Making delicious vegan-friendly selections at Starbucks just got a little easier. With this detailed guide to all things Starbucks, we have taken the guesswork out of building plant-based vegan-friendly orders. In 2024, Starbucks removed their extra charge for plant-based milks and they have started the new year off right by introducing a new espresso beverage and two new certified vegan selections to its permanent menu in January 2025. The Cortado, Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado, and Spicy Falafel Pocket are welcome additions to an ever-expanding Starbucks menu.   

New Vegan Friendly Menu Items at Starbucks

The Cortado    

Starbucks’ new espresso beverage, the Cortado, boasts a small size with a strong flavor. It is made with three ristretto shots instead of traditional espresso shots. This method requires much less water and a shorter extraction time while still using the same amount of Starbucks Blonde Espresso coffee grounds. The resulting flavor is sweeter and richer than ordinary espresso. Your selection of milk is then added “to cut” (or “cortar” in Spanish) the ristretto shots, giving them their signature name, Cortado, and a smooth, creamy texture with a well-balanced flavor. To make the Cortado vegan, select a plant-based milk.    

Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado   

The Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado is a permanent addition to the Starbucks menu. This new, nondairy option is a tasty twist on Starbucks’ new Cortado. Made in the same way as the original Cortado, the beverage features the same sweet, intense coffee flavor but adds steamed oat milk and brown sugar syrup. A dash of cinnamon tops off the smooth, rich flavors. The Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado comes in the short (8-ounce) size and is only served hot. It is vegan as-is.    

Spicy Falafel Pocket    

The Spicy Falafel Pocket is another new, certified vegan addition to Starbucks’ permanent menu. Toasted lavash bread surrounds a delicious blend of smashed falafel and creamy hummus with roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce.

Our team recently tried these two new items as seen in the video below.

How to Order Plant Based at Starbucks

Basic drinks at Starbucks start off vegan-friendly. However, adding flavors and milk can get a little tricky. That is where our handy guide comes into play. We have done the research, so you do not have to. Follow this list to build your perfect plant-based, vegan-friendly order at Starbucks.    

Vegan Friendly Starbucks Drinks: Options That Are Ready to Go

These menu items require no effort because they are already vegan.

Hot Coffees

• Espresso Shots
• Cortados (e.g., Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado)
• Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte

Cold Coffees

• Salted Caramel Cream Cold Brew
• Nitro Cold Brew
• Iced Caffe Americano
• Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
• Nondairy Chocolate Cream Cold Brew

Coffee Frappuccinos

• Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Frappuccino (No whipped cream)

Creme Frappuccinos

• Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Creme Frappuccino (No whipped cream)

Modifying Starbucks Drinks to Make Them Plant Based & Vegan Friendly

These selections are not vegan as-is but can easily be modified. Choose plant-based milk and skip the whipped cream. Below are some popular options and tips:

Hot Coffees

• Cappuccino
• Blonde Vanilla Latte
• Cinnamon Dolce Latte (No sprinkles)

Iced Coffees

• Iced Flat White
• Iced Caramel Macchiato (No caramel drizzle)
• Iced Caffe Mocha

Coffee Frappuccinos

• Chestnut Praline Frappuccino
• Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino (No java chips)

Creme Frappuccinos  

• Chestnut Praline Creme Frappuccino   

• Peppermint Mocha Creme Frappuccino – No chocolate curls.  

• Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme Frappuccino   

• Strawberry Creme Frappuccino   

• Double Chocolaty Chip Creme Frappuccino – No chocolate chips.  

• Matcha Creme Frappuccino   

• Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino   

Starbucks Items That Cannot Be Made Vegan Friendly

Unfortunately, these menu items cannot be made vegan without removing the defining ingredients:

Hot Coffees

• Pistachio Latte (contains milk)
• White Chocolate Mocha (contains milk)

Cold Coffees

• Pistachio Cream Cold Brew (contains milk and butter)
• Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew (contains milk 
  

Iced Cold Brews   

• Pistachio Cream Cold Brew – The Pistachio Cream Cold Foam contains milk, and the salted brown butter topping has butter.  

• Chocolate Cream Cold Brew – The Chocolate Cream Cold Foam contains milk.  

• Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew – The Vanilla Sweet Cream contains milk.  

• Vanilla Sweet Cream Nitro Cold Brew – The Vanilla Sweet Cream contains milk. 
  

Iced Coffees  

• Iced Coffee Clover Vertica – It has milk chocolate notes.  
  

Iced Flat Whites 

• Iced Honey Almondmilk Flat White – It contains a honey blend sweetener. 
  

Iced Lattes 

• Iced Pistachio Latte – The Pistachio sauce contains milk.  

• Iced Caramel Brulee Latte – The Caramel Brulee sauce contains milk.  

Iced Mochas 

• Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha – The White Chocolate Mocha sauce contains milk.  

• Iced White Chocolate Mocha – The White Chocolate Mocha sauce contains milk. 
  

Coffee Frappuccinos  

• Pistachio Frappuccino – The Pistachio sauce contains milk.  

• Caramel Brulee Frappuccino – The Caramel Brulee sauce contains milk.  

• Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino – The White Chocolate Mocha sauce contains milk.  

• Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino – The Dark Caramel sauce, Caramel Drizzle, and Caramel Crunch topping all contain milk.  

• White Chocolate Mocha Frappuccino – The White Chocolate Mocha sauce contains milk.   
  

Creme Frappuccinos  

• Pistachio Creme Frappuccino – The Pistachio sauce contains milk. The salted brown butter topping has butter.  

• Caramel Brulee Creme Frappuccino – The Caramel Brulee Sauce and Caramel Brulee topping both contain milk.  

• Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha Creme Frappuccino – The White Chocolate Mocha sauce contains milk.  

• Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino – The Caramel syrup and Caramel drizzle contain milk.   

• White Chocolate Creme Frappuccino – The White Chocolate Mocha sauce contains milk.  

• Chai Creme Frappuccino – Chai contains honey.  
  

All Other Starbucks Beverages    

Teas  

All Starbucks teas are vegan before any flavors or milk are added, except Chai tea, which contains honey. When ordering a tea with milk, simply request a plant-based option. Avoid the Chai teas altogether.    

Starbucks Refresher Beverages  

All Starbucks Refresher Beverages are vegan. Coconut milk is the standard choice in the refreshers with milk.   

Vegan Friendly Plant Based Starbucks Food Options

Starbucks has a few tasty vegan food options to choose from.  You may also find some pre-packaged items that are vegan-friendly. Selections may vary by location. Try a few of these items at your local Starbucks.  

• Oatmeal  

• Spicy Falafel Pocket  

• Sea Salt Potato Chips  

• Kind Products (Some may contain honey. Read the label.)  

• Plain or Everything Bagels  

• Avocado Spread  

• Mixed Nuts  

• Dried Fruit  

• Roasted Almonds   

• Dark Chocolate Bars 
  

Tips for Planning Your Next Visit to Starbucks

Starbucks is constantly adding new, delicious items to their menus. It is always exciting when they bring us creative vegan beverages and foods we have never tried before. But we can also enjoy many of their other selections with just a few smart, easy modifications. Have you built your own vegan beverage at Starbucks? Share your favorite creations with us so we can try them out.