15 Best Starbucks vanilla drinks I keep coming back to

15 Best vanilla Starbucks drinks (Including secret menu)

If you want coffee with a clear vanilla note, this is a useful place to start when you are not sure how sweet you want the drink to be.

These are the vanilla Starbucks drinks I keep coming back to on regular coffee runs.

1. Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte  

Starbucks' Blonde Vanilla Latte is what I order when I want caffeine without the espresso feeling too heavy.

Since it uses blonde coffee beans, the flavor of the espresso shot is lighter and more mellow, perfectly matching the sweet flavor of vanilla bean.

I keep the Blonde Vanilla Latte in my regular Starbucks rotation because it tastes sweet enough to feel like a treat, but not so sweet that the espresso disappears.

This hot vanilla drink has approximately 250 calories and about 170mg of caffeine.

2. Caramel Macchiato

The amount of vanilla in a Caramel Macchiato catches people off guard.

But it's true: the Caramel Macchiato has three pumps of vanilla syrup topped with caramel drizzle. That vanilla layer does more than just sweeten the drink, because it rounds off the espresso before the caramel even hits.

The Caramel Macchiato is a sweet and creamy regular order for me. It’s perfect for when I want to feel cozy and shake up my usual plain vanilla drink order.

I reach for it iced too, especially when I want something that still feels balanced in warmer weather.

3. Vanilla Bean Strawberry Drink 

If you like strawberries, this pink vanilla drink is easy to spot on the menu.

It is not one of Starbucks' more obvious menu items, so people sometimes miss what I mean.

This secret menu-style drink takes the Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino and turns it into something that feels more like dessert, especially once the strawberry or pink toppings come in.

This pink drink is the best in spring and summer as it starts to get warmer. I adore strawberries and can’t get enough of how light and sweet it is.

When I order it, I sometimes add extra fruit on top or dark chocolate curls if I want it to feel a little more dressed up.

Ask Barista For: A Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with strawberry puree.

4. Vanilla Matcha Latte 

Matcha is not for everyone, but vanilla makes it a lot easier to warm up to. It was one of the drinks that helped me get used to matcha in the first place, because the sweetness takes the edge off the earthier notes without hiding them completely.

I have ordered Starbucks’ Matcha Latte enough times to know I like it with a small vanilla twist.

Adding vanilla syrup or vanilla bean powder to my usual Matcha Latte really perks up my mornings.

That version comes across light and sweet, with enough freshness to keep it from feeling heavy.

It also stays mild enough that I can order it regularly without getting tired of it.

5. Vanilla Chai Tea Latte 

I’ll admit it: I often choose chai over coffee.

The spice and earthiness of the chai base soften nicely when vanilla bean powder is added, and the drink ends up tasting rounder and sweeter without losing the chai character.

Somehow the vanilla makes this incredibly cozy drink even cozier! It always makes me want to curl up in a blanket with Netflix or a good book.

If you like dirty chai or chai latte with an espresso shot, try it with a pump or two of vanilla syrup.

I also like an Iced Vanilla Latte Chai on hot days because it still feels bright even when the weather is rough. The ice keeps the chai from feeling too heavy, and the vanilla gives it a softer finish.

Ask Barista For: A Chai Tea Latte with vanilla bean powder or syrup.

6. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew 

When I want something stronger than a typical espresso drink, I reach for the Starbucks Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew.

I tried it while racing a deadline once, and it was strong enough to keep me moving without tasting harsh.

The Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew is smooth and sweet – but it’s only for caffeine lovers. It’s really strong, so drink it in moderation unless you like strong Starbucks coffees.

The Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew Coffee has 185 mg of caffeine and only 110 calories.

7. Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew 

If that still does not feel like enough, I go for the Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew instead.

It has 265 mg of caffeine in one cup, which is almost 50% more than your favorite Starbucks Cold Brew drink.

As much as I like cold brew, there are days when I do not want that much roast bitterness up front.

The vanilla syrup and sweet cream soften the edges and make the Nitro version feel smoother from the first sip. I notice less of that sharp roast bite and more of a creamy finish.

8. Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew 

It is still not the same as the other two vanilla sweet cream cold brew drinks, though.

The drink is closely related to Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew and has the same vanilla bean powder and vanilla syrup flavor on top of the cold brew coffee.

I order this often enough that I have gotten used to the milk mustache it leaves behind.

9. Iced Starbucks Blonde Vanilla Latte 

If you like the Blonde Vanilla Latte but want it cold, this Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte makes the switch easy.

It still tastes familiar, just colder and less heavy.

I love asking for this Iced Vanilla Latte to be topped with some vanilla sweet cream or regular whipped cream.

Because it uses a lighter roast, I find it easy to drink in the middle of the day or when I want something cooler in summer. It has the same general flavor as the hot version, just with a cleaner finish.

10. Iced London Fog Tea Latte 

If you want a tea drink instead, the Iced London Fog Tea Latte is a strong vanilla option.

The Earl Grey brings in citrus and a little lavender, and the vanilla syrup softens the whole drink with milk. The bergamot is what I notice first, then the vanilla settles everything down.

This is such a comforting and refreshing drink that screams spring picnics for me. Sipping on one makes me want to read a mystery novel in the sun.

If you prefer tea to coffee, this is one of the easier vanilla drinks to settle into.

11. Iced Caramel Macchiato 

I am not repeating the Caramel Macchiato breakdown here, but it belongs on this list for the same vanilla reason.

But if you love sweet cold drinks with vanilla flavor, be sure to add this to your list!

It tastes close to an Iced Vanilla Latte, but the espresso comes through more clearly.

On a good day it reminds me of a coffee milkshake with caramel on top, which is a big part of why I keep ordering it.

12. Iced Vanilla Bean Coconut Milk Latte 

Since realizing I am lactose intolerant, I've spent more time than I expected testing alternative milks.

Coconut milk gives this coffee a lighter, almost tropical finish, and the vanilla syrup helps keep the espresso from tasting sharp. I tried it after becoming more careful about dairy, and the texture was still smooth enough for me to order again.

I’m not normally into coconut milk but it works really well here! It brings a tropical creaminess that cuts nicely through the sweetness of the vanilla and strong espresso.

For me, it is a solid non-dairy option, though I would not treat it as some universal answer for every drinker.

Ask Barista For: An Iced Vanilla Latte with coconut milk.

13. Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino

It is the kind of drink I think about when I want vanilla to taste more like dessert than coffee.

I usually end up ordering one when I am sharing a treat with family, because the sweet, creamy texture makes it easy to split.

This Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino is basically a vanilla milkshake and is a great pick for kids and big kids alike.

For me, the Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino is the frozen vanilla drink that feels most straightforward.

14. London Fog Tea Latte 

I have always liked the calm, slightly floral feel of Earl Grey, especially its bergamot and lavender notes.

The tea and vanilla work well together, which is why I treat this as a softer alternative to the richer espresso drinks on the list.

A cup of London Fog Tea Latte makes me want to curl up and get cozy with a good book.

Because it is hot, I tend to want it on colder days or when I want something less intense than coffee.

15. Starbuck Frappuccino Vanilla Chilled Coffee Drink 

Last on my list is the Starbucks ready-to-drink Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino Chilled Coffee.

It earns its spot because it is the kind of vanilla drink I can keep in the fridge and drink without leaving home. On busy days, that convenience matters as much as the flavor.

The Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino is on the Starbucks menu, but I can also easily find it in my favorite grocery stores, so I can easily stock up.

That makes it an easy fallback when I want something familiar without heading to Starbucks.

This chilled vanilla drink has the strong vanilla bean flavor I expect from Starbucks in bottled form.

Just keep an eye on the sugar, because the bottle is small but still quite sweet.

Starbucks Vanilla Drink ordering tips from a barista

If you like vanilla in both coffee and non-coffee drinks, here are a few easy ways to add it to your Starbucks order:

How to make a Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink? (At home)

If you feel like you are spending too much on Starbucks Vanilla Frappuccino Chilled Coffee Drink, you can make a similar version at home.

Starbucks uses vanilla bean powder and vanilla syrup in many of its vanilla drinks, but you can get close with just a few ingredients. That is usually enough to capture the same sweet, familiar direction at home.

Follow the recipe below:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

FAQs

How much is a vanilla iced coffee from Starbucks?

Starbucks' vanilla iced coffee costs $2.25 for a Tall size, $2.65 for a Grande size, and $2.95 for a Venti.

How many pumps of vanilla are in a vanilla latte?

A Tall vanilla latte has 3 pumps of vanilla syrup, 4 pumps for a Grande, and 5 pumps for a Venti size vanilla latte.

How much caffeine is in Starbucks vanilla iced coffee?

There are 115 mg of caffeine in every cup of Starbucks vanilla iced coffee.

How many calories does a Starbucks vanilla iced coffee have?

A Starbucks vanilla iced coffee has 120 calories.

Unique twists on a classic flavor!

If you are into vanilla Starbucks drinks, I usually treat vanilla syrup as the easiest way to nudge a drink in a sweeter direction.

Even a small splash can change the balance more than I expected the first few times I played with it.

The easiest examples for me are usually a Vanilla Chai Latte or an Iced London Fog Tea Latte, because both show how well vanilla works outside plain espresso drinks.