Thinking about ordering an unofficial drink from Starbucks? Here are a few things you should know about the world of the Starbucks secret menu.
9 Things You Didn’t Know About the Starbucks Secret Menu
Updated on Jan. 11, 2024
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The secret menu is not official
Starbucks does not have an official secret menu. Any secret menu drinks (like this Twix Frappuccino) have been created by customers. With social media and word-of-mouth, the customized drinks became popular, and the idea of a secret menu was born. But there is no official endorsement from Starbucks.
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Baristas don’t have the secret menu memorized
Even when a secret drink becomes popular, don’t assume your barista will know exactly how to make it. Because secret menu items are not official, baristas are not trained on the recipes. Meaning if you pull into a Starbucks drive-thru and order a Cap’n Crunch Frappuccino, you might be met with questions or general annoyance. Similarly to how baristas don’t always enjoy some friendly Starbucks pay it forward lines.
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You have to know the ingredients
The best way to order secret drinks is to know the ingredients and order via the Starbucks app. That way your barista isn’t confused, and you can ensure the drink you get is the correct secret menu item. For a comprehensive list of drinks and their ordering instructions, check out our Starbucks secret menu drinks.
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Get inspiration from Instagram and TikTok
If you’re wondering what secret menu items are currently trending, check social media, of course! The hashtag #starbuckssecretmenu has thousands of results on Instagram. It’s an easy to way to see which drinks people are talking about, and exactly what they look like before you attempt to order one. TikTok also has a secret Starbucks subculture, where you’ll find customer videos as well as popular accounts featuring baristas themselves experimenting with recipes.
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Some secret menu items become official
When a drink creates a lot of buzzes, we’re willing to bet Starbucks is paying attention. That might be why some drinks that start as customer-created secret menu items become official menu items released by Starbucks! For example, Starbucks debuted its Pink Drink in 2017 but it had been a popular secret menu item long before that. (It was ordered as a Strawberry Acai Refresher with coconut milk instead of water.)
Make sure you know how to order a medicine ball tea at Starbucks (if you’re under the weather.)
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Starbucks once held a contest for secret menu Frappuccinos
In 2015, Starbucks temporarily offered a collection of what they called Fan Flavor Frappuccino beverages, including Caramel Cocoa Cluster, Cinnamon Roll, Cotton Candy, Cupcake, Lemon Bar and Red Velvet Cake. Then customers voted for their favorite during a 10-day contest. The winner was Caramel Cocoa Cluster, but it’s no longer on the official menu. You can order it now by asking for a regular coffee Frappuccino with three pumps of toffee nut syrup, plus whipped cream, caramel sauce and mocha sauce on top.
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Baristas have some crazy secret menu stories
According to this Reddit post, baristas have some crazy interactions with customers when it comes to secret menu drinks. One Reddit user said someone simply held up a photo from Instagram and asked for the pictured drink—no recipe, no name, nothing! Another customer asked for a secret menu drink and described it as “light brown” without any other details. One Starbucks barista said that a customer ordered four different secret menu recipes but requested they be combined in one drink!
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Secret menu drinks are usually expensive
Starbucks upcharges for extra flavor syrups and sauces as well as other add-ins like chips, fruit juice, vanilla bean powder, caramel drizzle, etc. The bottom line? If you order a complicated Starbucks secret menu drink, don’t be surprised if it costs you $8.
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Most secret menu drinks are full of sugar
With names like Skittles Frappuccino, Birthday Cake Frappuccino, and Funnel Cake Frappuccino, it may seem obvious that these drinks are full of sugar. But without any official nutritional information, it’s hard to say exactly how much sugar you’re consuming. Just keep in mind, four pumps of flavored syrup (the typical amount added to a grande drink) adds about 20 grams of sugar, 20 grams of carbs and 80 calories to your drink.
Also check out these healthy Starbucks drinks that taste indulgent.
