Vanilla Lattes, Caramel Lattes, Vanilla Frappuccinos, Flat Whites, and Caffè Mochas are easily the most popular coffee drinks at Starbucks today.
But, what options are there for people who don’t like the taste of coffee?
If you find yourself in the mood for something refreshing without that bitter coffee taste, there are still plenty of great options to choose from the Starbucks regular menu.
In this blog post, we list the top 15 Starbucks drinks that don’t taste like coffee. Some contain brewed or espresso coffee, and some don’t, but all taste great!
Our 15 Top Starbucks Drinks That Don’t Taste Like Coffee
1. Chai Tea Latte
This is the perfect drink if you’re craving a hot, tea-based spicy drink with lots of milk.
This popular drink consists of cinnamon and clove-infused black tea combined with perfectly steamed milk.
It’s the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.
With a good amount of caffeine, it can still replace your regular cup of joe and keep you warm.
2. Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
This warm and delicious Starbucks drink tastes like fall. It’s similar to the Pumpkin Spice Latte in its flavor profile.
Starbucks baristas first add a pumpkin spice base to the cup and then some chai concentrate into the same cup.
Then, they follow it with perfectly steamed milk and foam and finally dust the latte with a pumpkin spice topping for an extra layer of deliciousness.
3. Matcha Green Tea Latte
If you’ve never tried a Matcha Latte, you’re missing out on one of the best Starbucks drinks that don’t last like coffee.
Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder used for centuries to boost energy, help with weight loss, and fight free radicals.
It’s also delicious!
When you order one, your barista will put matcha green tea powder into your cup, steamed or cold milk (2%, whole, nonfat, breve, almond, coconut, soy, or non-dairy lactaid milk) and sweetener.
You’re essentially swapping the espresso in a traditional latte for matcha green tea.
And if you’re worried about it having a strong, bitter taste—don’t be!
4. Peppermint Mocha
This is one of Starbucks’ most-loved holiday drinks. It’s made with a signature Espresso Roast, candy cane-flavored syrup, mocha sauce, and steamed milk.
The crowning glory is a swirl of whipped cream and dark chocolate curls for added sweetness.
It’s not just that this beverage tastes amazing—it also smells like Christmas!
5. Caffè Mocha
We all know that Starbucks is the place to go when you need to drink coffee.
But, what if you want that added chocolate hit without a strong coffee flavor in your morning cup?
The Caffè Mocha isn’t fancy, but it’s good. It’s packed with rich chocolate and coffee flavors blended in just the right amount for coffee and non-coffee drinkers.
If you can’t decide whether you want to order coffee or hot chocolate, a Caffè Mocha is a good choice.
6. London Fog Tea Latte
When it comes to a good coffee beverage, I’m all about the classics.
But, there’s also room in my heart for some of the more experimental drinks on the menu.
We’re talking about super creative and fun drinks—like this one: The London Fog Tea Latte.
This is a super coffee alternative to espresso drinks if you hate coffee flavors. It’s made with an Earl Grey tea base.
You basically still get the creaminess and foaminess of a latte without the buzz of caffeine.
7. Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate/White hot Chocolate
We know what you’re thinking: “Starbucks Hot Chocolate? Really?”
We feel awkward ordering hot chocolate at Starbucks since we can easily make it at home, but their Hot Chocolate is out of this world!
It’s made with a rich chocolate or white chocolate sauce base, whole or skim milk, and topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder—the perfect warm, creamy goodness combination.
This delicious drink is just what you need when you want something sweet and comforting without the taste of coffee or coffee’s bitterness.
8. Iced Coffee
Even if you hate coffee or are drinking it for the first time, iced coffee is one of those mild-tasting coffee drinks that you can order without worrying too much about getting it wrong.
The other day I was at Starbucks and ordered this drink without creamer or sugar to see what would happen; I got a perfectly balanced drink that didn’t need anything added. It was delicious!
If you don’t mind a mild coffee taste, this is the drink for you. Of course, if you’re looking for something more exciting, there are plenty of options that have a mild or subtle coffee flavor, including the Iced Vanilla Latte or Mocha.
9. Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
If you’re a cold brew fan, this new drink on the Starbucks menu will knock your socks off.
The Nitro Cold Brew is smooth and creamy and has more caffeine.
It features a characteristic sweetness and low acidity (the best coffee that doesn’t taste like coffee).
So what makes this drink so unique? Well, first off, it’s brewed with cold water (not hot water) and nitrogen (hence “nitro”).
This means that when it hits your mouth, you get a smooth and creamy mouthfeel—like milk or cream! The nitro process also helps create a thick crema on top of each cup that holds the flavor in as you sip.
You can see this foam in action in the video below:
10. Starbucks Hot Brewed and Iced Teas
If you don’t like coffee much, you might think that Starbucks isn’t for you.
But, you can actually still find delicious alternatives here.
From the classic Earl Grey and Peach Citrus White Tea to the exotic Jasmine Dragon Pearls, there’s an assortment of delicious hot and iced tea flavors to try.
Other top custom tea choices include:
- Honey Citrus Mint Tea
- Iced Black Tea
- Iced Green Tea
- Iced Mango Black Tea
- Iced Mint Majesty Tea
- Iced Peach Green Tea
- Jade Citrus Mint Tea
11. Starbucks’ Iced Tea Lemonades
If you’re a fan of Starbucks teas (or just a fan of their steamed lemonade), these drinks are for you.
They’re similar to the popular iced teas but with a slight twist: they contain Starbucks’ signature lemonade for a refreshing lift.
Here are our top contenders:
- Iced Black Tea Lemonade
- Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade
- Matcha Lemonade
12. Double Chocolate Chip Creme Frappuccino
You know that feeling you get when you’re at a summer BBQ or picnic, and you see someone else’s food and immediately want to steal it?
We’ve got that same feeling for this sugar-filled Double Chocolate Chip Crème Frappuccino.
This frozen treat is made with rich mocha-flavored sauce, chocolaty chips, milk, and ice for a blender bash.
Baristas top this frappuccino off with sweetened whipped cream and a mocha drizzle for a sweet and pleasant summer treat. Ask your barista for java chips as an added customization.
13. Caramel Macchiato
We’re all about Starbucks and the delicious drinks they offer.
But, what’s even more impressive is that some of their most popular drinks have been around for years—and we’re not mad about it!
The Caramel Macchiato is made with roasted espresso coffee beans, milk, and caramel syrup.
If you’ve never tried this drink before—or just looking to add something new to your order next time around—we highly recommend trying out this sweet treat with a bold espresso flavor.
It’s the definition of coffee that doesn’t taste like coffee.
14. Strawberry Açaí Refresher
The Açaí Refresher is a sweet strawberry-flavored drink that’s caffeinated with green coffee extract, perfect for the non-coffee drinker.
It’s made with real fruit juice and no artificial flavors or colors!
It has a refreshing but not overwhelming fruity flavor accented by passion fruit and açaí notes.
The ingredients include a strawberry acai base, ice, and freeze-dried strawberries.
15. Pink Drink
If there’s one thing Starbucks knows, it’s that people love to Instagram their drinks.
The Pink Dink is the perfect “Instagram” summer drink, but it’s also perfect for any time of year.
This vibrant drink is made with passion fruit syrup, watermelon juice, coconut milk, and lime juice. It’s a tropical vacation in your cup!
FAQs
What are some ways I can customize my Starbucks iced drink?
Starbucks has got a lot of options for their drinks, but it’s easy to get stuck in a rut and order the same thing every time. If you’re looking to mix things up, try switching the syrup in your drink.
What Starbucks coffee drink tastes the least like coffee?
Starbucks’ Flavored Lattes, Mochas, and Frappuccinos taste the least like coffee.
Caramel, Toffee Nut, Peppermint, and Raspberry are just a few of the flavors available with these drinks at Starbucks coffee shops.
Wrapping It Up
Starbucks has served millions of people worldwide since it first opened its doors in 1971. While known for its coffee, the company offers a wide drinks selection for coffee and non-coffee drinkers.
If you want a light, refreshing non-coffee drink, order an iced tea, such as a Honey Citrus Mint or Peach Green Tea.
If you are looking for bold coffee flavor, try one of Starbucks’ flavored latte or mocha coffee choices with added syrups like hazelnut or caramel.
So, which of these choices will you try next time you want to feed your Starbucks addiction? Check out our blog on the best decaf Starbucks drinks or kid-friendly Starbucks options for more inspiration.