13 Best Starbucks Latte Flavors You Should Try Today
Our team at Lifeboost are committed to providing our community with health-conscious organic coffee options. Each cup of coffee we create is a tribute to flavors and wellbeing. While we take pride in our blends, we also acknowledge the range of tastes and exciting choices available in the world of coffee that have captivated millions worldwide.
One iconic brand that comes to mind is Starbucks. As a leader in coffeehouses Starbucks has become synonymous with the coffee rituals for many people. With a vast selection of flavors, they offer an array of taste experiences.
During a visit to Starbucks, you will come across seven classic Hot Latte flavors.
However, if you delve deeper into their offerings by considering special secret menu items whispered among coffee lovers and numerous customization options available you will be astounded to discover around 30-40 Starbucks Latte Flavors.
While our primary affection will always lie with the richness found in each cup of Lifeboost coffee we understand the allure of exploring coffee cultures. So, for those moments when curiosity takes hold of you completely, we have thoughtfully curated a list of options, for your consideration.
Top 3 Standard Starbucks Latte Flavors
Café Latte
The Café Latte is called a classic for a reason! Created almost four decades ago, Starbucks Café Latte, also spelled Caffee Latte, remains one of the most popular beverages. It is made with two shots of espresso and 2% steamed milk. The beautiful amalgamation of two simple ingredients in a cup creates a creamy beverage that's food for the soul. Depending on the day, you can order this drink either hot or cold.
Blonde Vanilla Latte
The Blonde Vanilla Latte is another popular item at Starbucks, especially among light roast coffee lovers. Starbucks' signature blonde roast meets rich vanilla syrup in a cup to create a light, nutty beverage. As the company claims, their blonde roast is the lightest roast level at Starbucks but contains a little more caffeine than their darker roast coffee.
That means people who want a jolt of energy for the day without the bitterness of espresso will love the Blonde Vanilla Latte. It has a complex flavor profile with a grassy undertone; all rounded out by a splash of sweet vanilla syrup.
Pro Tip: You can easily make this latte drink at home. Just mix some Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast coffee and vanilla syrup and finish off with a whipped cream topping for extra indulgence.
A healthier and more budget-friendly recommendation for the coffee would be the Blonde Espresso from Lifeboost. It offers the same vibrant taste and rich espresso flavor while also offering health benefits.
Cinnamon Dolce Latte
For sweet tooth coffee drinkers like us, you'll find the Cinnamon Dolce Latte a heavenly delight. Really, it's like a sippable cinnamon-based dessert. It is one of Starbucks' mainstays bursting with cinnamon, butter, sugar, and vanilla flavors.
In this beverage, the company's standard latte gets an upgrade with Starbucks' in-house cinnamon dolce syrup, whipped cream, and cinnamon dolce sprinkles. With 150mg of caffeine in a Grande-size drink, this drink will satisfy your sweet tooth while fixing your caffeine need.
Top 5 Seasonal Starbucks Latte Flavors
Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL)
Where the words "Starbucks Seasonal" appear, "Pumpkin Spice" follow. Over the years, Pumpkin Spice has almost become synonymous with the coffee giant. After all, its popularity soared when the multinational coffeehouse chain launched its first Pumpkin Spice Latte in 2003.
The iconic fall beverage, Pumpkin Spice Latte, is made with espresso, an in-house mix of spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, steamed milk, and the star of the drink, pumpkin puree. It is then finished with a swirl of whipped cream topping and a pumpkin spice sprinkle.
Although popular, PSL has received mixed reviews from Starbucks patrons. While some have made it the King Of Autumn for its warm flavors, others find it unusual. So, it's pretty much a hit or miss with this seasonal beverage.
On the bright side, for those who don’t prefer the flavor of Starbucks’ PSL, you can recreate your very own version of the drink using the Pumpkin Spice flavored coffee from Lifeboost. This way, you can control the ingredients and adjust them to create a PSL that suits your taste perfectly.
Fun Fact – Pumpkin Spice has been around since 1934, not as a drink flavor but as a mix of spices to enhance pumpkin pie.
Caramel Brulée Latte
Once the PSL craze dies down with the fall season comes the cold, wintry days. And most Starbucks patrons have made Caramel Brulée Latte their signature winter drink. It's the extra-dark version of caramel bursting with sugary, buttery, and toasty notes.
This drink is again a favorite among sweet-tooth lovers. It contains brewed espresso, Caramel Brulée sauce, milk, whipped cream, and Caramel Brulée topping. Many order their drink with extra toppings of vanilla bean powder or chocolate powder malt. It adds more to the drink's flavor and aesthetics!
Just note that a typical Grande cup contains a whopping amount of 410 calories. So, if you're watching your weight, you might want to find an alternative or reduce the number of syrup pumps. Or perhaps you can reserve it for the occasional indulgence.
Chestnut Praline Latte
It is our favorite seasonal latte flavor from Starbucks. If you thought praline tasted best as an ice cream, Chestnut Praline Latte is here to make you think twice. The beverage is the ultimate festive drink with warm flavors of chestnut praline syrup. Additional ingredients include steamed milk, espresso, whipped cream, and a sprinkle of praline crumbs.
The coffee flavor takes a back seat in this drink, giving the chestnut praline flavor a chance to shine!
Pistachio Latte
A newer item on Starbucks' seasonal menu, Pistachio Latte, is here to stay. It contains a double-shot espresso, steamed milk, and rich pistachio syrup. Pistachio sauce and brown butter cookie topping are finally added to make this drink a treat!
We get it; a combo of pistachio and coffee sounds odd. Does the nut's earthy flavor go with the bold taste of espresso? Surprisingly, it does. And you should give it a try this holiday.
Unfortunately, not all Starbucks locations offer this drink. But the good news is that you can always recreate it at home with homemade pistachio syrup, milk, espresso, butter, and brown sugar.
Don’t have the time or the ingredients for it? No worries! Lifeboost’s Pistachio Coffee Pod offers you the delightful flavors of pistachios and coffee, all conveniently packed in a pod.
Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte
This seasonal drink also uses Starbucks' Blonde espresso roast with sugar cookie-flavored syrup and almond milk over ice. It is topped off with red and green sprinkles to celebrate the festive season.
Surprisingly, despite its name, the drink has fewer calories than most other lattes on this list. A Grande size contains only around 150 calories and 170mg of caffeine. All thanks to the use of almond milk instead of regular milk!
You can order this beverage iced or hot!
Top 5 Starbucks Secret Menu Latte Flavors
It's no secret Starbucks has a multitude of secret menu items. To be clear, the secret menu is not printed on paper, and there is no such thing as a Starbucks secret menu. So, what is it exactly? Starbucks' secret menu items are the drinks that have been customized by Starbucks patrons and employees using different toppings, syrups, flavorings, etc.
Here are some of the most popular secret menu latte flavors you should order on your next Starbucks run:
Nutella Latte
Who doesn't love a huge slab of Nutella on toasty bread early in the morning? We sure do! But instead of bread, you get your Nutella served over ice and espresso in this beverage.
Well, there isn't a Nutella topping at Starbucks. But the drink tastes very similar to the hazelnut spread, hence the name. Here's how to order: Start with a Caffe Misto. Then request one pump each of Hazelnut and Mocha syrups. Finally, top off the drink with a drizzle of caramel sauce if you feel extra indulgent!
Strawberry Shortcake Latte
Since strawberry season is here, there's no better time than now to order the sweet Strawberry Shortcake Latte from Starbucks. The drink has a subtle pink hue with a fierce strawberry taste, rounded out by sweet vanilla cream and crunchy brown butter topping. It is easily one of the best dessert-based beverages you'll find at your nearest Starbucks outlet.
Here's how to order the drink: Order a Venti Iced Latte drink with strawberry puree. Request your barista to blend the drink with ice cubes. It'll give the drink the iconic Frappuccino slushy consistency. Next, request one pump of classic syrup and three pumps of brown sugar syrup. Then, add vanilla sweet cream cold foam blended with strawberry puree for the topping. Finally, finish the drink with fresh or frozen strawberries and salted brown butter topping.
Oatmeal Cookie Latte
If you're a fan of oatmeal cookies, you'll absolutely love this secret menu drink from Starbucks. Oatmeal Cookie Latte has warm flavors of baked cookies and smells equally delicious. Mind you; this beverage tastes distinctly "oaty." Starbucks has a similar drink on the menu called Oatmeal Cookie Café Au Lait.
Coming to the point, to enjoy this drink, start by ordering a Venti Iced Latte with oat milk. Next, ask for two pumps each of brown sugar syrup and mocha sauce. This will do to give you that nice oaty taste. But you can ask for oat milk foam with a drizzle of chocolate or mocha sauce to take things up a notch.
The Cinderella Latte
The Cinderella Latte is a nod to the pumpkin carriage. As such, it tastes much like the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte with a twist. This drink was made popular by a social media influencer and former barista.
No fancy ingredients here; it's a simple modification in the PSL drink itself. Just order the usual PSL but request to substitute half of the pumpkin sauce with white chocolate mocha sauce. It'll result in a mighty change in flavor.
Perhaps if the original PSL didn't please your tastebuds, the Cinderella Latte will.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte
Last but definitely not least, we have the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte, which will take you back to the mornings of sugary cereal and warm milk. To order this drink, start with a Venti White Chocolate Mocha; add three pumps of cinnamon dolce and two pumps of white chocolate sauce. Go for whipped cream, brown sugar, and cinnamon powder for the toppings. You can order this drink either hot or iced.
How To Customize Your Starbucks Latte Flavors
When customizing your Starbucks Latte, the sky is the limit. No two beverages from Starbucks taste the same. Coffee connoisseurs that understand flavor nuances will attest to this.
Even if you don't like what's on the menu, you can always make a drink your own by requesting different kinds and amounts of syrups, sauces, and toppings.
Not only that but you can recreate your own Starbucks drinks at home to make it taste exactly like you want it.
Here are some tips to customize your Starbucks Latte Flavors:
- Choose your preferred milk. You'll find five kinds of milk at every Starbucks: whole milk, coconut milk, almond milk, 2% milk, and soy milk.
- Then, choose your desired drink size. There are three sizes you can order- Tall (12 ounces), Grande (16 ounces), and Venti (20 ounces).
- Next, choose your flavorings. Flavors come in the form of sauces and syrups. Some of the most popular options include Hazelnut, Vanilla, and Caramel.
- Finish off your drink with the right topping. You can skip it altogether. It's up to you.
Starbucks Sauces To Choose From
Mocha Sauce: As everybody knows, mocha is a chocolate-flavored sauce used as a topping in many desserts. Starbucks' Mocha Sauce is made with coffee, chocolate, and cream.
White Chocolate Mocha Sauce: This is a lighter version of the traditional mocha sauce made with white chocolate instead of dark. Hence, it is sweeter and creamier. You can add this sauce to your latte to counter the bitterness of espresso and create a creamy and rich drink.
Caramel Sauce: Caramel sauce is one of the most popular sauces and is mostly used as a sweetener. Sugar is heated to create an amber liquid and mixed with butter and cream. It has a rich, buttery, and burnt toffee-like taste that goes well with the flavor of espresso.
Starbucks Syrups To Choose From
Vanilla Syrup: It's the most popular syrup by far. It is used in the equally popular Vanilla Latte drinks. It has a rich, creamy flavor that is not extra sweet. It hits the spot every time. Thanks to its distinct vanilla flavor, this syrup goes well with almost all Starbucks drinks. You can add it to coffees, frappuccinos, lattes, or even black coffee.
Hazelnut Syrup: Next comes our favorite syrup, Hazelnut. Hazelnut Syrup is most requested during the fall season due to its warm and nutty flavors. But there's nothing stopping you from enjoying it year-round! You can add this to your drinks to enhance flavor without any overwhelming sweetness.
Classic Syrup: It's the coffeehouse's standard syrup, mostly used in iced coffees and frappuccinos. It contains water, vanilla extract, sugar, and natural flavors. Since it uses vanilla extract, the vanilla flavor here is very subtle and often gets overshadowed by other flavors in the drink. Not to mention, the classic syrup is gluten-free and vegan.
Caramel Syrup: For some of us, the only want to sweeten a latte is with caramel syrup. It doesn't get sweeter and richer than this. Just one-two pumps of this delicious goodness are enough to take any coffee from bland to sugary sweet. You can add this to your Vanilla Latte or Caffe Latte for a nice sweet and salty kick!
Starbucks Toppings To Choose From
Whipped Cream: While there are different kinds of sprinkles, toppings, and drizzles, Starbucks' whipped cream follows the standard recipe. The company makes it in-house with vanilla-flavored heavy whipping cream. Perhaps the vanilla flavor makes it taste sweeter and more delectable. It's the basic topping that goes with just about every drink, especially frappuccinos and iced coffees.
Caramel Brûlée Topping: With the right amount of crunch and sweetness, the Caramel Brûlée topping is a surefire way to enhance the flavor of your latte without turning it into a sugary drink. If you like the taste of caramel but the caramel syrup or sauce becomes too much to handle, you can opt for this topping instead.
Caramel Drizzle: It is easily one of Starbucks' most iconic toppings. It is what gives the ever-popular Caramel macchiato and Caramel Frappuccino their irresistible flavors. You can add this topping to your Iced Latte; you won't regret it!
Mocha Drizzle: If you want a little bit of chocolate flavor in your latte, you can ask for a mocha drizzle on top. This will add a subtle chocolaty flavor that goes well with brewed coffee without any overwhelming bitterness.
Molasses Drizzle: Starbucks' molasses drizzle is made from sugar cane. It is super dark in color and has a sweet, earthy, and warm flavor. This syrup comes every winter and is one of the most popular seasonal syrups out there.
Chocolate Curls: Starbucks chocolate curls can add a sophisticated touch to your lattes. Usually sitting on top of a swirl of whipped cream, these toppings taste rich, chocolaty, and oh-so-delicious!
Dolce Sprinkles: This is the perfect combination of sweet and spicy with a mix of sugar and cinnamon. You can add it to your usual Lattes or PSL for a kick of flavor.
Pumpkin Spice: Another popular seasonal topping, Pumpkin Spice is one of the most ordered toppings during the fall season. It is warm, nostalgic, cozy, and spicy.
Sea Salt: For caramel-based drinks and caramel lattes, there isn't a better topping than sea salt. Trust us on this. It goes great with salted caramel flavor and sugary drinks.
Wrapping Up:
In this guide, we've gone through the best Starbucks Latte flavors of all time, so you don't have to scratch your head while the barista waits to take your order.
Sure, drinks from Starbucks are delicious. But let’s face it, they are not the healthiest options out there. Often, they come packed with sugary sweetness which can contribute to unwanted weight gain.
The solution? You can enjoy healthier latte drinks by preparing them at home. And if both health and flavor matter to you, we think the coffee beans and pods from Lifeboost won’t disappoint you.
We hope to see you latte!
FAQs
What is Starbucks Latte made of?
Starbucks has several latte drinks, each following a slightly different recipe. However, when it comes to the classic latte, a.k.a. the Caffe Latte, it is made with milk and espresso.
What's the most popular Starbucks Latte?
The classic Caffe Latte is the most popular Starbucks Latte. Most people enjoy this drink on its own, while some flavor it with vanilla syrup.
Check out Lifeboost Coffee Blonde Espresso.
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