Starbucks Drink Recipes and Standards
Milk and Optional Shots
2% milk
Optional shots
Latte Variations
Upside Down Latte:
1% milk
Whole milk
Ristretto
Mocha / White Mocha
Taste: Chocolate or creamy vanilla.
Shots:
S: 1
T: 1
G: 2
V: 2
Sauce pumps:
S: 2
T: 3
G: 4
V: 5
Latte base
Syrup
Milk: Steamed milk, topped with whipped cream.
Key Memory: Latte + mocha sauce + whip.
Espresso Macchiato
Espresso:
Solo = 1
Doppio = 2
Milk: Just foam (dollop).
Key Memory: Espresso "marked" with foam. Tiny, bold.
Caffè Misto
Milk: Steamed milk.
Coffee: Brewed coffee (fill halfway).
Key Memory: Half brewed coffee, half milk. Simple mix.
Americanos
Caffè Americano
Taste: Smoky, bold.
Shots:
S: 1
T: 2
G: 3
V: 4
Water: Fill to 1/4" below rim.
Key Memory: Espresso + hot water. Strong & simple.
Shaken Espresso Drinks
Iced Shaken Espresso
Shots:
T: 2
G: 3
V: 4
Classic Syrup:
T: 1
G: 2
V: 3
Milk: 2% to top.
Key Memory: Shake espresso + classic + ice top with milk.
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
Shots: 2, 3, 4 (Blonde)
Syrup: 1, 2, 3
Cinnamon powder: 2 shakes
Milk: Oatmilk
Key Memory: Brown sugar + cinnamon + blonde espresso.
Cortado
Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado
Size: Short only
Shots: 3 (Blonde)
Syrup: 2 brown sugar
Milk: Oatmilk
Topping: Dash of cinnamon
Key Memory: Cortado = strong & creamy = 3 ristretto + oatmilk.
Chai Latte
Chai Latte
Milk: Steamed milk
Concentrate Pumps: 2, 3, 4, 5
Water: Fill halfway with hot water
Key Memory: Chai = spicy tea base + milk + water.
Helpful Syrup & Shot Standards Summary
Size | Shots (Standard Espresso) | Syrup Pumps |
|---|---|---|
S | 1 | 2 |
T | 1 | 3 |
G | 2 | 4 |
V | 2 | 5 |
Exceptions:
Americanos: 1, 2, 3, 4 shots
Flat White (Ristretto): 2, 2, 3, 3
Shaken Espressos: 2, 3, 4 (Blonde)
Flavored Macchiatos Syrup: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Caramel Macchiato (Hot & Iced)
Drink ID: CM (hot) / ICM (iced)
Taste: Vanilla + espresso + caramel
Espresso: Signature
Texture: Creamy with layered shots
Milk: 2% (standard)
Key Trait: Upside-down layered drink - shots go last, on top.
Hot Caramel Macchiato Steps:
Steam Milk
Use standard 2% milk
Aerate 1-3 seconds (not too foamy)
Pump Vanilla Syrup (NOT caramel!)
S: 1
T: 2
G: 3
V: 4
Pour Milk (no foam, just silky milk)
Queue Shots
S: 1
T: 1
G: 2
V: 2
(Pour espresso on top)
Finish with Caramel Drizzle
Signature crosshatch + circle pattern
Iced Caramel Macchiato Steps:
Pump Vanilla Syrup
T: 3
G: 4
V: 6
Cold Milk to Top Line
Add Ice (just below cup rim)
Pour Espresso Shots Over Ice (Layered effect!)
T: 1
G: 2
V: 3
Top with Caramel Drizzle
Same signature drizzle pattern
Pro Tips to Memorize:
Macchiato = Shots go LAST.
Vanilla in the bottom, caramel on top.
Layered = no stir.
Iced has more vanilla than hot.
Always use 2% milk unless customized.
Quick Shot + Syrup Reference (Hot Drinks)
Drink | Shots (S/T/G/V) | Syrup Pumps (S/T/G/V) |
|---|---|---|
Latte | 1/1/2/2 | 2/3/4/5 |
Cappuccino | 1/1/2/2 | 2/3/4/5 |
Mocha/White Mocha | 1/1/2/2 | 2/3/4/5 |
Americano | 1/2/3/4 | |
Flat White | 2/2/3/3 (Ristretto) | |
Espresso Macchiato | 1/- | - |
Espresso Shot Standards (HOT & ICED)
| Drink | S | T | G | V |
| :------------------------ | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: |
| Latte/Capp / Mocha | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Americano | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Flat White (Ristretto) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Iced Shaken Espresso | | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Frappuccino (Espresso base) | | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Tip: Flat Whites get 1 extra ristretto shot!
Syrup Pump Standards (Full Dose Pumps)
| Drink | S | T | G | V |
| :------------------------ | :-: | :-: | :-: | :-: |
| Latte / Mocha / Capp / Misto | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Iced Latte / Mocha / Capp | | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Flavored Macchiatos | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Hot: 5) |
| Shaken Espresso | | 1/2 | 2/3 | 3/4 |
Use Mocha Sauce, not syrup, for mochas.
Blonde Espresso = lighter, smoother taste.
Iced Shaken Espresso (ISE)
Drink ID: SE
Flavor: Caramelly espresso
Texture: Thin to medium body
Espresso: Signature
Steps:
T: 2 shots, 1 pump
G: 3 shots, 2 pumps
V: 4 shots, 3 pumps
Add ice to ice line
Pour espresso over ice
Shake 10 times
Top with 2% milk to 1/4" below rim
Use strawless lid
TIP to memorize: "Shots first, syrup second, ice shake milk-done."
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso (BOSE)
Espresso: Blonde
Syrup: Brown Sugar
Milk: Oatmilk
Flavor: Brown sugar & cinnamon
Steps:
T: 2 shots, 1 pump
G: 3 shots, 2 pumps
V: 4 shots, 3 pumps.
Add 2 shakes cinnamon
Add ice to shaker
Shake 10 times
Top with Oatmilk, strawless lid
TIP: "BOSE = Brown sugar, Oatmilk, Shake Espresso"
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado (BOCOR)
Only Short size!
3 Blonde Ristretto shots
2 pumps brown sugar syrup
Steam Oatmilk to short line
2 cinnamon shakes (swirled in)
Finish: 1/4" foam + dash of cinnamon on top
TIP: "Cortado = short & strong. Steam first, cinnamon swirl."
Cold Brew Routine
Label cup
Add syrup (if needed)
Add Cold Brew
Add ice to top line
Add cold foam, milk, or toppings if customized
TIP: "Label, syrup, brew, ice - chill and serve."
Iced Coffee Routine
Label
Syrup pumps:
S: 3
T: 4
G: 6
V: 7
Iced coffee to top line
Ice to lid
TIP: "Syrup, brew, ice- quick and nice."
Shaken Teas & Refreshers
Routine Order:
Label cup
Pour base
Add water, lemonade, or milk
Add inclusions
Ice to shaker line
Shake 10 times
Pour and serve
Examples:
Iced Passion Tango Tea Lemonade = PTL
Strawberry Açaí Refresher with Lemonade = SARL
Dragon Drink = Mango base + Coconutmilk + inclusions
TIP: "Base, water/milk, fruit, ice, shake - chill magic."
Shots and Syrup Cheat Sheet:
Hot Shaken Espresso:
Short: 2 shots, 2 syrup
Tall: 2 shots, 3 syrup
Grande: 3 shots, 4 syrup
Venti: 4 shots, 5 syrup
Matcha:
Tall: 2 scoops
Grande: 3 scoops
Venti: 4 scoops
Cold Drinks:
Frapps: -1 pump of Syrup
Flat White: +1 shot of espresso; whole milk
Cold Brew:
Tall: 1 syrup
Grande: 2 syrup
Venti: 3 syrup
Trenta: 4 syrup
Frappuccino:
Tall: 2 Frap roast base
Grande: 3 Frap roast base
Venti: 4 Frap roast base
Americano: +1 shot of espresso
Chai Frap:
Tall: 2 syrup
Grande: 3 syrup
Venti: 4 syrup