At Urbana, students have developed a serious passion for their go-to drinks at Starbucks, with some favorites standing out above the rest.
Topping the list is the popular Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino, known for its rich chocolate flavor and cookie bits. Close behind, the Pumpkin Cream Chai offers a perfect fall-inspired twist, blending the warmth of chai with pumpkin cream cold foam. The thirst-quenching Strawberry Açaí Refresher claims the third spot, as it provides a fruity boost, while the Caramel Frappuccino satisfies cravings for the sweet, caramel goodness. Rounding out the top five is the Iced Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, a smooth and bold pick for caffeine lovers.
Whether it’s an afternoon pick-me-up or a morning must-have, these drinks are fueling students throughout the day.
Now let’s take a deeper dive into the favorites:
#1. Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
The Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino is a blend of Starbucks’ signature coffee, rich mocha sauce, and milk all blended with ice to create a smooth base. It’s layered with whipped cream and cookie crumbles, adding sweet texture with every sip. Topped with an extra swirl of whipped cream, a drizzle of mocha and even more crunchy cookie bits, this drink is perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings.
The balance between the bold coffee and the sweet chocolate makes it a fan favorite—ideal for both treats and a caffeine boost.
Senior Mav Breuker opts for the Mocha Cookie Crumble. She describes why she enjoys the drink, “Its pretty much just chocolate and whipped cream with a hint of coffee, sometimes, depending on who made it, it comes out like a slushy too.”
#2. Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai
The Pumpkin Cream Chai blends fall spices with a creamy twist. This drink combines Starbucks’ spiced chai concentrate with milk, while also offering notes of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves.
What sets it apart is the rich pumpkin cream cold foam on top, which is infused with pumpkin spice flavors that complement the chai’s profile and creates yummy goodness. Finished with a sprinkle of pumpkin spice topping, it provides the perfect mix of cozy and refreshing, making it a go-to seasonal drink for chai lovers seeking fall in every sip.
Senior Hannah Ness vouches for the Pumpkin Cream Chai because “the drink sets up a fall vibe,” which she enjoys as the weather gets colder.
Customizations suggested from students:
- Replace whole milk with almond milk
- Add 5 pumps vanilla (measurement for Venti)
- Add a racoon cake pop as your side!
#3. Strawberry Acai Refresher
The Strawberry Açaí Refresher is a light and fruity beverage that combines real strawberry flavors with açaí and green coffee extract for a subtle energy boost. This drink can be customized with lemonade for added zest, coconut milk for a creamy twist (making it the popular Pink Drink), or the classic water for a more refreshing experience.
The Pink Drink, featuring the blend with coconut milk, gained massive popularity around 2016, especially on social media, becoming a Starbucks icon and meme. Whether you opt for the traditional or a creamy variation, the Strawberry Açaí Refresher offers a hydrating pick-me-up for any time of day.
Junior Kate Linberg adds peach juice and berry inclusions to her strawberry refresher. She describes how she came up with the creation, “I like to drink lemonade, and the peach juice adds extra flavor, makes it sweeter, [plus] the berries taste good.”
Customizations suggested from students:
- Add peach juice
- Add peach juice with dragon fruit inclusions
- Add vanilla sweet cream cold foam to pink drink
#4. Caramel Frappucino
The Caramel Frappuccino is a perfect blend of Starbucks’ signature coffee, milk, and ice. This beverage creates a smooth and frosty texture. Swirled with caramel syrup, it delivers the ideal mix of sweetness and coffee flavor.
The drink is topped with whipped cream and finished with a generous drizzle of caramel sauce, giving every sip a rich, indulgent taste. Whether enjoyed as a morning boost or a sweet treat, the Caramel Frappuccino remains a classic favorite.
Customizations suggested from students:
- Extra caramel drizzle
- Round the cup with caramel
#5. Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
The Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a smooth but strong drink that layers flavors of rich espresso with a hint of sweetness.
Made by hand-shaking Starbucks Blonde Espresso with brown sugar syrup and a dash of cinnamon, this drink offers a spiced, caramel-like profile. Once shaken, it’s topped with creamy oat milk, giving it less of a bitter finish. The oat milk’s natural sweetness complements the bold espresso, making it a popular dairy-free option.
This is perfect for those seeking a refreshing caffeine kick with a touch of cozy flavor as this drink is both light and satisfying.
Customizations suggested from students:
- Add brown sugar cold foam
- Add 4 pumps of brown sugar syrup
In summary, these top five Starbucks drinks showcase a variety of flavors to suit every mood and season.
The Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino offers that rich, chocolatey treat perfect for sweet-toothed moments, while the Pumpkin Cream Chai brings cozy “fall vibes” with its spiced sweetness. For that refreshing pick-me-up, the Strawberry Açaí Refresher offers fruity versatility, whether enjoyed with water, lemonade, or as the viral Pink Drink. The Caramel Frappuccino delivers a classic blend of coffee and caramel for a smooth, satisfying treat with a kick of caffeine, and the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso provides a light yet strong option with hints of cinnamon and caramel-like sweetness.
Together, these drinks reflect a perfect balance of refreshment, coziness, and caffeine, making them go-to favorites for students on the go.