Calling all Starbucks lovers: here's your chance to break away from your usual order and try Starbucks drinks recommended by a gold card member. Our Director of Photography, Ashley Longo—or Queen Ashley Longo as it says on her card—is a very active and loyal Starbucks customer.
Her gold card proves that she is the ~Queen~ of Starbucks, and knows all the best drinks to order. She is happy to let you in on her top 10 picks so you can stray away from your go-to drink without downgrading.
10. Nitro Cold Brew
If you are someone who needs their caffeine, nitro coffee is definitely for you. It's brewed with nitrogen to give it a smooth "beer-like" consistency, a creamy taste, and an extra kick of caffeine. Although Ashley loves the boost this drink gives her, she only enjoys this drink on occasion. It's a good pick-me-up, but not a go-to.
9. Coffee Frappuccino
This blended drink is like a Dunkin Donuts coolatta, but better. It's the perfect drink when you want your coffee but you're in the mood for something frothy. The drink keeps it simple with just three ingredients; coffee Frappuccino syrup, milk, and ice. Ashley enjoys this pick because she's not much of a coffee drinker, but the blend of the Frappuccino makes the coffee more like a milkshake.
8. S'mores Frappuccino
The s'mores Frappuccino tastes just like the real thing. It's layered with a gooey marshmallow whipped cream, chocolate sauce, Starbucks' classic coffee Frappuccino, some regular whipped cream, and finished off with graham cracker crumbles. Who needs a campfire when you can just run down the street to Starbucks and get a S'mores Frappuccino? Ashley loves the comfort of the S'mores taste which reminds her of summertime bonfires, and the convenience of being able to get it all year round.
7. White Chocolate Mocha
Starbucks' signature espresso meets white chocolate sauce and steamed milk and is finished off with sweet whipped cream. This drink has the perfect amount of sweetness without being overpowering. Delicious either hot or iced, this is the perfect drink to try when you want to stray away from your "usual" drink order. Since Ashley is not a huge fan of coffee, she loves to combine it with sweet treats, like white chocolate.
6. Valentine's Special, Molten Hot Chocolate
Starbucks drinks are always better around the holidays because they love to create fun new combinations of their most popular flavors. This drink is only offered in the month of February, during the Valentine's Day season.
This hot chocolate is a serious upgrade from your average hot cocoa. It's made by melting chocolate chips into their Starbucks mocha, topped with decaf mocha-espresso whipped cream and decaf mocha-espresso drizzle. Ashley loves seasonal hot cocoa in the winter, especially this one with its rich molten chocolate and whipped cream.
5. The Holiday Special, Chestnut Praline Latte
Another holiday special made the top 10! The Chestnut Praline Latte is traditionally offered during the month of December, alongside two other holiday drinks, the Caramel Brûlée latte, and the Peppermint Mocha. This drink is made with caramelized chestnuts, subtle holiday spices, and Starbucks signature espresso, topped with whipped cream and praline crumbles. Ashley wishes that this drink was offered year round as she loves the rich caramel flavor and the crunch of the chestnuts.
4. Iced Caramel Macchiato
This is a Starbucks classic. This is another drink that is just as good hot as it is cold so you can enjoy it all year long whatever the weather may be. It is made with their rich espresso, vanilla syrup, milk, and drizzled with caramel. If you haven't already tried this one, you're missing out! This is definitely a top go-to for Ashley because it is mostly milk so the coffee flavor isn't too intense. She also loves the sweet after taste of caramel.
3. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
This yummy drink is made with Starbucks' custom blend Narino 70 cold brew and topped with house-made vanilla sweet cream to create a drink that is the perfect answer to your sweet tooth. Ashley loves the creamy texture with a delicious vanilla taste. She loves how silky smooth this drink is, and how it's less acidic than a regular brew. Not only is this drink super delicious, it also makes a super cute Instagram post.
#SpoonTip: If your local Starbucks is out of the sweet cream, you can order a regular cold brew with heavy whipping cream and vanilla syrup.
2. Cool Lime Refresher
This drink is great for a hot summer day! What makes this Starbucks drink so ~cool~ is the option to replace the water with a variety of other ingredients. Ashley's favorite is lemonade to make it sweet and just a little tangy. Other options to replace the water are coconut milk, almond milk, or even iced tea.
1. Mango Black Tea Lemonade
Ashley and I have to agree that the MBTL is the tastiest Starbucks drink (or any drink for that matter) that they have to offer. This treat is the perfect thing to cool you down for the summer, but can be ordered all year round. The mango syrup really gives the tea its flavor and sweetness, while the lemonade delivers a tangy and refreshing after taste. Ashley considers this her safety drink, because let's be real, none of us feel adventurous all the time.
So next time you're on your third Starbucks run for the day, don't be afraid to try something new. Our gold card member, Ashley, would never steer you wrong.