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12 Best Hot Teas at Starbucks, Ranked

Who said coffee drinkers get to have all the fun? Starbucks has a dozen delicious hot teas to choose from — whether you’re a spicy chai drinker, a soothing herbal tea sipper, or a matcha latte fiend.

Starbucks hot teas range in caffeine levels from the completely decaffeinated herbal teas to the high-octane chai tea latte and in calories from the zero-calorie infusions to 240-calorie tea lattes.

In this article, we’ve ranked the best hot teas at Starbucks, along with their ingredients, available sizes, and nutritional information.

12. Earl Grey Tea

Starbucks makes their own interpretation of Earl Grey Tea, and it’s delicious.

However, it’s at the bottom of our list for one reason: the London Fog Latte exists and is an even more cozy way to enjoy a hot cup of earl grey.

Starbucks’ Earl Grey Tea is a cozy, citrusy, floral blend. It’s made from a black tea base flavored with bergamot essence and lavender flowers.

Earl Gray Tea is available in short, tall, grande, and venti Starbucks sizes.

A grande Earl Grey Tea contains 0 calories, 0g of sugar, 0g of fat, and 40mg of caffeine.

11. Royal English Breakfast Tea

Starbucks’ Royal English Breakfast Tea isn’t a bad hot tea, but just like the Earl Grey, there is a better option!

Royal English Breakfast Tea is sweet and malty, with slightly floral and fruity notes, and while it’s tasty on its own, it pairs perfectly with milk and sugar.

If you’re thinking of trying the Royal English Breakfast Tea, consider the Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte instead.

Starbucks’ Royal English Breakfast Tea is made from a blend of black teas infused in hot water. It’s a smooth and not-too-bitter black tea blend.

Royal English Breakfast Tea is available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande Royal English Breakfast Tea contains 0 calories, 0g of sugar, 0g of fat, and 40mg of caffeine.

10. Peach Tranquility

Peach Tranquility is a sweet, caffeine-free Starbucks hot tea.

It’s fruity, relaxing, and complex, and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a calorie-free option that still tastes like a treat.

Like many herbal teas, it’s an herbal infusion of fruit and flowers and doesn’t contain any actual tea leaves.

Starbucks’ Peach Tranquility herbal tea is made from hot water infused with dried apple pieces, candied pineapple pieces, dried peach pieces, rose hips, chamomile flowers, lemon verbena, and other flavorings.

Peach Tranquility is available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande Peach Tranquility contains 0 calories, 0g of sugar, 0g of fat, and 0mg of caffeine.

9. Mint Majesty

Mint Majesty may not be the best hot tea at Starbucks, but it’s far from the worst.

It’s light and refreshing but still warm and comforting. It makes for a fantastic caffeine-free mid-afternoon or evening sipper.

Mint Majesty is made from hot water infused with spearmint, peppermint, and lemon verbena.

Just like the Peach Tranquility, there’s no actual tea in this herbal Starbucks hot drink.

Mint Majesty is available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande Mint Majesty contains 0 calories, 0g of sugar, 0g of fat, and 0mg of caffeine.

8. Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte

The Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte is a romantic way to enjoy your Starbucks hot tea.

Royal English Breakfast Tea is perfectly complemented by milk and sugar, which makes the Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte a no-brainer.

It’s creamy, malty, and a bit floral and is the perfect Starbucks hot drink to sip on while you stare out the window and daydream.

The Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte is made from English breakfast black tea and steamed milk.

It’s sweetened with a dash of liquid cane sugar and topped with milk foam.

Royal English Breakfast Tea Lattes are available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande contains 150 calories, 21g of sugar, 4g of fat, and 40mg of caffeine.

7. Chai Tea

Chai Tea is a classic, and Starbucks’ chai is one of their best hot teas. It’s spicy, bold, and warming.

It’s a great alternative to coffee if you’re looking for a caffeinated pick-me-up drink and bold flavors.

You can always use the Starbucks app to customize your Chai Tea by adding a splash of dairy or non-dairy milk or check out Starbucks’ Chai Tea Latte below.

Starbucks’ Chai Tea is made from an infusion of hot water, black tea, and spices.

The spices include cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, black pepper, star anise, and cloves.

Chai Tea is available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande Chai Tea contains 0 calories, 0g of sugar, 0g of fat, and 40mg of caffeine.

6. Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Tea

The Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Tea is a bright and refreshing Starbucks hot tea with a boost of caffeine.

The hot infusion of green tea and herbs is simultaneously warming and cooling, and it tastes energizing and healthy.

Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Tea is made from a combination of green tea, organic spearmint, lemongrass, and lemon verbena infused in hot water.

It is available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande Jade Citrus Mint Brewed Tea contains 0 calories, 0g of sugar, 0g of fat, and 40mg of caffeine.

5. Emperor’s Clouds and Mist

It may seem simple, but this basic brewed green tea is one of Starbucks’ best hot teas.

It’s a soft and ethereal green tea with a slight sweetness and a hint of smoke.

If you’re a green tea drinker, you’ll love the Emperor’s Clouds and Mist.

Emperor’s Clouds and Mist is a simple infusion of green tea and hot water.

The leaves are grown at 3,500 feet on a mountainside in China, and the tea has subtle citrus, vegetal, roasty, and smoky flavors.

Emperor’s Clouds and Mist is available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande contains 0 calories, 0g of sugar, 0g of fat, and 16mg of caffeine.

4. Matcha Tea Latte

Starbucks’ Matcha Tea Latte is a creamy, healthy but not-too-healthy way to enjoy your matcha tea.

People love matcha for its health benefits and slow-release caffeine.

It’s great for anyone searching for a pick-me-up but avoiding the jolt and jitters that some people experience with coffee.

Starbucks’ Matcha Tea Latte is made with steamed milk and sweetened matcha powder.

It’s topped with milk foam and is a dreamy, earthy treat.

The Matcha Tea Latte is available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande Matcha Tea Latte contains 240 calories, 32g of sugar, 7g of fat, and 80mg of caffeine.

3. Honey Citrus Mint Tea

The Honey Citrus Mint Tea is the ultimate Starbucks hot tea when you’re feeling a little unwell.

This elixir was originally a Secret Menu drink (called the Medicine Ball Tea,) but it was so popular that Starbucks added it to its official menu.

It’s bright, citrusy, and full of feel-good ingredients to get you back on your feet.

The Honey Citrus Mint Tea starts with Peach Tranquility herbal tea and Jade Citrus Mint green tea.

The combination is sweetened with honey and mixed with a splash of steamed lemonade for an extra-citrusy burst of vitamin C.

Honey Citrus Mint Teas are available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande Honey Citrus Mint Tea contains 130 calories, 30g of sugar, 0g of fat, and 16mg of caffeine.

2. Chai Tea Latte

The Chai Tea Latte is one of the best Starbucks hot teas. It’s a bold and spicy blend making it the ultimate cozy, comforting beverage.

It’s a great coffee-free latte alternative that still has a ton of flavor and ample caffeine.

The Chai Tea Latte is made from chai concentrate combined with water, steamed milk, and milk foam.

Starbucks’ chai concentrate is made with black tea combined with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, star anise, black pepper, ginger, honey, vanilla, and sugar.

Chai Tea Lattes are available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande Chai Tea Latte contains 240 calories, 42g of sugar, 4.5 g of fat, and 95mg of caffeine.

1. Teavana London Fog Tea Latte

The Teavana London Fog Tea Latte is the best Starbucks hot tea, and it’s #1 on our list!

It’s the ultimate cozy warm beverage full of citrus, vanilla, and floral flavors.

It’s creamy and subtly sweet, and it’s the perfect hot tea for any time of day or night.

The Teavana London Fog Tea Latte is made from Starbucks’ own interpretation of earl grey tea.

Black tea, lavender flowers, and bergamot essence are combined with steamed milk, milk foam, and a splash of vanilla syrup to form the ultimate cozy beverage.

The Teavana London Fog Tea Latte is available in short, tall, grande, and venti sizes.

A grande contains 180 calories, 29g of sugar, 2.5g of fat, and 40mg of caffeine.

Conclusion

Starbucks hot teas range from light-calorie and caffeine-free herbal infusions to bold, sweet, and spicy tea lattes. Starbucks even added a former Secret Menu tea to its official menu!

Whether you’re feeling under the weather or need an afternoon pick-me-up, one of the dozen Starbucks hot teas on our list is sure to be right for you!

For more information about Starbucks, check out the articles below.

About the Author

Lauren Vigdor is a creative writer and hospitality professional with over a decade of experience in the food and beverage industry. She specializes in food and beverage writing.

Her book, “Drink Like a Bartender,” was written as a guide to help novice drinkers navigate the beverage world and was rated one of Forbes Magazine’s Best Bar Books of 2017.

November 29, 2022