Starbucks is renowned for offering a wide variety of delicious coffee flavors. If you prefer cold coffee over hot, you'll want to know the best options to try this year.
You can experiment with various combinations, as Starbucks offers customization options on all its drinks.
Quick Answer: What are the best Starbucks iced coffee drinks?
The best Starbucks iced coffee drinks of 2026 include the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, plain cold brew coffee, and the Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte. All of these options are flavorful and taste best when served over ice.
You can also customize all of these drinks by changing the flavor to suit your taste.
This article will show you all the best iced coffee drinks you can try from Starbucks, so keep reading to find out more!
1. Caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino
I'll start with a classic frozen Starbucks drink, the caramel ribbon Caramel Frappuccino, the most popular iced coffee from Starbucks.
It has gained even more fame through online posts and social media sites like TikTok, so even if you haven't tried it yet, you may have heard about it online.
It's very sweet, but the dark caramel sauce is bitter, which helps to even out the flavors.
The drink includes Starbucks' iconic roasted coffee blended with a dairy of your choice, caramel sauce, and a topping of caramel syrup.
However, many customers say the best part is the whipped cream and crunchy caramel topping.
These ingredients elevate the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino above the basic caramel Frappuccino for many people.
You can easily make this drink at home by following this easy recipe.
What is the caramel crunch topping from Starbucks?
The unique topping available on the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino consists of crushed caramel bits.
They're small pieces of caramel that have been crushed to fit more easily through a straw.
Technically, you can add the caramel crunch topping to any drink from Starbucks.
It pairs well with other caramel-flavored iced drinks, although it can also be added to any beverage.
Some secret menu items also use the topping to change other iced drinks into something new.
2. Cold brew coffee
Starbucks cold brew coffee is another classic iced drink you should try.
Although this coffee is often used as a base in other Starbucks drinks, it can also be enjoyed on its own.
If many of Starbucks' drinks taste overpoweringly sweet to you, then it's the perfect alternative. The coffee is rich, dark, and not too bitter while still smooth.
Starbucks' cold brew takes about 20 hours to steep without heat.
Since the coffee isn't brewed with heat, it is not nearly as bitter as standard plain iced coffee.
If you prefer your iced coffee with a bit of sweetness, you can always customize it to suit your taste. Simply ask the barista to include your favorite milk and sweeteners.
They can even add syrups, so the possibilities are endless for the various drinks you can create.
Still, a basic cold brew coffee is delicious on its own, so you'll want to give it a try.
3. Iced blonde vanilla latte
Next is the iced blonde vanilla latte, perfect for those who prefer a milder coffee experience.
The vanilla roast is much lighter and sweeter than Starbucks' roasted coffee, and many baristas say this drink is best paired with either whole milk or oat milk, as these options don't detract from the smoothness of the drink.
Overall, you'll receive a very creamy, sweet iced coffee. If you prefer a less sweet drink, you can always ask for fewer or no sweeteners.
Since the vanilla roast is already sweeter than other types of coffee, it's something to consider. And you can also make this drink at home by following this recipe!
4. Iced brown sugar oat milk espresso
If you love oat milk, this iced drink features it as its main ingredient.
Everything your barista adds to your cup pairs exceptionally well with the oat milk base, making for a wonderfully smooth drink.
The brown sugar helps to add more depth to the drink.
The drink also comes with a cinnamon topping, which helps further balance out the taste of the oat milk and sweeteners, resulting in a drink with flavors reminiscent of the holiday season.
It's a very creamy drink with plenty of caffeine from the espresso shots.
The exact amount in your cup changes depending on the cup size you order.
For example, the iced Venti drinks get three shots of espresso, which may be too much for someone who doesn't want to have too much caffeine.
Tip: This in-depth article offers a comprehensive understanding of the various cup sizes and their corresponding names!
5. Iced caffé mocha
Chocolate and coffee pair well together, especially in cold drinks. So, you'll definitely want to try the iced caffé mocha next time you need a chocolate fix.
The mocha syrup Starbucks uses in this drink is rich and flavorful when combined with their espresso, resulting in a deep, chocolatey taste.
Some may find it a bit too rich, but the addition of milk and ice helps mitigate its bitterness.
6. Iced caramel macchiato
The iced caramel macchiato is a huge fan favorite among Starbucks customers. This drink has the famous caramel sauce, which many consider one of the cafe's best toppings.
It's refreshing and sweet, making for the perfect iced coffee to drink on a warm day. The homemade version looks like this:
The drink also includes vanilla syrup, and many customers recommend adding whipped cream for an even sweeter drink.
7. Iced cinnamon dolce latte
Are you a fan of cinnamon flavors? The iced cinnamon dolce latte is precisely what you need.
It comes with cinnamon dolce syrup, adding some spicy and sweet notes to your iced drink. Your barista will top it off with whipped cream and cinnamon dolce bits.
The drink also contains brown sugar, which sounds like it would be overpoweringly sweet, but it's not nearly as sweet as you'd expect.
The coffee and dairy help reign it in, making for a perfectly balanced yet spicy iced latte.
Tip: If you want to learn how to make Starbucks whipped cream at home, check out this article here!
8. Iced dark chocolate mocha
Starbucks' iced dark chocolate mocha is extremely rich and chocolatey.
Although the roasted coffee is hidden under the chocolate, the deep, dark chocolate flavors make this one of their best drinks.
Additionally, the dark chocolate is bitter, which helps balance the mocha's sweetness.
You'll want to pair this drink with milk, as the chocolate can be too strong if ordered plain.
Still, it's one of the best iced mocha options this year.
9. Iced flat white
The Starbucks iced flat white drink features steamed milk, resulting in a layer of milk foam on the surface of your drink.
It doesn't come with sweeteners, so if you want them, you'll need to request them. The result is a very creamy, smooth iced coffee.
Some customers might find the drink's taste too simple, but it's perfect for a refreshing afternoon pick-me-up.
What is a flat white drink?
It's easy to confuse flat whites with lattes since both drinks use milk. However, flat whites use less steamed milk, giving them a “flat top.”
The flat white also has a much stronger coffee flavor since it uses multiple espresso shots and less milk than a latte. (Here's more information about the differences)
Generally, this drink is more popular when hot, but it remains refreshing when cold.
10. Iced honey almond milk flat white
To spice up the iced flat white, add honey and replace the whole milk with almond milk.
Honey and almond milk pair exceptionally well together, complementing the deep flavors of the coffee perfectly.
The honey is light and keeps the drink simple while adding sweetness to your cup.
It's perfect if you want to try an iced flat white but are hesitant about drinking coffee without sweeteners.
Are you looking for a super sweet drink? This iced coffee tastes like a sugar cookie, making for a fun change of pace from your usual order.
Starbucks uses a special sugar cookie syrup in this drink, and many customers say it has a robust French vanilla flavor, with hints of cookie dough.
Most Starbucks fans order this option hot around the holidays. However, the iced version of the drink is perfect for year-round enjoyment.
It's sweet and flavorful, and the almond milk makes it creamier than their other lattes.
12. Iced white chocolate mocha
This mocha from Starbucks combines their famous white chocolate sauce, milk, and coffee.
They top it with whipped cream, and you can add a mocha drizzle for an extra chocolatey flavor.
The espresso added to the drink is bitter, which prevents it from becoming too sweet.
This drink is famous for its hot coffee, although the iced version is just as delicious, albeit less well-known.
It's very smooth and best enjoyed on a hot day. Overall, it's a very light, sweet, and refreshing option, making it a popular choice on the menu.
13. Java chip Frappuccino
If you love chocolate and coffee together, you'll want to try this drink as soon as possible.
It's a standard mocha Frappuccino, but it has a mocha sauce drizzle and is topped with Java Chips. Many people consider it a staple on the Starbucks menu.
It's so popular that many Starbucks customers only associate the chips with this particular Frappuccino and refer to it as the “Java Chip Drink” when ordering.
However, you can technically add them to any drink you order.
If you haven't had a Java Chip Frappuccino, you'll want to test it yourself.
It's one of their most famous drinks; many customers say it's their favorite iced beverage order.
What are Starbucks Java Chips?
Starbucks Java Chips are a bit different from regular chocolate chips.
They're not as hard as chocolate chips, making them easier to break apart and drink through a straw, but they still add a pleasant crunch to any iced drink.
They also contain less cacao than chocolate, so they're less sweet. You can learn more about them here.
This iced drink takes the classic mocha Frappuccino and adds delicious cookie crumbles, making it a perfect sweet treat.
Plus, it also replaces the standard whipped cream with whipped cream topped with mocha sauce.
The cookie bits also stay crunchy in the drink, adding a nice texture. The drink is very thick and rich, almost like a milkshake; any chocolate lover will surely enjoy it.
Starbucks uses a chocolate cookie similar to the Oreo to make the cookie crumble topping.
The cookies are crushed into tiny pieces and sprinkled on your drinks.
It takes them much longer to get squishy than expected, so you don't need to worry about strange textures in your cup.
15. Salted caramel cream cold brew
Many Starbucks customers enjoy the brand's caramel sauce, so it's no surprise that another caramel-themed drink made it onto this list.
The salted vanilla cream adds a savory note to the sweet drink, adding another layer of flavor and preventing the caramel syrup from becoming overwhelming.
The drink also has a layer of cold milk foam on top. It's creamy and balances the coffee's taste with every sip.
Additionally, you should avoid using a straw; otherwise, you will miss out on how the foam blends with the iced coffee flavors when you tilt your cup.
16. Vanilla sweet cream cold brew
If you want to try a sweet cold brew but don't like caramel, this vanilla sweet cream cold brew is the perfect choice.
It features vanilla sweet cream cold foam on top of the coffee, and the added vanilla makes it silky smooth and creamy.
Since it uses cold brew as its base, this drink contains a significant amount of caffeine. Many people like drinking it to help themselves wake up in the morning.
However, it can be too intense for those who rarely drink coffee.
Like the salted caramel cream cold brew, this coffee is sweet. You probably won't like it if you don't have much of a sweet tooth.
Although it's still an excellent option to try before drinking black cold brew coffee.
Can you order any hot coffee as an iced coffee at Starbucks?
Generally, you can order any hot coffee at Starbucks as a cold coffee.
For example, a flat white and a white mocha are both popular hot coffee orders, but they can also be ordered as iced coffee instead.
If you're getting bored with your favorite hot coffee, you can always change your order from hot to cold.
Simply altering the temperature can drastically change your drink's texture and flavor.
Depending on the season, many customers also determine whether they order their favorite drink as hot or cold coffee.
Which Starbucks iced coffee drink is the most popular?
The most popular Starbucks drink in 2026 is the caramel Frappuccino. Customers love the caramel sauce and syrup, which tastes great both cold and warm.
A more “premium” version of that drink would be the caramel ribbon crunch Frappuccino, which comes with more caramel toppings.
So, if you haven't tried many of Starbucks' caramel drinks, ordering a caramel Frappuccino is the perfect place to start.
You can remove some toppings if it's too sweet for you.
However, if you love the taste and want more, the Caramel Ribbon Crunch version takes the basic Caramel Frappuccino and adds caramel sprinkles and dark caramel sauce as toppings, elevating it to the next level.
How should I get my iced coffee at Starbucks?
You should get your iced coffee at Starbucks with your favorite customizations added in.
First, ask for a plain iced coffee, then add any dairy or sweeteners you like (such as syrups or sauces).
Some prefer rich and bitter iced coffee, while others enjoy it with plenty of toppings.
If you need help deciding which iced coffee to try, you can always ask the barista about their favorites.
Many are passionate about their coffee drinks and will have plenty of suggestions for you to try.
You might discover new iced coffee flavors you didn't know you could order this way.
You can also start your order with a cold brew iced coffee as a base, as it differs from Starbucks' plain iced coffee.
It's a good option for a smoother, heavily caffeinated drink. Additionally, the cold brew features hints of chocolate.
If unsure what to try next, you can experiment with the Starbucks app. Many people use it to place their orders and pick them up.
It also gives you more time to browse their iced drinks menu and adjust the toppings and other ingredients in your coffee, which is especially helpful in creating your perfect Frappuccino.
You're also eligible to earn Stars at Starbucks when using the app, which will get you a free drink on your birthday and even a free refill in selected stores!
More great Starbucks drinks
Ready to learn more about what kind of drinks Starbucks has?
Great!
Below, you will find all the lists I've created so far:
- Best Starbucks Caramel Drinks
- Best Starbucks Cold Brew Drinks
- Best Starbucks Decaf Drinks
- Best Starbucks Drinks for Kids
- Best Starbucks Espresso Drinks
- Best Starbucks Frappuccino Drinks
- Best Starbucks Holiday Drinks
- Best Starbucks Hot Drinks
- Best Starbucks Latte Flavors
- Best Starbucks Oat Milk Drinks
- Best Starbucks Protein Drinks
- Best Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks
- Best Starbucks Vanilla Drinks
And for even more information about Starbucks, check out the Starbucks hub here!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a lot of iced coffee options from Starbucks to choose from.
I've talked about the best drinks you can order right now and what to expect in terms of flavor.
If you'd like to learn more about Starbucks, be sure to take a look below!
