What is Starbucks Handcrafted Drink? Pros & Cons and FAQs

If you’ve ever purchased a drink from Starbucks, you’ve probably heard the term “handcrafted.” What does it mean? What differentiates “handcrafted” beverages from other Starbucks beverages?

Handcrafted Starbucks drinks are those made at the espresso/cold bar with a little more love. They’re an excellent investment for those willing to pay more for a drink that’s tailored to their preferences.

I’ll walk you through the most frequently asked questions about any handcrafted drink Starbucks creates in the section below.

I’ll go into detail about the specific drinks Starbucks considers “handcrafted,” the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing them, and recommend Handcrafted Drink Starbucks you should try.

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What is a handcrafted drink Starbucks?

In marketing words, any handcrafted beverage sold by Starbucks is produced with “a little more love.” Handcrafted Starbucks beverages require more advanced procedures and more personal touch than non-handcrafted beverages.

Handcrafted drinks, according to Starbucks’ official website, include:

Espressos
Iced teas
Frappuccinos
Cold coffees
Seasonal drinks

What distinguishes the following drinks as “handcrafted”? Let’s take a look at a standard handcrafted drink prepared by Starbucks.

Espressos

Espressos aren’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of “handcrafted” drinks. After all, the first stage in producing them involves the use of specialized machinery.

The machine squirts pressurized hot water through ground coffee beans, producing the strong mixture that people drink as a morning pick-me-up.

Even with a machine, however, espresso shots require skill. You must use the correct beans, use the appropriate size basket, work the grounds, and lock the portafilter before pulling the shot!

There are two types of espresso available at Starbucks:

Espresso: A doppio-sized (1.5 fl oz) espresso contains 10 calories, making it one of Starbucks’ healthiest drinks.
Espresso con Panna: If you don’t mind adding 25 calories to your doppio espresso, go for Espresso con Panna. It contains whipped cream, as the English translation says. In addition, the vanilla syrup is used in the Starbucks version of Espresso con Panna.

Tip: What is the Different between Espresso and Cold Brew Read More

Iced teas

Iced teas, like espressos, aren’t typically associated with the term “handcrafted.” However, according to Starbucks, iced tea contains more than just leaf extract blended with cold water.

What defines iced tea as a handcrafted beverage? Starbucks provides the option to customize them according to:

Ice water: The more water or ice in your tea, the weaker it is.
Sweeteners: To satiate your sweet craving, you can request a specific sugar or syrup.
Other tastes: You can change the amount of milk, toppings, and so on depending on the iced tea you choose.

Frappuccinos

There is no such beverage as a “frappuccino” in non-Starbucks coffee shops. This is because Starbucks bought the rights to the name in the 1990s. The deal paid off handsomely: the Frappuccino is widely credited with driving Starbucks’ success.

A Frappuccino is easy to recognize: an iced drink topped with whipped cream, sprinkles, and the characteristic Frappuccino syrup. According to Quora answers from Starbucks staff, the syrup keeps everything in the Frappuccino together.

Of course, the syrup recipe is a well-protected trade secret.

Considering that the Frappuccino is Starbucks’ signature drink, you’d think the firm would have figured out how to mass-produce it. The Frappuccino takes longer to make than any other handcrafted drink available from Starbucks.

Every frappuccino must be prepared correctly so it does not become too chunky or runny. And it doesn’t even consider all of the different variations of this sugary beverage.

As of this writing, Starbucks offers 21 different Frappuccino pre-customization options. They all fit into one of two categories:

Coffee frappuccino: As the name suggests, these Frappuccinos are made with coffee.
Creme frappuccino: Any Frappuccino without a coffee base is a creme Frappuccino. Some do, however, contain caffeine.

There are nine different recipes of these two types:

Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino
White Chocolate Creme Frappucino
Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino
Chai Créme Frappuccino
Matcha Créme Frappuccino
Java Chip Frappuccino
Mocha Frappuccino
Caffé Vanilla Frappuccino
Double Chocolatey Chip Créme Frappuccino

Cold coffees

Cold coffee is more than just an iced variation of hot coffee.

Cold brewing is used by Starbucks baristas to prepare cold coffee. The process requires steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for 20 hours, as follows:

As the water warms, the coffee is removed and transformed into the cold, handmade drink that Starbucks customers love.

It takes longer to make Starbucks’ Nitro Cold Brew. The beans are steeped in cold water for up to 24 hours by baristas.

There are many types of cold coffees available at Starbucks:

Iced Caffé Americano
Iced Coffee
Iced Espresso
Iced Flat White
Iced Latte
Iced Honey Almondmilk Flat White
Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte
Iced Caramel Macciato
Iced Caffé Latte
Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte

Tip: What is an Iced Macchiato and How to make it (Recipe). Read More

Seasonal drinks

Seasonal drinks are only available at certain seasons of the year, as the name implies. The Pumpkin Spice Latte, for example, is available every fall and is possibly the most well-known seasonal specialty drink Starbucks offers.

If you want to drink a pumpkin spice latte all year, you can brew it at home using this recipe, or prepare an iced version instead.

In addition to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, seasonal Starbucks drinks include:

Caramel Brulée Latte
Peppermint Mocha
Irish Cream Cold Brew
Chestnut Praline Latte
Toasted White Chocolate Mocha

Remember that not all seasonal drinks are available all year. Starbucks, for example, will discontinue the popular Eggnog Latte in 2021.

Other Starbucks products that have been discontinued include:

Strawberry Shortcake Frappuccino
Tazo Tea Infusions
Apple Crumble Frappuccino

Should you purchase handcrafted beverages from Starbucks?

Is there a benefit to purchasing a bespoke drink made by Starbucks? Or are you spending money for nothing?

If you’re ready to spend a premium to customize any beverage to your preferences, you should buy customized drinks at Starbucks. Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks are distinguished by their flexibility to be customized. However, their greater price may put off budget-conscious customers.

What are the additional advantages and disadvantages of Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks, aside from customizability and price? In the following section, we’ll break them down.

Advantages of handcrafted drinks at Starbucks

When you buy any handmade drink from Starbucks, you’re paying for an experience unlike any other. After all, nothing beats having your own drink.

Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks include the following advantages:

You can personalize them to suit your needs.
You can experiment with different flavours and beverage styles.
Drinks can be adjusted to your mood and the seasons.
You can get special benefits.

I’ll walk you through the most frequently asked questions about any handcrafted drink Starbucks creates in the section below.

I’ll go into detail about the specific drinks Starbucks considers “handcrafted,” the benefits and drawbacks of purchasing them, and recommend Handcrafted Drink Starbucks you should try.

Let’s go over the benefits of handcrafted Starbucks drinks below:

You can personalise them to suit your needs

If you’re craving something sweet, order the infamously sugary Frappuccino. Get an espresso (10 calories) or iced black tea if you want a drink with little or no calories (0 calories).

Do you mind indulging or spending a few bucks more? Choose any item from Starbucks’ hidden menu.

Alternatively, request that the barista make a healthy version of your Frappuccino.

You can experiment with different flavours and beverage styles

Starbucks introduces new handmade beverage varieties almost every year. Honey almond milk fans enjoyed flat white and cold brew versions of their favorite flavor in 2021 alone.

This 5-minute recipe makes an at-home version of the honey almond milk flat white!

Assume you go to a Starbucks in another country. In such a situation, you can sample tastes not available in the United States.

South Korea, for example, offers the sweet potato-flavored Golden Wish Latte, matcha-inspired Snow Mint Chocolate, and the lychee-topped Pink Chamomile Relaxer.

Drinks can be adjusted to your mood and the seasons

Do you need something to wake you up in more than one way? The ice and caffeine combination in Starbucks’ cold handcrafted drinks should do the trick.

Are you ready for autumn and Christmas? Choose from Starbucks’ festive drinks.

You can get special benefits

Given how much one handcrafted drink made by Starbucks baristas costs, you want to take advantage of any promotions associated with them.

If you have a Starbucks Rewards account, you can personalize your drink once you get 25 stars.

Now, let’s look at the disadvantages of handcrafted Starbucks beverages:

Disadvantages of handcrafted drinks at Starbucks

Starbucks baristas’ customized drinks might leave a harsh aftertaste in your mouth (no pun intended). If you don’t think about the drawbacks of Starbucks’ customized drinks, you might be disappointed when you order one.

Starbucks’ handcrafted drinks have the following drawbacks:

You spend much more than you would for standard drinks.
The drink you want may not always be available on the menu.
The multiple options may be too much for you.
You might not be able to tell which ones are “handcrafted”.

Look no further than the following section for reasons not to purchase a Starbucks handmade drink.

You spend much more than you would for standard drinks

Starbucks beverages cost about $2.75 on average in the United States. Handcrafted drinks can cost more than $5.

If you’re feeling brave and wealthy, pull a William E. Lewis Jr. and order a Super Venti Flat White for $148.99.

The drink you want may not always be available on the menu

Remember how Starbucks’ Eggnog Latte disappeared? At least 27% of hardcore fans were dissatisfied.

In addition, certain ingredients, such as hazelnut, matcha, caramel drizzle, strawberries, and blackberries, maybe in low supply.

If you’re searching for something else than the standard chocolate/coffee/mocha/cappuccino combo, you’ll be let down.

The multiple options may be too much for you

The key to ordering bespoke drinks is knowing exactly what you want.

But what if you don’t understand the distinctions between “tall,” “grande,” and “venti”? What if you make all of the rookie blunders when ordering at Starbucks?

Instead of appreciating the delights of a handcrafted drink made by Starbucks baristas, you’ll bemoan the difficulty of ordering just one drink.

You might not be able to tell which ones are “handcrafted”

Some individuals (even Starbucks staff) assume that all Starbucks beverages are made by hand.

If this is the case, Starbucks will not provide any Happy Hour promotions because a “buy one, take one” policy on everything will not benefit their corporate bottom line.

A drink is not likely to be handcrafted if it is ready-made or prepared in a bottle or paper bag. It is as if a barista has to create it from scratch.

Which of the customized cocktails offered by Starbucks should you try first? In the following part, I’ll make some suggestions.

What Are Starbucks’ Best Handcrafted Drink?

Whether you’re a first-time coffee drinker or a seasoned pro, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate at least one of Starbucks’ handcrafted beverages.

I’m not going to rank the drinks since I feel everyone should enjoy everything Starbucks has to offer in their own unique way.

The following are the best handcrafted Starbucks drinks:

Vanilla Latte
Iced White Chocolate Mocha
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino Blended Coffee
Java Chip Frappuccino
Hot Chocolate
Green Tea Créme Frappuccino Blended Creme
Chai Latte
Caramel Cocoa Cluster Frappuccino Blended Coffee
Caramel Macchiato

What Is not A Handcrafted Drink at Starbucks?

The only exceptions are brewed teas and coffees. The majority of Starbucks’ handmade drinks are freshly prepared behind the coffee shop counter for you. With the exception of brewing tea and coffee, the packaged bottles, milk, and juice boxes in the accessible fridges are quite straightforward to locate.

These include a wide range of water, fruit juices, fruit teas, energy drinks, milk, and alcoholic beverages.

How much does a handcrafted Starbucks drink cost?

A customised drink from Starbucks will cost you roughly 120 stars. You’ll almost probably make a 5 to 10% return on your investment, so a customised drink will cost between $30 and $80. Prices for handcrafted cocktails vary by location, but a large drink should cost roughly $30.

In some circumstances, a venti-sized drink might cost up to $80. However, the expense is often justified by the distinct flavour and experience of a Starbucks handcrafted beverage.

What is the cheapest Handcrafted drink at Starbucks?

A solitary espresso macchiato costs $2.55 and is the most affordable handcrafted drink. Except for the brewed category, most Starbucks beverages cost more than this. The sizes and prices of Starbucks drinks vary. Because of the differences in size, a short will never cost the same as a Venti. This handcrafted cocktail features a shot of espresso and a dollop of froth.

Other inexpensive homemade drinks include iced lattes and iced mochas. If, for some reason, you want to down a shot of espresso, perhaps for a quick caffeine fix, you can do so for $1.75. A shot of espresso, on the other hand, is only one ounce. If you want to save money, order short or tall mugs. A short serving contains 8 fluid ounces, while a tall serving contains 12 fluid ounces.

How Do I Get A Free Handcrafted Drink at Starbucks?

All handcrafted drinks are part of the Starbucks Rewards program, which means that after you’ve accumulated 150 Stars, you can redeem them for a free drink.

All of the beverages listed above, including holiday and seasonal drinks, are eligible. In fact, you can customize your Rewards drink for free, which normally raises the price.

In addition, Starbucks occasionally runs deals such as BOGO (buy one, get one free) and vouchers for free handcrafted drinks!

Conclusion

If you order any beverage from the Starbucks menu, you will almost certainly receive a handmade drink. These luxury beverages, on the other hand, appear to be bringing something fresh to the table.

Whether or whether the investment is worthwhile is ultimately determined by your budget and tastes.

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