9 Starbucks Secret Menu Coffee Drinks, Ranked Worst To Best

You might have heard about Starbucks' secret menu, but it's not like the chain has a little black book filled with kooky concoctions it doesn't have on the menu. After all, the "secret menu" in question typically comes from customers' brains. If you analyze the menu and look at the various syrups, sauces, toppings, and random add-ins, you can start to see more options at the chain than it puts in its official menu.

With that in mind, I compiled various secret menu drinks to taste then rank, and will explain what they're supposed to be comprised of (though you should always feel free to customize things further to your personal taste). I'll share my thoughts on the drink, whether I made any added customizations, and if I recommend any other changes.

Now, admittedly, these are pretty dang tasty, what with various forms of espresso, milk, and sweetener. Therefore, I'm judging these based on how the final product tastes, whether the coffee aspect still shines, and whether it actually hits what it's supposed to. For example, if it's supposed to be a blend of two syrups, I should taste both, along with the espresso. If you need a caffeine boost, there are some great potions on this list, while others aren't as strong.

I like coconut-flavored food and drink. I loved the Iced Blue Coconut Matcha when I tried it earlier this year. However, the Hot Samoa Cookie Latte ended up tasting really bland and strange. This creation calls for adding Toasted Coconut Syrup to a mocha; then you can add caramel sauce as a drizzle (for an iced drink) or just add it regularly for a hot one.

Now, when I popped off the lid, a layer of oil floated on top and left an (obviously) oily residue on my lips as I drank. I stirred it, and the result was the same. I have to assume this was the coconut syrup, but it's hard to say for sure. Not just that, but the mocha was still the star here, overpowering any hint of coconut. I actually got two pumps of coconut, one pump of caramel, and one pump of mocha, so I'm surprised by this result.

This was meant to taste like chocolate, caramel, and coconut — AKA similar to a Samoa Girl Scout cookie — but it tasted like a sweet mocha with coconut sprayed on top as an aromatic. This didn't achieve the balanced flavor notes I was looking for and tasted more like chocolate milk than an espresso-based mocha. It's an easy last place entry.

Snickerdoodles are a beloved cookie that I truly enjoy, but the flavors don't shine in this Starbucks secret menu drink. To craft the Iced Snickerdoodle Latte, you would order a Blonde Vanilla Latte but remove the vanilla syrup entirely. In its place, you would do equal parts White Chocolate Mocha sauce and Cinnamon Dolce Syrup. Starbucks Blonde Espresso is a little lighter with a mellow flavor that makes it less intense than the standard latte with the signature espresso. I like this for more muted drinks like the Blonde Vanilla Latte, which is my favorite iced latte from Sbux.

Because of that mellowness and the sheer amount of sweetener, I find the syrups really overwhelm the final result of the coffee. This makes it a little too sweet and creamy for my personal liking (I mean, look how milky and white the drink is); again, the blonde espresso is often lighter, so that aspect doesn't help here. It tastes perfectly fine, like a cinnamon-y creamy drink, but it's far too light on the coffee flavor.

Additionally, I think the White Chocolate Mocha doesn't add much except sweetness, and this ultimately needs at least another shot of espresso for better balance. The flavors are far superior to the coconut creation, but the result is mostly unsuccessful to rank any better.

The Iced Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte drink is extremely similar to the snickerdoodle, so it's not surprising they rank one after the other. The Iced Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte is known as a secret menu item rife with nostalgia, with its inspirational ties to the cereal of the same name. The beverage starts with the Iced White Chocolate Mocha, but you add in some Cinnamon Dolce Syrup; I used two pumps of the White Chocolate Mocha sauce and two pumps of the Cinnamon Dolce Syrup for a better balance. This created a cinnamon-forward flavor and a creamy, sweet baseline. 

I'm not sure what flavor I pick up from the White Chocolate Mocha, but it feels a little more nuanced, though still slightly nondescript. While it is similar to the Iced Snickerdoodle Latte, a few key changes make it better: Iced White Chocolate Mocha calls for the signature espresso, which is darker and more robust; therefore, the coffee element is more prominent in this beverage. The execution here is better, with a stronger espresso note that better lives up to the coffee-drink element. The flavors are mellow but tasty and well-rounded, but the espresso note itself helps it get seventh place.

If you're looking to order the Three C's Drink, never fear. It's relatively easy with equal parts: Cinnamon Dolce Syrup, Mocha Sauce (aka a "C" in the way of chocolate), and lastly, caramel syrup. Customize the Cinnamon Dolce Latte with the various sweeteners, and you're ready to sip. I got one pump of everything, and I think this is definitely the way to go; otherwise, it's even sweeter than it needs to be.

One pump of each is the best way to get the trio of flavors without it turning into a cloying, milky mess. However, I have found that certain Starbucks add-ins are stronger than others. Cinnamon Dolce is a strong flavor enhancer thanks to its spiced cinnamon element. The same goes for the mocha, which is chocolatey and rich (remember how it overwhelmed the Samoa latte?), but the caramel seems to be the most underwhelming of the bunch here. You can rectify this by adding a second pump of caramel or potentially using the caramel sauce instead.

As it stands, the flavors aren't as equal or pronounced, and the espresso element falls behind as a second thought. The taste is good with slightly more intrigue than the Iced Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte, but it needs improvement to achieve better harmony of the three C's.

Looking for something made of pure caffeine? Ah, well, there's just the thing for you. The Red Eye calls for a standard coffee with one espresso shot — ideal for moments when you need a caffeine boost without the sugar crash every other drink on this list might give you. It's straightforward and tasty, with a bitter edge that's rounded out by the ice. It slowly waters down the drink, which I like.

Those initial sips are potent with the fuel needed to power through whatever task is at hand, but then it softens slightly (not a lot). It's a good foundation for a splash of cream or a sweetener if desired; it doesn't need much, and I wouldn't want to ruin the foundation with a trio of syrups and sauces anyway. A singular pump of Cinnamon Dolce or your favorite syrup can add dimension without turning it into a sugar-caffeine tornado.

I'd go with a splash of cream for a mildly milky edge; even Starbucks Canada offers a recipe suggesting to include milk or creamer. This would be great as a hot drink, too. I like this because it tastes like coffee. The flavor is unfussy and just as advertised, unlike the lower-ranking options, which were a bit underwhelming.

I love pumpkin spice and always have. I'm not ashamed if that puts me in some sort of basic millennial category. The Iced Cinderella Latte is a secret menu item inspired by a pop culture franchise and calls for ordering your average iced PSL and adding White Chocolate Mocha sauce to the mix. I just did equal parts pumpkin syrup and the white mocha sauce and ... it just ended up tasting like a basic pumpkin spice latte.

Others have mentioned this happens too, so I'm not sure what proportions you need for the sauce to stand out more. One Redditor explains that because the pumpkin syrup is the dominant flavor, you would need one pump of pumpkin syrup for every three pumps of the sauce; I don't know about that, though. White chocolate is an unremarkable, creamy, sweet flavoring, so it may not impart much flavor intrigue beyond the sugary aspect. I haven't found it particularly intriguing in any of the previous secret manual drinks.

As it is, this drink still tastes pleasant because it mainly draws on the classic flavors of a pumpkin spice latte, and I can taste the espresso. These factors help it rank fourth, but I wouldn't say it really delivers on the promised notes, and I don't find it overly successful for that reason alone.

There's a lot going on here, and the beverage is sweeter than necessary. However, I like the overall complexity, which gives it a relatively high third place ranking. First, you have the Iced Caramel Macchiato, which includes milk, espresso, ice, and caramel sauce. But then this also adds hazelnut syrup in place of the vanilla, as well as a bit of mocha. I did the standard amount of caramel, two pumps hazelnut, and one pump mocha (I wanted the nuttiness to shine through).

I like the hazelnut that pops through, making it reminiscent of hazelnut coffee. But I find the mocha sauce tends to hang out at the bottom, so once you're about halfway done, it results in a sweet concoction. If you want to replicate this, I say to omit the caramel entirely. A hazelnut mocha macchiato sounds more interesting and plays on flavor profiles I already enjoy in coffees, and the caramel seems superfluous in this application.

Others have inquired if this secret menu item is sweet, and it certainly is. Therefore, I recommend getting a regular Iced Macchiato, and then doing one pump of each option (hazelnut, mocha) instead — or perhaps two hazelnut pumps for a nuttier touch. While it's already nutty, it's also far too sugary; the drink has a nice flavor and has more potential when you customize it to taste. If you're seeking other nutty options, Tasting Table has a range of nutty Starbucks secret menu option drinks for you.

Could you get anything more iconic? I've been making dirty chais for around 15 years. When my roommate first made one, I was gobsmacked at the combination, but now it just makes sense. I opted for a tall chai and two shots of espresso, and I think this was the right move for a stronger beverage. However, a grande chai latte with one or two shots will offer similar, yet less intense flavors. The chai itself has a charming flavor combination, and this was good enough to rank second.

The way I got it allows the spiced chai to mingle with the espresso, creating a potent duo. I also asked for cinnamon, which helped create a stronger spiced profile to complement the chai. Plus, it floated nicely atop the frothed latte. This is a perfect sipper for fall and winter, and perhaps shifting to an iced version is great for the hotter months of the year.

Ultimately, the proportions are up to you, but they generally yield a combination of spiced black tea and earthy espresso, with a hint of sweetness to round it out. This is one of the more basic and well-known secret menu items. It fares really well and deserves a high position, but the next option is slightly more inventive and interesting.

Though there are many secret menu Starbucks drinks ideal for fall days, the festive Iced Pumpkin Pie Shaken Espresso sounded quite intriguing. It starts with the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, but you omit the brown sugar syrup and swap in pecan syrup, cinnamon dolce, and white chocolate mocha. Keep the oat milk foundation for a richer mouthfeel. To start, this beverage calls for three espresso shots, which make all the difference in achieving a grounding, bold flavor. The coffee element is clear and strong (yay!).

But then the pecan and cinnamon syrups really create a warming, nutty taste that makes it incredibly easy to slurp down. Again, I don't exactly pick up the white chocolate mocha, but the other options are strong and make themselves known in each sip. Thanks to the three espresso shots, it's neither too milky nor too sweet. I was very pleased with this menu item and would happily order it again.

More than that, out of everything I tried? This was the most enticing, with a strong espresso to back up the flavor. I might omit the white mocha sauce, and just keep it with the other two syrups in future drinks. I'd suggest getting the pumpkin cream cold foam when it's seasonally available, too, to bolster the pumpkin pie inspiration. This would also be great with an added sprinkle of cinnamon.

I visited Starbucks two times to gather my beverage selection. I ultimately followed the general secret menu guidelines, but tailored it more to my specific taste. For example, the inspiration source might have suggested getting a venti drink, but I went with a tall or grande, adjusting the sweeteners for a smaller size.

I personally prefer less-sweet drinks, so I also went with a lower quantity of syrups or sauces where possible. However, when something called for two sauces, I thought it was important to taste both, so I generally used two pumps of each to get a more accurate, even flavor profile. Granted, these are just blends of coffee, milk, and a variety of sweetened mix-ins, so I can't sit here and tell you that anything was bad. At the same time, some had a clearer, more potent flavor profile that better delivered on its secret menu ingredient.

I was looking for drinks that hit the following criteria: it needed to be somewhat interesting and flavorful, to taste like all the included syrups and sauces, and to have a coffee or espresso taste (since this is specifically a ranking of coffee-based secret menu items). They're totally delicious, but for this ranking, I had to rank something lower if it didn't deliver the promised pronounced notes.