These Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks Are Even Better Than a PSL
Updated: Jan. 11, 2024
Move over, PSL—these fall-flavored secret menu drinks are what we're ordering this year.
It’s that time of year again! Oversized knit sweaters, golden leaves crunching under your boots, cuddling under a warm blanket in front of a crackling fire and, of course, pumpkin-flavored coffee drinks. Not all of us, however, are keen on the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte, known on social media simply as #PSL. Luckily for us, there’s more—much more—than just the PSL available at Starbucks, and we’ve rounded up a few of our favorites.
Go forth, my fellow fall lovers, and enjoy!
Pumpkin Cheesecake Frappuccino
Why bake a whole pumpkin cheesecake when Starbucks can get the goodness to you via a straw? This decadent Frappuccino is all we’re ordering this fall.
How to order: Begin this sweet and spicy Frappuccino by ordering the classic creme-based Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino in a Grande. Next, ask for one pump of white mocha syrup and one pump of cinnamon dolce syrup. Top your beautiful masterpiece off with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs. (And if you want a little more crunch, ask the barista to coat the bottom of the cup in graham cracker crumbs, too.)
Pumpkin Pie Frappuccino
Are you a fan of pumpkin-flavored drinks, but prefer them cold? That means you have good taste. This Pumpkin Pie Frappuccino is a popular (and icy) alternative to the iconic PSL.
How to order: Start off your order with a creme-based Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. You’ll want to request cinnamon dolce syrup, though the amount depends on the size—one for Tall, two for Grande and three for Venti. Next, ask your barista to blend in cinnamon dolce sprinkles and a dollop whipped cream, and finish it all off with cinnamon dolce topping and a little more whipped cream.
Pro tip: If you’re looking for the crunch factor of pie crust, throw in a scoop or two of chocolate chips.
Caramel Pumpkin Macchiato
With just a couple alterations to your beloved, go-to macchiato, you could be sipping on your own seasonal coffee without venturing too far from your comfort zone.
How to order: Begin your order with a standard Caramel Macchiato, but substitute the vanilla syrup for pumpkin sauce. (Starbucks’ Caramel Macchiatos actually come with vanilla syrup, not caramel.) Lastly, ask for a sprinkle or two of pumpkin spice topping for a macchiato that looks—and tastes!—like your favorite pumpkin torte.
Butterscotch Frappuccino
Starbucks unveils the Butterscotch Latte and matching Frappuccino every year around Christmas time, but that doesn’t mean you can’t cheat the system for a sip a little early. Though this drink isn’t just about the pumpkin, it still uses pumpkin spice sauce and thus can only be ordered when it is in season.
How to order: For this holiday staple, ask for a creme-based Frappuccino loaded with pumpkin sauce, caramel syrup and hazelnut syrup. This recipe falls the same process as the Pumpkin Pie Frappuccino for each syrup—one pump for Tall, two for Grande, three for Venti. Deck out your drink with whipped cream and a decadent drizzle of caramel.
Fall in a Cup
They say that scent is the strongest sense tied to memory, but for many of you, taking your first sip of this drink of the season just might take the cake. It is the epitome of our beloved fall season in taste form.
How to order: Begin with a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino base, and ask for caramel syrup—one and a half pumps for a Tall, two for a Grande and three for a Venti. You’ll want to do the same thing with the chai, but with some slightly different measurements—one pump for a Tall, one and a half for a Grande and two for a Venti. (This is because Starbucks’ chai syrup is very sweet.) Finally, stamp your creation with whipped cream, pumpkin powder and caramel drizzle. Yum!
Starbucks’ Chai Tea Latte is too easy to recreate at home.
Harry Potter Pumpkin Juice
If you’ve ever been to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at the Universal Studios in Orlando then you are already familiar with this wonderful concoction. For those of us who aren’t so fortunate, all you need to do is travel (by apparating, obviously) to the nearest Starbucks and order this delightful copycat (and maybe a Butterbeer Frappuccino while you’re at it).
How to order: For this unique recipe, ask for one and a half pumps of pumpkin sauce for a Tall, two for a Grande and three for a Venti. Ask your barista to fill the cup up to the top line with apple juice, then finish off the drink with a scoop of ice.
Pro tip: You can also make this drink a hot latte by asking for steamed apple juice instead, just like in the Caramel Apple Pumpkin Spice.
Pumpkin Patch Latte
The Pumpkin Patch Latte is a satisfying twist on an old classic. If you’re a fan of the traditional Pumpkin Spice Latte, but would like to try something new, this one is for you.
How to order: This recipe is pretty simple. Just ask for a standard Pumpkin Spice Latte (the size is up to you), and request a scoop or two of matcha green tea powder. You’ll want to have the powder steamed with the milk so the latte fully mixes.
Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
Starbucks does hot chocolate all year round, but the Pumpkin Hot Chocolate is only available when the PSL arrives. We can’t get enough of Starbucks’ rendition of hot cocoa, and the pumpkin flavor added to this classical drink makes us love it all the more!
How to order: Order a Hot Chocolate, and ask your barista to include one pump of pumpkin sauce for a Tall, two for a Grande and three for a Venti. Keep in mind, though, that some Starbucks’ include vanilla in the Hot Chocolate recipe, so you may want to omit that ingredient if that’s a little too sweet for your taste.
Fall Mashup Frappuccino
Like the Fall in a Cup drink, all of our favorite flavors are combined in one cup. So, if you have a hard time deciding what kind of flavors you’re craving, why not get a combination?
How to order: Start off with a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino and ask for pumpkin sauce, one pump for a Tall or Grande and two for a Venti. Next, add toffee nut syrup, but only half a pump for a Tall, one for a Grande and one and a half for a Venti. Naturally, you’ll finish this drink off with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, chocolate drizzle and Starbucks’ seasonal sea salt.
Pro tip: You should also include a sea salt topping in this Salted Caramel White Mocha Cold Brew recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Choco-Chai
Who knew pumpkin, chocolate and chai would blend so perfectly? Well, the creator did, obviously, and so did the many fans leaving copious amounts of positive feedback.
How to order: Begin with (our personal favorite) a Chai Tea Latte, but ask for an extra pump of chai. Next, request pumpkin sauce and mocha syrup—one pump each for a Tall, two for a Grande and three for a Venti. This drink isn’t complete without a dollop of whipped cream and pumpkin spice powder.
Perfect Pumpkin Frappuccino
What makes this Frappuccino perfect? Is it the caramel drizzle along the inside of the cup? Perhaps, it’s the added vanilla flavor. Whatever the reason, this barista invented drink is just as it claims to be—perfect!
How to order: Begin your order with a Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino with vanilla bean powder. That’ll be two scoops of powder for a Tall, three for a Grande and four for a Venti. Next, ask your barista for extra caramel drizzle (or a painted cup), and top it all off with whipped cream and pumpkin spice powder for the perfect autumnal treat.
Still got a craving? Whip up these copycat Starbucks recipes at home.
Originally Published: August 31, 2020
