20 Best Starbucks Chocolate Drinks: Top Menu Picks to Savor

Last updated on September 13th, 2023 by Garret Jacob

For many coffee lovers, there is nothing more pleasurable than mixing coffee with chocolate. Coffee and chocolate have a delicious relationship with one another because of the incredible taste that comes from balancing coffee’s bitterness with chocolate’s sweetness.

The balance of flavor is undeniably delicious, and because of this, Starbucks has plenty of chocolatey goodness on its menu for coffee lovers like you to enjoy. 

Let’s look at the different forms of chocolate that Starbucks includes in its drinks as well as break down the 20 best Starbucks chocolate drinks. 

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What are the different types of chocolate drinks and chocolate ingredients available at Starbucks?

When it comes to ordering a chocolate drink from Starbucks, there are three main types of chocolate drinks to choose from. There are mochas, frappuccinos, and hot chocolates.

However, these three main types of chocolate drinks are mere drink categories, and in fact, almost any type of drink at Starbucks can be customized to include chocolate in one form or another. 

For example, you could order even something as simple as a double shot of espresso with half-and-half, blonde or regular, and ask that the barista add half a pump of mocha sauce. Or, you could order a latte with frappuccino chips on top.

The point is, although many of the drinks may fall into the categories of mocha, frappuccino, or hot chocolate, there are almost an infinite number of chocolate drinks at Starbucks when you get creative and come up with your own drink combinations. 

Here are the various forms of chocolate that Starbucks includes in their drinks that you can choose from when customizing your own chocolate drink. 

• Chocolate malt powder
• Ground chocolate and cocoa
• White chocolate mocha sauce
• White chocolate sauce
• Mocha sauce
• Milk mocha sauce
• Mocha drizzle
• Frappuccino chips
• Chocolate cookie crumble

How did we choose which chocolate drinks are the best Starbucks chocolate drinks?

1. Taste and flavor profile: The number one most important factor to consider when compiling a list of the 20 best chocolate drinks at Starbucks is how they taste and what kind of flavor profile they have.

Are these drinks rich and creamy? Sweet yet bold? Although everyone is different when it comes to how they like their chocolate drinks to taste and the flavor profile they enjoy the most, there are just some chocolate drinks that do a good job of appeasing everyone. 

2. How customizable it is: One of the best things about Starbucks is the level of customization they allow when ordering your drink.

Although taste and flavor profile are the most important factors to consider, drinks that are highly customizable are also appealing in many ways. For this reason, we included customizability as a factor in compiling a list of the best chocolate drinks at Starbucks.

3. Popularity and customer reviews: Another factor to consider is what the buzz was like around the different chocolate drinks at Starbucks.

What are people saying? What are their favorites? We looked at a number of customer reviews as well as other “best-of” lists to get a feel for which drinks stand out above the rest.

4. Nutritional content: Honestly, when it comes to chocolate drinks, calories are not that important because we all already know that if it’s sweet, creamy, and delicious, there is likely to be a higher amount of calories in the drink.

That being said, we did include some drinks in the top 20 that contain fewer calories. Keep in mind, you can always lower the calorie count of your favorite Starbucks chocolate drinks by using low-fat or non-dairy milk and by holding the whipped cream. 

Best ways to customize a Starbucks chocolate drink

If you are looking to customize your favorite drinks by adding some chocolatey goodness, you can refer to the list above detailing all the different forms of chocolate Starbucks has for you to choose from.

Here are some of the best ways that die-hard Starbucks lovers to customize their favorite chocolate drinks.

1. Frappuccino chips:
   • Frappuccino chips have a richer flavor than your traditional milk chocolate chips. Their flavor profile tastes like they are a mix of dark and milk chocolate flavors.
   • Frappuccino chips have a flavor that Starbucks has studied and found to blend the best with the acidic profiles of coffee and espresso, therefore, you can add them to any drink that you would like to get a boost of chocolatey flavor and to add some texture. 

2. Chocolate cookie crumble:
   • If you love the taste and texture of chocolate cookies, then customize any drink by adding some chocolate cookie crumbles on top.
   • You can add the crumbles to any drink that has whipped cream on it or just add them to a cappuccino or latte for a little chocolatey crunch. It will be like you are dunking your favorite cookies in your coffee drink. 

3. Milk mocha sauce:
   • Any drink can become a chocolate drink with 1 or 2 pumps of delicious and irresistible milk mocha sauce. Yum!

4. White chocolate sauce:
   • Same thing with the milk mocha sauce except with that incredible white chocolate flavor. Add a half pump to a shot of espresso or a pump or two to a latte or a cup of regular coffee. 

These are just a few examples of some of the ways that Starbucks lovers like you are customizing their favorite drinks to add a more intense chocolate flavor. Feel free to experiment yourself to see what kind of crazy combinations you can come up with!

Our List of Starbucks Chocolate Drinks

#1. Caffe Mocha

• Ingredients: 2% Milk – Mocha sauce (2-4 pumps) – Espresso (1-2 shots) – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Both
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 350 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 175 mg (Grande)

#2. White Chocolate Mocha

• Ingredients: 2% steamed milk – White chocolate mocha sauce (2-4 pumps) – Espresso (1-2 shots) – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Hot  
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 450 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 150 mg (Grande)

#3. Iced White Chocolate Mocha

• Ingredients: 2% milk – White chocolate mocha sauce (2-4 pumps) – Espresso (2-3 shots) – Whipped cream – Ice.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 420 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 150 mg (Grande)

#4. Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino

• Ingredients: Ice – Coffee frappuccino syrup (2-5 pumps) – Whole milk – Frappuccino base (1-3 pumps) – Frappuccino chips (1-3 scoops) – Mocha sauce (2-5 pumps) – Chocolate cookie crumble topping – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 480 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 95 mg (Grande)

#5. Java Chip Frappuccino

• Ingredients: Ice – Whole Milk – Coffee Frappuccino base (2-5 pumps) – Coffee Frappuccino syrup (2-5 pumps) – Frappuccino Chips (1-3 scoops) – Mocha sauce (2-5 pumps) – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 440 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 105 mg (Grande)

#6. Double Chocolaty Chip Créme Frappuccino

• Ingredients: Ice – Creme Frappuccino syrup (2-5 pumps) – Whole milk – Frappuccino Chips (1-3 scoops) – Mocha sauce (2-5 pumps) – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 440 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 15 mg (Grande)

#7. Hot Chocolate

• Ingredients: 2% Steamed milk – Whipped cream – Mocha sauce (2-4 pumps).
• Hot or cold: Hot
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 370 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 25 mg (Grande)

#8. Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso

• Ingredients: Ice – Almond milk – Chocolate malt powder – Espresso.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 110 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 255 mg (Grande)

#9. Reserve Dark Chocolate Mocha

• Ingredients: Steamed whole milk – Ground chocolate and cocoa – Starbucks Reserve Espresso.
• Hot or cold: Hot
• Seasonal or Permanent: Only available at Starbucks Reserve Branches
• Calorie content: 320 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 130 mg (Grande)

#10. White Chocolate Crème Frappuccino

• Ingredients: Ice – Whole milk – White Chocolate Mocha sauce (2-5 pumps) – Creme Frappuccino syrup (2-5 pumps) – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 380 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 0 mg 

#11. Mocha Frappuccino

• Ingredients: Ice – Milk – Frappuccino base (1-3 pumps) – Coffee Frappuccino syrup (2-5 pumps) – Mocha sauce (2-5 pumps) – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Permanent
• Calorie content: 370 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 100 mg (Grande)

#12. Reserve Iced Dark Chocolate Mocha

• Ingredients: Ice – 2% Milk – Starbucks Reserve espresso (1-2 shots) – Ground chocolate and cocoa.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Only available at Starbucks Reserve Branches
• Calorie content: 260 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 135 mg (Grande)

#13. Peppermint Hot Chocolate

• Ingredients: 2% Steamed milk – Peppermint syrup (2-4 pumps) – Mocha sauce (2-4 pumps) – Whipped cream – Mocha drizzle.
• Hot or cold: Hot
• Seasonal or Permanent: Seasonal
• Calorie content: 440 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 25 mg (Grande)

#14. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

• Ingredients: 2% steamed milk – Starbucks white chocolate mocha sauce (2-4 pumps) – Peppermint syrup (2-4 pumps) – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Hot
• Seasonal or Permanent: Seasonal
• Calorie content: 440 calories (Grande)
• Caffeine content: 0 mg

#15. Tuxedo Mocha Frappuccino (Secret Menu)

• Ingredients: Ice – Milk – Mocha sauce (2-5 pumps) – White chocolate mocha sauce (2-5 pumps)
• Frappuccino roast (2-5 pumps) – Mocha drizzle – Whipped cream – Dark chocolate curls.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Secret menu item
• Calorie content: Information unavailable
• Caffeine content: Information unavailable

#16. Iced White Mocha with Sweet Cream Cold Foam & Caramel Drizzle (Secret Menu)

• Ingredients: Ice – 2% Milk – Heavy cream – Starbucks cold foam – Mocha white chocolate sauce (2-5 pumps) – Espresso (1-3 shots).
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Secret menu item
• Calorie content: Information unavailable
• Caffeine content: Information unavailable

#17. Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Frappuccino (Secret Menu)

• Ingredients: Ice – Whole milk – Frappuccino chips (1-3 scoops) – Starbucks strawberry puree – Creme frappuccino syrup (2-5 pumps) – Whipped cream – Mocha drizzle.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Secret menu item
• Calorie content: Information unavailable
• Caffeine content: Information unavailable

#18. Caramel Cookie Bar Frappuccino (Secret Menu)

• Ingredients: Ice – 2% Milk – Caramel sauce – Mocha sauce (2-5 pumps) – Hazelnut syrup (2-5 pumps) – Espresso (1-3 shots) – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Secret menu item
• Calorie content: Information unavailable
• Caffeine content: Information unavailable

#19. Ferrero Rocher Frappuccino (Secret Menu)

• Ingredients: Ice – Creme Frappuccino syrup (2-5 pumps) – Whole milk – Hazelnut syrup (2-5 pumps) – Frappuccino chips (1-3 scoops) – Mocha sauce (2-5 pumps) – Whipped cream.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Secret menu item
• Calorie content: Information unavailable
• Caffeine content: Information unavailable

#20. Caramel and Nut Chocolate Bar Frappuccino (Secret Menu)

• Ingredients: Ice – Whole milk – Frappuccino coffee base (1-3 pumps) – Coffee Frappuccino syrup (2-5 pumps) – Frappuccino chip (1-3 scoops) – Mocha sauce (2-5 pumps) – Whipped cream – Toffee nut syrup (2-5 pumps) – Caramel drizzle.
• Hot or cold: Cold
• Seasonal or Permanent: Secret menu item
• Calorie content: Information unavailable
• Caffeine content: Information unavailable

How do you order Starbucks chocolate drinks from the secret menu?

The first thing you need to know about ordering Starbucks chocolate drinks from the secret menu is that the secret menu is maintained by Starbucks fans and not Starbucks employees.

That means you cannot expect every Starbucks employee to know exactly what it is you are ordering when you rattle off the name at the order counter or in the drive-thru.

So, if you are looking to order something off of the Starbucks secret menu, the most important thing to do is have the drink recipe pulled up on your phone ahead of time so you can refer to it if needed when ordering. 

Also, you may want to start with the base drink when ordering. Most secret menu items are simply variations of a drink that already exists on the menu. Once you tell the barista the base of the drink, you can move on to any substitutions or additions that are used to make the drink the secret menu item.

For example, if the secret menu item requires whole milk rather than water, tell the barista first. Next, if there are any additions like specific syrups, toppings, or whipped cream, let the barista know after you have substituted the liquids (if needed). 

An important note — Be prepared to pay for extra additions.

Lastly, try to order the secret menu item in one swift and concise sentence. Again, start with the base drink, then substitutions, and last, additions. Ordering it like this will be a language the barista will understand rather than just rattling off the name of the secret menu item. 

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