Starbucks “Secret Menu” Hack these at home

Starbucks Secret Menu.. or honestly just more my favorite recipes for coffee!

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Starbucks “Secret Menu” Coffee + Non Coffee Drinks!

Hey humans! Hope you’ve got a warm drink nearby (or something iced if you’re planning a summer elopement in the desert). I’m Jamie — wedding and elopement photographer, professional cat cuddler, and certified coffee fanatic. Whether I’m editing galleries, scouting mountain trails, or helping couples plan their dream day, coffee is always part of the process.

And let’s be honest — planning a wedding or elopement? It pairs best with caffeine.

This guide started as a fun secret menu list for my fellow flavor nerds and Starbucks drive-thru besties. But if you’re new here from the elopement world, I hope you find your next go-to drink to sip while dreaming up your day.

Shop Local Coffee Beans (Because Duh, We Love Small Biz)

Even though Starbucks is easy and everywhere, my daily coffee comes from local roasters — especially during editing marathons or packing for back-to-back elopements.

Here is my favorite locally roasted fresh beans that you can ship to you anywhere

Think Well Coffee
Paradigm Coffee Roasters

For Think Well I prefer high temp roasts and Paradigm my favorite is Columbia! The crema is so much fun to watch during a shot pull.

How to Make all of these coffee drinks at home

That was the goal for me, to find what I love and be able to make them at home. One day I think it would be super fun to have a full on nerdy cave of a coffee shop.. but for now my friends and family can just come over and I will make them their favorite.

Pull Espresso Shots

I have a Breville espresso machine, and I have really come to love her. I grind my beans separately, and then pour based on the water output (18-20 grams of coffee to 36-40 grams of water)

Mix your syrups with your milk base first

The biggest thing I hate about getting coffee somewhere is when it’s not mixed well. The syrup sits at the bottom, and the espresso at the top and the flavors are just not blended in harmony.

I mix my syrups with my milks, then pour my espresso over my iced milk (iced lattes) after it has a chance to sit (so I don’t shock my shot).

From there I take my full iced latte and mix it between two cups. Like a kid dumping one thing into another. I want the flavors to be fully incorporated. That’s when I would add a cold foam on top!

Not Into Coffee? Tea People, I See You

Even if you’re team no-espresso, I’ve still got your back with a few Starbucks go-tos and cozy at-home options. Whether you’re planning your elopement, recovering from a red-eye flight, or just need a warm cup in hand — these are faves for chill days and post-hike wind-downs.

I’m all about a spicy chai or a classic English breakfast tea latte. And yes, I’m that person always testing non-dairy milk swaps (oatmilk for the win).

Here are my top tea-based drink hacks you can order (or remix at home):
(Spoiler: they taste better wrapped in a blanket or on a foggy trail morning with your partner.)

Coffee Drinks you can customize

There is a mix of semi sweet to sweetest because I know everyone has a different love language with sugar in their coffee.

Currently pregnant or caffeine free?

Hacks for FOMO coffee drinkers:
Order a hot or iced DECAF Americano then add your favorite topping + flavors to the drink.

Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Decaf:
How to Order:
Grande Decaf Americano
Add Pumpkin Cream
Ask for Hot or Iced, whichever you prefer

Optional: Add extra Pumpkin Cream + pumpkin toppings for super sweet tooth
Optional: Add in a pump of vanilla or scoop of vanilla powder

Irish Cream Cold Brew Decaf:
How to Order:
Grande Decaf Americano
Add Irish Cream
Ask for Hot or Iced, whichever you prefer

Optional: Add in extra Irish Cream Topping for extra sweet

Non Coffee Drinks: Starbucks Secret Menu

I will always love a hot tea when the cold months hit, especially with gingerbread topping!

At Home Easy Chai Latte

Ingredients Needed:
Chai Tea
Oatmilk (Or milk or your choice)
Hot Water
Cinnamon
Nutmeg
Marshmallows *Optional*

How to Prepare:

You can use chai tea concentrate or just simply buy a box of chai tea right off your grocery store shelf!

Take 1 or 2 tea packets and let it steep in hot water, I’d say about 4-5 ounces or half full in a typical coffee mug.

Prepare Your Milk Choice:

You can heat your milk in a sauce pan on the stove or with a milk frothier on an espresso machine. Be careful not to scald your milk, plant based or dairy milks have certain temps not to exceed. Typically don’t boil on a stove, or if the cup is hot to touch your milk is ready.

While my tea is steeping in the hot water I like to add marshmallows to melt in the cup for flavor.

Once my tea has had a few minutes I add in my milk.
I tip my cup 45ish degrees and add the milk in a circle to make sure it blends evenly with the tea. After that slowly raise my cup up right as I pour all the milk into the cup.

Top tea with seasons like cinnamon and nutmeg, and enjoy!

Why Does an Elopement Photographer Blog About Coffee?

Because honestly? I think elopements and espresso have a lot in common. They both give you permission to customize your experience. To ditch the cookie-cutter and create something that tastes like you.

So if you’re planning your elopement and want a photographer who’s as passionate about intentional choices as they are about bold coffee…
Contact me here and let’s start dreaming up your perfect day.

Or keep reading, I love blogging:
👉🏻 My Favorite Everyday Items + Home Style
👉🏻 How to Elope in Washington
👉🏻 Mount Baker Elopement Guide

Starbucks Secret Menu coffee blog by Jamie Tobin Photography last updated December 2025