14 Caffeine-Free Starbucks Secret Menu Holiday Drinks Gallery
14 Caffeine-Free Starbucks Secret Menu Holiday Drinks
Coffee perks us up in the morning and helps us power through lulls in the afternoon. But if you want a cup of joe later in the evening or need to order something for kids or adults who might literally bounce off the walls if they come within arm's reach of espresso, we've got you covered.
It seems like Starbucks is always debuting new specialty beverages, but there aren't many exciting caffeine-free holiday drinks on the menu (no surprise there, considering it's a coffee chain). So if you want something a little more festive than your average hot chocolate, you have to hit up the secret menu.
Most, but not all of the items included in this list were sourced from the Starbucks Secret Menu blog, which publishes drink recipes submitted by real-life baristas and consumers across the globe. A good amount of the caffeine-free varieties are Frappuccinos — what Starbucks calls its blended beverages — but there are other hot and cold yummies peppered throughout.
We aren't qualified to tell you how to care for children, but if you give them caffeine before bedtime you might regret it at 3 a.m. when you're chasing a very fast tiny person armed with seven different-colored crayons they are dragging across a white wall. Although they contain sugar and trace amounts of chocolate, these 14 caffeine-free holiday drinks from Starbucks won't keep you or your kids up all night.
Apple Pie a la Mode Frappuccino
If you don't have a slice of apple pie on Thanksgiving, Christmas or any regular ol' day in between, are you really living? This secret menu item is built with a cream base, apple juice, cinnamon dolce syrup and whipped cream blended in and dolloped on top. Go big by asking your barista to line the cup with caramel drizzle. It tastes just like a slice of pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Candy Cane Frappuccino
Candy canes are the ultimate Christmas confections, and this Starbucks secret menu item is as easy to make as it gets. Order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with peppermint syrup and you're ready to go!
Caramel Apple Spice Frappuccino
You may be familiar with Starbucks' Caramel Apple Spice drink, which is made with steamed, freshly pressed apple juice and cinnamon syrup (no caffeine!). Make it into a cold drink by ordering the Caramel Apple Spice Frappuccino off the secret menu. It's made with milk, apple juice, cinnamon dolce syrup, whipped cream and caramel sauce drizzled on top.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Frappuccino
Before you go munching on any chocolate-covered fruit come Valentine's Day, sip the same indulgent flavors with this twist on a classic. Ask for the Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino with java chips, whipped cream and a mocha drizzle.
Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino
Nothing says Christmas morning breakfast quite like an oven-hot cinnamon roll dripping with melty vanilla icing. Get the same cozy flavors blended into icy deliciousness by asking for a Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino with white chocolate sauce, cinnamon dolce syrup and whipped cream topped with cinnamon dolce powder.
Cold Hot Chocolate Frappuccino
Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean you need to switch to hot beverages. Enjoy this winter treat in its iciest form by ordering a Double Chocolaty Chip Crème Frappuccino with vanilla syrup, whipped cream blended in for added creaminess. Top with whipped cream and mocha drizzle!
Eggnog Frappuccino
The Eggnog Frappuccino that currently exists on Starbucks' menu is made with coffee, but you can just ask for it with the vanilla bean crème mix instead. This festive treat gets actual eggnog, vanilla syrup, whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.
Gingerbread Crème
Gingerbread men are synonymous with the winter season, and thanks to Starbucks, you can taste them without having to bite any of their heads off. This warm drink uses steamed milk infused with gingerbread and vanilla syrups topped with whipped cream and a touch of ground nutmeg.
Marshmallow Créme Frappuccino
Marshmallows are a national treasure whether they're at the center of a s'more, floating in hot chocolate or just stuffed in your mouth. Order a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with white mocha syrup and vanilla syrup, then have it topped with whipped cream. Starbucks doesn't carry real marshmallows though, so you'll have to add your own to really complete this treat.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Frappuccino
Pumpkin-flavored anything is a hot-ticket item during cold weather months, but pumpkin cheesecake is a straight-up delicacy. Ditch your #PSL for a Pumpkin Cheesecake Frappuccino, made with a base of vanilla bean crème instead of pumpkin spice because that's caffeinated. Just add cinnamon dolce syrup, vanilla bean powder, pumpkin spice syrup and pumpkin spice topping (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove).
Pumpkin Smoothie
It's pumpkin spice season, so we may as well milk it while it's here. To get a pumpkin smoothie, relay this recipe to the barista: whole milk to the cup's middle line, six pumps of pumpkin spice sauce, one scoop of protein powder, ice and a whole banana. Blend that baby up and you're in business.
S’mores Hot Chocolate
Ooey-gooey s'mores and hot chocolate had a baby, and it's simply dubbed the S'mores Hot Chocolate. Ask your barista for a regular hot chocolate with chestnut praline syrup topped with whipped cream and a mocha drizzle.
Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa
Warm yourself from the inside out with the holiday cookie remix to this classic chocolate drink. The Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa is made with white chocolate, cinnamon dolce syrup and whipped cream topped with cinnamon sugar.
Spiced Apple Pie
This tastes very similar to hot apple cider. It's made with equal parts Hot Passion Tango Tea and steamed apple juice, plus cinnamon dolce syrup. Ask for whipped cream, graham cracker and a dusting of cinnamon sprinkles. Have you had enough decaffeinated holiday banter? Check out these off-the-wall drinks that can be found on the Starbucks secret menu year-round.
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