Staff picks: Favorite Starbucks drink

Unless you’re some superhuman who can get through the day on your body’s own energy, you probably partake, at least occasionally, in some kind of caffeinated or sugary beverage. At The Bark, we – well, most of us – love a good drink from that most ubiquitous of coffee shops, Starbucks. Here are some of our favorites.

At the risk of sounding like a teenage girl or someone who can’t handle real coffee (I’m neither), I’ve always been quite fond of the frozen confection known as the Frappuccino. At the risk of sounding even more like a teenage girl or someone who can’t handle real coffee, the other day, I tried a “secret menu” Frappuccino featuring a crème base with caramel and toffee flavoring and drizzle on the recommendation of my sister, who told me it’s called a Butterbeer Frappuccino (ugh). It may sound silly, but it’s actually quite delicious and mouthwateringly sweet without being overpowering. [Jack H. Evans]

Starbucks makes a coffee drink during the holidays called peppermint mocha, and it is like drinking pure Christmas. The chocolate is rich, but the peppermint is a nice cut. I’ve never finished an entire cup of even the tall size because I think it would possibly send me into a coma from the sheer overload of sugar and holiday joy. Also, like many of the flavored drinks, don’t expect to taste any coffee. [Kelsey Kinzer]

Sitting out on my back porch on a Sunday morning drinking a pumpkin spice latte may be in the top three greatest joys anyone can experience. The pumpkin spice latte, which started appearing in Starbucks stores in 2003, has attracted a sort of cult following, with its limited fall and winter release. It’s obvious what is so wonderful about it; it’s like fall in a cup with its cinnamon-y spiced, yet subtlety sweet flavor. Whenever the pumpkin spice lattes come back to stores each year, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. [Hannah McElroy]

I know I’m not the only one who thinks that peppermint tastes fantastic no matter what the season, and it tastes even better in hot chocolate. Starbucks’ peppermint hot chocolate is so great because it combines the nice, warm, smooth taste of their classic hot chocolate with the sweet, minty feeling that makes you think of the holidays no matter what the season in the peppermint. For that reason, I would drink it every single day if I could. [Graham Benefiel]

Starbucks has anyone’s favorite overpriced coffee drink, from lattes to various mocha drinks, tea, and frappes, and even just a regular cup of coffee – which just happens to be their cheapest drink on the menu and my pick. Don’t get me wrong, I do love just about anything mocha flavored, and their pumpkin spice latte is pretty heavenly, but they all are over four bucks! I don’t have money to just throw away on specialized over-priced coffee drinks when I could just brew coffee at home and save for something useful like college or gas for my car, Silas the Scion. But when the occasion arises that I just have to go get a Starbucks coffee, the cheap, simple, regular coffee never disappoints and doesn’t break the bank. [Litza Craig]

What is the best drink at Starbucks? To be honest, I couldn’t care less. I mean why is it that when you go to Starbucks you have to have a double half-caf venti cinnamon dulce crème Frappuccino? I just want a cup of coffee! And yet, for some reason, Starbucks rakes in money because it’s the “in thing” to be seen with the green mermaid in your hand. In essence, Starbucks coffee is a shot or two of espresso with a half cup of cream, and then five pumps of high-fructose corn syrup. If you really want a cup of coffee, make it yourself and I guarantee it will be better than what you get at Starbucks. I would start with buying a package of Bustelo Espresso Roast, then buy cream that strikes your fancy. [Ed Dudrick]

“I can’t, I’m Mormon.” I seem to say this a lot, especially if we’re talking about Starbucks. I can’t drink coffee, tea, or any other caffeinated drink even if it’s decaf, so selections at this popular cafe are limited. But I love being Mormon, and I can still enjoy Starbucks. I love the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. It has the perfect nutty, chocolatey, cozy flavor that makes pacing myself difficult. [Allie Gruszkiewicz]

I had never had a pumpkin spice latte, never strayed from my usual Passion Tea Lemonade or Caramel Frappuccino. However, I tried an iced one (for I have a slight fear of Starbucks hot drinks) and it was awesome. I mean I’m not a girl who freaks out about Pumpkin Spice Lattes because I’d never had one, but I now understand some part of it, even if it was iced. I love cold drinks and this has definitely made my picks a trio. I got it on a pure whim, and it was quite tasty. Now I really want one. Thank you, Staff Picks. [Taylor A. Johnson]

Although Starbucks is not my favorite coffee place for various reasons, I would choose the vanilla bean frappe, though Starbucks’ vanilla bean frappe isn’t particularly better than anyone else’s. [Helen Law]

Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccinos are the ideal Starbucks drink. They are the perfect blend of chocolatey goodness. Their cool swirls of chocolate syrup and creamy whipped topping will leave you addicted and constantly craving one. [Zoey Line]

Starbucks is basically the holy grail of coffee, and there are so many choices that it is almost impossible to choose a favorite; however, if I had to choose, I’d pick the mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino. It is a heavenly blend of mocha and cookies that is probably the best thing ever, so go get one. [Katie Matthews]

When it comes to Starbucks drinks, there isn’t really much I enjoy. It’s all tolerable, not exceptional. The iced chai latte, however, is phenomenal. The pure sugary joy of the drink that is hardly even tea is ideal, and there’s almost nothing I’d rather drink. [Emily Price]