. Like any great pie, you should finish it all off with some whipped cream and cinnamon dolce sprinkles to tie everything together.
While this may not precisely hit everything you love about pumpkin pie, it comes really close. And you didn't even need to dirty a single pan in your kitchen. We love this option for a mid-day snack or special drink for your little one while you raise a cup to PSL season.
TikTok Sunset Drink
Layered drinks are delicious, and they sure make great social media photos. However, depending on the age of the child you're ordering for, you may be better off ordering the drink without the layers. You'll still get the flavors, but everything will be one consistent texture and thickness. And to make this one truly kid-friendly, there are a few other modifications we'll want to make.
While the traditional TikTok Sunset Drink typically begins with Mango Dragonfruit, this refresher actually has a small amount of caffeine in it; a tall one will have 35 milligrams. So, instead, begin by ordering a base of an Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade. Since the Passion Tango Tea is actually an herbal tea, this will allow you to achieve the same pretty pink color iconic of Dragonfruit without the caffeine. Next, add in the Peach Juice Blend. This will give you a very similar taste to the regular TikTok Sunset Drink, but it is perfectly safe for your little one. We recommend ordering the drink sweetened as well, and if your little one wants even more fruity goodness, opt for some raspberry syrup rather than a regular sweetener.
While we recommend the smallest size possible on most drinks for your child, this is one drink you may want to size up. With these iced teas, your barista shakes the liquid over a great deal of ice, and as a result, there tends to be less liquid to drink and enjoy.
Butterbeer
Muggles from around the world flock to the Butterbeer Treats at Universal Studios. And while it is delicious and crave-worthy, if you don't live nearby a theme park, it's also an expensive craving between the plane ticket, hotel stay, and theme park entry. Well, rejoice, muggle friend! You can achieve a similar Butterbeer taste for you and your little one at any Starbucks location.
While this one does have its fair share of modifications, the results are absolutely worth it. Begin with a base drink of a Caramel Ribbon Crunch Creme Frappuccino but ask for no dark caramel sauce or crunch topping. Then ask your barista to line the cup with caramel, and add caramel and toffee nut syrup in equal pumps. That will be one pump a piece for tall, two for a grande, and three for a venti.
The drink you end up with is bursting with sweetness and that delicious butterscotch-like flavor so characteristic of the true Butterbeer you crave. This is definitely a sweet drink, so help out your child's dentist and order this one only occasionally, but don't be afraid to pick up one for yourself too. Even adults need a little magic now and then.
Black Forest Hot Chocolate
There are many different versions of Black Forest Cake. However, an authentic Black Forest Cake doesn't actually live up to its name unless it has been soaked in a sour cherry brandy called Schwarzwalder kirschwasser. As a result, other variations on the cake exist, and this secret menu offering is a great liquid option.
To order a Black Forest Hot Chocolate, ask for a hot chocolate with raspberry syrup. We recommend increments of one pump for a tall, two for a grande, and three for a venti. We found that the raspberry pairs nicely with the mocha of the hot chocolate rather than overpowering it. We really enjoyed this one, and since this drink is also sometimes called the Cadbury Black Forest, we found it tasted like a raspberry-filled chocolate egg as much as chocolate cake with a kick of fruit.
Like the Babyccino, you can order this one warmed to a child's temperature and in a child's size. This way, it won't burn them, and they'll only have a child's size dose of chocolatey energy rather than a bigger cup. Little hands do better with smaller cups anyway.
Cotton Candy Frappuccino
Cotton candy and childhood go together about as perfectly as peanut butter and jelly. And the best part is that this Frappuccino won't get your child's hands as sticky as typical cotton candy would. Well, probably.
For this sweet treat, begin by ordering a basic Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino, and add to that some raspberry syrup. Depending on how fruity your child wants, you may want to add more than the typical amount for this drink. We recommend ordering three pumps of raspberry for a tall, four in a grande, and five for a venti. This way, you'll get a little bit of that fruit flavor without going overboard. We find that more raspberry may be necessary for this one because the fruit flavor struggles to come through over the vanilla bean flavor. While a basic taste, that vanilla goodness really holds its own when paired up with more mild syrups like raspberry.
Horchata Frappuccino
You may be wondering: What is horchata? Though the ingredients of horchata may vary, the process for creating it is pretty much the same. To make traditional horchata, nuts are paired with cinnamon and other spices to let soak together overnight. Then, that mix will get a nice blend and be strained through a cloth before adding sweeteners. With Starbucks' many types of available milk, creating a horchata-style Frappuccino is quite easy.
Typically, this recipe calls for a base of a Cinnamon Dolce Crème Frappuccino, but that isn't always on the menu. So, instead, ask for a Caramel Ribbon Crunch Creme Frappuccino without the new dark caramel sauce and no crunch topping. Then, ask your barista to line the cup with caramel sauce and add cinnamon dolce syrup in increments of one for a tall, two for a grande, and three for a venti. Finally, be sure to ask for almond milk in lieu of whole milk.
You'll find that this Frappuccino does a great job at retaining its creamy texture, even with the almond milk, and the cinnamon dolce syrup beautifully mimics the spices for typical, crave-worthy horchata.
Cookie Dough Frappuccino
Like the Horchata Frappuccino, the Cookie Dough Frappuccino traditionally begins as a Cinnamon Dolce Crème Frappuccino — but if that isn't available for you, start instead with a Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme Frappuccino. Bring the pump count on the mocha down to one for a tall, two for a grande, and three for a venti. Then, add cinnamon dolce syrup in the same increments. If your Starbucks has the chocolate whipped cream on hand, ask for that instead of regular whip, but this isn't available very often anymore.
We loved this Frappuccino, and if you have kiddos that identify with Cookie Monster, they'll undoubtedly love it too. Between the magic of the different ingredients and the cookie crumble on top, this one successfully mimics the taste of cookie dough just before it hits the oven. Don't be surprised if you want to order your own Cookie Dough Frappuccino; it's honestly that great.
Winnie-the-Pooh Frappuccino
Winnie the Pooh made his grand premiere in 1926 as the lovable bear with a rumbly tummy from the pen of A.A. Milne (via Good Reads). This honey-loving character is the face behind the Winnie the Pooh Frappuccino, a simple yet tasty secret menu item. With a base drink of the Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino, ask your barista to add honey and cinnamon dolce syrup. Though the recipe typically calls for one packet of honey for a tall and one pump of cinnamon dolce, we recommend adding two honey packets and two pumps of cinnamon dolce for the tall size. For a grande, still use two packets of honey, but go up to three pumps of that cinnamon dolce, and for a venti, go up to three packets of honey and four pumps of cinnamon dolce. Top it all off with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
We recommend going up in honey and cinnamon dolce instead of following the typical recipe because we didn't think this one was too much different from a regular Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. Going up in packets and pumps will help those flavors shine through a little more. We really enjoyed how sweet and dreamy this one was. You may not imagine adding honey to a Frappuccino would be tasty, but it adds a nice amount of sweetness without weighing it down.