Forty-nine years ago three men came together in the city of Seattle to form an unlikely alliance. The result of it stands today as the largest coffeehouse chain in the world.
Starbucks has grown into a name almost synonymous with the little brown bean itself. Chances are, you’ve spotted a branch, or twenty, of the empire among the lanes of your city. If you haven’t seen them in person, you’ve definitely caught sight of the famed Starbucks beverages paraded on social media sites.
Have you ever wondered how they come into being?
What are the magic ingredients and secret formulas that have managed to captivate the world for all these years?
Well it’s not a secret anymore. We’re here to try our hand at re-creating some of the brands big hitters, and give you the chance to attempt the same at home.
6 Best Starbucks Secret Recipes
Starbucks boasts of a drinks menu that is constantly evolving. They have a few faithfuls that have stuck around since eons. Added in are a few classical seasonal drinks that appear on the menu at the same time every year. They also have a secret menu that builds a lot of intrigue among fans of the franchise.
So tighten up those apron strings, and lets get ourselves caffeinated.
1. Caramel Macchiato
A drink that balances out the bitter hit from a shot of espresso with just the right splash of caramel sweetness. Constructing it is going to make you feel like you’re involved in creating a science experiment.
Requirements
- A cup of milk.
Try to stay away from whole fat milk for this recipe. 2 % milk should suit your needs fine. - A vessel to warm milk
- An Espresso machine or Moka pot
- A milk frother. Either manual or electric
- Espresso roast
Since you’re trying to replicate a Starbucks creation, consider using a Starbucks Espresso Roast. You don’t really need to be so specific, if you prefer another, any espresso roast should do. - A tablespoon of Starbucks Vanilla Syrup
Again if you’re not really bothered, you can use vanilla syrup of any brand you prefer. - Your favorite coffee cup
- Caramel Sauce to drizzle and decorate
The Secret Recipe
- Start by preparing your espresso coffee. If you don’t have an espresso machine at home to create the concoction, don’t worry. You can use either a stovetop or electric macchinetta to get the work done.
- Next, it’s time to work the milk.
Warm the milk up in a vessel. Then using any milk frother, whip up some delicious foam on a medium setting. If you don’t have a frother, simply grab a whisk and use some good old manual labor to aerate the milk. - Now get your favorite coffee glass/ mug out and pour in the tablespoon of Vanilla Syrup.
- Next, pour the milk into your cup till it’s three-quarters full. Follow that by adding in a layer of foam till it reaches the top.
- Next carefully pour in that espresso shot you brewed at the start.
Notice when you do, it’s going to leave a mark on the foam. It is from this step, that the drink gets its name.
The Macchiato in a Caramel Macchiato stands for ‘marked’ when translated from Italian. - Finish off by sprinkling some of that drool-worthy caramel sauce on top.
Be as generous as your conscience will allow. - Sit back and enjoy.
P.S. If you feel like enjoying this drink on a hot summer day, you can drink it chilled too.
Follow the exact same steps, simply do not warm the milk up before you begin to froth.
2. Pumpkin Spiced Latte
A seasonal entry in the Starbucks menu, the pumpkin spice latte Is a long standing favourite. It has been described as Fall in a cup by Starbucks patrons. Allow yourself to Indulge in this coffee with a spicy kick that is sure to warm you up and have you rearing to go.
The Requirements
- A Saucepan
- Spoon of whisk for stirring
- 1 cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon pumpkin puree (which is basically roasted pumpkin that had a ride in the blender)
- Half a teaspoon pumpkin spice
This is made by mixing 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon grated ginger, ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4th teaspoon ground cloves and ½ a teaspoon of allspice. - 1 teaspoon vanilla syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoons sugar. Brown, white or any other variety, the choice is up to you
- 1-2 Espresso shots
- Whipped Cream
- A Coffee cup of Glass
Step by Step Recipe
- First things first, brew yourself some coffee.
Depending on how strong your preference at the time is, brew one or two shots of espresso using whatever tools or appliances you have at home.
If you don’t have an espresso blend, this recipe works well with instant coffee too. - Grab a saucepan and place it on the stove.
- Add in the brewed coffee, pumpkin puree, vanilla syrup, milk, sugar, and pumpkin spice.
- Set the stove on medium heat and slowly stir the ingredients together.
- Pour it out into your favorite cup and pipe some delicious whipped cream on top.
- Finish off by sprinkling a few flakes of pumpkin spice on the cream.
- Sit back, sip your drink and enjoy.
3. S’Mores Frappuccino
Nothing personifies camping and bonfires quite like some sinful smores. If you’ve never had the chance, or choose not to experience the outdoors; consider constructing Starbucks’s bonfire twist to their classic Frappuccino. Whip up a bunch of these so you can involve a lot more people in this wicked pleasure.
The Requirements
- A Nutri blender
- Half a cup of milk
- Three quarters of a cup of Ice Cubes
- Half a tablespoon cocoa powder
For a slightly milder flavor, try to get your hands on dutch processed cocoa powder and not natural) - Espresso roast
You can go with the Starbucks variation of an Espresso Roast to be more authentic and stick to the flavor profile, or choose any other that you prefer. - Espresso machine or Moka pot
- Whipped cream
- One tablespoon of chocolate sauce of any brand that tempts your tastebuds
- Graham cracker crumbs
- Three tablespoons marshmallow topping
- A glass to serve
The Recipe
- Get things going by first starting on your espresso coffee. Use either an espresso machine or Moka pot to create your caffeinated drink. Brew one or two shots depending on how strong your preference is.
- Once that is done, grab your Nutri blender.
If you do not have one residing in your house, grab any other blender or food processor you can get your hands on. - Place the milk, ice cubes, cocoa powder, espresso, chocolate sauce, and marshmallow topping inside. Make sure the lid is closed properly and blends away. Keep blending till you can’t hear the clunky pieces of ice moving around anymore.
- Once that is done, grab your cup and pour in all the contents from the blender.
- Top that off with some delicious whipped cream.
- Wash the blender out and dry it well. Add in the graham crackers and run the blender till you’re happy with the size of the grind.
If you want bigger chunks, ditch the machine and simply crunch the crackers with your hands. - Sprinkle the Graham cracker crumbs on top of the cream.
- Sit back, sip your drink and enjoy.
4. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Nothing warms up a cold winter’s day quite like the steaming comfort that can be found in a hot chocolate. Throw some salted caramel in the mix, and everything is better in the world. Its the perfect fix for those mid-day blues when you need a pick me up and also something to help you power through the rest your chores.
The Requirements
- A saucepan
- 1 cup Milk
Preferably full cream - Spoon or whisk for stirring
- Chopped up dark chocolate
Choose anything between 50 – 75 %dark depending on your tastes. - 2 tablespoons of salted caramel sauce
- Whipped cream
- A Coffee mug or cup
The Secret Recipe
- Lets get started. First set the sauce pan on the stove to a medium heat.
- Add the milk, pieces of chocolate and the salted caramel sauce.
- The trick to treating yourself to a rich thick hot chocolate is allowing it to remain on the heat for between 2-3 minutes while continuously stirring.
- Take it out and pour it into your mug.
- Top that off with a generous serving of whipped cream.
- Lastly drizzle some salted caramel sauce on top of that for decoration and added delight.
5. Pink Drink
If you haven’t heard of the legendary Starbucks pink drink, chances are you’ve been living under a rock, or at the very least, very far away from social media. Every summer this refreshing drink arrives through their secret menu into the online feed of every Starbucks lover around. This summer you make it yourself and see what the whole hype is about.
The Requirements
- 3/4th cup cold water
- Glass vessel or Jug
- A cup of strawberries.
Fresh strawberries are best if you can get your hands on them. If not frozen work as well. - 1 packet of Starbucks instant refreshers very berry hibiscus powder.
- A glass
- Spoon to stir
- Tazo iced passion herbal tea
- Ice cubes
- Unsweetened coconut milk
- Your favorite coffee cup or glass to enjoy your drink in
The Recipe
- Start by slicing up some strawberries as thick or thin as you like.
- Fill a glass up three quarters full with some cold water and pour in the packet of Starbucks instant refreshers very berry hibiscus powder. Stir till it has dissolved.
- Fill in the remaining of the glass with the Tazo iced passion herbal tea and mix them together.
- Next grab your favourite coffee cup and pop some cubes of ice in.
- Pour in the mixture you just created till the cup is slightly less than half full.
- Place the sliced strawberries into the cup. However many you want.
- Fill the rest of the cup up by pouring in the chilled unsweetened coconut milk.
- Lastly stir everything in well, Sit back, sip your drink and enjoy.
6. Iced Coffee Lemonade
Who doesn’t like a glass of refreshing lemonade to bring a bit of that extra jazz to a tiring day. Add in a dollop of coffee and you can stride you way into any surprises the day might bring. Its a take many have never thought to try.
Well… Here’s your chance.
Requirements
- Fresh juicy lemons
- Water
- A knife
- A lemon juicer
- A cup of double-strength coffee
- A shot of sparkling water
- Sugar
- A Saucepan
- A spoon
- Glass vessel
- Coffee cup
Step by Step Recipe
- Set your saucepan filled with water and sugar on a medium flame. Stir the concoction until the sugar dissolves to create a syrup. Then set it aside to cool.
- Freshly brew your double-strength coffee using either a french press, or any other pour over or steeping method.
- Slice your lemons into half and use a juicer to squeeze out all their delicious juice.
- Grab your glass vessel and mix in the syrup, lemon juice and some water with a spoon.
- Next take a hold of your favourite coffee cup or glass and fill it up with ice.
- Pour in the freshly brewed coffee and lemonade to fill out two thirds of the glass.
- Fill the rest up with the shot of sparkling water to add that special zing.
- Finally drop your straw in, sit back, sip your drink and enjoy.
At the end of the day
How many times have you spotted a great looking dish, or drink and thought to yourself… “I can totally make that at home for less than half the price.”
When it comes down to the execution though, chances are you’ve left your kitchen resembling a war zone on more than one occasion.
Well now you’ve got a map. So bring home the necessary ammunation mentioned and execute your battle plan.
Treat yourself to Starbucks delights from the comfort of your house, and shock your relatives and guests into believing you’re better than a barista.
Sucker for stories. Sucker for coffee.
Writer across multiple segments and publications.
