Vegan Starbucks Guide

vegan starbucks guide

Vegan Starbucks Guide

We all love our Starbucks run. Whether it’s 8 AM and we’re starting our day or we need a mid-afternoon pick me up. Starbucks. Is. Crucial.  

I remember one of my first times going in to Starbucks after transitioning to a vegan diet.  I walked into the coffee shop sure I knew exactly what to order.  It was the beginning of Fall so you know what time it was: Pumpkin Spice Latte time, of course.  Only this time I was going to order mine with almond milk.   I walked up to the barista excited to get my Pumpkin Spice Latte and placed my order.  After requesting almond milk be used as my milk alternative I casually mentioned I was vegan.   He paused briefly then said: “Oh.  You should know our Pumpkin Spice Latte syrup does contain milk.”  My face dropped.  I was so sure I was about to get my vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte.  That led to a conversation discussing other drinks that I did not know contained dairy.  While I was bummed I didn’t get my PSL I did end up getting my vegan latte fix from Starbucks.  The drink I ordered is one of the ones listed below.  Can you guess which one? 

Ingredients That Have Dairy (i.e. Avoid)

  • Whipped Cream
  • Java Chips
  • Protein Powder
  • Caramel Drizzle
  • Cinnamon Dolce Topping
  • Pumpkin Spice (the betrayal!) 
  • White Mocha
  • Caramel Brulee
  • Chai Lattes (Teavana Brewed Chai Tea is OK)

Starbucks Drinks That Can Be Made As-Is or with Minor Adjustments

  • Caramel Macchiatos (without the caramel drizzle)
  • Chocolate or strawberry smoothies without the protein powder
  • Ombre iced coffees 
  • Flat whites
  • Java Chip Frappuccinos (without the java chips)
  • Green tea lattes
  • Matcha Lemonade
  • Hazelnut Mocha Coconutmilk Macchiato 
  • Very Berry Hibiscus Starbucks Refresher with coconut milk (no water)
  • Strawberry Acai Refresher with coconut milk (no water)
  • Cold Brew with Cinnamon Almondmilk Foam
  • Cold Brew with Dark Cocoa Almondmilk Foam
  • Chestnut Praline Lattes (Seasonal)
  • Toffee Almondmilk Hot Cocoa (Seasonal)
  • Peppermint Mochas (Seasonal)

 

Secret Menu Items  (adapted from @vegan_secretmenu)

The Captain Crunch Frap

  • Strawberries and creme frap
  • Caramel Syrup 
  • Toffee nut syrup
  •  Hazelnut syrup

The Vegan S’mores Frap

  • Vanilla bean frap
  • Marshmallow syrup
  • Mocha SAUCE (not mocha syrup)

The Vegan Nutella Frap

  • Mocha frap 
  • Soy milk
  • Hazelnut syrup
  • No whip
 
Cheers!