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6 Starbucks Baristas Share How to Make Their Favorite Secret Menu Drinks

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Buffalo chapter.

If you’re bored with your favorite Starbucks drink and looking to mix it up, well, who better to ask than a Starbucks barista? As a Starbucks barista, one of my favorite things is to give recommendations to customers. So many of our regular customers love our recommendations and order them every day. 

Everyone loves the Starbucks secret menu, and one thing I’ve learned about working at a Starbucks on a college campus is that college students really love the secret menu. So here is a complied list of your favorite Starbucks drinks, created by baristas here at the University at Buffalo.

#SpoonTip: Baristas don’t know your secret menu drink by name, but we’ll definitely know it by the recipe. 

Blueberry Cobbler Frappuccino (The Le)

Starbucks beer ice cream
Jennifer Behrendt

How to order: Ask for a vanilla bean Frappuccino with blended berry inclusions and add cinnamon dolce powder on top

Why it’s awesome: It’s super sweet, super refreshing, and tastes like blueberry cobbler. It’s basically a blended dessert in a cup.

Starbucks Apple Cider (The Tina)

Starbucks caramel cream
Lily Kaufman

How to Order: Ask for steamed apple juice. 

In a tall: 2 pumps chai/ 1 pump cinnamon dolce 

In a grande: 3 pumps chai/2 pumps cinnamon dolce

In a venti: 4 pumps chai/2 pumps cinnamon dolce

Optional: Ask for whipped cream and caramel drizzle 

Why it’s awesome: It seriously tastes just like apple cider. Plus, the chai gives it caffeine (extra bonus!). It’s literally everything you need for a late night study treat.

Snickerdoodle Macchiato (The Haley)  

Starbucks milk coffee
Jennifer Behrendt

How to order: Ask for an iced Caramel Macchiato with soy milk.

In a tall: 1 pump of vanilla/1 pump of cinnamon dolce

In a grande: 1.5 pumps of vanilla/1.5 pumps of cinnamon dolce

In a venti: 2 pumps of vanilla/2 pumps of cinnamon dolce 

Optional: Ask for extra caramel drizzle 

Why it’s awesome: It’s super sweet, but with a cinnamon kick. It’s an all-around great fall beverage, and you get your cookie craving and some espresso in all at once.

Starbucks Strawberry Tea (The Erin)

Starbucks soda juice
Jennifer Behrendt

How to order: Ask for a strawberry açaí refresher, no water. Substitute black tea and lemonade for water (so basically 1/3 strawberry açaí, 1/3 black tea, 1/3 lemonade).

In a tall: 1 pump raspberry 

In a grande: 1.5 pumps raspberry 

In a venti: 2 pumps raspberry

Why it’s awesome: It’s basically the most refreshing caffeinated drink you can get at Starbucks. Black tea has pretty much the same amount of caffeine as coffee, and the strawberry açaí has caffeine, too. So, when you replace the water with the strawberry açaí you’re pretty much going to be wired. 

Pumpkin Pie Frappuccino (The Jordana) 

Starbucks cake pizza
Jennifer Behrendt

How to order: Ask for a white mocha frappuccino, and add java chip.

In a tall: 1 pump of pumpkin spice

In a grande: 2 pumps of pumpkin spice

In a venti: 3 pumps of pumpkin spice 

Why it’s awesome: The name speaks for itself. Who doesn’t like pumpkin pie?

The Medicine Ball (The Lily)

Starbucks tea herb
Tiffany Zau

How to order: Ask for a hot tea made of half hot water and half steamed lemonade as the base. Then, ask the barista if you can have one bag of jade citrus mint and one bag of peach tranquility tea.

Optional: Ask the barista for honey packets on the side (baristas do not put honey in your beverages). 

#SpoonTip: Remember, a tall tea at Starbucks comes with one bag. In a tall, you will get charged extra for the second tea bag. Grandes and ventis come with two tea bags. 

Why it’s awesome: Barista’s can’t cure your sickness, but if you have a sore throat, the Medicine Ball will definitely take away some of that pain. Plus, it tastes bomb AF. 

If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, you should also check out Starbucks doliday drinks to spice up your holiday season, and you can even see which drink is best for you.

Lily Kaufman

Buffalo '18

Super bubbly cheese obsessed college student.