Popular articles
Recent discussions on forum
Starbucks Lattes Coffee Guide
Are you not sure how to order a latte at Starbucks? Don't worry, I got you covered!
Published February 16, 2022
Select language
Vasileia Fanarioti
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Starbucks lattes can be a bit confusing if you're not used to them. There are so many flavors and variations, it's hard to know which one to order. Not to worry, though! This guide will teach you how to make the perfect Starbucks latte every time.
Plus, I'll share my favorite flavor combinations. So whether you're a first-time Starbucks customer or an experienced latte lover, this guide has something for you!
Starbucks Lattes Coffee Guide
Do you love Starbucks lattes but don't know how to order them like a pro? Do not fear, my caffeinated friend! This guide is for you. I'll teach you how to order all of the most popular Starbucks lattes like a boss. Let's get started!
Starbucks Coffee Latte Menu: What you should know
The latte is a drink that was first introduced in Seattle, Washington back in 1971. Since then, the Starbucks coffee latte menu has been growing and expanding to include many different flavors and options. One of the things you should know about a latte from Starbucks Coffee is that it is actually much more than just a drink. It is made up of espresso and steamed milk which gives it its creamy and rich taste.
Many people opt to go to Starbucks Coffee for their latte. They do this because they enjoy the feeling of indulging themselves in a luxurious drink, seeing other people walk out with their drinks, and also, because it is their only source of caffeine for the day.
The Starbucks coffee latte menu will usually have a classic latte as well as an iced version of it on their menu. However, there are actually many variations of it which I will go into detail below.
Another thing you should know about the Starbucks coffee latte menu is that they have a secret menu, which means that there are drinks on their menu that customers can order from but aren't actually listed on the menu board. For example, if you wanted to get a caramel macchiato from Starbucks Coffee then this would be considered a secret menu item, because macchiatos are not listed anywhere on their standard drink menu.
The secret Starbucks Coffee latte menu includes drinks such as a dirty chai tea latte or a green tea lemonade. You can find all of these drinks and more from the secret menu if you look hard enough. The options are almost unlimited when it comes to what you can get from the Starbucks coffee latte menu. This is one of the reasons that it is so easy to get addicted to them.
Finally, you should know that their menu has changed over the years in order to keep up with the times and make more money. For example, they went from putting whipped cream on top of all their drinks (including non-dairy options) to just being able to put it on top of hand-crafted beverages.
They also now offer soy and almond milk as a dairy alternative. This is because more and more people are becoming health conscious and would like to reduce their intake of saturated fats and cholesterol (which is what one gets from the whole milk that they use in these drinks).
How to order a latte at starbucks
It all starts with what you want in your latte. The typical choices are whole milk, skim milk, soy milk, and almond milk. Whole milk is your standard choice. It's creamy and provides the most flavor, but it also has the most calories. Skim milk is slightly lighter in fat.
Then, there's soy milk and almond milk. If you're lactose intolerant or vegan, soy or almond milk might be a good option for you. If that's the case, be sure to ask about their syrups and sauces (if any) that contain dairy or animal products.
The next step is to choose your flavor(s)! You can add different flavors to any of the milk options. Flavors include:
- Vanilla
- Hazelnut
- Caramel
- Pumpkin Spice (seasonal)
If you're new to Starbucks and aren't sure what to try, I recommend vanilla or caramel. Both are very popular and provide a nice base flavor that you can mix with other flavors.
Sugar-Free Syrups & Sauces
Not a fan of sugary drinks? You can still enjoy a sweet drink without all the sugar. A few sugar-free syrup and sauce options are:
- Hazelnut
- Vanilla (sugar-free or classic)
- Almond (sugar-free, classic, or vanilla)
- Cinnamon Dulce (sugar-free or classic)
If you want a sweeter drink, I recommend trying a sugar-free mocha syrup. It's not as sweet as chocolate syrup but provides a nice balance and richer flavor than the sugar-free vanilla syrup.
Now we'll move on to the sizes . A "tall" is a 12 fluid ounce cup. If you want more volume, opt for a "grande" which is 16 fluid ounces. Still not enough? Go for a "venti" at 20 fluid ounces. The final size is the "trenta." It's 31 fluid ounces and only available on their iced drinks menu.
Starbucks Coffee Latte Menu
The following is a list of the most popular Starbucks lattes ordered with different options to help you order your dream drink.
Caramel macchiato: This one is whole milk with caramel drizzle and espresso shots . If you want a little sweetener, try two pumps of vanilla syrup instead of the caramel.
Caffe misto: This is a basic latte with an added flavor of either hazelnut or cinnamon dolce.
Cortado: Whole milk with two shots of espresso . If you like a little sweetness, try adding the vanilla syrup for two pumps and no water.
Espresso con panna: This is whole milk steamed with an added dollop of whipped cream on top . It has less caffeine than other drinks on this list but provides an extra dose of energy from the cream.
Espresso Macchiato: This is an espresso shot topped with a thin layer of foam . It's sweet and has the most caffeine out of all the drinks on this list. If you want something creamier, order it with skim milk instead of whole milk.
Iced Caffe Latte: With cold brew coffee in place of espresso shots , this drink has more caffeine than other iced lattes. If you're looking for that classic flavor but want to stay cool, ask about their sugar-free vanilla syrup or caramel sauce!
There are so many more Starbucks flavors than what's on their menu! You can customize or add new flavors to any drink just by asking your barista. If there's a specific latte that you love but want less caffeine or different ingredients, feel free to ask if they can make it for you.
Starbucks Lattes Coffee Guide FAQs
What's in a latte at starbucks?
The basis of a latte is espresso and steamed milk. However, Starbucks uses full-fat cream instead of low fat or non-fat milk. Sugar, flavor syrups are also added according to individual tastes.
How many calories are in a Starbucks caffe latte?
A latte has only slightly more calories than a cappuccino, but still less calories than an iced mocha. According to a study published in the scientific journal "Nutrition", a 16-ounce caffe latte has 163 calories, no fat and 2.5 grams of protein.
What is the Starbucks Latte Model?
The Starbucks Latte Model is as follows: listen to the customer, acknowledge them, thank them for the feedback, take action to resolve their issue, and explain what you've done to handle the situation and improve it. The Starbucks Latte Model is a customer-facing value proposition that helps customers connect to the brand, and "extend" an experience with Starbucks coffee. Socializing & sharing is what brings customers together in store or nearby to connect over a coffee, while Starbucks also has a Rewards program that gives customers the recognition they deserve for their loyalty.
Final Thoughts
Whether you like your coffee black, with milk and sugar, or a variety of flavors added, Starbucks has the perfect latte for you. If you’re looking to try something new, we suggest giving one of these delicious drinks a try. And if you’re a Starbucks regular, maybe take this guide as an opportunity to switch up your order next time around. Read our article: Best Coffee Drinks To Order At Starbucks to get started!
About the author
Vasileia Fanarioti
My name is Vasileia and I’m here because i decided to combine my two favourite things: writing and coffee. I love travelling around the world and visiting coffee shops but my biggest goal is to visit a coffee farm, to see where it all starts! You can follow my coffee adventures via my blog: thewanderingbean.net
Add comment
More on the coffee lab
Sign up and contribute now