Popular articles
Recent discussions on forum
A Guide To The Best Starbucks Latte Flavors
Don’t know the best Starbucks flavor for you? Here are the best options.
Published May 30, 2022
Select language
Asharita D'Silva
Coffee experts@Era of We
Starbucks is known for having a staggering number of latte options on their menu, from the ever-popular Pumpkin Spice Latte to the lesser-known pistachio latte.
As is typical of Starbucks, you have the option of customizing your drink in every imaginable way. You can start by deciding on what type of milk you want (‘latte’ means milk in Italian) such as whole milk, skimmed milk, or vegan milk (soy, almond, oat, etc.). Next, you can choose your beans such as decaf, blonde roast, Vienna roast, or French roast. Then we have the iconic Starbucks syrups, sauces, and toppings which cover flavors such as vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, toffee nut, cinnamon, mocha, white chocolate, raspberry, and more. Lastly, you can choose between different sweeteners (sugar, brown sugar, artificial sweetener, and honey).
With such a wide variety of choices, it can be hard to pick the best Starbucks latte flavors so here’s my list of the best lattes you can get at Starbucks:
Café Latte
Let’s start with a classic latte- the Starbucks café latte is made with two espresso shots and 2% skimmed milk with a thin layer of milk foam. The standard café latte can be customized with flavored syrups and toppings if you want to experiment. The best toppings for latte include vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, and toffee nut. The café latte is the second most popular drink at Starbucks and is usually made with their signature espresso roast coffee beans.
Blonde Vanilla Latte
Taking a small step away from the classic latte, we have the Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte which is made with blonde roast coffee beans. Blonde roast is the lightest roast level at Starbucks and is one of their more unique offerings. The blonde latte Starbucks serves has a lighter and nuttier flavor and a little more caffeine than darker roast coffee.
The lighter, greener flavor profile is best complimented with vanilla syrup which is what makes the blonde vanilla latte such a balanced drink. You can opt for a blonde skinny vanilla latte by asking your barista to switch to low-fat milk or vegan milk (oat milk is a great option).
Chai Latte
Next, we have a type of black tea latte, which is the chai latte. Chai is made with tea infused with spices like cardamom, ginger, clove, star anise, and more. This chai concentrate is then mixed with milk to make a chai latte. No sugar is required since the concentrate is brewed pre-sweetened. The chai latte is one of the best Starbucks chai drinks.
A popular variation of the chai latte is the dirty chai latte in which a shot of espresso is added to the cup. The combination of tea and coffee in the same drink packs quite a punch and is a unique flavor that you need to try at least once. You can also order this drink cold, which is the iced chai latte.
Cinnamon Dolce Latte
For an indulgent treat, try the Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Cinnamon dolce is one of the best Starbucks syrup made with cinnamon and brown sugar. This syrup is added to milk and coffee and then topped with whipped cream and cinnamon dolce topping to make the cinnamon dolce latte. The result is a buttery smooth brew with notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and warm sugar.
If this all sounds too sweet for you, you’ll be happy to know that you can get a sugar-free version of the Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte.
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Probably the most recognizable of all the Starbucks drinks names, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is a seasonal latte that has become an iconic staple for the fall. Regarded by some as the best Starbucks latte, the PSL brings a warm and light-spiced take on the basic latte. Pumpkin spice consists of nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon which are all very autumnal flavors. Pumpkin spice is added to milk and espresso and topped with whipped cream and pumpkin spice topping to make the Pumpkin Spice Latte.
You can opt for an iced version of this drink too.
Iced Café Latte
Coming back to the basics, we have the iced café latte. If you like simple coffee, the iced café latte is simply made with milk, espresso, and blended ice. Like the hot version of the drink, you have the option of adding one or more of the many Starbucks flavored syrups and toppings available on the menu. If you’re indecisive like me or simply like to customize your drink exactly the way you want, then the iced café latte is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day.
Pistachio Latte
Pistachio with coffee is an unusual combination but it works surprisingly well. For this drink, you need your usual milk and espresso and then pistachio sauce and brown butter cookie topping are added to make it a pistachio latte.
This is one of the newest Starbucks lattes on the menu, so give it a try and see if you like it!
Honey Oat milk Latte
For all the health-conscious coffee lovers, you can’t miss out on the Honey Oat milk Latte. This Starbucks latte is made with oat milk from Oatly and Starbucks espresso mixed with a honey blend (made with honey and an additional sweetener like sugar or corn syrup). The honey oat milk latte is light and nutty with a deep flavor, high caffeine content, and low calories.
You have the option of replacing the usual espresso roast for blonde roast coffee which adds an extra dimension of flavor to your latte.
Matcha Green Tea Latte
You may have seen a green Starbucks drink all over social media and that would most likely be the match green tea latte, which is served both hot and cold (as the iced matcha green tea latte). The matcha powder is a pre-mix and not fresh, so it might not be the freshest flavor if you’re accustomed to fresh matcha. The matcha powder is pre-sweetened and you need 3 scoops of this powder for the drink. Matcha has a decent caffeine content and is also linked to various health benefits so this is a good drink if you’re trying to get your caffeine from non-coffee sources and are particular about your health.
London Fog Tea Latte
Last but not least, we have the London Fog Tea Latte made with Teavana Earl Grey tea, steamed 2% skimmed milk, and vanilla syrup. The Earl Grey tea has notes of citrus and lavender which pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the vanilla syrup. The caffeine content is quite low but still noticeable so this is a good low-caffeine option if you’re trying to cut back. The London Fog Tea Latte is a distinctive drink with a unique flavor that you must try.
As you can see, there’s truly a latte for everyone at Starbucks. Whether you like your coffee simple or complex, flavored or plain, just experiment and you’re sure to find something you like on the Starbucks menu. Keep an eye out for seasonal lattes like the Pumpkin Spice Latte, White Mocha Latte, or Peppermint Latte which are only available during certain times of the year. Whenever in doubt, talk to your barista and they can help you decide on the best latte for you.
About the author
Asharita D'Silva
Join me in discovering the wonderful world of coffee! As a writer, coffee is my fuel and newfound passion. I love writing about new coffees, sustainability, and coffee culture around the world. I'm always discovering new things about coffee and the industry, which I share with the great community here at Era Of We.
Add comment
More on the coffee lab
Sign up and contribute now