Okay, so I’ve been seeing this term “handcrafted beverage” at Starbucks pop up more and more, and I got curious. What the heck does it actually mean? I decided to do a little digging and, well, taste-testing, of course.
My Starbucks Experiment
First, I headed to my local Starbucks. I wanted to get a feel for what they offered beyond the usual lattes and Frappuccinos. I noticed the menu boards now have a specific section for “handcrafted” drinks. It’s not just the usual stuff.
I started by asking the barista – you know, the person actually making the drinks. I straight up asked, “What’s the difference between a regular drink and a ‘handcrafted’ one?”
She explained that basically, “handcrafted” means they’re made to order, from scratch. It’s not just pressing a button on a machine that spits out a pre-mixed concoction. They’re using individual ingredients and putting them together right there.
I decided to try a few. I ordered, and what I found out is a basic coffee is not the same as a handcrafted beverage in starbucks.
- Iced Coffee with Milk. The coffee shop’s own combination of its medium-roast iced coffee blend with milk served chilled and sweetened over ice.
- Cold Brew. Handcrafted in small batches daily, slow-steeped in cool water for 20 hours, without touching heat.
- Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refreshers. This tropical-inspired pick-me-up is crafted with a refreshing combination of sweet mango and dragonfruit flavors, hand shaken with ice and a scoop of real diced dragonfruit.
So, my final take? “Handcrafted beverage” at Starbucks seems to mean they’re putting a bit more effort and individual attention into making your drink. It’s not some magical, completely different process, but it does feel a little less…mass-produced. It’s a nice way to try something a bit different, especially if you’re feeling adventurous beyond your usual Starbucks order.
