Starbucks Virgin needs help - What do you order?

[sparkle&shine]

I have never been to Starbucks and ordered anything and have no idea where to start. I like the Carmel Frappuccino and I recently saw a billboard for a mint mocha one or something like that. I definitely prefer the iced drinks as I don't really like strong coffee. So does anyone have any recommendations for a first timer to try??

What do you order?

[AttyGrl74]

I don't drink coffee, but I go every other day or so and get either:

Tall, non-fat, sugar-free vanilla steamer, no whip, one pump caramel. (translation: small steamed skim milk with vanilla and caramel sauce but no whipped cream)

or

Tall, light java chip frappuccinio, no whip (translation: small, light chocolate-chip coffee smoothee with no whipped cream)

I'm also on Weight Watchers and these 2 items aren't that bad!

[mimieliza]

Iced raspberry mocha, non-fat, no whip. Yummy! :D

And if you ever are in Hawaii (they may have this elsewhere but I've never seen it anywhere else), you must try a Coconut Mocha Frappuccino. It's to die for.

[LILRTL]

I'm a tall, coffee frappuccino girl myself. ;)

[Katy]

if you don't like "strong coffee" than I'd stay away from any and all of the coffee-based drinks. I think you'll be fine with a frap (and the new choco-mint ones can get ordered as a regular coffee frap, or a coffee-free, cream frap). Personally, I find their coffee and espresso drinks to be quite strong and bitter, but that's just me (and it certainly doesn't stop me from drinking them :D) The caramel fraps are yummy too!

[thedoorchick]

I don't drink coffee, but the Starbucks teas and ciders are quite tasty.

[kam]

I order the Tall Mocha Light Frappaccino but order it sparingly (despite being light, it's still full of calories).

[flygirl]

Chai tea latte, hot or over ice.

[maplekitty]

I have a starbucks barista machine at home, so my drink of choice is:

hazelbut lattee with lactaid milk.

If I'm at a store...I like to treat myself with something I don't know how to make at home ;P like their specialty drink of the season. Their gingerbread lattees at Christmas time are to die for!!

[Rancid13]

I don't drink coffee, but when I go to Starbucks I order a large (tall? or venti?? dunno) hot chocolate w/whipped cream. Yum!!

[solongtogo]

white chocolate mocha, yum!!

[PeanutButter]

I can't drink straight coffee, and I prefer chilly beverages so I always get:

Grande, iced, skim, sugar-free vanilla latte.

(it's relatively low on the calorie scale!)

[angelraven]

I love the caramel frap! I usually order a tall, and I don't skip the whip! ha that rhymed.

[kimthebride]

Tall vanilla soy latte...MMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

And if you go to a good location, they'll have chilled slices of frosted lemon bread. Holy. Cow. YUM!

[annie_girl]

if you like pumpkin pie, try the Chai Tea!! They have it frozen or hot. They have spice or vanilla. I's say go with the vanilla for your first try, it is milder than the spice. Don't forget the whipped cream...... YUMMY!!!!

[stella24]

My absolute favorite frappuccino during the summer is a tall caffe vanilla light (usually no whipped cream, but sometimes I can't skip it!)

[sublime311]

Also not a coffee drinker and agree with Katy that their coffee is STRONG and bitter. That said, I LOVE the caramel frap!! I just had one today but ordered the caffeine-free version. Is it weird that I think it tasted different?? Since I'm not a coffee drinker, I didn't think there would be a taste difference between "unleaded" and "regular" coffee..? Or was it a coincidence?? Anyway, I also LOVE the chai tea. I prefer it warm, but have had it frozen (at Borders) and thought it was TO DIE FOR!

[Freckles]

Grande Non-Fat Iced Caramel Macchiato

[Kristen&Cary]

Shhh Dh works for a Gourmet Coffee & Tea company & i'm not supose to go to Starbucks But, I LOVE their White chocolate mocha

[UTChick]

Nonfat Vanilla Latte, usually.

But sometimes I get the Pumpkin Spice latte and during the holidays I always get the Gingerbread latte.

[Katy]

jeepers, now I want a frozen coffee drink! Thanks :p

[taraw]

I usually get a tall non-fat mocha. :)

[katmg]

I don't like coffee so I always get a:

Tall, Non-fat Chai Tea Latte. I typically get mine hot, but it also comes iced.

[sparkle&shine]

My grocery store has a Starbucks right when you walk in the door and it always smells good and I sometimes feel like ordering something and had no idea where to start! So thanks for the good ideas and keep 'em coming!

[TracieB]

My order:

Either a venti soy chai latte or a grande non-fat, no whip cafe mocha

Mmm....

[granada]

kimthebride ~ I've found my Starbucks twin! I always get the tall soy vanilla latte, too. I've never met anyone else who likes it, though.

[jbenny75]

another Starbucks virgin, here. There isn't one in my area, believe it or not!! Whenever I've passed by one in my travels, I've always wanted to try something, but find it totally intimidating. Is there a Starbucks for Dummies book? :)

[Lizard]

Tall mocha frappuchino....mmm....

By the way, the Nestle mix-in Mocha flavored coffee syrup is fantastic, I add that to milk and it tastes almost as good as a cold coffee drink. ALMOST as good, anyways. :)

[babylove]

I never thought I would be one of *those* people, but I order....

a tall, skim, decaf, vanilla latte.

What a mouthful. I always feel so dumb ordering!

[kadee_29]

I am just so happy to hear that I am not the only person who has never stepped foot in a Starbucks. Ive wanted to try it since we have one inside our Barnes and Noble but I never knew what to order. I seriously thought someone would laugh at me if I tried to order something and didnt know the 'lingo' for ordering.

Yes...this is the stuff that keeps me awake at night. :o

[laura]

I started with Caramel frappucinos, and then I switched to a Grande Caramel Machiatto (I think it's like a latte [espresso + milk] w/ caramel in it?), but that's too sweet for me now. Now I either drink a grande nonfat iced vanilla latte or grande nonfat iced latte.

FWIW, if you don't like coffee and you get anything with coffee/espresso in it, I would recommend not going nonfat, since that means they use skim milk and the coffee flavor is a lot stronger IMO. It obviously depends on the drink, but that's just my 2 cents.

[claribella]

I usually get a non-fat latte or a light coffee frappacino

[justHB]

Chai tea latte, hot or over ice.Yup! They also have a great creme frap that I love.

[jbenny75]

I am just so happy to hear that I am not the only person who has never stepped foot in a Starbucks. Ive wanted to try it since we have one inside our Barnes and Noble but I never knew what to order. I seriously thought someone would laugh at me if I tried to order something and didnt know the 'lingo' for ordering.

Yes...this is the stuff that keeps me awake at night. :o


I'm also happy to know that I'm not alone!

[jules1025]

kimthebride ~ I've found my Starbucks twin! I always get the tall soy vanilla latte, too. I've never met anyone else who likes it, though. Add another person to your list! Soy vanilla latte is my regular starbucks drink - until the holiday season, when I switch to soy gingerbread latte. :)

[Baby Lust]

DH hates coffee so he always gets a venti vanilla creme frapp. I personally love coffee so I always get either a mocha caramel frapp or a vanilla frapp. Love iced drinks! :D

Thanks! Now I am craving one! :p

[kmtiger]

I don't like coffee either, but go to Starbucks all the time.

Their caramel apple cider is fabulous in the winter. In the summer, I drink a grande strawberry creme. It's basically like a strawberry shake, very rich and creamy.

[Katy]

I have to say, I stopped by Peet's earlier today and I tried an iced caramel latte. It was SO much smoother and more mild than the similar drink at Starbucks. So much so I was surprised.

[mrsliby2004]

:D LOVE STARBUCKS!!! I am def addicted!!!!

My usual is a Venti Non-fat Toffee Nut White Chocolate Mocha on cooler days and I get it iced on warm days. I also love the Caramel Frap or the Vanilla Creme. How sad to think I spend $5 a day, $25 a week, $100 month, and a whopping $1200 a year :eek:

My mom is an Atkins fanatic and orders a tall breve sugar free hazelnut latte (basically it is heavy whipping cream, espresso, and sugar free hazelnut syrup) whenever she's with me!

[dragonfly28602]

When its really hot out I love the javachip frappuchino. SOOO yummy cause I adore chocolate and coffee! I get them both!

[KKay]

I ordered a Caramel Machiatto this morning. I usually order Cafe Mocha or Java Chip Frap. I love coffee...I can't imagine making a choice I didn't like.

[sparkle&shine]

Well I am sitting here sipping on my Mint Mocha Chip Frap.!

I went into the store this morning and ordered my drink. They asked what size I wanted and I said "biggest one you have"....I don't quite have all the lingo down so I have no idea what they call each size :) It is a nice Fri. morning treat. Definitely not something I would do everyday but I can see myself going back to try out some of the suggestions you all gave me.
I am no longer a Starbucks virgin - just inexperienced ;)

[Kinetic]

I dont drink coffee at all.
I order a Vanilla Machiatto with Caramel Drizzle. In the fall and winter, I get Peppermint Hot Chocolate or Spiced Apple Cider.

Their espresso brownies are delicious!

[cr8zyforaf]

I don't drink coffee either - and always turned my nose up at DH begging me to taste his Venti Mocha - and then I gave in and now I am hooked. I usually order a White Chocolate Mocha or a Vanilla Frap....yummy!! Once in awhile I will get a Caramel Machiatto...yummy!

[beevo12]

Decaf Java Chip!

[Rico'sAlice]

In the winter I get a grande vanilla latte, if I am being "good" I get a grande non-fat, sugar-free vanilla latte.
In the summer I like Mochafrappaccinos. They have a lute version of that as well. I am a bit of a yo-yo dieter, so I switch back and forth.

[Rosebud]

Old thread... but I've got Starbucks on the brain.

Normally I order a nonfat vanilla latte, but this time of year I'll often get a peppermint latte instead. Love those seasonal drinks!

[thedoorchick]

I don't drink coffee, but I have discovered that I love their chai lattes.

I've developed a dangerous Starbucks habit lately. Ordinarly I wouldn't pay $3 for a drink in the morning, but I've been traveling a lot for work and expense all my meals. I need to kick the habit now that I'll be home for awhile!

[Janey]

I just wrote about this (http://stfunfw.wordpress.com/2006/12/28/good-news/), actually. If I'm at Starbucks, I will say:

“I would like a Grande one percent sugar-free vanilla no-foam latte please.”

Anywhere else, I get it with Irish Cream.

[HeatherFL]

I don't drink coffee or coffee flavored stuff so I like the Hot Non Fat Chai Lattes and the Strawberry Frappucino. I tried the Chocolate one once and it was awful. It tasted just like coffee, NOTHING like chocolate to me. I also like their hot caramel apple cider.

~H.

[Katy]

I just wrote about this (http://stfunfw.wordpress.com/2006/12/28/good-news/), actually. If I'm at Starbucks, I will say:

“I would like a Venti one percent sugar-free vanilla no-foam latte please.”

Anywhere else, I get it with Irish Cream.Janey, I usually go with the tall, NF Sugar-free lattes, as you know. My usual at Starbucks is the hazelnut, and I'll try other things when I'm at other places that have different sugar-free flavors. Right now, Starbucks has a dulce cinnamon that's sugar-free. It's super flavorful (a tad too much cinnamon for my tastes) and a great change. Too bad, I think it's a temp flavor.

[tlew12778]

I'm a complete coffee snob and I stay away from Satrbucks at all costs. If I'm forced into one then I won't get anything with "coffee" in it. They overroast their beans which is why they taste burnt.

The hot chocolate is ok.

[wendalah]

I love Starbucks coffee; it doesn't taste burnt to me at all. I like my coffee very strong, though.

I usually order a plain drip and put a little milk in it. I also like their nonfat lattes. Sometimes DH and I will split a Frappucino.

[ManteoChik]

Hot Caramel Latte with Whipped Cream.

I love Starbucks, and usually get a Latte or Hot Chocolate.

[stevesbabygirl]

I don't like coffee, so the two or three times I've actually been in a Starbucks, I've ordered the bananas and creme frappaccino. So tasty!

[princesse]

Caramel Machiatta skim with whip. If it is past 6:00 in the eve I get decafe. I LOVE STARBUCKS!!!!!!

In the summer my DD and I get Iced Green Tea Lattes. SO freaking good and the closest thing to green tea ice cream we can find around here.

PS I think you can get some of the seasonal flavors if you ask at other times in the year.

[mommy2allyandaveri]

Cool thread!

Starbucks only tastes burnt to me when I get a mocha, so I always thought it had samething to do w/ the chocolate.

I order a grande, decaf, sugar free vanilla latte.

[Janey]

Starbucks only tastes burnt to me when I get a mocha, so I always thought it had samething to do w/ the chocolate.
They use a bittersweet chocolate in their mochas, which is probably what you're tasting. It's not my preference, either. Before gestational diabetes, I would order a grande 1% mocha, no whip. I quit ordering whipped cream on my drinks when I figured out that it adds 110 calories per shot. :eek:

[Foley42]

I don't branch out much at Starbucks. I always get a mocha frap with a shot of expresso.

[jnshanna]

I LOVE Starbucks! I always order the same thing the majority of the time.

Non-fat, no whip, extra hot White Chocolate Mocha. It is sooooo good! And I'm so terribly addicted. I have one every day of the week. I hate to calculate how much I really spend there. I need to buy some stock in them. :p

My husband doesn't like coffee at all so he usually has a White Chocolate Hot Chocolate.

I agree with a PP that said not to get non fat if you don't like the taste of coffee. The skim milk does make the coffee taste come out more.

[J&T2005]

oh how I love Starbucks!

I don't have a normal, really, but I get a grande vanilla chai latte or if I need a bigger caffeine kick, I get a vanilla latte. In the summer I love a venti iced sweetened passion tea. mmmmm.

[pocahontas]

I've always hated the smell and taste of coffee too, but their peppermint hot chocolate is YUMMMM...and they do white hot chocolate too which I haven't seen anyone mention that is delish (but not for the faint stomach because it is strong!)

Interestingly enough I have seen all these people say they don't like coffee but get a latte. I always thought lattes had coffee in 'em! :confused:

[linda_loo]

They overroast their beans which is why they taste burnt.


Their house blend is definitely more bold than what I prefer. I like a strong coffee, but smooth; the dark roasts upset my stomach. At home, I almost always drink Toddy coffee (http://toddycafe.com/) (which is a concentrate, so I make just one cup at a time), which is very smooth and much lower in acid.

I prefer to visit one of the locally-owned shops that are nearby. One has a huge selection of sugar-free syrups, sometimes I order chocolate-hazelnut or chocolate-peppermint (only sf). Usually, I just get a roomy decaf with lots of cream.

At Starbucks, if they are offering decaf lightnote, I order a tall in a grande cup. If not, then I order a tall decaf Americano* in a grande cup or passion venti passion iced tea with 3 splendas.

* espresso with hot water (like, almost boiling, I don't know what temp)

Interestingly enough I have seen all these people say they don't like coffee but get a latte. I always thought lattes had coffee in 'em!

I think a few of them said chai latte... but for those who order a regular latte, I think they are a little bit smoother than a coffee. They use espresso and steamed milk, I think the flavor is sort of nuttier and less of a bold roast flavor.

[pontmarie]

Venti decaf/nonfat caramel macchiato

Used to love their white chocolate mocha but I'm allergic to their cocoa, I think.

[pocahontas]

I think a few of them said chai latte... but for those who order a regular latte, I think they are a little bit smoother than a coffee. They use espresso and steamed milk, I think the flavor is sort of nuttier and less of a bold roast flavor.
I guess maybe it's just I don't know the difference between chai latte and regular. I thought it was all coffee...but then again I stick to hot chocolate which is probably why. :o

[linda_loo]

oh ok then. chai is a spiced/sweet tea with milk. you might like it, try it some time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chai

[nyclaura]

Grande soy chai

A medium, hot, chai tea made with soy milk.

[KaliLily]

Peppermint Mocha (skim, but with whipped cream! ;))

Starbucks is good, but if you have a Caribou Coffee I recommend them over Starbucks. The coffee is smoother & less bitter.

[lovebugs2003]

Well i have just now started getting addicted to their:

Grande Non Fat, Earl Gray Tee Misto with a shot of vanilla.

It is so refreshing and i love to get it in the afternoon. It is just so comforting. I had never heard of it before, and then someone at work bought me one. I think i may have to get one today!!!

[Asha]

since you don't like coffee, you must try their caramel apple cider with whipped cream. mmmmmmm...

[LRL]

MMMmmm. I don't like coffee (esp theirs- I agree that it's bitter) so I usually get a "Grande Nonfat vanilla creme, hold the whip", or a "Grande Nonfat Chai latte". When they had the berries and cream iced drink there was no competition as this one won every time!

[baby-boo]

I'm another member of the "vanilla soymilk latte club." LOVE them and I'm not a huge coffee lover.

[TriSigmaNC]

White Chocolate Mocha....the only thing, but I rarely go there.

[imagirliegirl]

I always get a tall Java chip frapuccino with extra mocha and no whip cream. The extra mocha is key - it makes it so sweet and yummy!

On rare occasions I will get a white chocolate mocha.

[andrew&shannah]

During winter, I always get a venti skim extra hot no whip peppermint mocha with room. So yummy on cold winter days!

For summer, Grande No Whip Peppermint Mocha Light Frappacino.

[kari]

White Chocolate Mocha, non-fat no whip hot in the winter, iced in the summer.

or in the fall - Pumpkin Spice Latte, non-fat no whip.

I can only have the tall size, venti size makes me crazy and climb the walls!


(I used to order Peppermint Mochas, and where I live, have ordered them year-round)

[Sin Nombre]

I'm a complete coffee snob and I stay away from Satrbucks at all costs...They overroast their beans which is why they taste burnt.

I'm with you. I prefer flavored coffees such as hazelnut or French vanilla, but I can't stand regular coffee with hazelnut or vanilla syrup added. Starbucks' regular drip tastes like roasted dirt to me.

Their gingerbread lattes are great -- I just tried one on my recent vacation to California (where Starbucks was all I could find in many places), but I'm sure they are as ridiculously fattening as everything else on their menu that is remotely appealing to me. And I'd rather eat my calories than drink them! :D

[MrsH]

Ooooh, this is a fabulous thread! I normally stick to caffe mochas or no-whip mocha fraps because I know I like them, but I'm going to start trying some of your favorites!

[lauren f s]

Mmm, I *love* tall vanilla mocha's! I got a Starbucks gift card for Christmas and used it every day over the weekend. I had to switch to decaf after the first day, since I'm pg and the baby had a teeny little freak out after I drank my first mocha ;).

[sixlets]

Huge fan of the tall, whip, caramel frapuccino or a tall vanilla bean, whip, frapuccino.

[yby1]

I'm not a fan of Starbucks coffee. I find it too acidic. However, I will occasionally get a Chai Tea Frap or a Green Tea Frap. :)

[Dally]

I'm not a fan of any coffee, but I LOVE Starbucks' chai tea lattes. I get them with 2% milk for a creamier taste. Oh so good.

[jenjunum]

I usually get grande mochas, sometimes nonfat if I think of it. I had a hazelnut latte at a Seattle's Best that was really good. I think the frappacinos are sweeter than the iced coffees (it's like a slushy rather than coffee on ice). The frappacinos are definitely an indulgence.

In other starbucks news, starbucks is starting to go all trans-fat free. I think it starts today in LA and NYC and some other major markets but eventually they all make the switch. Cool!

[princesse]

I'm dying for a Starbucks right now. Who mentioned the Earl Grey Misto? That has been stuck in my head. What is that like? Is it hot and frothy????

[daener]

Grande non-fat, no foam vanilla latte. 'Nuff said.

[Lisa]

iced or hot decaf nonfat caramel mac no whip
or
iced or hot decaf nonfat white chocolate mocha no whip
I also like there chai latte

[cantwait]

On the basis of the recommendations in this thread, I got a green tea latte yesterday and I almost gagged on first sip. It tasted like liquid fish! I'm just wondering if it was made wrong? I opened the cup and looked at it and it was a deep shamrock green color. Since it was a latte, shouldn't it have been more milky? I was at a Target 'Bucks and not a regular store, and I could tell the barista wasn't familiar with the product. Just curious what color they usually are?

[jnshanna]

I'm not sure about that drink specifically but I've had a similar problem with baristas in stores such as Safeway, Haggens, Target, etc. to not have the same training as the Starbucks stores for some reason. Sometimes I get a completed different product! Very frustrating when I'm used to consistency with Starbucks for the most part.

[princesse]

Oh honey I'm sorry you had a bad experience. My actual fave is the iced green tea latte. The hot latte is great too when in it is done right...it is usually mint army greenish in color. But definitely not fishy! EW! If you go back again request a feebie replacement!

[KrissyCat7]

I dont generally like coffee but I like the carmel machiato. YUM!

[AmandaLeigh]

I can't stomache Starburcks regular coffee but I love their esspresso drinks. If I know that my drink will stay hot I get a cafe mocha, iff I might be drinking it a longtime I get a vanilla late (hot or iced). They know me well at the Starbucks I frequent and will make my late in my personal (Starbucks) car mug. It is between a grande and venti in size so there is a little extra milk. It tastes even better than my regular grande.

[Ladybugs611]

White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccinos are my new favorite:D

[mkredhead]

I am rather boring but love the grande skim latte. The lady at Starbucks starts mixing it when she sees me come in!! ;)

[hockeybrat]

On the basis of the recommendations in this thread, I got a green tea latte yesterday and I almost gagged on first sip. It tasted like liquid fish! I'm just wondering if it was made wrong? I opened the cup and looked at it and it was a deep shamrock green color. Since it was a latte, shouldn't it have been more milky? I was at a Target 'Bucks and not a regular store, and I could tell the barista wasn't familiar with the product. Just curious what color they usually are?

From Starbucks' website, this is the info on the green tea latte. It has a melon flavor. http://www.starbucks.com/retail/nutrition_beverage_detail.asp?selProducts=211

[Surftraitor]

venti non-fat misto, please! Yummers!

[Katie1]

Any suggestions for a diet-friendly Starbucks drink? I love sweet stuff like the white chocolate mocha, but obviously that won't work on my diet. I always get non-fat milk and no whip anyway, I just need to find a way to cut calories even more.

[Janey]

Katie1 - Try sugar free syrups in your lattes. They are 0 calories. Starbucks only ever has Vanilla & Hazelnut, however... independant stands seem to have more variety. I've even considered buying my own bottle of syrup (http://www.davincigourmet.com/products/sugar_free_flavored_syrups/) and keeping it in the car for when I 'have' to go to Starbucks. ;)

[PurpleRose]

I got a Cinnamon Dolce Latte made with sugar-free syrup and soymilk recently. It was really tasty, and probably more "diet-friendly" than the regular Cinnamon Dolce Latte.

Katie1, have you tried looking at Starbuck's website? They list nutritional values for drinks, and that might help you find drinks with less calories.

[tgr68]

Iced Caramel Macchiato

Holiday Flavor: Peppermint Mocha - tastes like an Andes Mint to me

[Rosebud]

Any suggestions for a diet-friendly Starbucks drink? I love sweet stuff like the white chocolate mocha, but obviously that won't work on my diet. I always get non-fat milk and no whip anyway, I just need to find a way to cut calories even more.

I usually get tall nonfat, sugar free vanilla lattes. They are only 2 WW points and around 120 calories. And the sugar-free vanilla still gives you a bit of sweetness.

[Katy]

Any suggestions for a diet-friendly Starbucks drink? I love sweet stuff like the white chocolate mocha, but obviously that won't work on my diet. I always get non-fat milk and no whip anyway, I just need to find a way to cut calories even more.The new Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Latte, made with non-fat milk is only 90 calories for a tall. And it's pretty darn tasty too! :cool:

[roberta]

The new Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Latte, made with non-fat milk is only 90 calories for a tall. And it's pretty darn tasty too! :cool:

The Cinnamon Dolce Latte is sooooooo good. Yummy, yummy, yummy. I just tried it for the first time yesterday and it is my new favorite.

[chefker]

Oooh, I saw that Cinnamon Dolce Latte on the menu today (after I placed my order for a nonfat caramel latte, of course!) Do you have to specify sugar-free, or is that a given? Sounds very WW-friendly. :)

[KeliAnn]

I like Dunkin Donuts coffee better, so if I have to go to Starbucks, I'll get either a Vanilla Creme or a Hot Chocolate - both on the kids menu. ;)

[roberta]

Cinnamon Dolce Latte- I am pretty sure you have to specify sugar-free. But still yummy.

[Sin Nombre]

I usually get tall nonfat, sugar free vanilla lattes. They are only 2 WW points and around 120 calories. And the sugar-free vanilla still gives you a bit of sweetness.

The fancy drinks are pretty good, but the calorie levels are the main reason I avoid Starbucks. Personally, I still consider 120 (or 90) calories astronomical for a drink -- especially if it's touted as the "diet" option!

I'd rather have a good, flavored (by the beans, not syrup) coffee at 0 calories, with the only added calories being the cream/milk added. It bugs me that Starbucks doesn't offer flavored (roast) coffees.

[Katyanne]

When I was in college I used to live on chilled cafe mocha with half n half instead of milk.. YUM!!

Years later I've discovered that my stomach can no longer stomach large quantities of starbucks coffee.
So I'll usually go with the hot chocolate, or the peppermint hot chocolate. Or sometimes the a small Carmel Macchiato.

Katie

[snowzilla]

How cinamon-y is the Cinamon Dolce Latte? I'm a sucker for Starbucks, and it's the one thing that's been derailing my diet. Are there any other bevvies that come with a sugar-free option?

[Katy]

Snow, Starbucks regularly has sugar free vanilla and hazelnut. This cinnamon dolce is new (and sadly only seasonal). I like it, but I did find it to be quite powerfully cinnamon-y. And of course, I was hoping it would have been more dolce-y. Go figure.

[snowzilla]

I can't believe I never asked if they had sugar-free vanilla (since the other big coffee chain here does, but their coffee isn't as good as the 'Bucks).

Or, maybe subconsciously, I didn't ask because I really didn't want a legitimate reason to stop drinking mochas every day. ;)

[Rosebud]

How cinamon-y is the Cinamon Dolce Latte?

It's definitely cinnamon-y. A little too much cinnamon for my taste.

[Katie1]

Thanks for the diet-friendly suggestions. Today I tried the Sugar-free Cinnamon Dolce Latte. It was good, but I definitely noticed the taste of the artificial sweetener.

[onfire]

The Cinamon Dolce Latte is my new favorite! Although I am trying to avoid caffiene d/t being pregnant, so I have only had one. I did have a cinamon dolce steamer, which was also good, but not so heavenly as the latte.

[DianeCourt]

Thanks for the diet-friendly suggestions. Today I tried the Sugar-free Cinnamon Dolce Latte. It was good, but I definitely noticed the taste of the artificial sweetener.

Me, too! My new favorite thing is a grande nonfat no-whip extra hot cinnamon dolce latte. I didn't care for the sugar free syrup.

I'm trying to limit myself to one coffee "treat" per week, mainly for $ reasons & to watch my waistline. This morning I tried one pump of the sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup in their brewed coffee and it was yummy. :p I may do that from now on to save a few bucks.

[Rosebud]

Has anyone ever had a Leprechaun Latte?

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k284/rosebud03_2006/survivor/leprechaun.jpg

Looks like they only sell them in New England, which is kinda breaking my heart right now.

Only in New England: Leprechaun Latte
The Leprechaun Latte, a peppermint mocha flavored coffee beverage topped with green whipped cream, will be available at New England Starbucks stores through March 17. For each Leprechaun Latte purchased, Starbucks will donate 25 cents to Boston-based Jumpstart to support the organization's pre-school literacy efforts in New England. source (http://gonewengland.about.com/b/a/244387.htm)

[claribella]

I've been ordering a Grande Sugar Free Cinnamon Dulce Non-fat latte with an extra shot.


But they are always out of the Sugar Free CD! Darn it!

[EJH]

Rosebud

Yep, delicious. And as an aside, I worked for Jumpstart at the same time their relationship with Starbucks started. It's really incredible to see what i has grown into!

My S'bucks favorites are vanilla latte, caramel macchiatto (iced mostly) and I do enjoy the cinammon dolce latte.

I rarely get the bar drinks anymore, most mornings I do a venti bold and call it a day.

Erin

[Rosebud]

This time of year it's all about the Peppermint Mocha. I am craving them all the time! YUM.... :D

[phoenics]

I always order a tall or short chai latte, extra foam, no water with a shot of vanilla.

Yummmy... perfect.

[phoenics]

Does anyone know if Starbucks has a sugar-free chai?

I LOOOOOVE chai, but all of the coffee houses sell it with premade mixes that have sugar in them. I'm trying to lay off the sugar and I could make the drink a free heaven if I could just get it without the sugar.

I know I could order it with the tea bag, but the last time they tried to make that a latte - they left the tea bag in and of course it all broke up in the cup and I had tea bits all over it everywhere. OR did the barista mess up?

[FoxyBlue]

Iced White Chocolate Mocha.

YUM!