2023 Vegan Starbucks Guide (ALL Food and Drink Options!) | The Green Loot

2023 Vegan Starbucks Guide (ALL Food and Drink Options!)

This guide covers ALL of the vegan options at Starbucks in 2023. Starbucks offers many vegan coffee, tea, and other drink options, as well as a few vegan food options. Most drinks can be made vegan by choosing a non-dairy milk and omitting non-vegan ingredients.  Be sure to check your local store, as they are always changing the menu.

 

Vegan Drinks at Starbucks

vegan options at Starbucks
Photo: Shutterstock

For more vegan guides, check out our going vegan for beginners, vegan candy guide, vegan chocolate guide, vegan leather guide, and vegan meal prep roundup.

 

Hot Drinks

  • Hot Coffees

Caramel Macchiato
Photo: Starbucks® / Caramel Macchiato

 

    • Caffè Americano
    • Brewed Coffee
    • Caffè Misto – a Caffè Misto is brewed coffee mixed with steamed milk, so it can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk
    • Cappuccino – the classic Cappuccino, an espresso drink with steamed milk and foam, can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk and optional flavorings or syrup
    • Espresso
    • Flat White – Flat White, a type of espresso and milk beverage that originated in Australia, is similar to a latte but contains a stronger concentration of espresso and no foam. Order a vegan Flat White with your choice of non-dairy milk and optional flavorings or syrup
    • Caffè Latte – your classic latte with espresso, steamed milk, and a light layer of foam is vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk and optional flavorings or syrup
    • Cinnamon Dolce Latte – order with your choice of non-dairy milk, NO whip, and NO cinnamon dolce topping 
    • Blonde Vanilla Latte – for those who like their espresso on the lighter side, the Blonde Vanilla Latte, which is made with light roast espresso and vanilla syrup, can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk
    • Caramel Macchiato – order with your choice of non-dairy milk, replace some or all of the vanilla syrup with caramel syrup (both syrups are vegan), and NO caramel sauce (the caramel syrup is vegan, but the caramel sauce is not). Better yet, follow these instructions to customize your own vegan Caramel Macchiato-style latte!
    • Espresso Macchiato – the Espresso Macchiato is a shot of espresso topped with steamed milk and foam, which can be vegan if you order it with your non-dairy milk of choice
    • Caffè Mocha – a mocha is a blend of espresso, chocolate sauce, and steamed milk. Luckily, the Starbucks mocha sauce is vegan so you can order your mocha drink dairy-free with your choice of non-dairy milk, NO whip, and any optional flavor syrups
    • Clover® Brewed Coffees – Starbucks Clover® Brewed Coffees are single cups of coffee made to order with the Clover® Vertica, a proprietary single-cup coffee brewer that grinds and brews in 30 seconds. This allows locations to serve a variety of brews at any given time at peak freshness, giving the coffee a smoother flavor and mouthfeel. All Clover® Brewed Coffees are vegan as they are made with Starbucks’ signature blends such as Pike Place and Sumatra
    • Starbucks Reserve® Latte (limited availability) – Starbucks Reserve® is a line of small batch, premium roasts only available at select Starbucks locations (use the store locator tool on the website to find locations that have it). The Starbucks Reserve® Latte is vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk and optional flavorings or syrup
    • Starbucks Reserve® Dark Chocolate Mocha (limited availability) – like the regular Caffè Mocha, the premium Starbucks Reserve® version can be made vegan with your non-dairy milk of choice. This drink is not topped with whipped cream, so no need to request no whip
    • Chestnut Praline Latte (holiday item – limited availability) – the Chestnut Praline Latte is full of warm holiday flavor. Order with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip (yes, the praline bits on top are vegan!)
    • Sugar Cookie Almond milk Latte (holiday item – limited availability) – this sugary sweet latte is made vegan by default with almond milk, and even the sprinkles are vegan
    • Peppermint Mocha (holiday item – limited availability) – the peppermint livens up the chocolate espresso flavor in this holiday drink, which can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk, NO whip, and NO chocolate curls

 

  • Hot Teas

Peach Tranquility®
Photo: Starbucks® / Peach Tranquility®

 

    • Chai Tea – Starbucks Chai Tea is hot tea prepared with tea bags. Add your favorite sweetener, syrup, or non-dairy milk. Be sure not to confuse this menu item with the Chai Tea Latte, which is made with a non-vegan chai concentrate
    • Earl Gray Tea – this black tea infused with bergamot is vegan as is or with your favorite sweetener, syrup, or non-dairy milk
    • London Fog Tea Latte – a London Fog is Earl Gray Tea mixed with steamed milk, and this latte, which can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk, captures the flavors perfectly
    • Royal English Breakfast Tea – this classic black tea is vegan as is or with your favorite sweetener, syrup, or non-dairy milk
    • Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte – make your cuppa a latte with this latte version of the Royal English Breakfast Tea, which can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk and customized with your favorite sweetener or syrup
    • Emperor’s Clouds & Mist® – this slightly sweet and smoky green tea is cultivated at 3,500 feet
    • Matcha Tea Latte – if you like matcha, you’ll love the Starbucks Matcha Tea Latte, which can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk
    • Jade Citrus Mint® Brewed Tea – this green tea blend has notes of lemongrass, lemon verbena, and spearmint for a twist on your typical green tea
    • Mint Majesty® – this caffeine-free herbal tea is a blend of mint and lemon verbena for a refreshing yet calming hot tea
    • Peach Tranquility® – this relaxing caffeine-free herbal tea is made with peach, candied pineapple, chamomile, rose hips, and lemon verbena
  • Hot Drinks

    • Hot Chocolate – order with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip (yes, the mocha drizzle on top is vegan!)
    • Steamed Apple Juice
    • Peppermint Hot Chocolate (holiday item – limited availability) – order with your choice of non-dairy milk, NO whip, and NO chocolate curls
  • Frappuccino®
    • Espresso Frappuccino® – this classic frozen espresso beverage can be made vegan with non-dairy milk. It’s not served with whipped cream, so no need to request no whip
    • Caffè Vanilla Frappuccino® – this frap is the frozen version of a vanilla latte! Order it vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip
    • Caramel Frappuccino® – this frozen version of the caramel macchiato can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk, NO whip, NO caramel sauce, and adding in caramel syrup. The “caramel” flavor of the drink comes from the non-vegan caramel sauce, so you’ll want to add some caramel flavor with syrup, which is vegan
    • Coffee Frappuccino® – this Plain Jane Frappuccino® can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk. It’s not served with whipped cream, so no need to request no whip
    • Mocha Frappuccino® – infuse your Frappuccino® with chocolate flavor! Order it vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip
    • Strawberry Crème Frappuccino® – order a vegan version of this fruity Frappuccino® made with a fresh strawberry puree with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip
    • Matcha Crème Frappuccino® – this Frappuccino® is like a green tea milkshake! Choose your favorite non-dairy milk and request NO whip for a vegan version 
    • Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino® – this Frappuccino® tastes like a vanilla milkshake! Order it vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip
    • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Frappuccino® (holiday item – limited availability) – order with NO whip (yes, the sprinkles are vegan!)
    • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Crème Frappuccino® (holiday item – limited availability) – order with NO whip (yes, the sprinkles are vegan!)
    • Chestnut Praline Frappuccino® (holiday item – limited availability) – order with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip (yes, the praline topping is vegan!)
    • Chestnut Praline Crème Frappuccino® (holiday item – limited availability) – order with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip (yes, the praline topping is vegan!)
    • Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino® (holiday item – limited availability) – order with your choice of non-dairy milk, NO whip, and NO chocolate curls
    • Peppermint Mocha Crème Frappuccino® (holiday item – limited availability) – order with your choice of non-dairy milk, NO whip, and NO chocolate curls

Cold Drinks

  • Cold Coffees

Iced Caffè Americano
Photo: Starbucks® / Iced Caffè Americano

 

    • Cold Brew Coffee
    • Cold Brew Coffee with Milk – order with your favorite non-dairy milk and any optional syrups for a refreshing and mellow coffee
    • Nitro Cold Brew – cold brew is infused with nitrogen for a fresh flavor and velvety finish without added sugar or milk. Enjoy as is or add your favorite non-dairy milk, flavorings, or syrup
    • Iced Caffè Americano
    • Iced Coffee
    • Iced Coffee with Milk – order with your favorite non-dairy milk
    • Iced Espresso
    • Iced Toasted Vanilla Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
    • Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
    • Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso
    • Iced Shaken Espresso – order with your favorite non-dairy milk
    • Iced Flat White – order with your favorite non-dairy milk
    • Iced Caffè Latte – order with your favorite non-dairy milk
    • Iced Cinnamon Dolce Latte – order this spicy iced latte with non-dairy milk, NO whip, and NO cinnamon dolce topping for a vegan drink
    • Iced Blonde Vanilla Latte – light and refreshing, this latte can be made vegan with non-dairy milk
    • Iced Caramel Macchiato – make this iced version of the Caramel Macchiato vegan with non-dairy milk, NO caramel sauce, and the addition of caramel syrup
    • Iced Caffè Mocha – make this refreshing mocha vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip
    • Iced Clover® Brewed Coffees
    • Starbucks Reserve® Iced Latte (limited availability) – this  Starbucks Reserve® premium iced latte can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk
    • Starbucks Reserve® Iced Dark Chocolate Mocha (limited availability) – this is the iced version of the Starbucks Reserve® Dark Chocolate Mocha, which can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk
    • Iced Chestnut Praline Latte (holiday item – limited availability) – this iced version of the Chestnut Praline Latte can be made vegan with your choice of non-dairy milk and NO whip
    • Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte (holiday item – limited availability) – this iced version of the Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte is vegan as is!
Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
Photo: Starbucks®/ Iced Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
    • Iced Peppermint Mocha (holiday item – limited availability) – order this iced version of the Peppermint Mocha with your choice of non-dairy milk, NO whip, and NO chocolate curls

 

  • Iced Teas

Iced Matcha Tea Latte
Photo: Starbucks® / Iced Matcha Tea Latte
    • Teavana® Mango Black Tea
    • Teavana® Sparkling Unsweetened Peach Nectarine Green Tea
    • Iced Black Tea
    • Iced Black Tea Lemonade
    • Iced Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte – vegan with non-dairy milk
    • Iced London Fog Tea Latte – vegan with non-dairy milk
    • Iced Peach Green Tea
    • Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade
    • Iced Matcha Tea Latte – vegan with non-dairy milk
    • Iced Green Tea
    • Iced Green Tea Lemonade
    • Iced Matcha Lemonade
    • Iced Passion Tango® Tea
    • Iced Passion Tango® Tea Lemonade

 

  • Cold Drinks

Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade
Photo: Starbucks® / Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade

 

    • Dragon Drink®
    • Mango Dragonfruit
    • Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade
    • Paradise Drink
    • Strawberry Acai
    • Strawberry Acai Lemonade
    • Pineapple Passionfruit
    • Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade
    • Pink Drink
Pink Drink
Photo: Starbucks® / Pink Drink
    • Lemonade
    • Blended Strawberry Lemonade
    • Assorted bottled juices and energy drinks (check ingredients)
    • Bottled water and sparkling water (check ingredients)

 

Vegan Food At Starbucks

Hot Breakfast

Starbucks offers a selection of hot breakfast sandwiches and wraps, but unfortunately, none of these items are vegan.

Try this instead: Peet’s Everything Plant-Based Sandwich

Bakery

Everything Bagel
Photo: Starbucks® / Everything Bagel

None of the cake pops, cookies, croissants, pastries, or muffins are vegan at this time.

Lunch

Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box
Photo: Starbucks® / Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box

The other items on the Lunch menu include a variety of grilled and cold sandwiches, and protein boxes, but other than the Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box, none of these items are currently vegan.

Snacks & Sweets

Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Photo: Starbucks® / Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
  • Justin’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
  • Squirrel Brand® Fruit & Nut Blend
  • Peter Rabbit™ Organics Apple & Grape Pouch
  • Peter Rabbit™ Organics Strawberry Banana
  • Spearmint Gum
  • Salt & Vinegar Kettle Potato Chips
  • Perfectly Salted Chips
  • That’s It Apple + Blueberry Bar
  • That’s It Apple + Mango Bar

Packaged snacks may vary by location and change at any time, so check the ingredients label of the snacks in your local Starbucks. KIND Bars and This Bar Saves Lives bars are not vegan because they all contain honey.

Oatmeal & Yogurt

Strawberry Overnight Grains
Photo: Starbucks® / Strawberry Overnight Grains
  • Rolled & Steel Cut Oatmeal – this oatmeal can be customized with the addition of blueberries, agave nectar, and a “splash” of your preferred non-dairy milk
  • Strawberry Overnight Grains – this breakfast parfait is made with coconut milk

 

Sweeteners

  • Sugar
  • Sugar In The Raw®
  • Splenda
  • Stevia In The Raw®
  • Classic Syrup
  • Liquid Cane Sugar

Syrups

Caramel Syrup
Photo: Starbucks® / Caramel Syrup
  • Almond
  • Brown Sugar
  • Caramel (regular and sugar free)
  • Cinnamon Dolce
  • Gingerbread (seasonal)
  • Hazelnut (regular and sugar free)
  • Peach
  • Peppermint
  • Raspberry
  • Sugar Cookie (seasonal)
  • Toffee Nut
  • Vanilla (regular and sugar free)

The following syrups are NOT vegan: chai (contains honey), white chocolate, pistachio, pumpkin spice

Sauces/Toppings

  • Mocha Sauce
  • Cinnamon (from the self-serve area)
  • Praline pieces (seasonal)
  • Sugar cookie sprinkles (seasonal)

The following sauces are NOT vegan: white chocolate mocha sauce, caramel sauce, dark caramel sauce, pistachio sauce, pumpkin spice, creme brulee sauce

The following toppings are NOT vegan: whipped cream, Frappuccino® chips/java chips, dark chocolate curls, cinnamon dolce topping (the cinnamon dolce syrup is vegan though), cream toppings/cold foams (Irish Cream, Vanilla Cream, Salted Caramel Cream) 

 

How to order vegan at Starbucks

To summarize, here’s how to order vegan at Starbucks:

1.) Ask for plant milk

Starbucks offers soy, almond, oat, and coconut milk.

2.) Order drinks with NO whip

Many drinks can easily be made vegan if you order them with non-dairy milk and no whipped cream.

3.) Try a new flavor syrup or topping

Many of the flavor syrups are accidentally vegan, even the ones that seem like they wouldn’t be, such as the caramel syrup, cinnamon dolce, and toffee nut.

4.) Check the ingredients

When in doubt, check the ingredients. The Starbucks website lists the ingredients for all of its menu items.

 

Vegan Alternatives to Starbucks in the USA

All of Peet’s sauces and syrups are vegan friendly, so most coffee drinks are vegan if ordered with no whip (hello pumpkin spice and chai lattes!). They also have two vegan sandwiches, the Everything Plant-Based Sandwich and Mediterranean Flatbread.

Dunkin’ Donuts offers almond milk as a milk option for all of its drinks and has a few vegan food items such as bagels, English muffins, and avocado toast. Dunkin’ is generally more affordable than Starbucks and some locations have a Baskin Robbins inside, which has non-dairy ice cream and milkshakes.

Tim Horton’s is a Canadian coffee chain with some locations in the Northeast US. They offer almond, coconut, and oat milk.

Colectivo Coffee is a coffee chain with locations in Wisconsin and Illinois. They have all kinds of vegan coffee options and vegan pastries, salads, and sandwiches. 

  • Your local coffee shop

Check out your local coffee shop for plant milk and vegan breakfast and lunch options!

Vegan Starbucks Copycat Recipes

  1. Vegan Caramel Macchiato
  2. Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte
  3. Vegan Frappuccino
  4. Pumpkin Bread
  5. Lemon Loaf
  6. Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew
  7. Double Chocolate Loaf
  8. Vegan Egg Bites
  9. Chickpea Protein Bites
  10. Vegan and Gluten-Free Pumpkin Scones

 

Vegan Starbucks FAQ

Is Starbucks Hot Chocolate vegan?

The Starbucks Hot Chocolate can be made vegan with non-dairy milk and NO whip. The mocha drizzle is vegan.

Is Starbucks Mocha vegan?

The Starbucks Mocha can be made vegan by ordering it with non-dairy milk and NO whip.

Is Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte vegan?

No, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte is not vegan.

Is the Impossible Sandwich at Starbucks vegan?

No, the Impossible Breakfast Sandwich at Starbucks is NOT vegan. The bun contains eggs and butter, the egg patty is made with real eggs, and it is topped with dairy cheese. The only vegan component of the sandwich is the Impossible patty.

Is Starbucks caramel vegan?

Yes and no! The Starbucks caramel syrup that can be added to drinks as a flavor is vegan, but the caramel sauce/drizzle that goes on top of drinks is NOT vegan.

Is Starbucks chai vegan?

The Starbucks chai concentrate used in chai lattes is NOT vegan as it contains honey. However, the hot chai tea is vegan.

Are Starbucks bagels vegan?

Yes, most Starbucks bagels are vegan, aside from non-vegan flavors like cheese. 

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