What Is A Handcrafted Drink At Starbucks? (The Ultimate Guide 2023)

Are you a coffee addict? One of these people who can’t function in the mornings without that cup of Joe? Does every morning’s trek to work include a stop-off at your favorite Starbucks branch to get that all-important caffeine hit to start your morning?

Well, not only does Starbucks provide you with an enticing fresh hit of coffee in the mornings, any which way you like it. It’s also the cozy atmosphere that always smells delicious and inviting the second you walk through the doors. As you wait in line to place your order, you notice the rewards program info on the walls and wonder if you should sign up. 

So, let’s find out what is a handcrafted drink at Starbucks and what rewards are offered with it.

What Is The Starbucks Rewards Program?

The company offers a fantastic Starbucks Rewards Program for its customers in which they receive ‘stars’ with every purchase made in-store or via the app. Depending on how you choose to pay will determine how many stars you’ll get rewarded!

If you pay by cash at the counter or via credit or debit card, you’ll receive one star for every $1 you spend. If you have preloaded a Starbucks card, then you’ll receive two stars for every $1 spent!

Is It Easy To Sign Up?

Absolutely. Download the app to your smartphone, and fill in your details. You’ll be prompted for your payment details, and here’s where you can select either a credit or debit card or your Starbucks card. Then you can order straight away through the app, knowing you’ll start earning your stars instantly.

What Is The Meaning Of A Handcrafted Drink At Starbucks?

If you are a regular at Starbucks, chances are you’ve ordered a handcrafted beverage many times! Handcrafted drinks are a specialty item that takes a bit of knowledge and care in preparation as they are created behind the counter for you. 

It requires having multiple things added to the base drink. Things like lemonade, toppings, extra flavor shots, and more. Naturally, there are a few exceptions which are the pre-packaged drinks and also brewed tea and coffee. Sure your barista will happily add cream or sugar syrup for you, but that’s about it. As it’s pre-made coffee or tea, it’s not considered to be handcrafted. I’ll touch on this a little later.

Customizing your drink…

A handcrafted drink from Starbucks requires your barista to prepare each ordered item individually, which takes some time and experience, especially when the drink is personally customized. This includes making espresso shots, steaming the milk to the perfect temperature, and adding in any extras like flavor shots, sweeteners, or whipped cream. Also, blending or shaking your drink to perfection.

What Is a Handcrafted Drink at Starbucks?

Most drinks that are freshly made by Starbucks baristas are handcrafted. 

Think of your blended frappuccinos, iced teas, shaken espressos, cold coffees, iced lattes, hot espresso-based coffees, refreshers, steamers, and seasonal specialty drinks.

What Are The Best Handcrafted Beverages From Starbucks?

Starbucks drinks are popular worldwide, and all are handcrafted and made to order. These are the 10 most popular drinks ordered at Starbucks, all of which can be completely customized for your endless enjoyment! 

What Are The Handcrafted Beverages At Starbucks?

There are a lot of handcrafted drinks available. Every drink that requires a few extra steps and additions to make, like pulling espresso shots and heating milk, is considered handcrafted. I’ve compiled this list which includes examples of handcrafted drinks from each category at Starbucks.

Handcrafted Hot Espresso Drinks:

Cold Brew and Nitro Cold Brew:

Frappuccino Blended Drinks

Iced Coffees, Lattes and Macchiatos:

Shaken Espressos: 

Iced Mochas: 

Iced Teas 

Iced Tea Lattes:

Steamers:

Seasonal Drinks: 

Refreshers and Cold Drinks: 

What Is Not A Handcrafted Starbucks Drink?

As mentioned earlier, the exception to these is the brewed teas and coffees. Most handcrafted drinks at Starbucks are freshly prepared for you behind the coffee shop counter. With the exception of brewed tea and coffee, it’s pretty easy to spot the packaged bottles, milk, and juice boxes in the accessible fridges. 

These comprise a large selection of different water, fruit juices, fruit teas, energy drinks, milk, and alcoholic beverages. 

Pre-Packaged Drinks:

Brewed Tea and Coffee:

A lot of Starbucks locations have fazed out the availability of wine and beer. So if your local go-to still offers them, it’s important to note that you do not earn any Starbucks star rewards with the purchase of alcoholic beverages.

More On Drinks At Starbucks!

If your staple is a Starbucks to start your day, then you’ll be interested to know What Starbucks Drink Has The Most Caffeine, along with Do Starbucks Refreshers Have Caffeine, How To Order A Medicine Ball On Starbucks App, and for an Asian-inspired treat, Does Starbucks Have Boba in 2023.

Next, why not find out more about working at the company with our in-depth Starbucks Mission And Vision Statement Analysis, moving on to our guide to the Starbucks Application, the most frequently asked Starbucks Interview Questions, as well as Starbucks Barista Interview Questions to help you prepare ahead of time.

Additionally, if you’re looking for a summer job, find out How Old Do You Have To Be To Work at Starbucks, what are the Starbucks Shift Hours, and if you’ve had some trouble with the law in the past, Does Starbucks do Drug Tests along with Does Starbucks Hire Felons?

What Is A Handcrafted Drink At Starbucks – Final Thoughts 

Handcrafted drinks are well known and loved by Starbucks customers. Most of the drinks available are handcrafted, which is great to know.

Starbucks offers a huge range of hot, cold, shaken, and blended drinks, so there’s something for everyone at any time of the year. Also, the options for customizing your drink are endless, and you can redeem a free handcrafted drink with just 150 Stars with their rewards program.

Enjoy your favorite handcrafted drinks at Starbucks!