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The saying ‘blondes have more fun’ doesn’t just apply to hair color anymore.
The blonde espresso from Starbucks proves that those who do prefer a lighter, smoother taste can, in fact, have more fun now.
Smooth, approachable, and never overpowering, it’s a great ‘intro’ espresso, or a great alternative for those who find regular espresso too strong.
Espresso is a staple of many coffee drinkers worldwide, and its blonde options offer a lighter, sweeter flavor that pairs well with many Starbucks drink offerings.
It tastes great on its own, but it also plays well with others, making it one of my favorites in countless drinks.
Here are my 8 must-try blonde espresso drinks!
8 Best Starbucks Blonde Espresso Drinks
As much as I love a robust espresso, I know it doesn’t go well with everything.
The blonde espresso is a little sweet and gentle on the tastebuds, and this carefully-curated list has something for everyone:
1. Starbucks Blonde Roast Coffee
The classic, simple cup of coffee is never a bad idea.
The Starbucks Blonde Roast Coffee shows its true colors, with hints of fruit and citrus that tastes great on its own.
Oh, and the fact that it contains a bit more caffeine than the Starbucks Signature espresso only makes me love it even more.
I sometimes avoid drinking a regular black cup of coffee as it’s too acidic, but the Blonde Roast is smooth and sits nicely with me.
Tips From a Barista:
- A splash of half and half, whole, or oat milk can make an even smoother, creamier cup.
- I wouldn’t recommend something like cold foam or whipped cream, but if adding a milk, a pump of vanilla or hazelnut pairs perfectly.
2. Starbucks Blonde Caffè Latte
Basic doesn’t mean bad or boring.
On the contrary, only a really delicious drink can pull off being basic AND popular.
The Starbucks Blonde Caffè Latte is exactly that, made from blonde roast espresso beans and steamed milk, it creates a perfect balance of flavor, body, and aroma.
The Blonde Caffè Latte is served both hot and iced, making it a great option any time of year.
3. Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte
For one of the silkiest, smooth-bodied lattes I’ve ever had the pleasure of trying, I always order a Blonde Vanilla Latte.
It’s lightly sweet, with a creamy mouthfeel that tastes great iced and hot.
It goes great with any type of milk, but I’m partial to half and half, soy, and oat milks.
It’s also one of the most customizable ‘base’ drinks, with so many different routes to take.
Tips From a Barista:
- Make it an Iced Vanilla Latte with a splash of vanilla sweet cream and 2 pumps of hazelnut.
4. Starbucks Blonde Flat White
A flat white is a coffee made with steamed whole milk, and comes with 1 more shot than a latte.
Usually made with ristretto shots, it’s much less bitter than an already easy-to-drink concoction.
The perfectly-steamed milk makes up the vast majority of the volume, with not too much foam, and a smooth, silky texture.
This drink is definitely for milk lovers!
Tips From a Barista:
- For a more keto-friendly or less milk-heavy version, ask for half heavy cream and half water.
5. Blonde Cappuccino
To be honest, I was never a fan of cappuccinos until recently.
It’s very easy to make too strong or too foamy, but a good Blonde Cappuccino is like flirting with sophistication.
The smooth espresso sits calmly beneath a bed of a well-manicured layer of dense foam, providing a luxurious blend of both with each sip.
For me, this is the drink with the best texture and mouthfeel, while still giving a jolt of energy to get through the day.
Tips From a Barista:
- I highly recommend getting a Blonde Cappuccino with 1 pump of pistachio syrup for an aromatic, slightly-sweetened experience.
6. Starbucks Blonde Hazelnut Latte
The Blonde Hazelnut Latte is a seamless blend of the light coffee roast and the sweet, nutty essence of hazelnut.
The mild flavor of the milk allow for the coffee's nuanced flavors to shine through, complemented by the rich and aromatic hazelnut syrup.
The creamy texture from steamed milk is comforting, creating a balanced sweetness that I love hot or on ice.
I occasionally find the hazelnut a bit too sweet, so I’ll ask for half pumps, or do 1 pump hazelnut and 1 pump vanilla.
Tips From a Barista:
- On an Iced Blonde Hazelnut Latte, as for sweet cream cold foam, with molasses drizzle over the top, for a seriously tasty treat.
7. Caffè Americano With Blonde Roast
I can never go wrong with an Americano: it’s strong, serious, and full of flavor.
However, the Signature Roast Americano from Starbucks can sometimes be bitter - especially if I leave it sitting for longer than an hour.
That’s why I’ve started ordering Blonde Americanos.
Literally espresso shots and water, it’s the best low-cal, low-carb option out there and tastes more well-balanced and flavorful than a regular cup of Pike Place Roast coffee.
8. Starbucks Blonde Americano Misto
Known as a ‘Cafe au Lait’ outside of Starbucks, the Misto is essentially an Americano, with half steamed milk.
The smooth, steamed milk goes perfectly with the mellow Blonde espresso flavors, allowing the natural flavors of the coffee to really come out.
When I need a serious caffeine fix but want something a bit more ’substantial’ than an Americano, the Blonde Americano Misto is my go-to.
I love subbing regular milk for oat milk with this drink for a more nutty effect!
Tips From A Barista:
- Add either half a pump of brown sugar or toffee nut, with cinnamon sprinkled on top.
What Exactly Is ‘Blonde’ Espresso?
Blonde Espresso is a coffee blend from Latin America and Africa, with smooth, sweet flavors and a medium body.
Roasted both for a shorter time and for a lower temperature than medium or dark roasts, the light roast/Blonde has a citric, smooth taste.
Because it’s roasted for a shorter amount of time, it has more caffeine (say no more!) than regular roasts.
Tips For Ordering Your Perfect Blonde Espresso
Blonde espresso is super easy to order. In most cases, literally it’s just adding ‘Blonde’ to the beginning of any drink title.
For example: ‘Blonde Americano’, ‘Blonde Cappuccino’, etcetera.
I recommend first trying blonde espresso with any kind of milk.
I wouldn’t normally recommend a customer try blonde espresso in something like an Americano because if they don’t enjoy it, it’s literally just all coffee they’re sipping.
Blonde espresso goes super well with vanilla, white mocha, hazelnut, Irish cream, and brown sugar flavors.
How To Make Blonde Espresso at Home
Blonde espresso drinks are easy to make at home with just a few ingredients.
What You’ll Need
An espresso machine is ideal in this situation.
However, something like a Nespresso machine, French Press, or pour-over could be an ok alternative.
Here are some other tools needed:
Step By Step Instructions
Follow these 7 easy tips to start enjoying a fantastic blonde espresso drink"
- 1Grind the beans to espresso level.
- 2Fill the portafilter with the grinds and tamp tight.
- 3Insert the portafilter into the espresso machine filled with water.
- 4Pull up to 2 shots from the espresso machine.
- 5Pour into cup.
- 6Add ice (optional).
- 7Serve and sip immediately.
Blonde Vs Dark Espresso Roast
There are several differences between blonde and dark espresso roast from color to taste. Let’s break it down further.
The color of coffee is determined by roasting time and temperature. Lower temperatures and less roasting time makes for lighter beans compared to the dark roast.[3]
The oils also seep out, giving the beans a shiny color not found on blonde beans.
The caffeination level is also affected by the length of roasting. Longer roasting leads to lower caffeine levels.
This makes the light (blonde) roast average 360 mg, while the dark roast offers a lower level that averages about 260 mg of caffeine.
The taste of a blonde roast versus a dark roast is lighter, sweeter, and more mellow.
Related Starbucks Blonde Espresso Questions
Do all Starbucks locations have blonde espresso?
Yes, all Starbucks locations carry blonde espresso as of 2022.
Why does blonde espresso work perfectly in a vanilla latte or cappuccino?
Blonde espresso works perfectly in a vanilla latte or cappuccino, thanks to its light, sweet flavor profile.
Is blonde espresso the strongest?
The blonde espresso is stronger in terms of caffeine content, but not flavor. It is nowhere near as bitter or ‘robust’ in flavor as the Signature Espresso.
Is blonde espresso healthy?
Blonde espresso is quite healthy, as it has very little calories per ounce. However, it does contain significantly high levels of caffeine, which is important to watch.
Which has more caffeine, an espresso shot or a regular brewed coffee?
On average, espresso will contain more caffeine when compared to regular brewed coffee. Blonde espresso shots will have between 65 and 75mg per ounce (a typical size for shots). Brewed coffee contains between 12 and 16mg per ounce.
Summary - Try Blonde Espresso In Your Go-To Order!
Blonde espresso was an absolute game-changer for me, and made me increase my visits to Starbucks twofold.
My personal favorites are the Blonde Americano, which is smooth, strong, and high in caffeine, as well as the Blonde Hazelnut Latte, which is sweet, creamy, and tastes great on ice or hot.
I recommend every drink on this list, however - they’re all tasty, mild, and full of energy!
References:
1. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2122166/hot
2. https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2122164/hot
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7684626/
4. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
