guide to starbucks tea drinks

Steeped in Flavor: Your Complete Guide to Starbucks Tea Drinks (50 Teas & More!)

Starbucks isn’t just about coffee; they also boast a diverse and delicious selection of tea drinks. Whether you’re a seasoned tea lover or just looking for a warm and comforting alternative to coffee, this guide will steep you in everything you need to know about Starbucks tea, from classic offerings to secret menu gems and DIY recreations.

A Brief History of Tea at Starbucks

While coffee is their claim to fame, Starbucks has been serving tea for quite some time. They partner with Teavana (now mostly phased out of standalone stores but still a brand within Starbucks) to offer a variety of high-quality loose-leaf teas and tea blends. This partnership ensures a focus on sourcing and flavor, resulting in a more elevated tea experience.

Types of Tea Available at Starbucks

Starbucks offers a wide variety of tea types, including:

  • Black Tea: Robust and flavorful, black teas are often enjoyed with milk and sugar.
  • Green Tea: Known for its grassy notes and potential health benefits, green tea is often enjoyed plain.
  • White Tea: Delicate and subtle, white tea is the least processed type of tea.
  • Oolong Tea: A partially oxidized tea with characteristics between black and green tea.
  • Herbal Tea (Tisanes): Technically not “tea” as they don’t contain tea leaves, herbal infusions are made with herbs, spices, and fruits, and are naturally caffeine-free.

How to Order Tea at Starbucks

Starbucks offers various ways to enjoy their teas:

  • Hot Tea: Teabags are steeped in hot water and served as is.
  • Iced Tea: Tea is brewed hot, then chilled and served over ice.
  • Tea Lattes: Tea is combined with steamed milk (or a milk alternative) and often sweetened.
  • Refreshers: While technically not “tea” in the traditional sense, some Refreshers do contain green coffee extract and fruit juice, offering a light, caffeinated option. We’ll touch on these later.
starbucks tea drinks list

Customizing Your Tea

Don’t be afraid to personalize your tea! Here are some common customizations:

  • Sweeteners: Add classic syrup, liquid cane sugar, honey, or a sugar substitute.
  • Milk/Milk Alternatives: Choose from dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or other plant-based options.
  • Lemon or Lime: Add a citrus wedge for a refreshing zing.
  • Spices: A sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg can add warmth and complexity.

50 Tea & Tea-Inspired Drink Ideas

(Starbucks Menu Items, Customizations, and DIY Ideas)

Black Teas:

  1. English Breakfast Tea
  2. Earl Grey Tea
  3. London Fog (Earl Grey Tea Latte with Vanilla Syrup)
  4. Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte
  5. Chai Tea Latte
  6. Iced Black Tea Lemonade
  7. Black Tea with Peach Juice
  8. Black Tea with Apple Juice
  9. DIY: Spiced Black Tea with Orange Peel and Cloves
  10. DIY: Masala Chai (homemade spice blend)

Green Teas:

  1. Jade Citrus Mint Tea
  2. Mint Majesty Tea
  3. Emperor’s Clouds & Mist Green Tea
  4. Green Tea Latte
  5. Iced Green Tea
  6. Green Tea Lemonade
  7. Green Tea with Ginger
  8. DIY: Matcha Green Tea Latte (using matcha powder)
  9. DIY: Jasmine Green Tea with Honey
  10. DIY: Genmaicha (roasted rice green tea)

White Teas:

  1. White Tea
  2. White Tea with Lavender
  3. Iced White Tea
  4. White Tea Lemonade
  5. DIY: White Peony Tea with Rose Petals

Oolong Teas:

  1. Oolong Tea
  2. Iced Oolong Tea
  3. DIY: Tieguanyin Oolong Tea
  4. DIY: Da Hong Pao Oolong Tea

Herbal Teas (Tisanes):

  1. Herbal Tea (selection varies)
  2. Iced Herbal Tea
  3. Mint Majesty
  4. Peach Tranquility
  5. Comfort Wellness Tea
  6. DIY: Chamomile Tea with Honey
  7. DIY: Ginger Tea with Lemon
  8. DIY: Hibiscus Tea with Lime
  9. DIY: Rooibos Tea with Vanilla
starbucks tea drinks customization

Tea Lattes:

  1. Chai Tea Latte
  2. London Fog (Earl Grey)
  3. Green Tea Latte (Matcha)
  4. Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte
  5. DIY: Dirty Chai Latte (Chai with a shot of espresso)
  6. DIY: Honey Citrus Mint Tea Latte

Tea-Inspired & Refreshers (Not all strictly “tea” but related):

  1. Strawberry Açaí Refresher (contains green coffee extract)
  2. Mango Dragonfruit Refresher (contains green coffee extract)
  3. Pink Drink (Strawberry Açaí Refresher with Coconut Milk)
  4. Dragon Drink (Mango Dragonfruit Refresher with Coconut Milk)
  5. Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade
  6. DIY: Hibiscus Refresher (using hibiscus tea and fruit juice)

DIY Tea Blends

Creating your own tea blends at home can be a fun and rewarding experience. Experiment with different combinations of tea leaves, herbs, spices, and dried fruits to create unique and personalized flavors.

Health Benefits of Tea

Tea, particularly green and white tea, is often associated with various health benefits due to its antioxidant content. However, it’s important to note that these benefits are often studied in relation to consuming plain, unsweetened tea. Added sugars and milk can alter the nutritional profile.

The Starbucks Tea Experience

Starbucks aims to provide a consistent and convenient tea experience. While their focus is primarily on quick service and on-the-go beverages, they do offer a decent selection of quality teas.

Don’t hesitate to ask your barista for recommendations or to customize your drink to your liking. Whether you’re grabbing a quick iced tea on a hot day or seeking a warm and comforting tea latte, Starbucks has something to offer every tea lover.

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