Your coffee runs will never be the same.
Starbucks brings the variety to your coffee run with new seasonal menus each year, but when you want to change it up even more — or hack a classic latte when it’s out of season — that’s when you need to get creative. Between swapping in oat milk for your PSL or adding cold foam to any chilly drink, there are so many ways you can change up a latte. When your steamed milk and espresso need a little something extra, it’s always good to have some simple Starbucks latte hacks up your sleeve. If you’re ready to upgrade your latte, make sure to try these seriously sweet creations on your next coffee run.
There’s no shortage of secret menu drinks to choose from, but sometimes the best hacks are the simplest. Take Starbucks’ November 2021 collab with Taylor Swift, for example, which brought the singer’s go-to coffee order, a Grande Nonfat Caramel Latte, to the menu for a limited time to celebrate the re-recording of her 2012 album Red. The promotional drink is long gone from the Starbucks menu, but the simple latte hack remains. With so many sweet syrup combos and exciting extras to choose from, you can customize your Starbucks order every time and almost never run out of options.
BTW, these sips can be ordered on the Starbucks app or in person. If you’re on mobile, be sure to choose your specifications to make sure it’s just the way you like it, and if you’re making any swaps in-store, remember to ask for the customizations since you can’t order hacked drinks by name.
Dirty Chai Latte
When ordering a Caffè Latte, you can add a pump or two of Chai to make it a coffee-tea combo If you’re not sure what to get, TikToker @peachiemariam suggests the venti Apple Pie Chai, which is a Venti Iced Chai that features three pumps of apple brown sugar, Salted Caramel Cold Foam, and extra caramel drizzle.
To keep the good chais coming, TikToker @kristenalk’s Starbucks latte hack tastes like horchata. Order a Grande Iced Chai Latte with almond milk, one pump of Vanilla Syrup, one pump of Cinnamon Dolce Syrup, Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam, and cinnamon powder.
Pumpkin Spice Latte Twist
The Pumpkin Spice Latte might just be the most famous of them all, but you don’t always have to stick to the OG recipe. TikToker @sarahmargareteats recommends ordering a Dirty Chai with Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam to get the most out of your fall coffee runs. To get it, order a Dirty Chai using the first recipe on this list, and then add Pumpkin Cream Cold Foam
If you prefer your PSL to have more pumpkin, the creator also recommends the Cinderella Latte, which is a Grande Pumpkin Spice Latte made with two pumps of pumpkin sauce and two pumps of white mocha syrup.
Blonde Latte Hacks
This “hack” is actually on the Starbucks App. For a lighter take on a Caffè Latte, order the Blonde Caffè Latte, which is made with Starbucks Blonde Espresso. TikToker @phen.88 calls their go-to Blonde Vanilla sip “one of the best options on the menu,” so if you don’t know what to order, try asking for a Venti Blonde Vanilla Latte with four shots of espresso, Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold foam and caramel drizzle.
Looking for an even sweeter sip? TikToker @clovercosplays has you covered with the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Latte, which you can order by asking for a Venti Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte with oat milk, two pumps of Cinnamon Dolce Syrup, two pumps of Toffee Nut Syrup, and one pump of Hazelnut Syrup — all shaken with cinnamon.
Make It Iced With Cold Foam
Iced coffee never goes out of season, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. You can order an Iced Caffè Latte for a chilly take on the espresso-coffee combo. It won’t come with frothed milk, but you can add Cold Foam for a similar experience. There are so many tasty Iced Coffee Latte and Cold Foam combos worth trying, but @sarahmargareteats swears by the Iced Hazelnut Latte with Sweet Cream Foam and caramel drizzle.
Another Cold Foam creation worth trying comes from @annalovescoffee, who loves a good Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte made with three pumps of cinnamon dolce, three pumps of white mocha, and Vanilla Sweet Cold Foam.
If you’re not a cold foam stan but still want an iced sip, @hannah.suniga on TikTok has the hack for you – just order an Iced Oatmilk Latte with brown sugar syrup and cinnamon on top and you’re good to go. Or, if you’re a cold foam loyalist all the way, @angelicabarnesatl suggests adding one pump of cinnamon dolce and Sweet Cream Foam as well.
Oat Milk Substitutes
If you’re an oat milk loyalist, TikTok user @lexnicoleta has a “stunning” order for you to try: an Iced Oatmilk Latte with one to two pumps of white mocha, and light ice. Creator @ramenasaidwow also shared their go-to oat milk latte hack, and you can try it for yourself by ordering a hot grande Oatmilk Latte with three scoops of vanilla bean powder.
Matcha Latte
Don’t sleep on Matcha Latte, especially a Matcha Latte with oat milk, brown sugar, and Salted Caramel Cold Foam, as shared by @alwayssnackin_ on TikTok.
Iced Gingerbread Latte Dupe
Just because it’s not on the menu doesn’t mean you can’t still snag a Gingerbread Latte. According to TikToker @cornmandan99, you can make your own by ordering a Grande Iced Oatmilk Latte with Blonde shots, five pumps of brown sugar, a half-pump of Chai, and a sprinkling of cinnamon and nutmeg powder.
Iced Peppermint Latte Hack
The Peppermint Mocha isn’t the only peppermint sip available during the holidays, thanks to this Iced Peppermint Latte hack from @orihuelol. According to the creator, you can grab the drink by ordering a Venti Vanilla Iced Latte with Peppermint Cold Foam.
Dark Caramel Latte
If you prefer your drinks on the darker side, you can always substitute the standard Caramel Syrup for a Dark Caramel Sauce. If you need some order inspo, TikToker and Starbucks barista @peachiemariam claims the Chai Latte with brown sugar and dark caramel drizzle is the “best Chai Latte.”
Stick To Taylor’s Version
If it’s good enough for Taylor, it’s good enough for all of us. In store, just ask the barista for a Grande Nonfat Caramel Latte. If you’re ordering on the app, look for the Caffé Latte under “Lattes,” tap “Customize,” swap the standard 2% whole milk for for nonfat, and select Caramel syrup under “Add Syrups.” Add two pumps for short, three for a tall, four for a grande, and five for a venti.
Pick Your Flavor
Starbucks has plenty of flavor options to jazz up your latte. Taylor goes for caramel, but you can also choose from syrup options like Hazelnut, Vanilla, and Sugar-Free vanilla. Need a little chocolate? Add a Mocha Sauce.
Remember to be patient when you’re in store and asking for a customization — especially if its during a very busy time. Then, after you play around with these TikTok-approved options, you might even come up with your own go-to Starbucks Latte hack. It’s time to embark on a tasty and hack-filled Starbucks adventure.
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