Starbucks Secret Menu Update (Slideshow)
This drink uses a whole-milk steamer and then goes crazy from there. You'll need to ask for a whole-milk steamer with caramel syrup (two pumps for Tall, three for Grande, four for Venti), Toffee Nut syrup (two for Tall, three for Grande, four for Venti), Cinnamon Dolce syrup (two for Tall, three for Grande, four for Venti), and finally add some whipped cream and salted caramel bits on top.
The Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino
This delicious drink is great for your morning munchies. It uses a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino as a base, with white mocha syrup (one pump for a Tall, two for Grande, three for Venti), Cinnamon Dolce syrup (one pump for a Tall, two for Grande, three for Venti) and is topped with Cinnamon Dolce powder.
Cookie Dough Frappuccino
This drink boasts some pretty crazy flavors. Start with a Chai Creme Frappuccino with soy milk. Add two pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup for a Tall, two-and-a-half for a Grande, and three for a Venti. Blend in java chips and whipped cream. Top with chocolate whipped cream (instead of original) and drizzle with mocha syrup.
Fall-in-a-Cup Latte
If you're getting sick of the regular Pumpkin Spice Latte then this recipe is killer. It requires ordering a Pumpkin Spice Latte and adding caramel syrup (one-and-a-half pumps for Tall, two pumps for Grande, two-and-a-half pumps for Venti, three pumps for a cold Venti). Then, add Chai Syrup (one pump for Tall, one-and-a-half pumps for Grande, two pumps for Venti, and two-and-a-half for a cold Venti). Finally, top with whipped cream, pumpkin powder, and caramel drizzle.
Cake Batter Frappuccino
This delicious drink uses a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino base and adds one pump of almond syrup for a Tall and two for a Venti.
Green Eye
A Red Eye or Black Eye, sure — that's one and two extra shots of espresso in a regular drip, respectively. But those that go for green get a sure-to-jack-you-up three shots of espresso boost to their cup of coffee. (Note: apparently at some places it's called a Blue Eye.)
Samoa Frappuccino
Commenter Heather Williams suggested a summer-only favorite, the Samoa Frappuccio. "It's the mocha coconut Frappuccino with caramel drizzle. It's a dead ringer for the Girl Scout Cookie! We used to make it in our café all the time!" She also recommends some other seasonal drinks, "Other good seasonal beverages are the Pumpkin Spice Chai and the Gingerbread Chai. Coconut Chai is also really, really good."
Thin Mint Frappuccino
Another drink that borrows its name and flavor from the Girl Scout Cookie repertoire is this creation, which, according to commenter Julie Adkins is made by blending the Tazo Green Tea Crème Frappuccino with chocolate syrup and java chips. According to her, it's "heaven in a cup." We imagine adding a pump of peppermint syrup wouldn't hurt the combination either.
Snickers Frappuccino
"We do know a lot of these drinks and more," noted Annalise, a commenter and a self-described Starbucks barista. "Try a Snickers Frappuccino: Java Chip Frappuccino with two pumps of toffee nut and a caramel drizzle on top. It tastes just like a Snickers.
Banana Cream Pie Frappuccino
According to an anonymous The Daily Meal commenter, "At our store (licensed), my favorite drink is a Vanilla Bean [Crme Frappuccino] with vanilla [and] hazelnut [syrups], whipped cream, and a whole banana. But I am prepared to pay the $6 for a grande and I dont call it out or refer to it as a Banana Cream Pie, which is what it tastes like and the nickname it has acquired."
The Grasshopper Frappuccino
Recommended by another The Daily Meal commenter who identified themselves as a barista, the Grasshopper Frappuccino consists of a Mocha Frappuccino blended with java chips and peppermint syrup. "It tastes like mint chip ice cream and is a personal favorite."
The Dirty Hippie
Prefer your Dirty Chai Tea Latte with soy milk instead of regular milk? According to one barista commenter, thats called a Dirty Hippie.
Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino
Per a commenter, this is a White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino blended with java chips and a dash of peppermint syrup.
Bootleg Brulée
Per a commenter, this creation involves adding "two shots to any white mocha, and add toffee nut [syrup] and caramel drizzle."
Affogato-Style Frappuccino
This one probably classifies more as an in-the-know drink than a "secret" one. Order any Frappuccino "affogato-style" and you'll get a shot of hot espresso added on top of your drink as opposed to having it blended in.
Biscotti Frappuccino
This off-the-menu item sounds a little like a Starbucks version of a DQ Blizzard or a McFlurry, except you have to have to buy a package of biscotti cookies separately and ask your barista to blend them into your Frappe. Note: There seems to be some contention online as to whether or not baristas are actually allowed to put biscotti in the blender, so maybe only ask someone you know who is willing to do you a favor.
Captain Crunch/Crunch Berry Frappuccino
No, this doesn't involve bringing the childhood-favorite cereal into the store and asking them to blend it in a Frappuccino. Still, fans say that the combination of hazelnut syrup (though some folks contend it should be toffee nut) in a Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino is a dead ringer for the flavor of the cereal.
Chocolate Dalmatian
A White Chocolate Mocha with java chips and chocolate chips sprinkled in.
Triple C's
The award for best alliteration in a Starbucks drink name goes to the Three C's: Cinnamon Dolce Latte with caramel syrup and chocolate mocha syrup.
"Short" Drink
The Tall drink's smaller, less expensive younger brother.
Super Cream Frappuccino
Like to go heavy on the whipped cream? Ask for a "Super Cream" version of your Frappuccino and you'll get half a cup of whipped cream blended in.
Zebra Mocha
Sometimes also called a "Penguin Mocha," a "Marble Mocha," or simply a "Black and White Mocha," this drink combines the white chocolate mocha with the regular mocha for those who can't pick a favorite. Or, if you really want to take it to the next level, ask to have raspberry flavoring added for something called the "Red Tux" Mocha.
French Press
Apparently if you ask, Starbucks will brew any of the coffee they sell in a French Press.
Widow Maker
Calling it similar to "[an] alcoholic version of Kahlua/Jäger," a reader named Rebecca recommended the Widow Maker: Half iced black tea, half iced black coffee.