What is a handcrafted drink at Starbucks? (Why they use this term)

What does a handcrafted drink at Starbucks truly mean?

According to Starbucks, a handcrafted drink means its made with “a bit more love” than other drinks on the menu.

It’s basically any drink where the barista uses complex techniques and a personal touch (like latte art, for example).

Even using an espresso machine takes some technique to get things right.

If a drink includes espresso shots, steamed milk, blending, or a few extra steps, it’s usually considered handcrafted.

For example, a seasonal Starbucks hot chocolate drink counts as handcrafted.

Starbucks bottled drinks and other pre-made items like bottled water or milk do not count, and neither do regular coffees or teas that only need a splash of milk or sugar, at least not in the way Starbucks means it.

What Starbucks drink types are considered handcrafted?

I can see why this gets confusing, so I’m breaking the menu into the drinks that usually count as handcrafted.

Espresso-based

If there is an espresso shot in the order, it is most likely handcrafted.

There are plenty of handcrafted espresso drinks to choose from at Starbucks, and they’re really the backbone of the menu.

Pulling espresso shots, even for basic drinks, takes skill. When the shot runs a little fast or too long, you notice it in the cup right away, especially if you’ve tasted enough uneven ones to know the difference.

Some of the espresso-based drinks that count as handcrafted beverages include:

Frappuccino and other blended beverages

Did you know that Starbucks bought the rights to the name Frappuccino in the ‘90s?

They’re the kind of drink I’ll order when I want something cold and sweet.

Frappuccinos are essentially iced blended drinks with cream and signature Starbucks syrup on top.

There are two main Frappuccino types: coffee-based and cream-based.

Frappuccinos always remind me of a milkshake, but the blended texture and toppings make them feel a little richer than that.

They’re highly customizable and harder to get right than they look. There are a lot of rotating flavors, and once you start mixing in syrups and toppings, I still have a hard time choosing a favorite, so here are some of mine:

Iced coffees

An iced coffee is my go-to when I want something cold and a little more energizing.

I’m a huge fan of Starbucks iced lattes and iced mochas.

Cold coffees are considered handcrafted drinks.

My favorite iced beverages and shaken espresso drinks include:

Iced teas

I still like iced tea best on a hot day, especially when I want something lighter than coffee and without reaching for another caffeine hit.

So how can iced teas count as handcrafted drinks?

It seems surprising at first, but a few separate steps go into a properly made iced tea, even though the drink itself looks simple.

For example, I can choose the amount of ice water, which syrup I want, and which milk and toppings I prefer.

Each of these behind-the-bar additions makes iced tea a handcrafted drink at Starbucks.

Bottled iced teas do not count. They have to be freshly prepared behind the counter to count as handcrafted.

Some of the best iced tea options include:

Cold brews

Is cold brew considered a handcrafted beverage at Starbucks?

At most Starbucks locations, nitro and cold brew are considered handcrafted, as small batches are allowed to sit in cold water overnight for optimal extraction.

To make cold brewed coffee like the sweet cream cold brew, a barista mixes coarsely ground beans with cold water and lets it steep for 20 to 24 hours.

Those slow batches bring out a smoother flavor, and that is usually what stands out first to me compared with regular iced coffee.

Nitro coffee has added nitrogen, which gives it a velvety feel and a foamy head of microbubbles, often without any extra sweeteners or syrups. On the first sip, it can feel almost creamy.

That can make it a good alternative to dessert-like Frappuccinos or other similar Starbucks drinks when I want something cold but less sweet. Some cold brews that count as Starbucks handcrafted drinks include:

Handcrafted holiday drinks

Seasonal beverages can make any time of year feel a little more special. The pumpkin spice latte is the seasonal drink people recognize first, and “PSL” has basically become shorthand for it.

Part of the fun of the Starbucks seasonal drinks menu is that these limited flavor combos can change depending on the date and location.

It takes familiar coffee drinks and gives them a seasonal twist, which is usually enough to make me order them when the menu changes. These are my favorite seasonal drinks from the handcrafted drink Starbucks menu.

Steamers

Steamers are my perfect straightforward sips!

Some steamers are seasonal, while others are menu staples.

Specialty hot teas

Is tea considered a handcrafted drink at Starbucks?

Teas are a little trickier to place in the handcrafted drinks section.

Most simple teas that are pre-packaged or require minimum preparation are not classified as handcrafted beverages.

However, there are a few exceptions.

Other cold drinks

Here are a few other cold handcrafted drinks I like:

These include lemonades and certain refresher flavors , and I’ll happily order them when I want something cold without coffee.

What drinks from Starbucks do not count as handcrafted?

Pre-packaged drinks

Pre-packaged and pre-prepared drinks are not considered handcrafted because they are not made with that extra step behind the counter.

Starbucks used to sell alcoholic drinks, but that has been mostly phased out.

Brewed tea and coffee

A handcrafted Starbucks drink is usually one that needs extra ingredients and a few more steps.

Simpler brewed beverages like brewed coffees or teas that only need minimal customization do not count as handcrafted Starbucks drinks.

Some drinks that do not come under the handcrafted category include:

You can get some value from the Starbucks rewards program by adding extra items like whipped cream or vanilla syrup.

Still, I don’t think it’s worth spending Starbucks Stars on.

Are handcrafted Starbucks drinks worth your money?

I do think handcrafted Starbucks drinks are worth the money, because they feel more personalized than the brewed drinks I usually grab.

They also usually taste fresher to me, with a little more care in the cup.

For Starbucks rewards members and people who already like those drinks, the higher price can make sense, especially when you want something tailored instead of just standard.

Starbucks brewed vs handcrafted drink differences

To sum up, Starbucks beverages that need skill, customization, and ingredients added by baristas are generally considered handcrafted, and that covers most of the menu in one way or another.

Simpler drinks that need minimal effort and skill, aside from maybe some milk or whipped cream, are considered brewed drinks and sit in a much simpler category.

FAQs

What size is the free handcrafted drink at Starbucks?

According to Starbucks, you can redeem a handcrafted drink with two customizations for 150 Stars through your Starbucks loyalty program.

What is the cheapest handcrafted beverage at Starbucks?

The cheapest handcrafted drink at Starbucks is usually espresso, and it is still the backbone of many more expensive drinks.

Conclusion

Handcrafted drinks at Starbucks usually take a little more time and care to make than a brewed coffee.

While I have an espresso machine at home, if I’m on the go, I usually choose a specially made handcrafted Starbucks beverage when I want something made to order.

After all, I can get a premade coffee literally anywhere else.