Starbucks, the original "let's be absurd about drinks" show pony in America, has lots of competition now. Cars wrap around buildings across America to wait in line for $8 drinks that are more complicated than an IRS form.
For purists who only stick to Americanos and occasionally a cappuccino, it's baffling.
In your free time, you should peruse Starbucks baristas' Reddit feeds about crazy orders, like a caramel ribbon crunch with extra caramel. Redditor HoboSmell writes that she doesn't mind making it "ngl" (not gonna lie) ...
"but the reason I hate it so much is because I will dress that bitch up, help her with her make up, get her the sugar covered mani she deserves, only to hand it out and have the customer go "ummm theres not enough extra 🙄 can you redo it?"
THERES SO MUCH CARAMEL THAT YOU CANT EVEN SEE THE DRINK ITSELF. THE WALLS, THE BOTTOM, AND THE WHIP CREAM ARE SLATHERED. MY HAND IS ON FIRE FROM SQUEEZING THE BOTTLE FOR SO LONG. WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE ISN'T ENOUGH??
And then I have to make it again, while sis stands beside the hand off, sighing like a widow staring wistfully out over the sea, waiting for her man to return from the war."
That's actually a beautiful thread. If you freelance, HoboSmell, holler.
And here were are.
This weekend, Starbucks announced it has added secret menu drinks under the "offers" tab on its app, starting with four fan-inspired drinks. (At the time of writing, there are no offers in our app.)
Customers can ask for "cookies on top" of a cold brew, which comes with two pumps of vanilla syrup, vanilla sweet cream cold foam and a cookie crumble topping.
A "dragonfruit glow-up" is a Mango Dragonfruit Refresher with peach juice, blended and topped with vanilla sweet cream cold foam.
"Lemon tea and pearls" is like a dark Arnold Palmer: black tea with lemonade with an extra pop of flavor from raspberry-flavored popping pearls.
Finally, get an iced brown sugar shaken espresso with two pumps of while chocolate mocha sauce, topped with vanilla sweet cream cold foam.
Win Money For Your Secret Drink
Now, Starbucks is looking for the next big drink to add to its menu. Through July 20, customers (and partners) can enter their favorite drink into a secret menu contest. Entries will be narrowed down to four, which will be featured on the secret menu from Aug. 18-25. The creators of the final four will win $5,000 each. Then, from Aug. 18-20, fans can vote on their favorite @Starbucks Instagram. A grand prize winner will receive an additional $25,000. Get all the details here.
