Starbucks offers a variety of iced coffee beverages, such as standard iced coffee, iced espresso, or cold brew. Thus, each type of iced coffee comes in a multitude of flavors and mixes, just like everything else at Starbucks. Hence, navigating the menu can be confusing sometimes.
Are you struggling with Starbucks’ large selection of cold coffees on the menu? If you have a hard time deciding which one to order, don’t worry. Here is a list of the Best Starbucks Iced Coffee Drink to help you out.
The Basics Of Starbucks Iced Coffee
The overview
- The variety: Traditional iced coffee, cold brew coffee, and iced espresso are the three types of iced cold coffee drinks available at Starbucks.
- The affordable option: The least inexpensive option of iced coffee at Starbucks is a regular iced coffee created by brewing coffee in the traditional way.
- Decaf: Decaf is not available in iced coffee or cold brew. Order an iced decaf espresso drink or a decaf iced pour-over at Starbucks to get decaf iced coffee.
- Sweetness: Starbucks iced coffee is sweetened with Classic syrup by default; however, sugar-free options are available. A liquid sweetener or flavored syrup is usually included in the recipe for iced espresso drinks. Meanwhile, a cup of cold brew that has not been flavored is not automatically sweetened.
- Topping: Caramel syrup, Starbucks whipped cream, and sweet cream cold foam are popular iced coffee beverage toppings.
Starbucks Traditional Ice Coffee
Starbucks iced coffee is traditional drip coffee brewed with hot water that has been chilled and combined with ice and syrup. The syrup can be added later on, so you can leave it out if you don’t want it.
Customers can also add milk to this iced coffee. Thus, you can opt for non-dairy milk such as almond, soy, or oat if you want your iced coffee to be dairy-free.
Starbucks Cold Brew Coffee
This is coffee that has been steeped in cold water for 20 hours. Because of the lengthy brewing procedure, caffeine extraction is more intense. Hence, cold brew has a higher caffeine content than conventional iced coffee. Another appeal of cold brew is that this coffee is less acidic than typical iced coffee because the coffee never directly meets hot water. Hence, Starbucks’ cold brew is quite popular.
Starbucks cold brew has two variations: iced cold brew and nitro cold brew. Nitro Cold Brew is basically a cold brew with the addition of nitrogen bubbles. This option is appealing because the nitrogen enhances the smoothness, sweetness, and coldness of the original cold brew. Also, Nitro Cold Brew does not come with ice, which means that there is more coffee and caffeine in this type of cold brew.
Further reading: Cold Brew Coffee In Fridge Or Room Temperature: Everything You Need To Know
Iced Espresso Beverages
Getting one of Starbucks’ various espresso-based beverages is another option of Starbucks iced coffee drink.
Of course, a basic iced espresso, such as an Iced Americano, is available. This espresso drink resembles traditional iced coffee and cold brew the most. Yet, when it comes to the freshly drawn espresso shots, the taste options are endless as the iced espresso can be mixed with ice, water, cold milk, sauces, or syrups. As a result, there are also iced versions of lattes, mochas, and macchiatos to choose from.
Additionally, decaf iced coffee is exclusively available at Starbucks in the form of iced espresso beverages. One note to keep in mind with iced espresso drinks: increasing the cup size does not always result in more caffeine. But don’t worry because you can increase the amount of caffeine by ordering more espresso shots.
10 Best Iced Coffees at Starbucks
1. Iced coffee
If you want a classic iced coffee with brewed coffee and ice, Starbucks Iced Coffee is the best iced coffee drink you can have at Starbucks. This coffee belongs to the traditional iced coffee group. To make this drink, baristas would chill freshly brewed coffee, sweeten it with Starbuck classic syrup, and pour over ice. You can change the syrup or cut it out entirely. You can also add milk and choose non-dairy milk for your coffee.
Thus, if you prefer a cold coffee with less caffeine than other iced coffees of this coffee house, this is also a decent choice. Furthermore, this option is also less expensive than cold brew and other iced espresso drinks. Hence, this iced coffee would be the best option if you want to try out the taste of Starbuck iced coffee.
2. Cold brew
Cold brew is another basic but great menu if you want to know how Starbuck cold brew tastes. Starbucks’ renowned cold brew coffee products are a delectable way to drink iced coffee. It is also available with ice, or you can order a nitro cold brew that comes without ice.
Starbucks cold brew coffee beverages are smoother and more caffeinated than ordinary iced coffee because this drink is slowly steeped at room temperature for 20 hours.
To personalize your cold brew, you can add toffee nut syrup (recommended by Starbucks baristas) and milk of your choice. You can also add dark caramel syrup and cream for the addition of sweetness.
3. Iced Shaken Espresso
If you want a tasty cup of coffee that is not overly sweet, Starbucks’ new iced shaken espresso beverages are one of the greatest iced coffee drinks to purchase. Shaken espressos only have one additional shot of espresso and half the quantity of syrup as other beverages that have the same size, making this drink much less sweet.
A barista would make an Iced Shaken Espresso by combining traditional syrup, espresso, and ice in a shaker. This drink is completed with a splash of chilled milk.
From this regular iced shaken espresso, you can have many different delicious versions. The Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, with the addition of brown sugar syrup, blonde espresso, ice, and oat milk, is one of the most popular versions. Recently, the Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso also has grown to become a new favorite among customers.
4. Iced Caffè Americano
You can try an Iced Americano for an iced coffee beverage with slightly more caffeine than standard iced coffee or ordinary cold brew. This iced espresso drink is made with a simple combination of cold water, fresh espresso shots, and a light layer of crema.
It is also worth mentioning that compared to other espresso drinks in the same cup size, Starbucks Iced Americanos get one more shot of espresso. Hence, if you want more caffeine, this is the option for you.
5. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Now let’s explore more fancy options on the menu, and the first one we want to introduce is the famous Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew.
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is easily one of the coffee house’s most beloved iced coffee drinks.
You can taste the sweet vanilla cream flowing across this beloved Starbucks iced coffee drink. Compared to the previous iced coffee, this drink is higher in calories, but we will say that the taste is completely worth it.
Alternatively, you can try ordering it with a cold foam of delicately whipped vanilla cream added on top of the vanilla cold brew. With this addition, every sip will be full of the vanilla taste that will satisfy any fans of sweet drinks.
6. Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
Starbucks customers love the Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew – a delightful spin on the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew. This is understandable, considering how delicious the name of this drink sounds.
The base of this iced coffee is essentially cold brew flavored with caramel syrup, which is then topped with salted vanilla sweet cream. You will be surprised about how delicious this combination tastes with only ice, cold-brewed coffee, caramel syrup, and salted vanilla sweet cream.
You can replace the caramel syrup with white mocha or toffee syrup. Another recommended way to personalize this drink is to add a shot of Starbucks blonde espresso.
7. Iced Caramel Macchiato
This sweet and tasty caramel beverage is also a great option for you to enjoy a Starbucks iced coffee drink. The barista would pour espresso shots over ice, milk, and vanilla to make an Iced Caramel Macchiato. To finish off, the thick caramel sauce is then drizzled over the iced espresso.
You can substitute the whole milk in this drink with rich coconut milk for a similar texture. You can also add the white mocha sauce for more delicious sweetness. The sweet and slightly savory caramel flavor will balance out the bitterness of the coffee, making this drink an addictive treat that will not let you down if you give it a try.
8. Iced Vanilla Latte
If you like an iced espresso variation with a hint of sweetness from the vanilla, this is the drink for you. A simple vanilla syrup, creamy milk, and blonde espresso is all served ice in an iced vanilla latte.
This drink can be simple compared to some options above. Yet, many Starbucks consumers have long been fans of this classic drink because of its simplicity. So, if you are a beginner to Starbuck iced coffee drinks, this option can be a good place to start.
9. Iced Caffè Mocha
If you love sweet drinks with chocolate flavor, this is the option for you. Starbucks iced mocha can be a delicious way to enjoy a decadent iced coffee. The Iced Caffè Mocha combines rich chocolate sauce with black espresso and sweet whipped cream.
You can have an Iced White Chocolate Mocha instead if you prefer white chocolate. Either way, you will be satisfied with this delicious sweet treat.
You can customize your mocha drink to your liking. To elevate this drink, you can add a pinch of cinnamon powder or more mocha drizzle on top. If you want to make this drink extra chocolaty, you can ask for more chocolate sauce on your milk.
10. Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Here comes the final candidate of this list: another special treat – the Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte. This flavor-packed espresso cold coffee is made with espresso, creamy cinnamon dolce syrup, and milk.
A generous scoop of cream and a cinnamon topping completes the dish and adds an autumn flavor. If you are a fan of cinnamon, you should not miss out on this delicious treat.
Conclusion
Now you have had the list of the best Starbucks iced coffee. No matter how you like your iced coffee, you can find your favorite based on the list above. Hence. Try them out next time you go to Starbucks. Make sure always to enjoy your coffee, and we will see each other again.
