Starbucks’ Secret Menu
posted by Dan Filler
Everyone has a different perspective on Starbucks. In a place like San Francisco, with a strong independent cafe culture, it’s seen as Corporate Joe. In Birmingham, though, Starbucks helped balloon the city’s tiny pre-existing cafe community. Enough cultural commentary. My main goal with this post is to alert interested Starbucks consumers to a few attractive menu items that have inexplicably been left off the menu. (I speak primarily for the Birmingham stores, but in my experience these items are generally available nationally.)
For for the frugal and/or low intenisty addict: the Short coffee. It’s served in the same cup as the kid’s hot chocolate. And you always thought that it was nonsensical that Starbuck’s small was called tall. It isn’t; they just don’t want to explain matters to you.
For cafe au lait lovers: the Misto. Cafe au lait fans will love the Misto because, well, it is a cafe au lait. Half cup of coffee, topped with steamed milk. Ask for it extra foamy.
For people who have strong coffee preferences: the French Press. They don’t tell you this, but for 3 or 4 bucks, they’ll serve you up a french press made of any coffee in stock. So when the coffee of the day is House, and you just gotta have Sumatra…it’s your choice. And you’ll have enough to share with a friend.
Take control of your Starbucks experience. Order off menu.
February 25, 2006 at 9:53 pm
Posted in: Culture
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Responses (64)
T - February 26, 2006 at 8:24 am
Here’s some Starbuck’s cultural commentary:
To feed my Pacific NW-bred addiction, I used to carry two good thermoses and a well-insulated cup for any fair-sized road trip, especially out west (I used to travel trans-nationally a few times a year, plus shorter - though still long - trips). THis is so that I could stock up on good coffee at a few known places en route (Coal Creek coffee co. in Laramie, WY and some little place that roasted their own beans in Lincoln, NE were my favorite finds). I had had to search out those places by divining rod, more or less.
But now I can find a very good cup of coffee most anywhere: look for the exurbs of any medium-sized city and you’ll at least find a Barnes-and-Noble Starbuck’s, and generally a stand-alone. And like you noted, the independent cafes have grown to meet the society’s greater demand for and higher expectations of coffee. So there are more Coal Creeks to be found out there as well. But the biggest benefit are the Starbucks at the various midwestern turnpike plazas. Thank goodness they got the truckers addicted to a stronger, better brew.
And that’s not even getting to the fact that I can now buy not only Starbuck’s, but locally produced high-quality coffee at the grocery store in my small, when I visit the family in my small southern hometown. JFG from the A&P had been the previous staple.
Drive By Poster - February 26, 2006 at 10:49 am
The “Short” also works for cappucino:
See this Slate article: http://www.slate.com/id/2133754/?nav=ais
Amy - February 26, 2006 at 3:36 pm
I’ve been ordering mistos at Starbucks for over ten years, in cities large and small, all over the country. I’ve never seen them on the menu, and I’ve never encountered a Starbucks employee who didn’t know what they were. (I’d say they’re more like 3/4 coffee, 1/4 milk, whereas a cafe au lait is half and half.)
Marisa - February 26, 2006 at 5:16 pm
Having worked at a Starbucks for 4 years, I would just like to make one comment: Yes, you can order off menu, but please don’t correct or argue with the baristas when they convert your order into the Starbucks lingo. Even though they couldn’t care less what the drink is called, they have to use the official, market-tested Starbucks lingo.
Jack - February 26, 2006 at 11:33 pm
They will make you a Whopper with Cheese if you ask.
Dan Filler - February 27, 2006 at 1:06 am
I only wonder what the official Starbucks term for Whopper with Cheese would be. A Venti Grasso?
Walton - March 6, 2006 at 12:40 pm
In case any of you are cheap and like to drink Iced Lattes (which is essentially espresso and milk over ice) you might want to consider ordering a dopio on ice which is two shots of espresso on ice. Then add your own milk at the milke station in Starbucks and you just saved almost 2 dollars everytime you visit Starbucks which if you are my wife is multiple times a day.
Khay - March 24, 2006 at 4:39 pm
Cafe au lait is NOT made with steamed milk. It is made with scalded milk. Huge difference.
Latinarab81 - April 6, 2006 at 6:17 pm
If anyone has worked at Starbucks before..plz email me and would make a good deal for some info …thanxs!!
Josiane Rheault - April 15, 2006 at 9:35 pm
I would like menu Starbucs in french and English if possible! THANK YOU!
Luu Meng - September 16, 2006 at 8:34 am
Hi All,
We love your Coffee was the best coffee in the world
Luu meng
Kerry Johns - October 6, 2006 at 1:36 pm
They have a latte drink called “white elephant” is like a venti-venti drink or a big gulp from 7-11, its a cold frappicino drink that eventually becomes hot. It’s a “wow” and it works in every Starbucks, even in Europe!
Cristie - October 25, 2006 at 11:05 pm
I love my coffee, I go daily and my local starbucks guys even know my drink now. I’m a Quad, Venti, 3 pump toffee nut, non fat, no whip at 130 degrees…
Syl - February 13, 2007 at 4:14 am
Are there any special names for the drinks made with soy milk? Do ALL Starbucks carry soy milk? The 2 I go to do, but haven’t asked out of town.
lili ming - February 13, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Peet’s Coffee is much better than Starbucks!
Arlo - February 15, 2007 at 4:03 pm
You can also order a Tuxedo Mocha at Starbucks — half mocha, half white chocolate mocha. They’re AWESOME.
Jim Stoney - February 19, 2007 at 12:25 am
You can order a Caramel Appaccino which is basically a caramel capaccino with a hint of of apple. If you have ever had a caramel apple, yeah, it’s kinda like that.
Danielle - February 21, 2007 at 3:36 am
I’ve worked at a Starbucks in Canada, and was surprised to hear how ‘hush hush’ the short cup is in the states. People ask for it fairly regularly up here and it’s listed on menus and clearly visible on the counter.
The soy dilemna, all you ask for is ‘Tall Soy Latte’ and bada bing, its made with soy. Nothing else needed.
There’s no real ’secret’ stuff at Starbucks, just so many combinations it cant be kept track of.
My favourite was a Toffee Nut Cappuchino, perfectly roasty.
Jim Stoney - March 2, 2007 at 1:50 am
Last summer, I vacationed in Riverside, CA and went to a Starbucks with my cousin. She introduced me to the best drink ever. Leche de Cocoa. It was awesome. You can get it hot or cold. It was very nostalgic.
mindy - March 6, 2007 at 11:59 pm
who “vacations” in River-tucky, CA??
Kate - March 14, 2007 at 4:06 pm
You can also order a Tuxedo Mocha at Starbucks — half mocha, half white chocolate mocha. They’re AWESOME.
Posted by: Arlo at February 15, 2007 04:03 PM
————————–
It’s Called a Zebra or a Black and White. i work at a Starbucks in Target.
Some more awesome drinks to try-
Passion Tea Lemonaid amde with apple juice instead of Lemonaide.
Mocha with Ras. a.k.a. the “Truffle” as a frappe or hot!
Vanillia Bean with Java chips - “Cookies n Cream”
Favorite Frappe with Whip blended in it- makes it more ricker and creamier…just dont double blend it!
Also i know a lot of people ask what a black/red eye is- All it is is the The Coffee of the Day/Drip of your choice with either 1 shot or 2 shots, just to enhance the flavor.
I made one up by myself which my customers like and thats the Dalmation, which is White Chocolate and Java Chips, and i love it!
Any comments? send them to Kateths@gmail.com
lydia - April 5, 2007 at 3:11 am
hey try the Zebra its white chocolate and dark chocolate hot or cold! its good!
julian - April 11, 2007 at 2:11 pm
has any1 heardof a gummie bear juice. its a passion ice tea with half the sweetener melon amd half of it rassberry. for example you could get a grande passion iced tea sweetened with 2 pumps melon ad 2 pumps rassberry. it tastes like melted gummie bears over ice. it is pretty good.
denise - April 16, 2007 at 12:11 pm
What about the lite frappachinos? Can you get anything different thats not on the menu?
denise - April 16, 2007 at 12:11 pm
What about the lite frappachinos? Can you get anything different thats not on the menu?
Jahon - April 16, 2007 at 3:01 pm
At starbucks their is a drink that’s not on the menu that we call a Captain Crunch. It’s a strawberry n creme with three shots toffee nut and 2 to 3 scoops of chocolate chips. It taste just like the berries in the cereal.
Mike - May 18, 2007 at 12:22 am
other lesser known beverages are the Red Eye and Black Eye. The Red Eye is a cup of coffee (your choice of size) with one shot of espresso added in. The Black Eye is with two shots of espresso. Good Morning!!!
Elana Joy - May 23, 2007 at 12:11 am
Hey! You can get ANY hot drink in a short size. (at least at the starbucks around the bay area)
Elana Joy - May 23, 2007 at 12:11 am
Hey! You can get ANY hot drink in a short size. (at least at the starbucks around the bay area)
robyn - July 10, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Anyone who actually orders their coffee at a certain temperature needs a hobby. George Carlin puts it perfectly:
“The more complicated the Starbucks order, the bigger the asshole.”
Just an FYI, the barisatas will mock you when you leave with your 1/2 decaf-2 pump-extra shot-1/4 pack of Splenda-no whip-soy-132 degree-sugar free mocha.
Zman - July 22, 2007 at 12:35 am
Try a drink called the “Chai Bomb” . Their Chai with a shot of espresso.
Kasey W. - August 1, 2007 at 1:03 pm
One of the best drink ever. Marble Mocha Macchiato: white chocolate, milk chocolate, esspresso, milk
Sherwin - August 6, 2007 at 1:49 pm
They have a latte drink called “white elephant” is like a venti-venti drink or a big gulp from 7-11, its a cold frappicino drink that eventually becomes hot. It’s a “wow” and it works in every Starbucks, even in Europe!
Posted by: Kerry Johns at October 6, 2006 01:36 PM
__________________________________________________
i tried ordering the white elephant at to different starbucks in my area and both dont know what it is do u know what makes up a white elephant
Lydia - August 7, 2007 at 11:55 pm
okay is there any other drinks beside the zebra ? i keepm getting the same drink i want something different i usually get the passion tea lemonade or the white chocolate mocha with 5 shots and soymilk i get that hot or iced.. so yeah anysuggestions?
sherri - October 5, 2007 at 7:08 pm
Does anyone know what is in a “snickers”?
paul - October 21, 2007 at 5:04 pm
YOUR COFFEE IS OVER PRICED AND BITTER….IT……..SUCKS…SUCKS….SUCKS
paul - October 21, 2007 at 5:04 pm
YOUR COFFEE IS OVER PRICED AND BITTER….IT……..SUCKS…SUCKS….SUCKS
jossmary - October 22, 2007 at 6:21 pm
when i’m not in the mood for coffee, i order a strawberry apple juice frapp, with 2 shots of rasberry. it is so good, very refreshing! i call it R(asberry)A(apple)S(trawberry) medley.
Dianne - October 24, 2007 at 1:52 pm
venti passion tea lemonade with 2 pumps melon, 2 pumps rasp, 2 pumps orange is awesome (but be wary of the baristas making fun of you behind your back unless you actually work at starbucks =)
Deiter - December 17, 2007 at 2:21 pm
A sexy april. Cofee with chocolate lemonade and raspberry syrup.
jonathan - April 23, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I had this one drink it was called “winter wonderland” not a lot of people know it and i dunno what’s in it but it looked like a mix of caramel, vanilla bean, and peppermint. but there’s more in the drink.
Tara - April 25, 2008 at 10:24 am
7 pump triple venti mocha with whole milk and extra whip…yummmm
jamama - May 4, 2008 at 6:50 pm
a better name for a “chai bomb” is a “dirty chai”. and a better name for it than that is a “dirty hippie”
Alyssa - May 16, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Hey I was wondering if you knew a starbucks drink called Chuck Norris? it has like white mocha, tofee nut, & hazel nut.
celbee - May 23, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Some yummy and cheap drinks:
Iced coffee with white mocha - delicious! Whipped cream on top for extra yum.
Iced doppio with 1 pump hazelnut or 2 pumps honey syrup…add splash of half n half at the counter…mmm
celbee - May 23, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Some yummy and cheap drinks:
Iced coffee with white mocha - delicious! Whipped cream on top for extra yum.
Iced doppio with 1 pump hazelnut or 2 pumps honey syrup…add splash of half n half at the counter…mmm
PS I used to work at sbux and there is no such thing as a white elephant. Most of the other names listed don’t make any sense…just order what you want and they will make it - so don’t order a ‘zebra,’ just ask for a mocha with a mix of white and regular syrups…
jamama - June 5, 2008 at 4:33 am
um i work at starbucks too and everyone knows what a zebra/tux/mocha white mocha is
but you’re right, there is no such thing as a white elephant
Jason - June 21, 2008 at 2:17 am
I’m boring as far as drinks go: black coffee. But I have really grown to love the Starbucks brew. Plus I will honestly say that I’ve never run into a rude barista, and quite frankly, I love it that they’re corporate!
John - July 5, 2008 at 3:20 pm
ok order this it is the latest to the secret menu it is a snickers frapp. Ask for it it is the best.
John - July 5, 2008 at 3:21 pm
ok order this it is the latest to the secret menu it is a snickers frapp. Ask for it it is the best.
Adam Fred - July 22, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Starbucks is a bloodsucking entity, which destroys small, independent coffee retailers, with its shareholder-driven, global business approach.
What chance has a small retailer have against Starbucks, if one were to set up across the road, in any city in the world?
Given that it is the small shops and cafes that truly make the personality of a city (take Paris for example), we should try and protect the endeavors of small business, not crush it with the might and pillage of a tsunami, which is what Starbucks and its ilk really is.
Starbucks’ owner is also a major financier of the Israeli military machine.
Adam
Megan - August 4, 2008 at 12:01 am
Does anyonelse have a Peet’s Coffee in their area?Or is it just Berkeley?
Megan - August 4, 2008 at 12:01 am
Does anyonelse have a Peet’s Coffee in their area?Or is it just Berkeley?
Megan - August 4, 2008 at 12:01 am
Does anyonelse have a Peet’s Coffee in their area?Or is it just Berkeley?
megan - September 4, 2008 at 8:15 pm
has one ever had a captain crunch??
Sarah - November 9, 2008 at 6:29 pm
I work at a Starbucks and I have never or seen any of my co-wokers mock someone for ordering a complex drink….where did you get that info from?
And the issue with the small coffee business owners..make better coffee then.
And there is no such thing as a white elephant.
And yes, there are tons of Peet’s Coffee in my area and people are still packed into my Starbucks.
Briana - December 29, 2008 at 7:53 pm
I need to know how to make a snickers frapp.
Ashley - January 27, 2009 at 1:30 am
Can you get a zebra mocha with soy milk?
Ashley - January 27, 2009 at 1:30 am
Can you get a zebra mocha with soy milk?
Ashley - January 27, 2009 at 1:30 am
Can you get a zebra mocha with soy milk?
Ashley - January 27, 2009 at 1:30 am
Can you get a zebra mocha with soy milk?
Starbuxdude - February 13, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I work at Starbucks and there is nothing called a white elephant. For those who don’t like Starbucks coffee go drink your dirty mudd coffee at home. But for the jerks who will come in and order a white mocha with 10 shots, 1%, 5/7 of a splenda, then come back to complain…Your drink is stupid, you’re stupid, don’t talk slow because I can remember you know, and don’t act like you’re the ish because chances are you don’t have a degree and some partners including me will soon. But for those of you who are dope come in, smile, and we’ll get whatever you want. By the way when the jerks come in and leave a lot of us mimic you and call you creepy. And don’t say FRAPP…You don’t sound cool saying it, you sound dumb
Concurring Opinions Starbucks 39 Secret Menu | Best Eye Cream - June 7, 2009 at 7:50 pm
[...] Concurring Opinions Starbucks 39 Secret Menu Posted by root 2 hours 35 minutes ago (http://www.concurringopinions.com) Having worked at a starbucks for 4 years i would just like to make one comment yes you can order off menu vanillia bean with java chips cookies n cream the red eye is a cup of coffee your choice of size with one shot of espresso added in concurring opinio Discuss | Bury | News | Concurring Opinions Starbucks 39 Secret Menu [...]
bobo - June 25, 2009 at 2:24 pm
I currently work at Starbucks and we share one simple rule on the bar: BITCHES AND ASSHOLES GET DECAF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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