Starbucks Secret Menu Update

Lattes, coffees, and cappuccinos can become boring after a while of mass consumption. There are all sorts of crazy spices and syrups available at local coffee shops but no one ever knows how to use them properly. Your local barista is probably too busy to explain that they can create essentially anything you want behind the barista bar. Back in 2011 we discovered something amazing –Starbucks had a secret menu that allows you to get creative with all that Starbucks has to offer. This menu wasn't widely known, but it was enough of a start to get us more interested in the craze. We found a number of creative drinks that were widely available at almost every Starbucks across the country. What we didn't realize was how explosive the secret menu would become.

Click here to see the Starbucks Secret Menu Update (Slideshow)

Following the development of our story, there were a number of websites created that allowed for individuals to share their own Starbucks concoction and build on old secret menu items. Sites like Starbucks Secret Menu feature loyal Starbucks goers that have come up with some pretty creative drinks like the Cake Batter Frappuccino which only calls for a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and 1 pump of almond syrup for a tall. Other drinks require a little more patience on the part of the barista like the Hot Butterbeer Latte which needs caramel syrup, chai syrup, caramel syrup, cinnamon Dolce syrup, toffee nut syrup, and whipped cream and salted caramel bits. Then there's the old favorites that have hit our list before like the Thin Mint Frappuccino which uses Tazo Green Tea Crème Frappuccino and is blended with chocolate syrup and java chips and The Dirty Hippy (a Dirty Chai Tea Latte with soy milk instead of regular milk). Some of these drinks don't seem that difficult to make but when you're 20 customers deep on a busy Monday morning, we can imagine the baristas are pretty overwhelmed when it comes to the hidden menu. That didn't stop us from trying to find more drinks on the secret menu though. [slideshow:

[pullquote:left] We scoured the web and found some pretty crazy sites that offered some creative and innovative Starbucks drinks from consumers. There are all kinds of secrets behind the bar at Starbucks – bet you didn't know there's even a size that is larger than the Venti called the Trenta that is a 31 ounce drink that's available for iced drinks only. Walking into Starbucks can sometimes be overwhelming what with their plethora of possible drink orders. We were able to come across some new secret menu items that aren't on the giant chalkboard but are definitely available to the daring coffee consumer. These are drinks that some faithful Starbucks lovers have come up with and we think definitely have the right to be shared with the public. These drinks should be available at your local Starbucks and they're full of flavor and absolutely delicious.

Take your own liberties when it comes to certain ingredients in these drinks. If you aren't feeling a squirt of hazelnut syrup then maybe opt for the almond syrup instead.The fantastic thing about Starbucks is the liberties you can take with your coffee! Get creative and if you're feeling inspired then tweet your recipe @thedailymeal and join the conversation using the hashtag  #SBsecretmenu.. 

Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks

Green Eye: Three shots of espresso. (Note: At some Starbucks it's called a Blue Eye.)

Dirty Chai: A Chai latte (hot or iced) with a shot of espresso. Two shots makes it a "Double Dirty" or "Extra Dirty" Chai.

Zebra Mocha: Sometimes called a "Penguin Mocha," a "MarbleMocha," or a "Black and White Mocha," this drink mixes the white chocolate mocha with the regular mocha. Adding raspberry flavor makes it a "Red Tux" Mocha.

Chocolate Dalmatian: A White Chocolate Mocha with java chips and chocolate chips sprinkled in.

Cake Batter Frappuccino: Originally vanilla and almond syrup added to a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino. Since almond syrup is largely unavailable, some recommend subbing in hazelnut syrup and white mocha.

Captain Crunch/Crunch Berry Frappuccino: A combination of hazelnut syrup (though some folks contend it should be toffee nut) with a Strawberries and Creme Frappuccino.

"Short" Drink: The Tall drink's smaller, less expensive younger brother.

French Press: Starbucks will brew any of the coffee they sell in a French Press.

Super Cream Frappuccino: Ask for a "Super Cream" version of your Frappuccino and you'll get half a cup of whipped cream blended in.

Affogato-Style Frappuccino: Order any Frappuccino "affogato-style" and you'll get a shot of hot espresso on top of instead of it being blended in.

Triple C's: Cinnamon Dolce Latte with caramel syrup and chocolate mocha syrup.

Biscotti Frappuccino: You have to have to buy a package of biscotti cookies separately and ask your barista to blend them into your Frappe.

Reader-Suggested Secret Menu Drinks

Widow Maker: Half iced black tea, half iced black coffee.

Samoa Frappuccio: Mocha coconut Frappuccino with caramel drizzle.

Thin Mint Frappuccino: Tazo Green Tea Crème Frappuccino blended with chocolate syrup and java chips.

Snickers Frappuccino: Java Chip Frappuccino with two pumps of toffee nut and a caramel drizzle.

Banana Cream Pie Frappuccino: Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino with vanilla and hazelnut syrups, whipped cream, and a whole banana.

Apple Juice Orange Blossom: Tazo Orange Blossom Tea steeped in steamed apple juice (with no water).

Grasshopper Frappuccino: Mocha Frappuccino blended with java chips and peppermint syrup.

The Dirty Hippy: Dirty Chai Tea Latte with soy milk instead of regular milk.

Marble Mocha Macchiato: White mocha on the bottom with no whip, shot on the top and mocha drizzle.

Cookies & Cream Frappuccino: A White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino blended with java chips and a dash of peppermint syrup.

Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino: Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino and cinnamon dolce syrup.

Bootleg Brulée: Add two shots to a white mocha, toffee nut syrup, and caramel drizzle.

Fall in a Cup Latte: Pumpkin Spice Latte with 1.5 pumps of caramel syrup, 1 pump of chai syrup and topped with whipped cream, pumpkin powder and caramel drizzle

Cookie Dough Frappaccino: Chai Creme Frappuccino w/ Soy Milk. Add 2 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, Java chips and whipped creme blended in. Chocolate whipped creme and mocha syrup drizzle on top.

Hot Butterbeer Latte: Whole milk steamer with 2 pumps of caramel syrup, 2 pumps of toffee nut syrup, 2 pumps of cinnamon Dolce syrup and topped with whipped cream and salted caramel bits.

The Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino: A Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with 1 pump of white mocha syrup, 1 pump of cinnamon dolce syrup and topped with cinnamon dolce powder.