The 15 Best Iced Drinks at Starbucks, as Chosen by Our Coffee-Loving Editors

Odds are you’ve been to Starbucks recently…but when’s the last time you ordered something besides your usual? In an effort to spice up your order, we polled our staff to find out their favorite cold bevs on the menu, from coffees to teas to blended delights. (After all, summer is just around the corner—what better time to try a new bev?) No matter your preferences, one of these tried-and-true picks will surely satisfy. Here, in no particular order, the 15 best iced drinks at Starbucks, according to our java-loving editors.

• Available: year-round

New to menus this spring, this cold coffee is inspired by cinnamon rolls. In each sip, you’ll find notes of sticky, spiced cinnamon filling, caramelized sugar and sweet icing, along with the robust taste of Starbucks cold brew. Since it’s nitro, it’ll also be velvety smooth in texture and balanced in flavor, making it a great choice for coffee drinkers who prefer minimal bitterness.

• Available: year-round

ICYMI, blonde coffee refers to beans that have been roasted for less time than usual, resulting in a gentler flavor and higher caffeine content. For this drink, two shots are topped with water and ice, allowing the espresso’s natural flavor and light crema to shine. Commerce editor Olivia Dubyak takes hers with an extra shot for a jolt of energy; you can also ask for room in your cup if you’d like to top it with milk for a creamier texture and less bitterness.

• Available: winter

It launched alongside the Pistachio Cream Cold Brew in winter 2021 and was so well received that it’s been revived every year since. Sweet pistachio syrup meets toasty espresso and milk over ice to create a smooth, comforting drink that’s easy to love. Best of all, it’s topped with a salted brown butter topping that offers delicious nuance to your first few sips. This nutty favorite will only be around for a little while longer this year, so order one while you still can.

• Available: year-round

If you prefer your light-and-sweet coffee blended to frosty perfection, look no further than the Caramel Frappuccino. A mix of caramel syrup, coffee, milk, ice and all the caramel sauce your taste buds can handle, this bev is more a treat than a standard cup of joe. But hey, we’ll go for whipped cream any time of day. Might we suggest asking for one affogato-style, served with a hot espresso shot poured over the top?

• Available: year-round

When it comes to choosing a Frap minus the java, this chocolate-kissed pick is an easy win. Rich mocha sauce, chocolaty chips, milk and ice go for a whirl in the blender before being poured into a cup and crowned with mocha-topped whipped cream. (Bonus points for asking the barista to drizzle the inside of the cup with mocha too.)

• Available: year-round

What started out as a seasonal summer darling quickly became a menu mainstay. And it’s no surprise why: Sweet peach juice is an epic pairing for earthy green tea, complete with hints of spearmint, lemon verbena and lemongrass. For a punch of tartness, ask for a splash of lemonade in your tea as well.

• Available: year-round

Of all the iced teas Starbucks offers, the black tea is the highest in caffeine. Matched with refreshing lemonade, ice and sweetener (if you’d like), it’s the ultimate afternoon pick-me-up. If you’re cutting back on sugar or going keto, ask for only a splash of lemonade and no classic syrup. The acidity of the lemonade will curb the earthiness of the tea, and since it’s already slightly sweetened, it won’t be too bitter without the extra syrup.

• Available: year-round

Treat yourself to a modest dose of caffeine sans-coffee with this green tea-based blended treat. Made with premium matcha powder, milk and ice, it’s among the most vibrant, photo-worthy choices on the menu. Whipped cream is technically optional…but we don’t know why you’d skip it.

• Available: year-round

First, blonde espresso is shaken with brown sugar syrup and cinnamon to infuse it with both sweet and spicy flavor. Then, it’s topped with oatmilk and ice to make it sippable and refreshing. Want to make this powerhouse even stronger? Commerce director Nicole Briese swears by her order, which calls for only one pump of brown sugar syrup and two extra ristretto shots (meaning a shot that’s extracted with minimal pressure and water for maximum intensity).

• Available: year-round

Sure, you’ve had plenty of hot white mochas in your day—they’re sweet, buttery and oh so comforting. But have you tried one iced? You may think the uber thick white chocolate sauce wouldn’t dissolve without steamed milk, but the hot espresso is pulled right on top of it, so as long as the barista gives the cup a swirl or stir before adding the cold milk and ice, they should be evenly mixed.

_{Taryn Pire is PureWow’s associate food editor. A former bartender and barista, she’s been writing about all things delicious since 2016, developing recipes, reviewing restaurants and investigating food trends at Food52, New Jersey Family Magazine and Taste Talks. When she isn’t testing TikTok’s latest viral recipe, she’s having popcorn for dinner and posting about it on Instagram @cookingwithpire.}