It’s March, spring is working its way in, and the allergies are already attacking Ryan. The good news is, spring is here, it’s warming up and we get to move on to Cold Vegan Drinks at Starbucks!
If you are pulling up to Starbucks and want something that gives you a little extra spring in your step, we have put together a guide that includes what Starbucks’ new spring drink is for 2022.
We’ve added additional options as well. Ones that are our favorites along with what their spring drinks were for last year. Because let’s be honest, they were pretty good and we still suggest them!
Speaking of last year, spring of 2021 is when Starbucks made oatmilk available at all locations across the United States. While I am more of a soymilk fan, Ryan always gets oatmilk. What we’re not a fan of is still having to pay extra for non-dairy milk… insert eye roll.
Starbucks Vegan Spring Drinks Guide
Iced Toasted Vanilla Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
You may have heard all the buzz around Starbucks‘ NEW Toasted Vanilla Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. Is it the only new drink for spring 2022? Yep. It sure is.
Starbucks describes this drink as being a, “blonde espresso combined with notes of caramelized vanilla shaken together and topped with oatmilk for an energizing treat to boost your day.”
We tried it and to be honest, I don’t get it. I feel like if they’re going to add only one drink to the menu, it would have been a better one. Needless to say, there were mixed feelings.
Please know I did enjoy it but espresso to me already tastes roasted & toasted so I did not notice a “caramelized vanilla.” There was a subtle vanilla sweetness to this drink but the espresso and full-bodied creaminess of the oatmilk were predominate.
…but maybe that is the point.
What I do not want to get lost with being a little disappointed that the Toasted Vanilla Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is the only new option is…
A vegan drink is the only drink being added to Starbucks’ menu for the spring of 2022.
We think this is a pretty big deal that shouldn’t be overlooked.
The ingredients for the Toasted Vanilla Oatmilk Shaken Espresso are:
Ice, Oatmilk [Oatmilk (Water, Oats), Canola Oil, Contains 2 Or Less Of Dipotassium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Tricalcium Phosphate, Sea Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, Riboflavin, Vitamin A, Vitamin D 2, Vitamin B 12], Brewed Espresso, Toasted Vanilla Flavored Syrup [Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Preservative Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid]
Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
In the spring of 2021, three oatmilk shaken espresso’s debuted, giving us our first vegan as-is coffee drinks to be added to Starbucks’ menu. We were and still are big fans of these.
Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso – The greatness of this drink is that it tastes like chocolate milk with a subtle kick of espresso. Be careful, because we remember it being gone too quickly!
With the Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso, you are getting ice, almondmilk, brewed espresso, and chocolate malt powder (cane sugar, cocoa powder processed with alkali, natural malt flavor (from barley), natural flavors, sunflower oil).
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso – This was our favorite of the three that they came out with. The balance of sweetness, espresso, and creaminess was on point.
The Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso comes with ice, oatmilk, brewed espresso, brown sugar syrup (invert sugar, brown sugar, water, natural flavor, salt, preservative potassium sorbate), and cinnamon.
Iced Shaken Espresso – If you prefer to come up with your own flavor combos or like a plain drink, you can order an Iced Shaken Espresso with your choice of non-dairy milk (oatmilk, soymilk, almondmilk, coconutmilk). A flavored syrup would be optional here.
Be aware, the Iced Shaken Espresso does come with their classic syrup which provides a slight sweetness.
If you choose to add a flavored syrup, your options are:
- Brown Sugar
- Caramel (NOT the sauce)
- Cinnamon Dolce
- Hazelnut
- Peppermint
- Raspberry
- Toasted Vanilla
- Toffee Nut
- Vanilla
- Sugar-Free Vanilla
Vegan Frappuccinos
Non-dairy milks available: oatmilk, soymilk, almondmilk, coconutmilk
Mocha Frappuccino – Order with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip. The Mocha Frappuccino comes with mocha sauce, frappuccino roast coffee, your choice of non-dairy milk, and ice blended together. You also have the option to order it affogato-style which adds a hot espresso shot poured over the top. Yum!
Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino – Order with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip. A Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino is a blend of frappuccino roast coffee, your choice of non-dairy milk, and vanilla bean powder.
Strawberry Creme Frappuccino – Order with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip. A beautiful blend of ice, your choice of non-dairy milk, creme frappuccino syrup, and strawberry puree.
Matcha Creme Frappuccino – Order with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip. A blend of sweetened matcha green tea, ice, your choice of non-dairy milk, and creme frappuccino syrup,
Caffeine Free Vegan Starbucks Drinks
These drinks are not new but will be nice and refreshing for the spring of 2022 if you’re looking for a non-coffee drink with a bonus. They are ALL vegan as-is!
Pink Drink – I feel like the Pink Drink is now infamous at Starbucks. The colors alone make you want to buy it and take pics. This drink offers a blend of strawberry acai and passion fruit flavors with coconut milk. You also have the option to order this one without coconut milk.
The Strawberry Acai Refresher has no coconut milk while the Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher replaces the coconut milk with lemonade.
Star Drink – A combo of starfruit and kiwi with real kiwi pieces. This one, we think the coconut milk it automatically comes with is its best option.
You can choose to order it as a Kiwi Starbucks Refresher where there is no coconut milk or as the Kiwi Starfruit Lemonade Refresher, where the coconut milk is replaced with lemonade. Talk about refreshing!
The Dragon Drink – Who remembers when this one came out?
Everyone was buying it, taking pictures, and mixing it with other drinks. Incredible vibrant colors and refreshing tastes. With the Dragon Drink, you have a beautiful combo of sweet mango and dragonfruit flavors with real dragonfruit pieces and coconut milk.
Like the Star Drink, you can choose to order the Dragon Drink as a Mango Dragonfruit Refresher or a Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher.
The Mango Dragonfruit Refresher has no coconut milk while the Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher replaces the coconut milk with lemonade. Yum!
What Has Been Taken Off Starbucks’ Menu?
As I was writing this guide, I noticed that a few items have been taken off the Starbucks menu for the spring of 2022.
I quickly removed them from our big Vegan Starbucks Guide where we list every vegan option at Starbucks, but I wanted to make note of them here too.
The Sugar Cookie Syrup has been taken off the menu. This means the Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte, Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte, Sugar Cookie Frappuccino, and Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Creme Frappuccino can no longer be ordered.
Chestnut Praline Syrup has been removed. No more Chestnut Praline Creme Steamer, Chestnut Praline Lattes (hot or iced), Chestnut Praline Frappuccinos or Creme Frappuccino either.
This one can appear confusing… Starbucks has removed all of the Peppermint Mocha menu items. Peppermint Mocha is typically a winter drink, at Starbucks, but you can still order all of these since the Peppermint Syrup and Mocha Sauce are still available.
We are keeping all of them (Peppermint Mocha Latte (hot or iced), Frappuccino, and Creme Frappuccino) on our guide. You can also order it Ryan’s favorite way which is a Coffee (hot or iced) with oatmilk, a shot of peppermint syrup, and mocha sauce.
Irish Creme Syrup. Starbucks did not offer a vegan drink per se with the Irish Creme Syrup but the syrup itself was vegan so we had it on the list. This one has been removed, as well.
Vegan Food
Lastly, let’s talk food. I will mention a few of the more substantial items but if you would like to see a list of all of their vegan options, please visit our Starbucks Vegan Guide, which lists every vegan option (drinks and food) currently available.
Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box – Perfect for on the go or to take on a hike. This little box comes with 6 cold chickpea bites (these are like little falafel nuggets), a delicious trail mix, green beans & carrots, and an avocado spread.
Strawberry Overnight Grains – These grains come with oatmeal in coconut milk, cooked steel cut oats, red quinoa & chia seeds with shaved coconut, strawberries, and toasted almonds.
Bagels: Plain, Cinnamon Raisin and Everything Bagel. Look for packaged Organic Avocado Spread to spread on. Justin’s Hazelnut Butter or Classic Almond Butter may also be an option–check with your location for availability.
And That’s It…
We have everything listed from coffee drinks, to frappuccinos, to fruity drinks, and even food. We hope you are able to find your perfect vegan drink, at Starbucks, for yourself and enjoy the spring of 2022!
