The 5 Best Secret Menu Starbucks Drinks To Try In 2024

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Ah, the holiday season. Cold days, cozy sweaters, twinkle lights, and, of course, winter Starbucks drinks.

Every year, there are new winter Starbucks drinks to try, and this season is no exception with the addition of the Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte and the Irish Cream Cold Brew.

But did you know that some of the best Starbucks drinks to try aren’t on the menu? 

One of our favorite things about Starbucks is that you can create your customized Starbucks drink with every order. So why settle for the menu items when there’s an infinite number of secret menu Starbucks drinks to try?

This winter, we’ve rounded up our top 5 secret menu Starbucks drinks to get you in the holiday spirit.

So, let’s get sipping.

Secret Menu Starbucks Drinks To Try

Disclaimer: Before diving into our Starbucks secret menu list, we must tell you that our list of secret menu Starbucks drinks differs from others.

While most secret menus feature cloyingly sweet coffee drinks from Starbucks, ours is a list for coffee enthusiasts. We’re not seeking to completely drown the coffee flavor with sugar.

We also appreciate the healthier options at Starbucks and consistently seek to provide you with the most delicious coffee experience possible.

We understand that some of the most popular drinks at Starbucks are those that barely resemble coffee, but that’s not our jam. No frappuccinos on this list, sorry.

Okay, now that we’ve gotten that little spoiler alert out of the way, let’s get to the best secret menu Starbucks drinks.

What Is The Secret Menu At Starbucks?

Okay, so technically, there isn’t an actual secret menu at Starbucks. In other words, there isn’t just one Starbucks secret menu list. The “secret menu” refers to customized Starbucks drinks ordered online or in person that aren’t technically on the menu.

Starbucks allows customers to add syrups, sauces, toppings, etc., to any existing drinks (mocha or latte, etc.), creating a bevy of possible Starbucks drink recipes.

So, if you’re wondering what to order at Starbucks this winter season, we’ve got you covered.

Starbucks Drinks To Try This Winter

In no particular order, here are our top picks for what to order from Starbucks this Winter. We think these are some of the best coffee drinks from Starbucks, regardless of season (and some you can get year-round!)

1. Snickerdoodle Flat White

Starbucks’ newest drink this year is the Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte. We’re not fans of almond milk with coffee, but we really enjoy the new sugar cookie syrup.

So, we took it a step further and created a new customized Starbucks drink to try this winter season.

The Snickerdoodle Flat White features the cinnamon-sugary goodness of a Snickerdoodle cookie and is incredibly easy to make. Here’s what you need to make this Starbucks drink recipe:

1. Order a grande Flat White
2. Add two pumps of Sugar Cookie syrup
3. Add two pumps of Cinnamon Dolce syrup
4. Top with a sprinkling of Holiday Sugar Sparkles

Available hot or iced, this flat white is a stone-cold winner either way. 

But be warned. Obsession is a very likely side effect of ordering this seasonal show-stopper.

2. Iced Toasted Marshmallow Shaken Espresso

The Iced Shaken Espresso is a delightfully refreshing drink, especially if you’re a fan of cold drinks from Starbucks. 

The Toasted Marshmallow Shaken Espresso is a festive twist on a classic and is the perfect Starbucks drink to try on a warm winter day (or a day when the office heater is stuck on high).

This secret menu Starbucks drink is easy to add to an online order for Starbucks too.

Here’s how to order this secret menu drink:

1. Order a grande Iced Shaken Espresso
2. Delete the four pumps of classic sweetener (or ask your barista to omit the sweetener)
3. Add two pumps of Brown Sugar syrup
4. Add two pumps of Toasted White Chocolate sauce
5. Top with light Caramel Brulée topping

Try this one with the blonde espresso for a lighter, fruitier (and, dare we say, even more refreshing) take on the original.

3. Holiday Spice Cold Brew

While the standard holiday spice option was removed from the menu a couple of years ago (sigh), you can still create a holiday-spiced Starbucks drink recipe of your own.

The Holiday Spice Cold Brew is one of the healthiest drinks at Starbucks this season and definitely one of the most accessible Starbucks drinks to try this winter.

Here’s how to order this secret menu drink:

(note: this one should be ordered in person as an online order for Starbucks won’t allow you to give specific cold foam instructions)

1. Order a grande Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
2. Add Cinnamon and Nutmeg powders to the cold foam
3. Add Cinnamon Dolce Topping
4. OPTIONAL: swap one pump of the Vanilla syrup for Cinnamon Dolce syrup for an extra spiced version

And the best part? This uber-comforting, holiday vibe-inducing concoction is available year-round. 

4. Starbucks Reserve Ferrero Rocher Latte

One of our favorite Starbucks drinks to try this year is a twist on a Starbucks reserve latte. If you’re unfamiliar with their reserve coffees and espressos line, we highly suggest you try a drink made with these limited, small-lot beans. 

The Ferrero Rocher Latte is one of the most straightforward secret menu Starbucks drinks to order as it only requires one change to an existing drink. But one small change has a significant impact here.

How to order this secret menu Starbucks drink:

1. Order a grande Starbucks Reserve Hazelnut Bianco Latte
2. Add four pumps of Mocha Sauce

That’s it! This reserve latte is one of the most decadent Starbucks drinks to try this winter, as it tastes exactly like biting into a Ferrero Rocher!

If your local Starbucks doesn’t have the Reserve Hazelnut Bianco Latte, don’t worry! Here’s how to order a Ferrero Rocher Latte:

1. Order a Grande Latte
2. Add two pumps of Hazelnut syrup
3. Add two pumps of Mocha sauce
4. OPTIONAL: Add light Chestnut Praline topping for an extra kick!

Both make delicious and festive Starbucks drinks to try this holiday season, and, bonus, they’re available year-round!

5. Toasted Caramel Brulée Cold Brew

If you prefer cold drinks at Starbucks, this one’s for you. This secret menu Starbucks drink is as delicious as it sounds. 

We love the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha and the Caramel Brulée Latte, but why not combine these two seasonal Starbucks drinks to try something brand new?

The Toasted Caramel Brulée Cold Brew is one of our secret menu Starbucks drinks that’s easy to add to an online order for Starbucks but is only available seasonally, so get a jump on it!

Here’s how to order the Toasted Caramel Brulée cold brew:

1. Order a grande Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
2. Remove the two pumps of Vanilla syrup
3. Add one pump Caramel Brulée syrup
4. Add one pump Toasted White Chocolate sauce
5. Add cold foam
6. Top with Caramel Brulée topping

This is one of the more unique Starbucks drinks to try this year and one of the best holiday drinks from Starbucks, period.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the best holiday drinks from Starbucks may not be on the menu. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make your own customized Starbucks drinks.

We think these are five of the tastiest winter Starbucks drinks to try this season, but don’t be afraid to edit them to suit your tastes!

Happy holidays and happy customizing!!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Heather Calatrello

Heather is the head coffee roaster and founder of ShedLight Coffee Roasters in San Diego, CA. Her solar-powered coffee roastery was recently the subject of a BlueDot Living dispatch, and she has repeatedly been featured in Food & Wine, Real Simple, Parade, and more.

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