30 Best Hot Drinks At Starbucks, Ranked

Starbucks has a substantial drink menu to choose from, and to be honest, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you don't know what each drink is. To repeat customers, this is not a challenge, but to those who don't frequent this coffeehouse chain for their usual cup of joe, the possibilities can seem limitless. Again, good for some, but terrifying to others.

If you fall more in the "overwhelmed and/or annoyed" category, we're here to help. We know there are a lot of hot drinks at Starbucks to choose from and we want to make it as easy as possible, so we created a helpful guide to some of the best hot drinks at Starbucks to get you started. From macchiatos to cappuccinos, pumpkin spice lattes to peppermint mochas (and just about everything in between), we cover them all, exploring how they are made and what they taste like. Life can be hard — finding your drink of choice on your next Starbucks trip shouldn't be.

The Pistachio Latte is relatively new to the Starbucks menu, but has already proved to be a solid addition. Steam milk combined with a few pumps of pistachio syrup and salted brown butter topping creates a tasty treat for your taste buds. And while you may think this is just another sweet drink, think again. Thrillist says the Pistachio Latte is the perfect blend of salty and sweet, thanks to the pistachio flavoring and butter topping.

According to LorAnn Oils, pistachio flavoring is been big in Mediterranean cooking, especially when it comes to desserts. Its mild nutty flavor complements almost anything sweet. It makes sense that Starbucks would jump on board with the flavor when searching for a new latte.

It's no secret that Starbucks coffee sometimes has a dark roast, which can be too much for some. That is where the Blonde Roast (also referred to as the Veranda blend) comes in. It's much lighter than the medium and dark roasts and offers a milder flavor while still giving the customers what they like: a smooth cup of coffee. Starbucks says its mellow flavor took some time to achieve, trying over 80 different tries to land on this blend. But all the work seems to have paid off, as the current Blonde Roast is a favorite for many.

Like any of the regular coffee options at Starbucks, you can have it your way with milk or sugar, but we say it's best on its own with just a little bit of cream — its natural flavor is too nice to cover up. It's a great choice for anyone who wants a plain old cup of coffee that isn't too bitter and isn't looking for anything sweet.

One of Starbucks' tastiest winter creations takes inspiration from a classic dessert. The Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa is made with white chocolate mocha and cinnamon dolce syrup to give that ultra-sweet taste of a freshly-baked warm Snickerdoodle cookie. The whipped cream on top with the dolce cinnamon sprinkles helps, too. According to Starbucks, this hot cocoa was introduced to the menu back in 2016 during the holidays to join the likes of all the beloved holiday-inspired hot cocoa sips.

We're happy to have the Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa added to the mix and can't agree more with this recommendation from Baking Mischief: "Pair it with a good book, some fluffy socks, and maybe a real snickerdoodle or two, and have yourself a perfectly cozy night in." The site adds that while this is generally a holiday treat, the baristas at Starbucks will likely be able to whip it up for you any time of the year when the craving strikes.

Whether you call it hot chocolate or hot cocoa, one thing is for sure: we love this warm and chocolatey beverage on a cold day. What's Cooking America explains that, back in the day, hot chocolate was not at all like we know it today. The very first recipe for hot chocolate was made with wine and Chile peppers, in addition to cocoa beans. It wasn't served hot until much later on either, thanks to the Spaniards who realized how good this drink can be warmed up with some sugar. Today, hot chocolate is the ultimate drinkable treat when you want something sweet and cozy (and possibly spiked with bourbon) served fireside.

The hot chocolate at Starbucks will surely feed your craving for something decadent on a chilly winter night. Made with steamed milk and mocha sauce, it's rich in flavor. Top it off with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate, and this is a standard cup of chocolaty goodness that won't disappoint.

Sure, we love our coffee drinks, especially when we need that quick shot of energy stat. But there are times when life calls for a hot and welcoming beverage to curl up on the couch with while watching your favorite shows. When you want all the cozy feels that comes along with a hot drink but without any of the added jolt that coffee has to offer, a Vanilla Crème is the right choice. Made with steamed milk and a few pumps of sweet vanilla syrup, this is one of the best hot drinks at Starbucks because it's all about serving up some rich creaminess with only two ingredients — well, three, if you count that whopping dollop of whipped cream on top. 

Pam's Daily Dish writes that this vanilla steamer is smooth without being overly decadent, making it the perfect cup for when you're trying to warm up but don't want to feel like you're diving deep into a dessert. 

Some of the coffee blends at Starbucks (looking at you, Pike Place) can be a bit on the strong side. While that's a fine for some people who crave that bold flavor, it's not so great for those who aren't a fan of anything strong. 

Coffee drinkers who can't always handle the darker roasts might turn to the Blonde Vanilla Latte for an obvious reason: it's made with blonde espresso. This type of espresso is on the lighter side, so it can be an easier sip than the usual shots. The vanilla syrup helps add a bit of warmth to the mix, providing a slight sweetness, while the steamed milk stabilizes the flavor easily for a relaxed taste that is not too potent. Day of the Human says this vanilla latte may even surprise you with some soft floral notes that make for a unique and bright taste all around.

Espresso is a classic Italian coffee that packs a whole lot of flavor. According to The Spruce Eats, this small caffeinated drink is made using only very finely ground coffee and hot water. Usually any coffee roast can be used, although you can find specific espresso roasts designed for the best flavor.

Starbucks, for obvious reasons, uses its espresso roast to make this hot drink, offering signature caramel notes in every sip. Espresso is not for the faint of heart, but those who already have a love for the strong drink usually enjoy it from Starbucks. It's a solid option, but not necessarily one that stands out on the menu unless you're in a huge hurry and can't bring your coffee with you.

One tip: if you're looking for more caffeine (or just want to sound fancy while ordering) you can ask for a doppio, which is simply a double shot of espresso with a very cool name.

When enjoying a hot cup of chai, be prepared for a spice-filled explosion in every sip. It's welcoming and comforting, making for a cozy tea drink to curl up with a good book on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Food & Wine explains that chai is made from black tea, along with spices that can include cardamom, ginger, clove, and nutmeg, among others.

The chai tea latte at Starbucks is a winner because of its robust flavor. Made with steamed milk and a foamy topping, this hot drink is all-around delicious. While chai already has some caffeine in it from the black tea, you can also add an espresso shot for an additional pick-me-up (aka a dirty chai). Either way you decide to order this hot drink at Starbucks, you won't be disappointed with its creamy texture and spiced flavor.

Almond milk offers that perfect creamy, nutty flavor, which may be why it's so popular. However, it's not just the incredible flavor of this milk that has people replacing the regular stuff with it; There are some added benefits when drinking almond milk, too. WebMD says almond milk is packed with Vitamin E, which can help prevent certain health issues such as heart disease, and is a good source of magnesium.

The Honey Almondmilk Flat White at Starbucks is big on that sweet, nutty flavor, thanks to being made with almond milk plus a honey blend sweetener. The drink also has espresso in it, so you'll enjoy a bit of caffeine in here as well. Kitchn says this drink has a deeper espresso taste than you might expect, as the ingredient is not overpowered by a lot of artificial sweeteners like it is in other options.

An espresso macchiato is another one of those more traditional coffee drinks without all the added fluff (aka those sugary, flavored syrups many Starbucks customers love). Instead, it is made simply with shots of espresso and steamed milk. Coffee At Three says macchiato can be translated to "stained" in Italian, which in this case, relates to how the milk sits perfectly atop this espresso drink.

The espresso macchiato offered at Starbucks isn't made to be fancy or a game-changer, but it's a solid choice for anyone looking for a hot, caffeinated drink that isn't too sweet. This drink has a whole lot of flavor from the actual coffee, and you'll find it to be strong, bold, and very smooth.

If tea is more your thing, or you want a break from the usual cup of joe, you might want to try the Honey Citrus Mint Tea. That is, if you haven't already. This hot beverage used to be only a Starbucks secret menu item but is now a regular offering because it gained so much popularity over time. This creation is made with two different tea bags: a citrus mint green tea and peach herbal tea. It is also infused with steamed lemonade and a honey blend sweetener to offer a refreshing but comforting taste.

Honey Citrus Mint Tea is also known as the Medicine Ball, and its refreshing minty and slightly sweet taste has been known to help soothe the symptoms of a stubborn cold. Whether it's enjoyed with a sore throat or not, we can't help but keep returning to it when we're craving something warm and calming.

Steamed whole milk and espresso make what Starbucks calls its flat white. But instead of using full shots of espresso, Starbucks uses ristretto shots. Starbucks explains the term ristretto translates to "restricted" in Italian. When it comes to a coffee drink, ristretto can be looked at as a shorter shot of espresso (only half of the full espresso shot), which gives it a slightly lighter and sweeter flavor than when using the full shot of espresso.

Starbucks' flat white is a hot drink that is not too bitter or bold, making it a nice addition to the menu for those who want something that will wake them up without any jitters. And since it's not flavored with any added sugars or sweeteners, you'll get to enjoy the flavor of the beans while the steamed milk provides a little creaminess that is smooth and tasty, making for a well-rounded coffee drink. 

Where the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks is the go-to for the fall, the Peppermint Mocha is the drink for the holiday season. This hot drink is made of espresso and steamed milk along with mocha sauce and peppermint syrup, all topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls. We can't lie: it is one sweet drink. But one you have to try at least once every winter ... maybe twice.

Starbucks says the Peppermint Mocha was first added to the holiday menu back in 2002. After playing around with some seasonal flavors (think: white chocolate and cranberry) the chain finally settled on chocolate peppermint. Since its introduction, the Peppermint Mocha has easily become one of the most popular during the season. Though it's changed slightly over the years (once topped with red sprinkles, it is now showered with curls of dark chocolate), Starbucks customers don't seem to mind, continuing to order this drink as soon as the holiday tunes start to play.

While Starbucks may be known for some sweet concoctions, the caffè Americano is not one of them. This is a coffee drink for those who want to taste the coffee beans, rather than a flavored syrup. It is made with two shots of espresso and hot water which Starbucks says creates the perfect crema. The deep flavor in this hot coffee drink is intense without any balance from the steamed milk, but that's a good thing here — this allows the flavor of coffee to shine, just the way black coffee fans like it.

The caffè Americano is a simple drink, but it's made to perfection. Plus, you can always add an extra shot of espresso if you're hankering for a bigger jolt. After all, it wouldn't be Starbucks without having the option to customize what you order. 

If you're looking for a little sweetness in your cup of java, a caramel macchiato will surely do the trick and then some. Made with steamed milk and brewed espresso, this Starbucks hot drink will give you that extra boost during the afternoon slump, while the vanilla-flavored syrup and caramel drizzle will feed your sweet tooth. The overall flavor is bold but oh-so-creamy, and super cozy, and if it turns out this drink is not sweet enough for you, there's always the option of adding whipped cream. Too sweet? Try adding an extra shot of espresso.

The caramel macchiato is an oldie but goodie. CopyKay Recipes says it has been on the menu since the coffee chain originally opened in Seattle back in 1971, so it has to be doing something right. It's a simple staple that won't let you down, especially for those who like their coffee drinks on the sweeter side.