Being a coffee aficionado, Starbucks is usually my go-to place for a quick caffeine fix. Still, there are times when I yearn for a drink that doesn't carry the characteristic flavor of coffee.
If you don’t like coffee, some of the best Starbucks drinks that you can order are Matcha Green Latte, Peppermint Mocha, and more. Some of these drinks have a mild coffee taste but that can be remedied by customizing your drink. So, be sure to ask your barista if you want to have less coffee on your drink.
In this article, I will be recommending 8 of the best Starbucks drinks that don’t taste like coffee. I’ve tried all of these drinks and can say that they are all worth the try.
Matcha Latte
Admittedly, I am not a fan of matcha and matcha-flavored drinks. However, I have tried this one and can tell you that it does not taste like coffee. Matcha is a traditional Japanese drink that is made up of green tea leaves and is full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
While matcha can be a healthy drink, the Matcha Latte of Starbucks has sugar in it. It is also served with milk over ice and is a smooth and creamy drink perfect on a hot summer day. This drink still has about 80 mg of caffeine but as I mentioned earlier, you won’t taste any coffee flavor at all. It is a sweetened drink so if you are looking for a healthy matcha drink, this one is not for you.
Peppermint Mocha
Peppermint Mocha is one of Starbucks’ most popular drinks during Christmas time. This seasonal drink consists of milk, mocha, brewed espresso, peppermint mocha, whipped cream, chocolate, and other ingredients.
Now, don’t be scared of that brewed espresso on the ingredients list. I find that you can taste the peppermint more than the coffee. However, it can definitely depend on personal taste as there is about 175 mg of caffeine in a Grande size. If you are worried about the drink taste more like coffee, you can customize your drink by adding more pumps of peppermint syrup.
Strawberry Açai Refresher
If you like a sweet strawberry drink with a hint of lemonade, then the Strawberry Açai Refresher is for you. The Grande option only has about 45 mg of natural green coffee flavor which is a milder, lighter coffee flavor and does not taste like coffee at all. True to its name, it is a refreshing drink that has freeze-dried strawberries that you can munch on.
Double Chocolatey Chip Crème Frappuccino
Typically, Starbucks Crème Frappuccino drinks do not contain coffee. However, if you look at the nutritional value of the Double Chocolatey Chip Crème Frappuccino, it contains an approximate value of about 15 mg. Either way, you will definitely taste the rich chocolate flavor more in this drink. The Frappuccino chips also give a nice texture to this drink which is great if you want something more of a treat.
Mocha Frappuccino
Some people may be a little on the fence about the Mocha Frappuccino as it can have hints of coffee. I, personally, don’t taste coffee when I order a Mocha Frappuccino but some people I know do. So, it will probably depend on your taste buds.
Mocha actually is a specific coffee bean that is grown in Yemen and it has deep, earthy tones and a chocolaty finish. It is understandable that a Mocha Frappuccino has the taste of coffee. If you’d like a mocha frappuccino but don’t want that taste of coffee, I recommend that you order it with less Frappuccino® Roast pumps. With this, you’ll get more of that chocolaty finish instead of the coffee taste.
Iced Chai Latte
For cinnamon lovers out there, the Iced Chai Latte mostly consists of milk, ice, chai tea concentrate, sugar, honey, and other flavorings. If you like the taste of a spiced Horchata, this drink somehow tastes a little bit like that. It is not surprising as the Iced Chai Latte has spices. This drink includes spices such as cardamom, ginger, black pepper, cloves, and cinnamon blended with black tea.
The Iced Chai Latte has a very mild coffee flavor and if you prefer not to taste the coffee, you can ask your barista to add more pumps of chai. If you are looking for that perfect balance of sweet and spicy, Iced Chai Latte is for you.
Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino
Another beverage from the Crème Frappuccino line of Starbucks that does not taste like coffee is the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Crème Frappuccino. Not to be mistaken with the Caramel Frappuccino as this one is drizzled with dark caramel sauce which gives it a toastier flavor. This also has caramel crunch toppings which is a nice addition to the drink. This is definitely a sweet, sugary drink that does not contain coffee. If you like to have your sugar fix, I definitely recommend this one.
Strawberry Crème Frappuccino
The Strawberry Crème Frappuccino of Starbucks is made with strawberry puree so it definitely tastes more like strawberry. It’s like a dessert in a cup with how sweet it is but it also has a tangy taste because of the strawberry flavor. I do say that it almost tastes like ice cream. If you are a fan of strawberry ice cream, I 100% recommend this one.
It is a refreshing drink that is great during the summer and it is very Instagrammable, too! Like the other Crème Frappuccinos of Starbucks, this is a sugary drink. So, if you are trying to be healthy, this drink is probably not for you. Well, you can drink this once in a while as a treat but not every day.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer a fruity drink like a Strawberry Açai Refresher or a sweet drink like the classic Mocha Frappuccino, you can have your non-coffee flavored drink at this well-known coffee chain. You can also ask your barista to customize your drink for you or ask for a decaf coffee if you want your favorite Starbucks drink to have a weaker coffee taste.
