Former Starbucks employees reveal what they really think of 9 popular drink orders

Damrell said she prefers Starbucks’ pour-over black coffee to the standard batch-brewed beverage. Pour-over coffee is made by pouring hot water over ground coffee beans in a filter.

“If you want better-tasting black coffee for the same price as regular brewed coffee, ask for a pour-over,” said Damrell.

Though this order takes a few more minutes to make, the coffee can have a smoother taste.

Starbucks’ Cloud Macchiato, a whipped, iced espresso drink served with a heavy layer of foam and a drizzle of flavored syrup, might be Instagram-friendly but former Starbucks barista Kathryn Humphreys said it isn’t worth a premium price tag.

“The Cloud Macchiato is a total waste of money,” said Humphreys. “It’s just a meringue powder added to milk that makes a bit more foam. You’re paying for extra air.”

To save money, ask your barista for a bit of extra foam on your regular macchiato.

Starbucks is known for its indulgent Frappuccinos, but the sweet, blended iced-coffee drink is one of the most time-consuming beverages to make. 

“Many baristas will groan when someone orders a Frappuccino because they require much more effort to make than almost any other drink,” said Damrell.

According to Damrell, each Frappuccino needs to be blended separately, even if the barista is making more than one serving of the same flavor. Each Frappuccino flavor also calls for a very specific ingredient list, meaning baristas have to recall a lengthy recipe.

Starbucks offers a rotating selection of seasonal drinks, and the salted-caramel mocha is one of the most popular winter beverages on the menu.

“The only specialty drink I love is the salted-caramel mocha,” said Humphreys. “The whipped cream and caramel on top are great, and the addition of the sea salt is exactly what a cold winter morning needs.”

Besides whipped cream, caramel syrup, and salt flakes, the drink is also made with toffee-nut syrup and mocha sauce.

Humphreys said that the Starbucks vanilla sweet-cream cold brew is one of her favorite orders. A cold-brew beverage is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for several hours to create a smoother flavor. 

“The cold-brew process makes the coffee quite strong but not bitter,” said Humphreys. “The vanilla cream adds a perfectly sweet and smooth taste.”

The drink is normally served chilled, but you can request less ice for a stronger flavor.

This story was originally published on September 9, 2022, and most recently updated on October 15, 2024.