17 Best Starbucks espresso drinks I rely on for a stronger coffee fix

1. Espresso (Regular Style) 

This classic Italian coffee is made by forcing pressurised hot water through very fine coffee grounds.

It is typically served as a solo, doppio, triple, or quad when I want a stronger hit of espresso.

With no calories, no sugar, and about 75mg of caffeine in a single shot, it has long been one of the simplest Starbucks orders when I want espresso without extras.

I like both regular and blonde roast espresso, as they’re both so different yet still deliver an earthy, slightly-bitter punch.

2. Espresso Macchiato 

What I love about the Starbucks espresso macchiato is that it’s simple yet still feels like a treat.

The small hit of milk softens the edge without turning it into a full milk drink.

Made with a double espresso base and a dollop of steamed milk on top, it balances intensity and softness in a way I have always found quick to wake me up.

The espresso macchiato is available as a solo, doppio, triple, or quad, as well.

Espresso Macchiato Alternatives

I know the espresso macchiato may be too strong for me occasionally, so I always recommend alternatives like the caramel macchiato!

A caramel macchiato is a sweet, creamy coffee made with caramel sauce.

The caramel comes through first for me, then the espresso keeps it from tasting flat or one-note.

For a similarly bold flavour but less milk, a Cortado is another good alternative to a macchiato.

It sits somewhere between a latte and a Flat White, just with less foam.

3. Espresso Con Panna 

For a richer version of an espresso macchiato, I usually go for the espresso con panna.

The espresso con panna is made with a double espresso and topped with a dollop of cream, which gives it a smooth, indulgent finish.

The combination of espresso and cream in the espresso con panna is heavenly, with a more ‘sophisticated’ take on a regular Starbucks espresso or espresso macchiato.

It is only available in one size, and there is about 100mg of caffeine in a serving.

4. Caffe Americano 

The Starbucks Caffë Americano is my old faithful. It is just espresso shots with hot water poured over them, but the finished cup still tastes full and steady rather than thin.

Even though it’s literally ‘watered-down’ it still tastes very strong, with full-spectrum flavor notes.

I just slow down with it, because drinking one too quickly can make me feel a bit jittery.

A Caffë Americano is also a low-calorie Starbucks drink and has 0 calories when ordered black.

5. Latte 

The latte is one of the most popular Starbucks orders, and it swaps water for milk.

At the heart of every Starbucks latte is a double espresso shot topped with steamed milk and a small amount of textured milk foam, which keeps the drink smooth and soft.

If you enjoy milky coffee drinks, then a Starbucks caffè latte is the perfect espresso drink for you.

It is easy to drink because the espresso is still there, but the cup is mostly soft milk and foam.

6. Cappuccino 

I can never go wrong with a Starbucks cappuccino. The foam gives it a drier, lighter texture that feels different from a latte straight away.

The espresso-based beverage is made with 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, and 1/3 frothed milk, so it tastes stronger and richer than a latte.

Probably the only thing I’m not a huge fan about is that the foam takes up a large part of “drink” space.

7. Flat White 

The Flat White sits halfway between a latte and a cappuccino.

I remember trying it for the first time years ago and thinking it was more milky than I expected. Even so, the ristretto shots kept the espresso flavour clear.

The two shots of ristretto in the base of the Flat White are topped with steamed milk and a thin layer of foam.

It has steamed milk, but much less than a latte, and the signature two shots of espresso make the Flat White taste quite different.

8. Caffè Mocha 

I like chocolate and coffee together, so Starbucks’ Mocha is an easy sell for me.

It tastes rich without going as far into syrupy sweetness as some other mochas I have tried.

Starbucks mochas are so sweet and chocolatey that you can barely taste the espresso, but it is there.

The Caffë Mocha is a mix of espresso, chocolate syrup, steamed milk, and whipped cream topping.

It is the drink I pick when I want something softer than my usual straight coffee.

9. Iced Espresso 

The iced espresso is a nice shot of energy for warmer months, and I grab one before the gym more often than I expected.

After all, it is close to no calories and brings a serious amount of caffeine. The temperature change makes a bigger difference than people expect.

It is made by pouring hot espresso over ice, and I have found that it still tastes clean even as the ice melts through the day.

10. Iced Shaken Espresso 

I have to say, the Starbucks iced shaken espresso is one of my favourite iced drinks from the chain.

The recipe is simple enough that I have made versions of it at home.

Take espresso shots, 2% milk, 4 pumps of classic syrup, and ice.

The barista then hand-shakes it, which gives the drink a frothy texture that I liked enough to try at home with a handheld frother.

The drink is quite sweet, but I can still taste the dominant espresso with every sip.

An iced shaken espresso is a favourite with coffee purists and sweeter coffee drinkers alike. It comes in Tall, Grande, or Venti, with 100 calories and 14 grams of sugar in a serving.

A Grande contains 3 shots of espresso, so it reaches 225mg of caffeine.

11. Iced Latte 

I actually prefer the Iced Latte, because the coldness makes the milk feel a little denser, and I like that weight.

It’s smooth, milky, yet still has a strong espresso flavor perfect for a hot day.

It is made up of milk and espresso shots, and it is highly customizable.

It has 130 calories, 11 grams of sugar, and 150mg of caffeine in a Grande, which is pretty moderate for a drink this size.

12. Iced Chocolate Almond Milk Shaken Espresso 

Chocolate and nuts is one of those combinations that always works for me.

They bring different flavours, but they still sit in the same cosy, toasted lane.

This one lands somewhere between a shaken espresso and a chocolate milkshake.

This Starbucks drink uses the more potent blonde espresso roast, together with cocoa powder and almond milk.

It is then hand-shaken over ice, which gives it a frothy, smooth texture.

In a typical serving there are 110 calories, 16 grams of sugar, and 255mg of caffeine.

13. Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso 

I am not even a big brown sugar fan, but a local barista sold me on the Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso, and I was surprised by how much I liked the first sip.

The nutty oat milk combined with the brown sugar syrup tasted like my favorite oatmeal as a kid, evoking instantly cozy and comforting vibes.

Starbucks makes it by mixing blonde espresso, brown sugar syrup, and cinnamon flavourings. It is then topped with oat milk and hand-shaken over ice.

There are 120 calories, 13 grams of sugar, and 255mg of caffeine in a Tall.

14. Iced Toasted Vanilla Oat Shaken Espresso 

This one is a close second for me among shaken espressos.

It combines Starbucks blonde espresso with caramelised vanilla flavourings, oat milk, and ice for a high-energy drink.

The espresso isn’t as prominent in this iced coffee, and while you can still taste some of the bold flavors, it’s definitely sweeter than the other shaken espresso drinks Starbucks offers.

There are 140 calories, 11 grams of sugar, and 255mg of caffeine in a single serving, so it definitely packs a punch.

15. Espresso Frappuccino 

Frappuccinos are known for being among the most indulgent Starbucks drinks on the menu, and the Espresso Frappuccino is the only one with espresso as the base.

This gives it a bolder taste, blending espresso, ice, and milk, giving it a thick and frothy texture that tastes similar to a coffee milkshake.

A Tall has 210 calories, 46 grams of sugar, and 155mg of caffeine.

16. Affogato Frappuccino  

An Affogato is a classic Italian dessert that mixes ice cream and espresso to create a rich and sweet drink.

The Starbucks Affogato Frappuccino is often treated as a secret menu espresso drink, not something you will usually see on the regular menu.

It does not mirror a traditional affogato exactly, but the ingredients blend together into a sweet, creamy coffee drink.

I definitely wouldn’t order it every day or even every week, but I love ordering it when I’m craving dessert!

There are about 250 calories in a serving, 50 grams of sugar, and 85mg of caffeine from the mixture of whipped cream, chocolate, and sweetened milk.

17. The Happy Shot 

This is a quick way to put a smile on my face and give me a little energy.

The cream adds a bit of richness to the drink, and the syrup adds some sweetness.

It helps balance the slight bitterness of the espresso and makes the Starbucks happy shot easier to drink.

There are typically around 80 calories, 25 grams of sugar, and 150mg of caffeine in this drink, and it is a popular alternative to a caramel macchiato.

It also tends to be cheaper than some of the more customised espresso drinks, depending on where you order it.