Starbucks’ coffee sizes can be confusing. Are cold Starbucks drinks bigger than hot drinks? Is a tall really the smallest size you can get? And does ordering a larger size mean getting more caffeine?
Here’s everything you need to know whether you’re ordering from the secret menu or enjoying an old classic.
Why Starbucks Coffee Sizes Aren’t Small, Medium and Large
Like most of us, you’ve probably wondered why Starbucks doesn’t use regular sizes like every other store. The story starts in 1983, when Howard Schultz, who founded the brand that eventually became Starbucks, visited Italy. Wanting to emulate the romantic Italian coffee experience, he modeled his new American coffee shop on Italian coffee bars, using terms such as macchiato, latte and grande.
When the Starbucks franchise expanded in the ’90s, the coffee sizes were short, tall and grande. Eventually, venti was introduced, kicking short off the menu, and tall became the new short.
Starbucks Coffee Sizes at a Glance
- Demi (3 ounces)
- Short (8 ounces)
- Tall (12 ounces)
- Grande (16 ounces)
- Venti (20 ounces for hot drinks, 24 ounces for cold drinks)
- Trenta (30 ounces)
What Each Starbucks Coffee Size Really Means
Taste of Home
Demi
Demi comes from the French word “demitasse,” which means half-cup in French. The history of the little cup goes all the way back to Italy in 1906! This tiny cup holds only 3 ounces and is made solely for espresso shots, each of which come in at about an ounce. This size is perfect for a single or even a double shot of espresso (commonly known as a doppio), which is 2 ounces.
Short
The smallest Starbucks drink around, a short contains 8 ounces. This li’l cup is available for hot drinks only, including brewed coffee and espresso drinks. Short drinks made with milk, like lattes and cappuccinos, contain one shot of espresso. A short Americano, made with water, also has a single shot. Single shots have less caffeine than a cup of coffee, so these are great options if you don’t love coffee jitters.
Tall
Confusingly, the second smallest size at Starbucks is called “tall.” It clocks in at 12 ounces, and you can order both hot and cold drinks in a tall cup. Tall drinks made with milk have one shot of espresso. The tall Americano and shaken espresso contain two shots.
Grande
In Spanish, “grande” means large, but since more’s better when it comes to coffee, it’s actually a medium option at Starbucks. Grande coffees hold 16 ounces, both for cold and hot beverages. Grande espresso drinks have two shots. As usual, the Americano and shaken espresso have an extra shot, giving you a nice boost with three shots of espresso.
Venti
The venti option is tricky, since it’s actually two different sizes. A hot venti beverage contains 20 ounces of coffee—in fact, the word venti means 20 in Italian. The cold venti is slightly larger, at 24 ounces. Both cups are noticeably tall and a bit more ungainly to carry around, something to bear in mind if you’re on the go.
Surprisingly, a venti hot drink has the same amount of espresso as a grande: two shots. The extra volume is mostly milk and syrup. However, a venti Americano has a whopping four shots of espresso.
The slightly larger capacity of the venti cold drink includes an extra shot: three shots for milky drinks, and an extra shot for a shaken espresso.
Trenta Cold
The newest Starbucks size caused a stir when it came out in 2011. As Eater reported, the 30-ounce Trenta is actually larger than most human stomachs. You can only order cold drinks in this gargantuan size, including iced tea, iced tea lemonade, iced coffee, cold brew and Starbucks Refreshers.
Espresso Exceptions
Of course, there are always a couple of exceptions: flat white lattes, made with a special ristretto shot, always include one more shot than traditional lattes. And blended drinks, like Frappuccinos, contain a single shot, regardless of size.
Confused? Don’t worry too much. If you’re unclear about sizing options or need to watch your caffeine intake, chat with your barista about the Starbucks menu; they’ll know the details!
Our Best Starbucks Copycat Recipes
Inspired by: Starbucks Chai Tea Latte
My family loves this comforting chai tea latte recipe, especially on cold days instead of cocoa or when they're feeling under the weather. I simplified this
chai tea recipe by using the filter basket of our coffeepot. It's delicious and great after dinner! —Julie Plummer, Sykesville, Maryland
Get Our Recipe for Chai Tea Latte
Molly Allen for Taste of Home
You can make Starbucks cranberry bliss bars any time you please with this step-by-step copycat recipe. It makes an entire pan of bars that taste just like the real deal. —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
Inspired by: Starbucks Egg BitesYou can substitute Gruyere cheese for the Swiss and ham for the bacon, or add in small-cut veggies to these copycat Starbucks egg bites. I also like to bake these in small Mason jars for fun single-portion presentations. Serve with avocado slices and fresh fruit for a healthy breakfast. —Maria Morelli, West Kelowna, British Columbia
Inspired by: Starbucks Caramel FrappuccinoI love caramel frappuccinos from Starbucks, but they get too expensive. I now make my own, and they are just as good. If you blend the milk with all the other ingredients, it gets too foamy—instead stir it in with a spoon after all the ice is crushed. —Heather Egger, Davenport, Iowa
NANCY MOCK FOR TASTE OF HOME
The flaky layers of laminated dough and a sweet, cheese filling in the center make this Danish a natural to pair with hot coffee or tea. It’s as delicious for breakfast as it is for a late-night snack. —Nancy Mock, Colchester, Vermont
Inspired by: Starbucks Roasted Ham, Swiss and Egg SandwichOn a busy morning, these freezer breakfast sandwiches save the day. A hearty combo of eggs, Canadian bacon and cheese will keep you fueled through lunchtime and beyond. —Christine Rukavena,
Taste of Home Senior Editor
Inspired by: Starbucks Cold Brew CoffeeCold brewing reduces the acidity of coffee, which enhances its natural sweetness and complex flavors. Even those who take hot coffee with sugar and cream might find themselves sipping cold brew plain. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Or if you rather buy it at the store, our Test Kitchen team found the very
best options to kick start your mornings.
Inspired by: Starbucks Everything BagelWho has time to make from-scratch bagels? You do, with this easy recipe! The chewy golden bagels offer a hint of honey and will win over even the pickiest eaters. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Starbucks Salted Caramel MochaIf you crave cafe-style coffees at home, here's a recipe for caramel mocha. You can make this decadent, sweet recipe within a few minutes and have a drink that rivals what you'd get at a coffeehouse.
Jamie Thrower for Taste Of Home
Inspired by: Starbucks Iced CoffeeWhen my sister introduced me to iced coffee, I wasn’t sure I’d like it. Not only did I love it, but I decided to start making my own iced coffee recipe. This easy version is a refreshing alternative to hot coffee. —Jenny Reece, Lowry, Minnesota
Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Lemon LoafMy family always asks for this love-me-tender lemon loaf cake. Sometimes, I shake things up and make cupcakes with the batter. So awesome for brunch! —Lola Baxter, Winnebago, Minnesota
Inspired by: Starbucks Honey Oatmilk LatteWe combine rich molasses, golden honey and a host of spices to create this warm and comforting beverage.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Starbucks Berry Trio ParfaitHomemade granola layered with fresh fruit and yogurt makes a superb breakfast. Sometimes I skip the parfait step to enjoy it on a hikes or picnics.—Donna Speirs, Kennebunk, ME
Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice LatteEach sip of this spiced-just-right beverage from our very own baristas tastes like a piece of pumpkin pie! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Starbucks Double Chocolate BrownieCoffee granules enhance the chocolate flavor in these amazingly fudgy brownies. Add chocolate chips to the batter and you’ve got some seriously irresistible treats. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Inspired by: Starbucks Caffe MochaWhen I'm sipping this delicious coffee, I almost feel as if I'm visiting my favorite coffeehouse. —Jill Rodriguez, Gonzales, Louisiana
Inspired by: Starbucks Toasted Coconut Cold BrewCold-brew lattes are all the rage at coffee shops, but they're so easy to make at home. This coconut cold-brew version is ridiculously refreshing and it's vegan! —Natalie Larsen, Columbia, Maryland
Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin BreadSkip the line and bake Starbucks's pumpkin bread in your own kitchen. This copycat recipe is better than the original! —
Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Inspired by: Starbucks Hot ChocolateEach winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the Bloody Marys and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.
Special Banana Nut BreadThis extra-special banana bread makes a wonderful gift for friends and neighbors. The recipe makes two loaves, so I can serve one and keep the other one in the freezer to use as a last-minute gift. —Beverly Sprague, Catonsville, Maryland
Inspired by: Starbucks Peppermint MochaMake spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Inspired by: Starbucks Iced Black Tea LemonadeI have always loved iced tea with lemon, and this irresistible thirst-quencher takes it one step further. The lemonade gives this refreshing drink a nice color, too. —Gail Buss, New Bern, North Carolina
Inspired by: Starbucks Blueberry SconeSave your precious summer blueberries for these blueberry scones! They’re so good, you’ll be thankful you get 16 scones out of the recipe.
Taste of Home
Skip the drive-thru and head straight to your kitchen to shake up this coffee drink. You only need four ingredients!
Get Our Recipe for Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso
Inspired by: Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese MuffinI first made this recipe back in 1987 and have since made it many times over the years because it's my children's favorite muffin recipe.
—Wendy Stenman
Inspired by: Starbucks Peppermint White Hot ChocolateMy soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
The Ultimate Chocolate Chip CookieEveryone has a favorite type of chocolate chip cookie—a little crispy, a little chewy—but they all have to begin with a basic chocolate chip cookie recipe. This is the best place to start! —Megumi Garcia, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
