The Best Starbucks Caramel Drinks – 18 Drinks You Need To Try

There’s no denying that caramel and coffee go together perfectly. The combination of flavors and consistency of a thick caramel just work.

So much so, that most coffeehouses have a menu that offers a wide range of coffee and caramel options.

One coffee company that has a huge range of caramel options is Starbucks (see also ‘20 Best Caffeine Free Starbucks Drinks‘).

Over the years, this coffee giant has added more and more recipes and drinks to its menu that use both caramel and coffee.

Some options don’t even include coffee, with the caramel taking center stage.

Aside from being able to add a caramel sauce or syrup to an espresso, we can now choose from a comprehensive list of caramel drinks, whether they be hot, cold, or iced.

However, with so many options available, how on earth do you pick out the best drinks? No need to worry, that’s where we come into help!

To help, we’ve put together a list of 18 of the best caramel drinks you can buy in Starbucks (see also ‘20 Tastiest Food Items At Starbucks‘). In this article, we’ll show you each one, including some secret menu drinks.

Let’s get straight to it, shall we?

1. Caramel Apple Spice

Let’s start with one of the most popular seasonal drinks Starbucks has to offer.

The caramel apple spice drink at Starbucks is a seasonal drink Starbucks has put on its menu every year for the last two or three years and with good reason.

Also known by the names “Fall Delight” and “Cider Spice”, this beverage is a hot, super sweet drink made using a delicious caramel sauce, green apple syrup, and some freshly pressed apples.

The drink is then topped off with ground cinnamon and a steamed cider. 

By far the best thing about this drink is how comforting it is during the winter. For us, there’s no better feeling than a hot caramel, apple cider drink to warm us up during a harsh winter day. 

The addition of fresh apples gives the drink an extra sweetness and ensures it’s loaded with essential vitamins.

2. Caramel Snickerdoodle Macchiato

We’ll spoil you with a secret menu caramel drink early on in our list with the caramel snickerdoodle macchiato.

This divine drink can’t be found on the Starbucks menu. Instead, you have to order it by asking for a specific combination of ingredients.

This is because the recipe is considered to be a secret option that staff aren’t trained to make. To order this beverage, you’ll have to ask for a grande iced caramel macchiato with 2 pumps of cinnamon dolce. 

The reason this drink is called the snickerdoodle is that the signature cinnamon dolce gives the drink a taste similar to that of a snickerdoodle cookie.

We don’t know about you but a drink that tastes like cookies sounds pretty great. The recipe is based on soy milk but you can order it with the milk you prefer.

3. Caramel Brulée Latte

We’re feeling generous, so here’s another awesome Starbucks secret menu caramel drink. This time, we have the caramel brulée latte. 

The caramel brulée latte is a fresh tasting, subtly sweet drink that can be made hot, cold, or iced.

It consists of a caramel brulée sauce, milk, whipped cream, espresso, candied caramel sprinkles, and a caramel brulée topping.

You can order the drink by asking for a caramel macchiato with two pumps of toffee nut. For a more authentic taste, consider asking for a sprinkling of cinnamon too.

Technically, this secret caramel drink is a seasonal beverage, but you can order it all year round. Having said that, the drink definitely suits fall and the beginning of the year better.

It’s definitely a drink that will keep you warm.

4. Caramel Macchiato

The next drink on our list is perfect for anybody who loves caramel and coffee but also likes to keep their order simple.

While it may be a simpler drink to order than others on this list, the caramel macchiato is full of flavor, packing a punch with every sip.

It also happens to be one of our personal favorites. Made hot or iced, the caramel macchiato was first introduced in 1996.

Since then it has seen a meteoric rise across the United States, with most coffeehouses now selling it.

Of course, Starbucks is one of those coffeehouses.

Made from espresso, milk, caramel sauce, and vanilla syrup, you can expect a foamy, sweet, and strong drink that will give your day the kickstart it needs. 

Unlike most espresso-based drinks, Starbucks adds the espresso last. The coffee is poured through the milk foam to create a “spot” on the top.

The caramel syrup is then drizzled on top for good measure.

5. Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino

Next up, we have the caramel ribbon crunch crème frappuccino.

Quite a mouthful to say, this caramel beverage starts off with a crème frappe base that has been blended with crunchy caramel pieces and a caramel ribbon.

Since its release, this drink has become one of Starbucks’ most popular frappuccinos.

It’s not hard to see why. It looks awesome, tastes even better, and has a gorgeous burst of coffee to help you feel revitalized.

At first, the caramel ribbon crunch crème frappuccino was only available as a frappuccino.

However, a year after its release in 2010, Starbucks made it possible to order the beverage as a blended drink. 

Many people actually consider the drink a dessert as it is creamy, filling, rich, and sweet, just like ice cream. 

6. Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew

Okay, so you’re probably thinking that you can’t make a classic Starbucks Cold Brew any better than it already is. After all, it already tastes pretty great.

Sadly, we’d have to say you are wrong because there’s one option available that takes the Starbucks Cold Brew to a new level.

That option is the Starbucks salted caramel cream Cold Brew. Occasionally, that extra flavor added to your coffee is just what’s needed.

This is definitely the case with this drink. If you want to try something new or simply love caramel, ask for this caramel-tinted coffee instead.

This caramel drink gives coffee and caramel lovers the chance to get their daily caramel and coffee fix.

The combination of caramel syrup and coffee will lighten up your day while not overloading you with sugar.

In fact, containing just 220 calories, this is one of the healthier caramel drinks Starbucks has to offer. 

7. Caramel Pumpkin Macchiato

In a world oversaturated with caramel macchiatos, Starbucks decided to switch things up a bit by introducing a new style of caramel macchiato. They called it the caramel pumpkin macchiato. 

It’s a unique take on the classic caramel macchiato that includes the added flavors and spice of pumpkin.

Surprisingly, despite its popularity, this beverage is actually a secret menu drink.

For obvious reasons, it is also a very seasonal drink that can only be ordered at certain times throughout the year.

The drink is made with steamed milk, espresso, spice syrup, and pumpkin sauce. Sitting on top of the drink is a lush serving of whipped cream and some delicious pumpkin spiced sprinkles for extra flavor.

8. Vanilla Apple Spice

Let us give you another secret menu drink while we’re at it. The vanilla apple spice drink is a delightful combination of steamed apple juice, vanilla sauce, and cinnamon dolce syrup.

To give the drink a bigger comfort factor, an orange wedge is then added to the mix.

Adored by many, this secret menu drink is warming, comforting, and exceptionally spiced.

Ordered with a fresh blueberry muffin and you can’t go wrong. Even Starbucks themselves have said that the drink “brings together all the best flavors of fall”.

In terms of what you can expect, you’ll be treated to a creamy, incredibly rich cup of spiced sweetness that will warm your bones during cold weather. 

When we’ve tried this caramel drink, we’ve often compared its taste to that of a fresh hot apple pie. It’s slightly sweet and tart. 

9. Salted Caramel Mocha

The next drink on our list of caramel Starbucks beverages is a salted caramel mocha.

A firm favorite of most Starbucks drinkers, the salted caramel mocha is a fantastic alternative to a classic cafe mocha. 

If you’re getting bored of drinking the same classic coffee every time you visit Starbucks, you should definitely give this drink a try.

The main ingredients in this mocha are milk, whipped cream, mocha sauce, and four generous pumps of Starbucks’ addictive toffee nut syrup. 

As if things couldn’t get any better, the drink is topped with a healthy drizzling of caramel syrup. It is worth knowing that this drink is very sweet.

While this might be perfect for those of you with a sweet tooth, those who don’t want too much sweetness might want to ask for the drink with one less pump of toffee nut syrup.

The salted element of this Starbucks drink comes from the salted topping also added to the drink.

Sea salt is sprinkled on top of the beverage to give it a more interesting flavor. The salt helps to balance the sweetness of the coffee really well.

When exploring the world of Starbucks drinks, don’t forget to delve into their range of syrups, each adding a unique and delightful twist to your coffee experience.

From classic caramel to the exotic flavors, Starbucks offers a variety of tasty syrups that allow you to customize your beverages to perfection.

10. Raspberry Caramel Macchiato

As you can probably tell by now, a lot of the best caramel drinks Starbucks has to offer come from the company’s iconic secret menu.

The next drink is another fine example of the amazing drinks you can ask for that won’t be found on the standard menu.

The raspberry caramel macchiato puts a twist on the classic caramel macchiato. Unlike normal caramel macchiatos, this drink has raspberry syrup at the bottom instead of vanilla syrup. 

Aside from that, the drink is made just like any other caramel macchiato. The espresso is poured over the foam and a caramel syrup tops the drink.

The raspberry syrup gives this coffee a tarter flavor and a wonderful color. Bright red in color, the drink is delicately sweet and very refreshing.

11. Twix Frappuccino

If you’re looking for the ultimate caramel coffee you simply have to try the Twix frappuccino.

Named after the famous Twix candy bar, this Starbucks drink is hardly a drink at all. If anything, it is more like a dessert. 

As a result, it’s probably a drink you should only have when treating yourself.

With that said, it’s most definitely not the drink to order if you’re following a strict diet. The Twix frappuccino is a blended drink with a base of caramel frappuccino. 

The other ingredients used to make the drink include hazelnut syrup, java chips, caramel syrup, and mocha drizzle.

The topping of the drink is then made from mocha and caramel syrup, and whipped cream. Together, these ingredients create a taste very similar to that of the famous candy.

The one downside to this drink is that we can’t confirm how many calories it contains. The beverage isn’t an official Starbucks drink so that information is unknown.

12. Honey Nut Macchiato

In our opinion, the honey nut macchiato is one of the most satisfying drinks Starbucks makes.

Made with chestnut praline syrup, honey, milk, caramel syrup, espresso, and ice cubes, the drink is full of flavor. 

Made iced, the combination of sweet, nutty, and creamy flavors helps create a well-balanced drink that is sure to please.

Despite being an iced drink, there’s almost something very comforting and warming about the flavors the drink offers.

The drink is made with espresso to provide that extra strong coffee flavor.

The addition of espresso also ensures that the drink provides us with that extra boost we might need to get through the day. 

The chestnut syrup is what gives the drink its sweetness, while the milk makes it nice and creamy. The caramel sauce is drizzled on top for an added burst of sweetness.

13. London Fog

London Fog is an interesting, yet relatively simple caramel drink Starbucks offers, but you’ll again have to ask for specific ingredients as it isn’t found on the main menu.

The ingredients used to make London Fog are vanilla syrup, steamed milk, Earl Gray tea leaves, and caramel syrup.

Unlike most of the other drinks on our list, London Fog doesn’t contain any coffee. Instead, it is made with a famous type of tea.

This makes the drink a solid option for anyone that needs to cut down their caffeine intake. Compared to coffee, tea is much lower in caffeine. 

Another super comforting hot drink, London Fog is one of Starbucks’ most popular tea drinks.

Great for a morning wake-up call or a hot drink to walk along the river with, London Fog has a more subtle flavor that isn’t too overpowering.

To order a cup of London Fog, you should ask for Earl Gray tea with 2 pumps of caramel and 2 pumps of vanilla. 

14. Butterbeer Latte

The Harry Potter lovers out there will really appreciate the next drink on our list. Like something straight out of Harry Potter, Starbucks has its very own butterbeer recipe on its menu. 

Made with caramel syrup, steamed milk, cinnamon dolce syrup, toffee nut syrup, espresso, whipped cream, and salted caramel bits, this drink is one of the closest beverages you can buy to the real fantasy drink. 

Like a lot of the more exciting caramel drinks on the Starbucks menu, the butterbeer latte can only be found on the Starbucks secret menu.

Therefore, you’ll have to get the order right if you want the best-tasting drink. 

From experience, the best butterbeer latte contains 2 pumps of caramel syrup, 2 pumps of toffee nut syrup, 2 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup, 2 shots of espresso, whipped cream, and salted caramel pieces.

And if you’re a fan of Harry Potter and magical beverages, why not try your hand at mixing some enchanting Harry Potter themed cocktails at home?

Whether it’s a refreshing Butterbeer-inspired concoction or a mysterious Polyjuice Potion, there are plenty of recipes online to satisfy your wizarding cravings.

15. Salted Caramel Cream Nitro Cold Brew

The main difference between the salted caramel cream Nitro Cold Brew drink and the regular Cold Brew is that the Nitro Cold Brew is stored in a cold keg and is served without any ice. 

This beverage isn’t too dissimilar to the salted caramel cream Cold Brew Starbucks sells. It’s topped with a sweet cream foam and caramel syrup before being served.

For a lot of people, the Nitro is a much better option than the regular caramel Cold Brew as a lot of people prefer their drink without ice.

In all honesty, we get that because we ourselves sometimes dislike how much ice is put in our drinks.

Aside from the taste and the refreshing nature of this Cold Brew beverage, we love how few calories the drink contains.

Despite the ingredients used to make the drink, this beverage only contains 230 calories. 

16. Caramel Frappuccino

Next on our list, we have a Starbucks classic.

One of the best-selling drinks in Starbucks for many years, the caramel frappuccino was one of the first flavors of frappuccino the coffeehouse ever made.

In fact, at the time of its creation, there were only two other types of frappuccino available at Starbucks.

With that in mind, this is a drink you should definitely try at least once if you haven’t already.

This ice-cold, blended caramel drink is made out of espresso, milk, caramel syrup, and a frappuccino roast syrup. The drink is then blended before a topping of caramel sauce and whipped cream is added.

A Grande caramel frappuccino contains 380 calories which is a lot less than other frappuccinos of the same size.

Overall, we recommend this drink to anyone that wants a nice caramel beverage that doesn’t go over the top.

17. Butterbeer Frappuccino

Those of you that love the Harry Potter-themed butterbeer latte that Starbucks makes will absolutely love the butterbeer frappuccino the coffeehouse can also make you.

Easily customized, creamy, sweet, and refreshing, this frappuccino is a real treat.

Ideal for any Harry Potter fan or someone looking for a refreshing drink that will cool them down, this drink is made from caramel syrup, cinnamon dolce syrup, coffee, toffee nut syrup, and caramel drizzle.

This is another secret menu option that Starbucks keeps relatively quiet about.

However, if you ask for a Grande caramel frappuccino with 2 pumps of toffee nut syrup, 2 pumps of caramel, 1 pump of cinnamon dolce, and a caramel drizzle, you can’t go wrong. 

18. Baby Yoda Frappuccino

We couldn’t possibly have finished our list without mentioning the wonderful caramel drink that is the Baby Yoda frappuccino.

Another blended drink, the Baby Yoda frappuccino takes its inspiration from the iconic Star Wars character.

As you can probably already tell, this is another recipe that doesn’t sit on the standard menu. Therefore, you’ll have to turn to the secret menu for help when ordering the drink.

Super sweet, vibrant green in color, and topped with whipped cream and a caramel drizzle, this beverage is one of the tastiest and most unique drinks on this list.

To order the Baby Yoda Frappuccino, you need to ask for a Grande matcha frappuccino with a caramel drizzle on the sides of the cup.

You then need to ask for the drink to be topped with whipped cream and a caramel sugar topping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Make A Starbucks Drink A Secret Drink?

A Starbucks secret menu drink is any customized drink recipe that has become popular on social media.

There is no official Starbucks secret menu and baristas aren’t trained to make any secret drinks. Instead, secret drinks are created by inventive customers.

What Is The Newest Caramel Drink At Starbucks?

The latest caramel drink at Starbucks is the caramel ribbon crunch frappuccino. This drink is a blended beverage topped with whipped cream and a caramel sauce.

What Is The Most Popular Caramel Drink At Starbucks?

Most caramel drinks at Starbucks are pretty popular, but the most popular drink out of all the drinks currently available is the caramel frappuccino.

Final Thoughts

That concludes our list of the best caramel drinks you can order at Starbucks. In this article, we’ve shown you 18 of the very best caramel options available right now.

Not only have we shown you the most popular caramel drinks, but we’ve also shown you the best caramel drinks that can be found on the secret menu.

Whether you want a super sweet, dessert-like caramel drink or a hot coffee with a subtle hint of caramel, we have listed an option that suits you.

Now we’ve done all the hard work for you, all you have to do is decide which caramel Starbucks drink you want to try first.