11 Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks Inspired By Pop Culture Franchises
When a story is truly remarkable, it draws you in and begs you to engage. This is where fandoms come from, and from these fandoms, you often find new ways to immerse yourself in the lore of your favorite stories. This may include clothing or other nick-nacks, but if the story is especially enchanting, it often comes in the form of food and drink. While Starbucks' secret menu is not official, these drinks inspired by the stories and people that inspire pop culture are sure to become quick favorites.
Though you can't walk up to a Starbucks barista and order a Butterbeer as though you were visiting The 3 Broomsticks, you can modify a staple drink to create a beverage that closely resembles this fan favorite. And if you're hoping to gain a bit of inspiration from Taylor Swift's go-to caffeine kick, we even have you covered there too. From wizards to Jedi and even Ariana Grande, some pop culture secret menu drinks are just too good to be kept secret.
Butterbeer Frappuccino
Butterbeer is a drink from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, but before Rowling popularized this drink, Vintage American Cocktails shows that Butterbeer first appeared in Thomas Dawson's cookbook titled "The good Huswifes Handmaide for the Kitchin" from 1594. But in the world of Harry Potter, InLiterature points out that the popular beverage is first mentioned in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," where it's described as "a little bit like less-sickly butterscotch."
Since then, Harry Potter fans have been dying to get a sip of this sweet and magical beverage, and while Universal has plenty of Butterbeer treats, most Harry Potter fans don't have immediate access to this magical theme park. Instead, Starbucks has a great option for Harry Potter fans. While this may not be exactly the drink that Rowling first imagined and wrote about, it is certainly delicious. And since it is caffeine free, it's perfect for your younger Harry Potter fans too.
To order this secret menu option, ask for a Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino without new dark caramel sauce or caramel crunch topping. Then, you'll add caramel syrup and toffee nut syrup. For a tall, order two pumps of each, a grande should get three pumps each, and a venti will need four pumps each. To make it extra special, request the cup be lined with caramel drizzle or topped with drizzle. If you want, you can even do both.
Dark Side Frappuccino
In the Star Wars universe, there are two sides of The Force: the dark side and the light. IGN explains that the Dark side focuses on power and control and following desires. On the other hand, the light side focuses on the exact opposite and is steeped in compassion, wisdom, and love. While the Force might not be reflected in drinks, this secret menu option is perfect for any Starbucks fan who also enjoys Star Wars, even if you follow the light side rather than the dark.
To order a Dark Side Frappuccino, begin by ordering an espresso Frappuccino in any size. This flavor of Frappuccino does not naturally have any flavoring or sweeteners, making it the perfect base. And since espresso is a super dark coffee, it works well with the theme. Ask your barista to add the mocha sauce in three, four, or five pumps for a tall, grande, or venti drink, respectively. Be sure to ask if your Starbucks has any chocolate whip, and request that it be added on top if they do. If the only option is a regular whip, that will work great too. On top, add mocha drizzle.
This drink comes out super dark to reflect the name of the drink. It's got a little sweetness with the mocha, but mostly, it's a chocolatey drink that embraces that dark chocolate with a heavy coffee flavor.
Ariana Grande Frappuccino
This secret menu Frappuccino pays tribute to Ariana Grande, a popular musician. As Biography explains, Ariana got her start on Broadway at the tender age of 15. And from there, she only became more popular through her work on sitcoms and music. Today, she is best known for her music and songs like "Problem," "Dangerous Woman," and "Thank U, Next."
This Frappuccino starts with a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino, which, according to The List, is Ariana Grande's go-to drink. She tweaks the drink by changing the milk and removing the whip to make it safe for her vegan diet. Then, add raspberry syrup in three, four, or five pumps for the tall, grande, or venti sizes. On its own, this becomes a Cotton Candy Frappuccino. But we're not stopping there. Then, request that your barista add mocha sauce and chips to the mix before topping it with extra whipped cream and a generous amount of that sweet and delicious caramel drizzle.
We loved that this Frappuccino mixed the creaminess of the Vanilla Bean with fruity raspberry and finished it all off with caramel. It is definitely a sweet beverage that will satisfy that craving for a near-dessert-like drink. And while the creme Frappuccino does not have any caffeine in it, we think the drink would hold up well to the addition of an espresso shot to add a little pep to your step.
The Mad Tea Party
Encyclopedia Britannica reports that Lewis Carroll published "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" in 1865. Chapter seven in that novel is titled "A Mad Tea-Party," and it details Alice's adventure of experiencing a tea party with the Mad Hatter. So, naturally, the Starbucks secret menu beverage is going to be quite heavy in tea flavors.
To order the Mad Tea Party, you'll mix two completely different types of tea, then include all of the available inclusions. That way, if you want a Mad Tea Party, but one of these inclusions isn't available, you can substitute it with what is in stock. Unfortunately, this one really can't be ordered ahead through the app, so you'll need to order it in person. Begin by asking for an Iced Black Tea Lemonade with half passion tea. Then, ask your barista to sweeten it with liquid cane syrup and add one scoop of each of the inclusions currently available.
We found this drink to be very tea heavy, but we like how the lemonade helps make this an ultra-refreshing drink. It certainly lives up to its namesake and is a little "mad" with all the floating bits of inclusion, but we think you'll enjoy how unique this flavor is. We think this is the perfect drink to sip after a little spin at the Mad Tea Party in Disney World.
Hocus Pocus Latte
Even if the Halloween and fall season isn't your favorite time of the year, it's hard not to love "Hocus Pocus." This movie premiered in 1993 and told the story of the Sanderson sisters' return to seeking vengeance for their deaths. The movie is quirky, funny, and for many, a fall tradition. While you can certainly order some Hocus Pocus secret menu drinks that focus on the Sanderson sisters, this drink actually does more to honor the movie than the individual characters.
For a drink that captures the playfulness of the movie as well as the flavors of the season, order an Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte with mocha and apple brown sugar syrup. The proportions are going to change a bit on this one, so be sure you adjust as necessary for your size. For a tall, request one pump of pumpkin spice sauce, one mocha sauce, and one apple brown sugar. For a grande, go up to two pumps per sauce or syrup, and for a venti, add two pumps of white mocha sauce and two pumps of apple brown sugar syrup to the proportions that are already recommended for the iced latte. Finally, for all sizes, add extra caramel drizzle either on top or around the cup, and finish it all off with some sweet and spicy cinnamon dolce topping. While this one is delicious, be sure you are ready for a super sweet and syrupy drink.
Squid Game Frappuccino
"Squid Games" is a Netflix series that landed on the platform in 2021. This show details the experiences of a group of people vying for a massive cash prize if they can win a series of children's playground games. IMDb lists 46 wins and an incredible 79 nominations for the show. This secret menu item celebrates this popular show.
This one might be our favorite on the list, and while the Netflix show "Squid Games" certainly isn't appropriate for your little ones, this is an excellent Starbucks drink that is also kid-friendly. Begin by ordering a grande Strawberry Creme Frappuccino, then ask for a scoop of dragon fruit inclusion to be added into the mix as well as two pumps of the mocha sauce. On top, request mocha drizzle on top of the whipped cream.
What you'll get is a super fruity and quite pretty drink. Its ultra strawberry and the creme flavor is only enhanced by that delicious dragon fruit. The deep red color represents just how bloody this show actually is, and the whipped cream on top represents the promised massive reward to the game participants.
Betty White Frappuccino
Betty White was a beloved actress, legendary for her endearing role as Rose Nylund on "The Golden Girls." When White passed away at the end of 2021, she left behind a devastated country that immediately began missing her. This Betty White Frappuccino pays tribute to this beloved actress. We absolutely love this secret menu option and think it is a tasty and delicious tribute to Betty White.
You'll want to order a grande White Mocha Frappuccino with the addition of hazelnut and vanilla syrup, one pump each. If you like a larger drink, you can also order a venti-sized Frappuccino, but when you do, be sure to increase the pumps of vanilla and hazelnut to two pumps a piece. No matter the size, be sure to top off the whipped cream with caramel crunch. With these additions, you'll end up with a frozen beverage that tastes something like cheesecake, a favorite among the Golden Girls.
If you prefer a caffeine-free version, you can also order this drink with a base of a White Mocha Creme Frappuccino. Of course, when you make this change, you will no longer get that coffee flavor, but if you're hoping for caffeine-free, there's a good chance you won't be missing the coffee taste anyway.
Baby Yoda Frappuccino
Premiering on November 12, 2019, "The Mandalorian" television show quickly became a smash hit (via Time). Perhaps one of the most popular characters featured on the show is a small creature that fans quickly dubbed "Baby Yoda" due to its resemblance to the wise Master Yoda.
In honor of this little green character, you can put together a Baby Yoda Frappuccino with a bit of creativity. First, begin by ordering a Matcha Green Tea Creme Frappuccino. Then, request that the cup be lined in caramel with caramel drizzle on top of the whip. Be sure to ask for some of that caramel crunch topping too. There's no need to edit any of the syrups or scoops on this one. However, if you want more of that caramel taste coming through, we recommend adding at least two pumps of caramel. Plus, that wouldn't change the color, so you would still get that cool green appearance.
This Frappuccino is supposed to look like Baby Yoda with the green of the matcha and cloak made of brown caramel. We love this Frappuccino for Starbucks fans looking for something super fun and delicious. While this drink does not have coffee and is creme based, it is caffeinated because of the matcha green tea base.
Cinderella Latte
In the French fairy tale "Cinderella" by Charles Perrault, Cinderella's ride to the ball is a pumpkin. The classic Disney fairy tale is based on this fairy tale, and she travels to the ball in a pumpkin carriage as well. To celebrate Cinderella, her beautiful gown, glass slippers, and pumpkin carriage give the Cinderella latte a try.
To begin, order either a hot or iced Pumpkin Spice Latte, but instead of the full amount of pumpkin pumps, order half of the pumps with white mocha instead. Be sure to maintain that whipped cream on top. We love how that pumpkin represents the pumpkin carriage, and the white mocha reflects Cinderella's beautiful dress and glass slippers. And we thought this drink is perfect for anyone looking for a fun fall drink that isn't too sweet but absolutely delicious.
If you're planning a Disney World trip soon, this is a fabulous drink to order in the iced version and then enjoy while walking down Main Street toward Cinderella's Castle in your very own fairy tale.
Taylor's Latte
Taylor Swift is an incredibly popular musician. Her recent release and anticipation of her album "Midnights" have swept up the internet into quite a fury. In fact, Billboard states that the album had the biggest and best-selling week an album has enjoyed in seven years. This is also her eleventh number-one album.
Amongst all of the long hours in the studio, Taylor must have something to fuel her. And during a short time, she even partnered with Starbucks to bring her go-to order to the menu. Although you'll no longer find "Taylor's Latte" on the official menu, ordering it off the secret menu is not difficult at all.
At its heart, Taylor's Latte is (no surprise here) a latte. Then, dress it up with caramel syrup by adding three pumps for a tall, four for a grande, and five for a venti. Be sure you also request nonfat milk. Though Taylor's Latte is typically a hot latte, you can order this one iced as well.
The result is a perfectly sweet and smooth drink. We find that the caramel syrup is especially sweet, and it does a great job of complementing the coffee and milk. We can see why this is Taylor's go-to, and we imagine it may become yours too.
Eleven's Frappuccino
In the Netflix series "Stranger Things," the character Eleven falls in love with Eggo waffles. So this secret menu option pays tribute to Eleven and her favorite food. To order Eleven's Frappuccino, begin by ordering a grande White Mocha Frappuccino. Add a pump of toffee nut syrup and request that your barista use sweet cream instead of regular milk. Finally, ask for caramel drizzle on top of the whipped cream and around the inside of the cup.
We imagine Eleven must love Eggos because of their sweetness, and Eleven's Frappuccino doesn't disappoint at all. With the sweet cream mixed right in there, that sweetness and creaminess are evident from your very first sip. Then, with the addition of the toffee nut, combined with the caramel, you get a solid syrup flavor.
If you would prefer to make this one into a venti, there's only one small change you'll need to make. For a bigger size, add two pumps of toffee nut rather than just one. Unfortunately, this is a tough one to size down because ordering a half pump of toffee nut for a tall will be difficult for your barista.