Best Caramel Drinks at Starbucks (Including Secret Menu)
There’s something so nostalgic and, dare we say — sweet — about Starbucks caramel drinks.
Caramel sparks joyful memories and sentimental feelings about classic ice cream parlors, holiday treats, and special occasion confections.
It’s a serotonin booster for sure, and just one sip of a Starbucks caramel drink will make you feel fine.
There are a variety of caramel drinks on the Starbucks menu, but the fan-created drinks shared on social media and dubbed the Starbucks “secret menu” offer even more caramel-y goodness.
Some of these unofficial drinks are just as good (if not better!) than the drinks on the official menu.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the best Starbucks caramel drinks, including the secret menu drinks and instructions on how to order them.
20. Caramel Apple Frappuccino (Secret Menu)
The Caramel Apple Frappuccino is a Starbucks secret menu drink that may look like a caramel apple, and sure, caramel and apple are two of the many ingredients in this drink.
However, they’re also paired with matcha and coconut, leaving you with a vividly colored but murky-tasting beverage that just doesn’t quite hit the mark.
You’re free to draw your own conclusions about this one, though.
How to Order It:
Ask for a grande Matcha Crème Frappuccino with two scoops of matcha made with coconut milk.
Ask for apple juice added to the second line of the cup and caramel drizzle around the cup.
Top with whipped cream and more caramel drizzle.
19. Butterbeer Cold Brew (Secret Menu)
Potter Fans, rejoice! You may not be able to pop over to Hogsmeade for a pint at the Three Broomsticks, but the Butterbeer Cold Brew is the next best thing.
With caramel, coffee, toffee, and sweet cream flavors, this sweet and frothy potion will almost make you forget that you’re a muggle.
How to Order It:
Ask for a venti cold brew with two pumps of caramel syrup, two pumps of toffee nut syrup, and three pumps of white mocha sauce.
Ask for vanilla sweet cream cold foam with one pump of toffee nut syrup mixed into the foam. Top it with caramel drizzle.
Note that there’s no way to ask for the syrup to be mixed into your cold foam on the Starbucks app, so you’ll have to order this caramel elixir in person.
18. Raspberry Caramel Macchiato (Secret Menu)
The Raspberry Caramel Macchiato is a popular secret menu drink, and honestly, it’s fine; it’s just not anything special.
It’s just a Caramel Macchiato with raspberry syrup instead of vanilla syrup, arguably a slightly worse combination.
There’s no arguing that it’s not pretty, though.
How to Order It:
Ask for a Caramel Macchiato (any size) with raspberry syrup instead of vanilla syrup.
17. Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino
The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino is the closest thing Starbucks has to a caramel milkshake.
It’s a sweet, almost confectionary concoction bursting with caramel flavor.
This drink is caffeine free, which makes it suitable for children, but beware of the sugar high!
The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino is made from milk blended with caramel sauce and ice.
It’s topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and crunchy caramel sugar topping.
The drink is available in tall, grande, and venti Starbucks sizes.
A grande contains 420 calories, 46g of sugar, 22g of fat, and 0mg of caffeine.
16. Salted Caramel White Mocha Cold Brew (Secret Menu)
The Salted Caramel White Mocha Cold Brew sounds good in theory, but it’s a little bit overkill.
This secret menu Starbucks caramel drink is definitely on the sweet side.
However, if you like your coffee sweet and are a fan of caramelized sugar flavors, you’ll love this drink!
How to Order It:
Ask for a venti cold brew with four pumps of white mocha. Ask for caramel drizzle in the cup.
Top it with salted sweet cream cold foam. For extra caramel-y bonus points, have it topped with salted caramel cold foam instead.
15. Caramel Popcorn Frappuccino (Secret Menu)
If you’re a fan of sweet and salty caramel corn, the Caramel Popcorn Frappuccino from the secret menu might be the best Starbucks caramel drink for you.
Sure, it doesn’t taste exactly like caramel corn, but let’s face it — the caramel part is really all that matters anyway.
How to Order It:
Ask for a grande Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino with extra caramel.
Add one pump of white mocha and one pump of hazelnut syrup.
14. Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino
The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is the same as the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino but has added espresso.
It’s essentially a Caramel Frappuccino sundae-fied with a ton of caramel toppings.
This drink is a caramel lover’s paradise, but it may be too sweet for some people.
This frappuccino is made with coffee, caramel sauce, and milk blended with ice.
It’s topped with more caramel sauce, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and a crunchy caramel sugar topping.
The Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino is available in tall, grande, and venti sizes.
A grande contains 470 calories, 60g of sugar, 22g of fat, and 85mg of caffeine.
13. Caramel Candy Frappuccino (Secret Menu)
Don’t let the name fool you. The Caramel Candy Frappuccino isn’t as sweet as it sounds.
Instead, it’s a caramelized toffee and coffee-flavored concoction that has all the depth of a gourmet candy flavor.
How to Order It:
Ask for a venti Coffee Frappuccino.
Add four pumps of toffee nut syrup.
Top with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
12. Caramel Brulée Latte (Seasonal/Secret Menu)
The Caramel Brulée Latte was a seasonal Starbucks drink. Unfortunately, it’s no longer available, and there’s no telling whether they’ll bring it back.
However, fans of this rich, caramelized, and sugar-flavored latte have created a dupe for the drink, and we can teach you how to order it.
The original Caramel Brulée Latte was made from steamed milk, espresso, and “caramel brulée sauce,” topped with whipped cream and “caramel brulée bits.”
It was available in tall, grande, and venti sizes, and a grande containes 410 calories, 48g of sugar, 14g of fat, and 150mg of caffeine.
How to Order It:
To order a dupe of the Caramel Brulée Latte, ask for a grande Cafè Latte with two pumps of white mocha syrup and toffee nut syrup. Top it with whipped cream.
Unfortunately, there’s no true substitute for the caramel brulée bits, but the caramel sugar crunch topping comes pretty close.
11. Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
The Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew is a sophisticated spin on a typical Starbucks caramel drink.
It has both sweet and savory notes and adds an intense richness to cold brew coffee.
The drink starts with Starbucks’ smooth, bold, small-batch cold brew.
The coffee is sweetened with a touch of vanilla syrup and served over ice.
It’s then topped with a drift of salted caramel cold foam.
This coffee is available in tall, grande, venti, and trenta sizes.
A grande contains 220 calories, 24g of sugar, 13g of fat, and 185mg of caffeine.
10. Caramel Cookie Bar Frappuccino (Secret Menu)
Have you ever had a day that was so bad you wished you could drink a candy bar? One of those days where it feels like all the chocolate and coffee in the world won’t turn it around?
Let us introduce you to the Caramel Cookie Bar Frappuccino — the Starbucks secret menu’s answer to life’s roughest days.
The Caramel Cookie Bar Frappuccino combines all the flavors of a Twix bar into one frosty, caffeinated, sugar-infused beverage.
Drink it so fast you get brain freeze and watch your problems melt away!
How to Order It:
Order a venti Caramel Frappuccino. Add two pumps of hazelnut syrup and java chips.
Ask for whipped cream blended in. Coat the cup with caramel sauce, and top with more whipped cream and mocha drizzle.
Note that there’s no way to have whipped cream blended in on the app, so you’ll have to forgo that step or order this drink in person.
9. The Three Cs Latte (Secret Menu)
When it comes to the secret menu, the Three Cs might be the best hot Starbucks caramel drink.
It’s flavored with all the good things — cinnamon, chocolate, and caramel (not to mention coffee. Maybe it should be called “The Four Cs!”)
How to Order It:
Order a grande Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Add one pump of mocha syrup and one pump of caramel syrup.
8. Samoa Frappuccino (Secret Menu)
This secret menu frappuccino tastes just like everyone’s favorite Girl Scout cookie.
It’s a delicious blend of caramel, coconut, and chocolate. The best part is you don’t have to wait for Girl Scout season to enjoy one!
How to Order It:
Order a grande Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino made with coconut milk. Ask for one pump of toffee nut syrup.
Ask for mocha drizzle in the cup and on top, in addition to the toppings that come standard on a Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino (definitely don’t skip the whipped cream!)
7. Caramel Frappuccino
The Caramel Frappuccino is another of the best Starbucks caramel drinks and a testament to the adage “less is more.”
It’s much simpler than many other drinks on this list but just as satisfying, if not more so.
This drink is a creamy, caramel-y treat that’s just sweet enough and doesn’t contain any unnecessary bells and whistles.
The Caramel Frappuccino is made from coffee, milk, and caramel sauce.
It’s blended with ice and topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.
The Caramel Frappuccino is available in tall, grande, and venti sizes.
A grande contains 380 calories, 54g of sugar, 16g of fat, and 90mg of caffeine.
6. Caramel Apple Spice Frappuccino (Secret Menu)
Starbucks has seasonally offered similar drinks on its menu, but if you want to get your hands on a Caramel Apple Spice Frappuccino, you will have to resort to the secret menu.
This delicious treat is simultaneously comforting and refreshing, making it one of the best Starbucks caramel drinks.
It’s the perfect drink to transition from summer to fall!
How to Order It:
Ask for a grande cream-based cinnamon dolce frappuccino. Ask for apple juice up to the second line of the cup.
Ask to have it blended, then top it with whipped cream, extra caramel drizzle, and cinnamon dolce powder.
5. Caramel Snickerdoodle Macchiato (Secret Menu)
The Caramel Snickerdoodle Macchiato is one of the best Starbucks caramel drinks from the secret menu.
It’s not too sweet and is made with non-dairy milk, which is a nice change of pace for some.
The combination of caramel and cinnamon is the star of this drink, giving it a comforting, homey taste reminiscent of fresh-baked cookies!
How to Order It:
Ask for a venti Iced Soy Macchiato upside down (this will result in a mixed drink rather than the standard layered macchiato.)
Add two pumps of vanilla syrup and two pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup.
4. Salted Caramel Mocha (Seasonal/Secret Menu)
The Salted Caramel Mocha is a seasonal Starbucks drink that’s not available year-round.
However, all the ingredients are still available, and it can still be made, earning this one a sort of unofficial spot on the Starbucks secret menu.
The Salted Caramel Mocha is made from espresso and steamed milk combined with mocha sauce and toffee nut syrup.
It’s topped with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and crunchy caramel topping.
The Salted Caramel Mocha can be ordered in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.
A grande contains 470 calories, 59g of sugar, 16g of fat, and 175mg of caffeine.
How to Order It:
Order a grande Cafè Mocha. Add four pumps of toffee nut syrup.
Top with whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and caramel crunch topping.
Note that Starbucks only carries caramel crunch topping seasonally, but the drink is still good without it, or you can substitute it with cinnamon dolce topping.
3. Caramel Macchiato
The Caramel Macchiato is one of the best Starbucks caramel drinks on their official menu and the one that comes to mind first when thinking about caramel coffee drinks.
It’s a layered drink that’s perfectly balanced — a little sweet, creamy, and roasty, without going too far in any direction.
The Caramel Macchiato is a close cousin of the Vanilla Latte, but it’s layered and topped with caramel drizzle.
The drink starts with steamed milk sweetened with a touch of vanilla syrup.
It’s topped with espresso, milk foam, and caramel drizzle.
The Caramel Macchiato comes in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.
A grande contains 250 calories, 33g of sugar, 7g of fat, and 150mg of caffeine.
2. Caramel Apple Spice
The Caramel Apple Spice is different from most of the other drinks on the menu, which makes it one of the best Starbucks caramel drinks.
It’s not made with coffee or dairy, and it’s at once cozy and refreshing.
This one is especially good once the weather starts to cool and the season transitions into fall.
The drink is made from steamed apple juice sweetened with a touch of cinnamon syrup.
It’s topped with a drift of whipped cream and caramel drizzle, making it a great choice for both adults and children.
The Caramel Apple Spice comes in kids, short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.
A grande contains 380 calories, 70g of sugar, 8g of fat, and 0mg of caffeine.
1. Iced Caramel Macchiato
The Iced Caramel Macchiato is the best Starbucks caramel drink and #1 on our list!
It’s an irresistible combination of bold espresso, creamy milk, sweet caramel, and smooth vanilla, all beautifully layered into one delightful beverage.
The Iced Caramel Macchiato starts with milk, ice, and vanilla syrup.
It’s then topped with espresso and caramel drizzle.
This Starbucks caramel drink is available in tall, grande, and venti sizes.
A grande contains 250 calories, 34g of sugar, 7g of fat, and 150mg of caffeine.
Conclusion
Caramel is the sweet, simple flavor of childhood treats and sophisticated adult confections. It pairs well with coffee, chocolate, and even fruity flavors.
Starbucks has a variety of caramel drinks on its menu, and some clever modifications open a world of sweet, rich, and satisfying drink options.
Next time you’re in the mood to order a caramel drink at Starbucks, use our list to find something you may not have tried before.
For more information about Starbucks, check out the articles below.
