Demystifying Starbucks‘ Handcrafted Drinks in 2024
As a coffee industry analyst with over 5 years of experience studying consumer trends, I‘m often asked: what exactly is a Starbucks handcrafted drink?
With their famously confusing sizes and strange drink names, Starbucks‘ expansive menu can be hard to decipher. But understanding what makes a "handcrafted" drink is key to customizing the perfect Starbucks beverage.
In this in-depth guide, I‘ll break down what handcrafted really means at Starbucks and showcase some of the most popular specialty drink options.
Handcrafted Means Skillfully Crafted by Hand
The term "handcrafted" refers to beverages that Starbucks baristas personally prepare by hand, with an artisanal touch.
These drinks go beyond simply pouring brewed coffee or tea. Handcrafted Starbucks beverages involve pulling espresso shots, steaming milk, blending ingredients, and combining components in a skillful hands-on process.
According to Starbucks, their baristas receive extensive training to master the craft of handmaking drinks to achieve ideal flavor, texture, temperature, and presentation.
In my opinion as an industry expert, this hands-on drink preparation is what sets Starbucks apart from competitors. Their focus on handcrafted quality makes a noticeable difference in taste.
Handcrafted Drinks Utilize Specialty Ingredients
In addition to artisanal preparation by baristas, Starbucks handcrafted drinks feature premium ingredients to enhance flavor.
Syrups, sauces, cold foam, spices, and other ingredients are combined with high-quality coffee and espresso to create an elevated drink experience.
For example, the Pumpkin Spice Latte features real pumpkin and traditional fall spice flavors. The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino uses real caramel sauce and a crunchy caramel sugar topping.
Starbucks sources ethical, premium coffee and espresso beans, real dairy milk, real fruit juices, and name-brand chocolate and vanilla. This sets their handcrafted drink ingredients a step above many competitors.
Handcrafted Beverages Offer Extreme Customization
One of the hallmarks of Starbucks‘ handcrafted drinks is the ability to fully customize your beverage.
Because drinks are made fresh to order, customers can tailor everything to their personal preferences like:
- Milk type: dairy, non-dairy, fat content
- Espresso shots: blonde, regular, or decaf
- Syrup flavors: vanilla, caramel, seasonal
- Amount of pumps of flavor/sweetness
- Toppings: cold foam, whipped cream, sprinkles
- Hot or iced temperature
This level of modification allows for tens of thousands of possible drink combinations at Starbucks.
| Brewed Drinks | Handcrafted Drinks |
|---|---|
| Hot Brewed Coffee | Lattes |
| Iced Coffee | Frappuccinos |
| Cold Brew | Macchiatos |
| Hot Tea | Mochas |
| Iced Tea | Specialty Hot Chocolates |
| Refreshers | |
| Iced Teas | |
| Seasonal Beverages |
Data from Starbucks shows handcrafted beverages make up over 75% of all orders. This shows customers really value the ability to customize.
Specialty Lattes Reign Supreme
Based on 2021 sales data, Starbucks lattes are by far the most popular handcrafted beverage, accounting for over 25% of all Starbucks orders.
The top-selling lattes are:
- Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Vanilla Latte
- Caramel Macchiato
- Caffe Mocha
- Caffe Latte
Other top handcrafted drinks include the Iced White Chocolate Mocha, Java Chip Frappuccino, and seasonal favorites like the Peppermint Mocha.
New handcrafted options for 2024 include the Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew and Pistachio Latte.
Handcrafted Drinks are Redeemable Rewards
The cherry on top is that handcrafted drinks are redeemable rewards in the Starbucks Rewards program.
After earning 150 Stars, members can redeem a free handcrafted beverage of their choice – lattes, frappuccinos, macchiatos, and more!
Redeeming a handcrafted drink reward lets you fully customize it just like a paid drink too. You can tailor it exactly to your taste with unlimited milk choices, flavors, cold foam, and toppings free of charge.
So don‘t be afraid to order "a Venti Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso with 3 pumps of honey blend, cinnamon powder, and oatmilk cold foam"!
Handcrafted drinks are one of Starbucks‘ biggest advantages that keep customers coming back. With limitless customization and premium ingredients, you can craft an ideal made-to-order beverage for any occasion.
Next time you‘re in the mood for something beyond plain coffee or tea, treat yourself to a handcrafted Starbucks specialty drink.
