If you’ve ever bought a drink from Starbucks, you may have encountered the term “handcrafted.”
But what does it mean? What makes “handcrafted” beverages different from other Starbucks drinks?
Quick Answer: What is a handcrafted drink at Starbucks?
Handcrafted Starbucks drinks are beverages made at the espresso/cold bar and are made with a bit more love. They're a great investment for those willing to pay more for a drink tailored to their tastes.
Below, I will walk you through the most frequently asked questions regarding any handcrafted drink Starbucks creates.
I’ll dive deep into the specific drinks Starbucks considers “handcrafted,” the benefits and pitfalls of buying them, and recommend handcrafted Starbucks drinks you may want to try.
What is considered a handcrafted drink at Starbucks?
In marketing terms, any handcrafted drink Starbucks sells is made with “a bit more love.”
A handcrafted Starbucks drink requires more complex techniques and a personal touch than non-handcrafted beverages.
According to Starbucks’ official website, handcrafted drinks include:
- Espressos
- Frappuccinos
- Iced teas
- Cold coffees
- Seasonal drinks
What makes the above drinks “handcrafted”? Let’s unpack a typical handcrafted drink Starbucks puts together:
Espressos
When you think of “handcrafted” drinks, espressos aren’t the first to come to mind. After all, the first step to making them involves specialized machines.
The machine forces pressurized hot water through ground coffee beans, creating the potent mixture many people order first thing in the morning. The grind size looks like this:
However, pulling espresso shots requires skill, even with a machine.
You need to use the right beans, select the appropriate basket size, work the grounds, and lock the portafilter; all before pulling the shot!
At Starbucks, you can get two kinds of espresso:
- Espresso. A doppio-sized espresso (1.5 fl oz) contains ten calories.
- Espresso con Panna. If you don’t mind adding 25 more calories to your doppio espresso, Espresso con Panna is the way to go. As the English translation of its name implies, it contains whipped cream. Also, the Starbucks version of Espresso con Panna has vanilla syrup.
Tip: You can make an Espresso con Panna at home by following this easy-to-make recipe!
If you want to learn more about the difference between an espresso and a doppio espresso, you can find more information in this article.
Frappuccinos
You won’t find a “Frappuccino” at non-Starbucks coffee chains. That’s because Starbucks purchased the rights to the name during the 1990s.
The deal paid off handsomely: Today, many credit Starbucks’ success to the Frappuccino.
It’s easy to identify a Frappuccino: an iced drink topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and the signature Frappuccino Roast.
According to Starbucks employees on Quora, the syrup holds everything in the Frappuccino together.
Of course, the syrup recipe is a trade secret.
Considering that the Frappuccino is Starbucks’ signature product, you’d think the company has found a way to mass-produce it.
In reality, the Frappuccino takes longer to produce than any other handcrafted drink Starbucks offers.
Every Frappuccino needs to come out right and not become too chunky or runny. And that’s not accounting for all the possible customizations of this sugary beverage.
As of this writing, Starbucks offers a wide variety of Frappuccinos for customization. All of them fall under one of two categories:
- Coffee Frappuccino. As you can guess from the name, these Frappuccinos have a coffee base.
- Creme Frappuccino. All Frappuccinos that don’t have a coffee base are creme Frappuccinos. However, some do contain caffeine.
Iced teas
Like espressos, iced teas aren’t beverages you associate with the word “handcrafted.”
However, as far as Starbucks is concerned, iced tea isn’t just leaf extract mixed with cold water.
What makes iced tea a handcrafted drink at Starbucks is that you can customize it according to the following:
- Ice water. The more water or ice your tea has, the weaker it is.
- Sweeteners. You can request a specific sugar or syrup to satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Other flavors. Depending on the iced tea you choose, you can also adjust the amount of milk, toppings, and other ingredients.
Cold coffees
Cold coffee isn’t just an iced version of its hot counterpart.
Starbucks baristas use cold brewing for drinks like Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew.
The method involves mixing coarse-ground coffee with cool water and steeping the mixture for about 20 hours, like so:
As it steeps, the coffee slowly extracts into the water and becomes the base for the cold handcrafted drink Starbucks patrons enjoy.
Starbucks’ nitro cold brew starts as Starbucks Cold Brew (slow-steeped in cool water) and is infused with nitrogen as it pours.
Tip: You can also make nitro cold brew at home! Check out this in-depth guide to learn more about it!
Seasonal drinks
As their name suggests, you can only order seasonal drinks at certain times of the year.
For example, the Pumpkin Spice Latte is available every fall and is probably the most famous seasonal handcrafted drink that Starbucks offers.
If you want to enjoy a pumpkin spice latte all year round, you can also make it at home by following this recipe, or opt for an iced version instead.
Aside from the pumpkin spice latte, seasonal Starbucks drinks include:
- Peppermint mocha
- Irish cream cold brew
- Caramel brulée latte
- Toasted white chocolate mocha
- Chestnut praline latte
Please note that not all seasonal drinks are available every year. In 2021, for instance, Starbucks phased out the beloved eggnog latte.
Other discontinued Starbucks offerings are:
- Strawberry shortcake Frappuccino
- Tazo tea infusions
- Apple crumble Frappuccino
Should you buy handcrafted drinks at Starbucks?
Is there an added benefit to buying a handcrafted drink that Starbucks makes? Or are you spending extra money for nothing?
You should buy handcrafted drinks at Starbucks if you're willing to pay a premium to tweak any beverage to fit your tastes.
Customizability is the main selling point of Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks. However, their higher price may be a dealbreaker for budget-conscious patrons.
Besides customizability and price, what are the other pros and cons of Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks? Let’s break them down in the next section.
Pros of handcrafted drinks at Starbucks
When you purchase any handcrafted drink Starbucks has on hand, you’re paying for an experience like no other. After all, nothing beats a beverage you can call your own.
The pros of Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks are:
- You can customize them to suit your preferences.
- You can experience new flavors and styles of beverages.
- You can pair drinks with your mood and the season.
- You can enjoy special perks.
Let’s unpack the positive aspects of handcrafted Starbucks drinks below:
You can customize them according to your preference
If you have a sweet tooth, go for the infamously sugary Frappuccino. If you prefer something simpler, get an espresso or unsweetened iced black tea.
Don’t mind indulging or paying a few more dollars? Pick any item from Starbucks’ secret menu.
Also, for more information on the calories of the Starbucks drink you want to order, don’t forget to use my tool below:
You can experience new flavors and beverage styles
Almost every year, Starbucks launches new varieties of handcrafted beverages!
Suppose you’re visiting a Starbucks in another country. In that case, you can try out flavors unavailable in the U.S.
For example, South Korea offers the sweet potato-flavored Golden Wish latte, the matcha-inspired Snow Mint Chocolate, and the lychee-topped Pink Chamomile Relaxer.
You can match drinks to your mood and the seasons
Need something cold and refreshing? Starbucks’ iced, handcrafted drinks can be a fun change of pace from your usual hot coffee.
Are you in the mood for autumn and the Holiday Season? Take your pick from Starbucks’ holiday drinks.
You can enjoy special perks
Considering how much one handcrafted drink costs, Starbucks baristas make, you want to maximize any promotions attached to them.
If you’re a Starbucks Rewards member, you can redeem 25 Stars for a drink customization (like an extra espresso shot or syrup).
Now, let’s move on to the downsides of handcrafted Starbucks beverages:
Cons of handcrafted drinks at Starbucks
A handcrafted drink that Starbucks baristas whip up can leave a bitter taste in your mouth (no pun intended).
If you don’t consider the cons of Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks, you may feel disappointed when you order one.
The cons of Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks are:
- You pay significantly more than for regular drinks.
- You may not always find the drink you want on the menu.
- You may find the many choices too overwhelming.
- You may not know which ones are “handcrafted.”
If you’re looking for reasons not to buy a Starbucks handcrafted drink, look no further than the next section.
You pay significantly more than for regular drinks
Starbucks prices vary by drink and location, but handcrafted drinks often cost more than basic brewed coffee, especially when extras are added.
If you’re adventurous and loaded, you can do a William E. Lewis Jr. and order a Super Venti Flat White for $148.99.
Remember how the eggnog latte vanished from Starbucks’ menu? At least 27 percent of diehard fans were disappointed.
Additionally, certain ingredients may be subject to shortages, including hazelnuts, matcha, caramel drizzle, strawberries, and blackberries.
If you’re looking for something beyond the usual chocolate/coffee/mocha/cappuccino combo, you’ll feel disappointed.
You may find the many choices too overwhelming
The key to ordering handcrafted drinks is knowing exactly what you want.
But what if you don’t know the difference between “tall,” “grande,” and “venti”? What if you make all the mistakes newbies make when ordering at Starbucks?
Instead of enjoying the pleasures of a handcrafted drink that Starbucks baristas work hard to make, you’ll complain about why ordering one drink has to be so difficult.
Tip: Want to learn how to order at Starbucks like a pro? Then, you can check out this in-depth guide!
You may not know which ones are “handcrafted”
Some people (including Starbucks employees) believe all Starbucks drinks are handcrafted.
If that’s the case, it would be hard to run limited-time promotions on everything, as those deals typically focus on a smaller set of drinks.
Generally, if a drink is ready-made or prepackaged in a bottle or paper bag, it’s probably not handcrafted. If a barista has to make it from scratch, it is.
Considering all the handcrafted drinks Starbucks offers, which one should you try first? I’ll give you my recommendations in the next section.
Best handcrafted drinks at Starbucks
Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned coffee lover, you’ll surely enjoy at least one handcrafted drink Starbucks has.
I won’t provide specific rankings for the drinks, as I believe everyone should experience what Starbucks offers in their own way.
The best handcrafted Starbucks drinks are:
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Caramel Frappuccino
- Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
- London Fog tea latte
Pumpkin Spice latte
Who doesn’t love the Pumpkin Spice Latte? It’s almost as much a part of American food culture as apple pie and mac and cheese.
The pumpkin’s distinctive sweet, earthy flavor, combined with the triple threat of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, makes you want to wind down and look forward to the last quarter of the year.
Caramel Frappuccino
The Caramel Frappuccino is an oldie but a goodie. The simplicity of this beverage makes it easy to customize.
If you’re looking for a decadent version of the Caramel Frappuccino, try the Ultra Caramel Frappuccino.
You’ll enjoy alternating layers of whipped cream and dark caramel on top of white chocolate and a cold brew.
Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew
Don’t assume the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew tastes like straight vanilla. The vanilla tones down the bitter coffee notes.
Like the caramel Frappuccino, the relative simplicity of the vanilla sweet cream cold brew makes it ripe for customization.
If you want to jazz it up, add toppings like caramel brulée, chocolate curls, and salted brown butter topping.
Tip: Make a vanilla sweet cream cold brew at home by following this recipe!
London Fog tea latte
If you enjoy Earl Grey tea, you may appreciate the London Fog tea latte.
Aside from the classic combination of black tea and bergamot oil, the London Fog tea latte also has steamed milk, vanilla, and lavender.
You can substitute the black tea with chai or matcha if that’s more your thing.
Final thoughts
If you pick any beverage from a Starbucks menu, you will likely end up with a handcrafted drink.
However, these premium beverages seem to be bringing something new to the table.
Whether the investment is worth it or not will ultimately depend on your budget and preferences.
Are you going to try a Starbucks handcrafted beverage? Let me know in the comments below!
