8 Blonde espresso Starbucks drinks that I order for something stronger

8 Best Starbucks blonde espresso drinks

As much as I love a robust espresso, I know it does not work in every drink.

Blonde espresso has a gentler taste, so this list covers the drinks where that softer profile actually shows up.

1. Starbucks Blonde Roast Coffee

Some days I still want a plain coffee order more than anything else.

The Starbucks Blonde Roast Coffee has a brighter, fruitier edge, with hints of fruit and citrus that taste good on their own.

I also like that it has a little more caffeine than Starbucks Signature Espresso, which partly explains why I keep coming back to it.

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.

2. Starbucks Blonde Caffè Latte

Simple does not mean flat.

A drink has to be worth ordering again for it to stay this popular.

The Starbucks Blonde Caffè Latte uses blonde roast espresso and steamed milk, and it lands as a clean, creamy drink with enough body from the milk to soften the coffee.

The Blonde Caffè Latte is served both hot and iced, making it a great option any time of year.

3. Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte

A Blonde Vanilla Latte is the one I order when I want the latte to feel especially soft on the finish.

The vanilla adds a light sweetness, and iced versions keep that creamy mouthfeel without becoming heavy.

It goes great with any type of milk, but I’m partial to half and half, soy, and oat milks.

It also gives you a lot of room to customize, which is a big part of why I keep coming back to it.

4. Starbucks Blonde Flat White

A flat white is a coffee made with steamed whole milk, and it usually comes with 1 more shot than a latte.

Usually made with ristretto shots, it feels less bitter than you might expect for a drink with that much espresso.

The perfectly-steamed milk makes up the vast majority of the volume, with not too much foam, and a smooth, silky texture.

I order it when I want the milk texture to matter as much as the espresso.

5. Blonde Cappuccino

For a long time, I skipped cappuccinos.

They are easy to overdo, either with too much foam or espresso that tastes too sharp, but a good Blonde Cappuccino feels crisp rather than harsh.

The smooth espresso sits under a dense layer of foam, so every sip starts airy and finishes with more coffee flavor than I expected.

For me, this is the drink with the best texture and mouthfeel, while still giving a jolt of energy to get through the day.

6. Starbucks Blonde Hazelnut Latte

The Blonde Hazelnut Latte blends blonde espresso with the sweet, nutty flavor of hazelnut.

The milk keeps the cup soft, and the hazelnut syrup adds enough aroma that the coffee still comes through.

I like the creamy texture hot, but it also works well over ice when I want the sweetness a little sharper.

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.

7. Caffè Americano With Blonde Roast

I never mind an Americano: it gives me strong coffee flavor without much fuss.

The Signature Roast Americano can turn bitter on me if it sits too long, especially after an hour or so.

That is usually what sends me toward a Blonde Americano instead.

Just espresso shots and water, it is a simple option that tastes more balanced to me than a regular cup of Pike Place Roast coffee.

8. Starbucks Blonde Americano Misto

Outside Starbucks, a drink like this is often compared with a café au lait, and the Misto is basically an Americano with steamed milk.

The steamed milk softens the blonde espresso without hiding it, so the coffee still tastes present instead of watered down.

When I want caffeine but something fuller than an Americano, this is the drink I tend to order.

I love subbing regular milk for oat milk with this drink for a more nutty effect!

What exactly is ‘Blonde’ Espresso?

Blonde Espresso is a blend that Starbucks describes as coming from Latin America and Africa, with smooth, sweet flavors and a medium body.

Because it is roasted for less time and at a lower temperature than medium or dark roasts, it usually tastes lighter and a little citrusy.

Shorter roasting can leave more caffeine in the bean, which is why blonde roast is often described as having more caffeine.

Tips for ordering your perfect Blonde Espresso

Ordering it is usually as simple as saying 'blonde' before the drink name.

So you would ask for a Blonde Americano or a Blonde Cappuccino.

I usually start with blonde espresso in a drink that already includes milk, because the softer roast is easier to judge that way.

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 well with vanilla, white mocha, hazelnut, Irish cream, and brown sugar flavors.

How to make blonde espresso at home

At home, blonde espresso drinks do not need much beyond the basics.

What you’ll need

An espresso machine is ideal here.

A Nespresso machine, French press, or pour-over can still work as a backup if that is what you have.

Step by step instructions

These 7 tips help keep the drink balanced.

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.

The oils also seep out more in dark roasts, giving the beans a shiny look you do not see in blonde beans.

Roasting time also affects caffeine. Longer roasting usually lowers caffeine a little.

This makes the light 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.

FAQs

Do all Starbucks locations have blonde espresso?

Starbucks carried blonde espresso across its locations as of 2022.

Why does blonde espresso work perfectly in a vanilla latte or cappuccino?

Blonde espresso works well in a vanilla latte or cappuccino because the flavor stays light and sweet.

Is blonde espresso the strongest?

Blonde espresso is stronger in caffeine than in flavor, and it is nowhere near as bitter or robust as the Signature Espresso.

Is blonde espresso healthy?

Blonde espresso is low in calories per ounce, but the caffeine level can add up quickly, so I keep an eye on how much I drink.

Which has more caffeine, an espresso shot or a regular brewed coffee?

On average, espresso contains more caffeine than regular brewed coffee. Blonde espresso shots are listed at 65 to 75mg per ounce, while brewed coffee contains between 12 and 16mg per ounce.

Summary - Try blonde espresso in your go-to order!

Blonde espresso changed how often I ordered from Starbucks, mostly because it made the drinks feel easier to drink more often.

My usual picks are the Blonde Americano, which feels smooth and strong, and the Blonde Hazelnut Latte, which I like hot or iced when I want something sweet and creamy.

I keep coming back to all of them for the same reason: the blonde roast keeps the drinks mild without flattening the espresso.