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Barista Perspective: What To Actually Get At Starbucks

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Delaware chapter.

Have $8 to blow? Here’s your next Starbucks drink of choice:

I go to Starbucks a lot. Like, it’s almost unhealthy. So when I found out I not only had enough points for one free drink with my gold membership, but three, I was beyond excited. My go to at S-Bux is typically something boring like a cup of hot chocolate after class on chilly days or a grande Pike Place with skim milk. Since the price of a free drink at Starbucks has no dollar limit, I knew that I couldn’t settle for my bland $2 drinks when I could get something that weighs in around $10, so I turned to a Starbucks expert for help — my roommate. As a barista back at her home in Massachusetts, girl knows what she’s doing with an espresso machine and some syrup and was beyond excited to pass down some of her craziest drink concoctions to me. Here’s by far the craziest (and most expensive):

The Flat White Mocha

What to order: Venti quad ristretto, four pumps mocha, three pumps vanilla flat white with (milk of choice)

Screw absynthe, this right here is the drink of the gods. On a side note you’d probably need to be a god to afford this $8 monstrosity of a drink or be me and have enough points to get it for free. If I were rich or had free Starbucks for life, then this chocolatey, foamy, sweet cup of joe would be my go to on the daily. No joke. But I’m not, so looks like I’ll just have to get enough points for another free one. Typically, it takes me a while to bottom up a venti, but I downed this bad boy in a solid ten minutes. I was sad when it was gone. This drink is also a serious wake up potion with the amount of caffeine and sugar (worth it). So much so that I went for a run afterwards, which is rare for me. Tastes amazeballs and makes you feel like an Olympian. F*&^ing go buy this drink.

The Dirty Vegan

What to order: Venti triple shot iced soy chai latte with three pumps hazelnut

I’ll admit it, I’ve been between a flexitarian, vegan, and vegetarian and not giving a f*&% since I sprung from the womb. Child me always ordered a chai latte (to my parents dismay, as this thing alone is a $4.50 drink). Now that I barista myself, I’ve livened it up a bit. This past weekend, I ventured to an unfamiliar Starbucks that rang this drink that I typically make myself for free up at a whopping $7.70. So, perfect for this article obviously! Vegan me adds soy, high school me who couldn’t live without hazelnut syrup in their iced coffee adds a few pumps of this and the insomniatic college student in me knows deep down she needs a triple shot mingled in there (and maybe a little vodka too, just don’t tell my boss).

Coconut Mocha Macchiato

What to order: just that!

The CoMoMa is a menu fave that will cost you a solid $6. Be prepared to empty your pockets for a cup full of joy. The Coconut Mocha Macchiato is lightly sweetened and spices up the boring old caramel macchiato with some added white chocolate, coconut milk and chocolate. Delish! Light! Love!

Kaylee is the former President and Editor in Chief for Her Campus at the University of Delaware. She held this title from 2017-2020 and wrote for Penn State's chapter as a contributor prior to this. Now a proud UD class of 2020 alum (B.A. in Public Policy and Writing), Kaylee is completing her Masters in Public Health. Aside from writing, Kaylee was involved in many activities as an undergrad. She wrote for three college publications, was a Blue Hen Ambassador tour guide, worked as a Starbucks barista, and was the Director of Operations for the Model United Nations at UD.
Addison Reich is a lively, fun and energetic girl of 21 years old. She is a Junior Psychology major with a Minor in Health & Wellness at the University of Delaware. Ad started as Udel's junior editor, but has since worked her way to becoming their Co-CC! Addison loves to write articles about personal experience and opinion. She transferred from a different university in the fall of her sophomore year, leaving behind a volleyball scholarship, but not her passion for sports, as she is working on becoming a sports psychologist. She also loves hunting, singing and Taylor Swift. If you notice, it's her token to add a picture of Swift in every header of her articles. Keep on the lookout for the next one!