A Breakdown Of Starbucks' Iced Coffee Types

Iced (filter) coffee: The simplest option

This beverage is arguably the most straightforward and traditional cold coffee option. On the menu, Starbucks refers to it as "iced coffee," but a more accurate term would be iced filter coffee. Essentially, it’s the chilled version of Starbucks' regular brewed coffee: brewed hot and then cooled over ice (it’s usually made stronger to counteract the dilution from the ice). It’s prepared using a medium-roast coffee, typically a blend known as "Terraza," which isn’t directly available for purchase by consumers.

In comparison to other iced coffee varieties (such as espresso and cold brew), the standard Starbucks menu doesn’t offer many alternatives to the classic iced coffee, aside from the straightforward iced coffee with milk. However, you can always personalize your drink by requesting flavored syrup from the barista or by adding your own milk if there’s a self-serve station available. If you prefer your coffee without sweetness, be cautious — baristas are instructed to add a shot of plain syrup to classic iced coffee orders by default, which means a tall iced coffee contains about 15 grams of sugar. To avoid this, make sure to specify that you want your coffee unsweetened.

Iced espresso: The biggest part of the menu

Starbucks is renowned for its espresso beverages, ranging from simple shots to indulgently sweet pumpkin spice lattes. Therefore, it’s no surprise that iced espresso drinks constitute a significant portion of the company’s cold beverage offerings. Each drink begins with freshly pulled espresso shots from the café's espresso machine, poured over a cup filled with ice to ensure rapid cooling. From this point, customers can customize their drinks, as baristas can create a variety of iced espresso options based on this foundation.

The most straightforward choices include the iced espresso, which consists solely of espresso shots over ice, and iced Americanos, which incorporate cold water. Another easy option is the iced caffè latte, where milk is added to the iced espresso. There are also "reserve" versions of some drinks that utilize a premium coffee blend while following the same preparation method.

For those seeking more elaborate iced espresso drinks, additional ingredients come into play. For instance, the iced caramel macchiato combines iced espresso with milk, vanilla syrup, and caramel, while the iced pumpkin spice latte includes whipped cream along with syrups and extra flavorings. The various "shaken" iced espresso drinks feature similar components but are shaken by the barista to blend the ingredients more thoroughly.

Cold brew: the newer, colder menu addition

While iced coffee and iced espresso have long been mainstays on the Starbucks menu, the chain introduced a new cold coffee option around 2015: cold brew. Unlike traditional iced coffees, which are brewed hot and then chilled, cold brew is prepared entirely with cold water. The process is quite straightforward, involving the mixing of ground coffee with cool water and allowing it to steep, though it does take some time. Starbucks allows its cold brew to steep for approximately 20 hours, as coffee extracts much more slowly in cold water compared to hot. The result is a smoother, often citrusy flavor profile, in contrast to the bolder, more roasted taste of hot-brewed coffee.

Similar to their espresso offerings, Starbucks cold brew can be enjoyed on its own or enhanced with various additional ingredients. A standard cold brew is simply cold-brewed coffee served over ice, while a "reserve" option features a premium coffee blend. Other cold brew beverages typically incorporate sweeteners and dairy, such as the chocolate cream cold brew, which includes vanilla syrup and a chocolate-flavored cream that infuses the drink. In comparison to the extensive range of espresso drinks, Starbucks' cold brew selection is relatively limited, offering around nine different options.

Nitro cold brew: Starbucks' shiniest, newest thing

Shortly after introducing cold brew to its offerings, Starbucks launched nitro cold brew. While it can be seen as an extension of the traditional cold brew, nitro cold brew features some unique characteristics. It begins in the same way as cold brew, with coffee steeped in cold water for 20 hours. To transform it into nitro cold brew, Starbucks passes the coffee through a tap that infuses nitrogen into the beverage, creating a creamy head reminiscent of draft beer (though there’s no actual cream involved — it’s solely the nitrogen that produces this effect). The nitrogen imparts a remarkably smooth texture to the drink, and it’s completely safe to consume, primarily influencing the mouthfeel rather than the flavor. It is served without ice to preserve its distinctive quality.

The nitro cold brew selections on the menu are somewhat limited: there’s the standard version and a more premium reserve option (both served black, without syrups or additional ingredients). Additionally, there are two flavored variations: Cinnamon Caramel Cream and Vanilla Sweet Cream, which incorporate either vanilla or cinnamon caramel syrups and creams for those seeking a touch of sweetness.