21 Best Starbucks Tea Drinks To Order in 2025

It may be called Starbucks Coffee, but the best Starbucks tea gives the chain’s trademark drink a run for its money.

Sure, it might not pack quite the same caffeinated punch as a shot of espresso. But if you’re ever in a coffee rut, there are so many good teas at Starbucks that you have no need to settle for a tired Iced Americano to wake yourself up. 

The best Starbucks tea drinks range from refreshing summer favorites to comforting hot tea blends, and if you know where to look on Starbucks’ vast menu, there’s a perfect drink for nearly every taste.

So next time you pull into the Starbucks drive-through, be ready with your knowledge of the best Starbucks tea drinks. We’ve combed through the Starbucks tea list to find the most popular and refreshing tea-based options, and these 21 best Starbucks teas are all worthy alternatives to your standard coffee order. 

Finding good tea drinks from Starbucks is only a matter of research — and we’ve done that for you. You’re welcome. 

 Jump to Section

• How We Chose the Best Starbucks Teas
• The 21 Best Teas at Starbucks 
• What Is the Best Tea at Starbucks?

How We Chose the Best Starbucks Teas

When it comes to Starbucks, it’s tricky to determine the “best” of anything. The best Starbucks tea is something different to every customer, and finding good teas at Starbucks can feel like wandering aimlessly through a maze.

What’s really worth your hard-earned coffee money? It’s a question worth answering, and one that Cozymeal’s dedicated editorial staff is well-poised to do. 

At Cozymeal, we take pride in being a culinary platform you can trust. Whether you’re reading a new recipe or seeking out the best Starbucks orders to try on your next coffee run, you can be sure that our editorial staff used all its culinary expertise to bring you the quality culinary content you crave.

And this Starbucks tea list is no different. So how exactly did we determine the best Starbucks teas? 

By turning to the people, of course. When it comes to the best Starbucks teas, it’s consumers like you whose opinions count, so we dug deep into the Starbucks fandom to find out what people thought of the coffee chain's many, many tea offerings.

Using customers’ reviews, blogs and popularity stats, we investigated everything from the best hot tea at Starbucks to the best dairy-free options and even which teas rank among the best Starbucks drinks without caffeine. 

These 21 best Starbucks teas are the result of that deep dive, and they had to meet several criteria: 

• Popularity: How frequently does this drink come up in discussions of the best Starbucks teas? 
• Variety: We wanted to include drinks for every taste, from inventive sweet Starbucks drinks to simple, low-fuss options. Teas that had something different to offer were ranked highly. 
• Nutrition: Though we couldn’t only include the healthiest Starbucks drinks on a list of the best Starbucks teas, we wanted to give shout-outs to drinks in popular health niches. Thus, we made a point to include the tastiest sugar-free Starbucks drinks and keto Starbucks drinks, as well as those low in calories and caffeine. 

Drinks that met all or most of these criteria were deemed to be truly worthy of inclusion on a list of the best Starbucks teas. And they made sure that no matter what your taste or needs, there’s a drink on this list that you’ll be able to enjoy.  

The 21 Best Teas at Starbucks

1. Raspberry Iced Tea  

On the coffee side of the aisle, drinks from the Starbucks secret menu can get a little too complicated. Two pumps of this, three splashes of that — neither you nor your barista is likely to get it right the first time.

But when it comes to tea, you might actually be well-served to ask for an off-menu treat: Raspberry Iced Tea makes one of the best Starbucks tea drinks, with only two simple ingredients.

At the time of writing, Starbucks has just brought back the fan-favorite raspberry syrup. Ask for a few pumps of it in a simple iced green or black tea for a drink that’s not only tangy and refreshing, but great for anybody looking for tasty dairy-free options at Starbucks. 

2. Iced Black Tea Lemonade 

Tea and lemonade are pretty perfect together. Anyone who’s ever made a DIY Arnold Palmer by combining iced tea and lemonade from the soft drink dispenser at a restaurant will understand the allure of the combination.

And although it goes by a different name at Starbucks, the same drink is one of the best Starbucks tea drinks. Starbucks’ regular black tea doesn’t have as punchy a flavor as it might, so it really benefits from the addition of tangy lemonade. 

Anyone who finds Starbucks’ black tea a little dull but isn’t satisfied to sweeten the drink with plain old sugar syrup will find a happy medium in this elite summer drink.

There are plenty of tea-lemonade combinations available at Starbucks, several more of which will be featured on this list. But if you really want that classic Arnold Palmer flavor, this one is the best Starbucks tea for you. 

3. Lavender Cream Oat Milk Matcha  

There are an astounding three trending flavors in this thoroughly Gen Z Starbucks order. You’ve got matcha, of course. Now add lavender for subtle floral notes. Then, sub the typical skim milk for oat milk, possibly the most happening of all plant-based milk substitutes.

If you’re old enough for a nine-to-five, it might sound nauseatingly youthful. Ignore that voice in your head: age is just a number, and this is one of the best Starbucks drinks on the planet. Seriously. Lavender is such a calming flavor note that it cuts a lot of the bitterness of the matcha, and you won’t miss the creaminess of dairy much.

Lavender Cream Oat Milk Matcha is about as complex as its name is long. But it’s a fantastic addition to the lineup, quickly becoming one of the best Starbucks tea options if you’re looking for something a little more hipster-coffee-shop than the usual Pink Drink. 

4. Emperor’s Clouds and Mist  

Starbucks isn’t the place to go for top-quality, tea-snob-approved Chinese green tea, but when it shows up, it automatically becomes one of the best Starbucks tea drinks.

Emperor’s Clouds and Mist is a pure green tea, earthy and a little smoky rather than astringent, and of every tea flavor Starbucks stocks, it’s the likeliest to satisfy your craving for something classy. It may not be to everybody’s taste, but for those who like their tea a little complex, this is the best Starbucks tea to try. 

5. London Fog  

Starbucks fanatics have their Chestnut Praline Lattes and their PSLs, but in our humble opinion, there’s a much classier Starbucks fall drink that offers that cozy autumnal vibe year-round. A London Fog Latte starts with an Earl Grey tea base, then adds steamed milk and vanilla syrup for a creamy sip that goes down pleasantly every time.

If you happen to stop by Starbs on a chilly day at the wrong time of year for your favorite seasonal hot drink, a London Fog makes the perfect substitute. Sure, it’s less punchy than a PSL, and some will want an extra pump or two of vanilla to match the sweetness of some other favorites. But a warm London Fog will forever be one of the best Starbucks tea drinks.

6. Iced Green Tea Lemonade  

Start with a black tea base, and a tea-lemonade combo drink is basically an Arnold Palmer. Start with green tea and you get something totally different: a bracingly refreshing sip of caffeine and citrus that feels like summer in a cup.

Iced Green Tea Lemonade is a deceptively simple drink that proves you don’t have to order this summer’s seasonal novelty Frappuccino to get that summery vibe. Similar to the black tea version of the same drink, this tea improves significantly on the slightly bland tea base. 

You might not think the bitterness of green tea would pair well with lemonade, to which we say: just give it a shot. We’re almost certain you’ll see why we and so many other fans consider this to be one of the best Starbucks teas. 

7. Matcha Latte  

Starbucks does matcha better than you’d think. And it’s high time, because an iced matcha is one of the most happening beverages out there right now.

As the use of matcha becomes a top food trend and spreads from specialty tea shops to local cafés, coffee chains and even bakeries (it’s a favorite dessert flavor, too), it’s great to see Starbucks nail the earthy, grainy flavor that defines a good matcha. 

With its decidedly acquired taste, matcha is one of those things most people either love or don’t from the first sip. Our recommendation for first-timers is this slightly more mainstream drink: like many other tea flavors, matcha tends to be more approachable when it’s warm.

The smooth texture of milk is a great counterbalance to the graininess of the matcha powder, and many swear by it as one of the best Starbucks tea drinks. Take it up a notch on the trendy scale by substituting whole milk for your favorite plant-based milk. 

8. Peach Green Tea Lemonade  

You could order your tea with a million pumps of syrup. Or you could opt for one of Starbucks’ universally stellar peach tea drinks, all of which use real peach juice instead of flavored corn syrup as a sweetener. They’re pretty much all among the best Starbucks teas, but this one deserves special praise.

Even without lemonade, this one is a winner. Mildly sweet peach is a great complement for bitter green tea, putting this drink on track already to be one of the best Starbucks teas. But the tangy kick of lemonade makes it even better, and unless you’re really committed to keeping the sugar content down, there’s no reason not to order the deluxe version. 

9. Iced Passion Tango Tea  

We’re going to go out on a very biased limb here and make a bold claim: Passion Tango is the best tea base at Starbucks. You may be partial to matcha, Mint Majesty or even basic green tea, but we stand firm in our assertion that this fruity tropical tea is by far the best. It’s one of the only tea flavors we would go out of our way to order solo.

That’s all thanks to its bright, punchy flavor profile. Hibiscus, lemongrass and apple seem like odd flavors to combine, but they give this tea a fruity yet floral flavor that hits every time. Make this your summer pick if you’re trying to keep it low-sugar.

10. Honey Citrus Mint Tea  

The best hot tea at Starbucks doesn’t have to involve tons of cream, sweetener or fuss. You’ll get two ingredients combined in what is indisputably the best tea for a sore throat: tea and honey. This Starbucks tea also has hints of citrus and mint, which are also great for when you’re feeling a little under the weather.

This hot drink brings together the sweetness of Starbucks’ in-house Peach Tranquility tea, the soothing tang of its Jade Citrus Mint flavor and a little bit of honey for extra throat-coating comfort. 

Whether you’re feeling a little bit under the weather or you’re just looking for the healthiest Starbucks drinks, this hot tea concoction is one of your best bets for all things comforting. Starbucks hot tea can be a little boring on its own, but combine two flavors, and you have one of the best Starbucks tea drinks on the menu. 

11. Strawberry Matcha Frappuccino  

Starbucks has really been pushing matcha specialty drinks lately, but this one truly is one of the best Starbucks tea drinks. Matcha and strawberry cold foam seem like a bizarre combination, but strawberry is the perfect choice for a fruity complement to matcha: like lemonade, it’s both sweet and tart enough to hold its own.

Plus, with the addition of the strawberry cold foam, you’re in new textural territory. Matcha naysayers whose primary objection is on the grounds of texture (fair enough) should see if they don’t find the Strawberry Matcha Frappuccino to be one of the best Starbucks teas in spite of that. 

12. Royal English Breakfast Tea 

If you must have black tea at Starbucks, there’s no question about it: this is the best Starbucks tea to order. Royal English Breakfast Tea is earthy, malty and lemony, gently offering the caffeine kick you need to start your day. It’s great, of course, with cream and sugar, but can also be enjoyed as is if you want a low-calorie option. 

13. Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte 

What we said about the plain tea, but now with the addition of steamed milk. Although there are milk teas on the secret menu, this might actually be the best version on the regular menu.

Oh, and it’s kind of the best Starbucks tea to pair with your go-to item from the Starbucks breakfast menu. If you’re starting your morning at Starbs, the Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte seems like a natural choice. 

14. Iced Matcha Lemonade  

"More matcha?", you might be asking. And you’re well within your rights to do so: we know this list is full of ‘em. But even if you haven’t quite acquired the taste for matcha yet, you might find this to be one of the best Starbucks tea blends.

Lemonade really does make pretty much everything better, and that includes matcha. All the things that typically put people off — its grassy taste, its grainy texture, its overpowering mouthfeel — are a lot less noticeable when you mix in something sweet and acidic like lemonade. 

This isn’t one of the more obvious tea-lemonade combinations on the Starbucks menu, but it’s an inspired one. One of the best Starbucks tea options you’d never see coming. 

15. Chai Latte  

Chai is having its moment in U.S. coffee shops. Thanks to the influence of major chains like Starbucks, this lightly spiced South Asian tea has been doing numbers in recent years. It simply had to make this list of the best Starbucks teas, but how good is it, really?

Look, we’ll be honest: this is not the queen of all chai lattes. It’s sweeter than it is spicy, and it can’t entirely replicate the warming coziness of a homemade cup of chai. But for a chai latte at a coffee chain, it’s a pretty darn good imitation. The right spice and smoothness are there, even if they’re not as intense as you might hope. 

So should you go to Starbucks hoping for a perfectly authentic chai? Decidedly not. But it’ll warm you up like nothing else on Starbucks’ menu, and in our book, that’s good enough to make it one of the best Starbucks tea drinks. 

16. Peach Tranquility  

Tea doesn’t need twelve pumps of vanilla syrup to be sweet, at least not if you’re willing to appreciate the subtleties of a good herbal blend. With notes of citrus, pineapple and most prominently peach, this refreshing green tea is one of the most appealing base flavors Starbucks has to offer.

You could certainly sweeten this flavor with honey, or order it in the form of a latte for a little more body and substance. But even in its purest form, Peach Tranquility ranks among the best Starbucks tea drinks for its soothing aroma and subtle sweetness. For those used to ordering uber-sweet blended teas, it's a lovely change of pace.  

17. Iced Strawberry Oat Matcha Latte 

If you like the idea of the Strawberry Matcha Frappuccino but find the sweetness and creaminess to be a bit much, there’s a perfect alternative in the Strawberry Oat Matcha Latte. This drink starts with a simple tea base instead of a blended cream one, and rather than strawberry cold foam, it gets its fruity flavor from dehydrated strawberries.

It’s the Frappuccino if it were a lot more refreshing and a lot less likely to put you in a sugar coma. For that, it’s worth a mention as one of the best Starbucks tea flavors. 

18. Iced Passion Tango Lemonade  

We’ve already praised Iced Passion Tango tea to the skies, and we’ve also firmly established that lemonade makes everything better. So are you the slightest bit surprised that we think they combine to make one of the best, if not the best, Starbucks teas on the current menu?

We cannot overstate how obsessed we are with this perfectly tangy tropical treat. So bright, so refreshing, such blessed relief for anyone looking high and low for Starbucks drinks without caffeine and coming up short. It slaps, y’all. 

19. Iced Chai Latte 

Lest you protest that it’s cheating to include a single drink twice, you should know that the iced and hot variants on Starbucks’ signature chai latte are entirely different drinks.

We’d actually argue that the iced variant is even more worthy of inclusion on a list of the best Starbucks drinks, because it’s going in a nontraditional direction already. Notably, its Starbucks-ified sweetness isn’t as noticeable. Instead, it’s icy, spicy and an utter delight. 

20. Raspberry Milk Tea 

Not quite a Pink Drink, not quite a proper milk tea — this secret menu recipe is a little bit hard to describe. But now that raspberry syrup is back in stores, you have no excuse not to go out and taste it.

The recipe is simple: order a black tea, but substitute the milk or cream of your choice for water. Then add one pump of toffee nut syrup, one pump of classic syrup and one pump of raspberry. The result is as close as you’ll get to proper milk tea at Starbucks (until they inevitably decide to get into the boba business, that is).

Fruity but still decidedly sweet, Raspberry Milk Tea is a great choice if you need a little caffeine but you really wish you could order a Pink Drink instead. Underrated, but still one of the best Starbucks teas on the secret menu. 

21. Mint Majesty  

Finally, sometimes the best Starbucks tea doesn’t require any frills. A simple cup of hot tea is keto-friendly, dairy-free, sugar-free, low in calories — you name it. And if you’re looking for a drink that calms and centers you instead of revving you up with caffeine, you can hardly do better at Starbucks than this soothing, minty herbal brew.

Mint Majesty is a simple but elegant blend of mint and lemon verbena flavors. It’s perfect iced or cold, before work or after. Its calming flavors also make it one of the best teas for sleep if you’re picking up a drink after a long day. 

And though it’s a perfect drink choice for easing back into your Starbucks routine after you’ve been sick, fans find it just as comforting on an ordinary day. 

What Is the Best Tea at Starbucks?

If you’re looking for the most popular orders to determine the best Starbucks teas, the  Green Tea Latte is the clear winner, being one of the most ordered drinks at Starbucks as of 2023, according to Enterprise Apps Today.

But word of mouth says that Iced Peach Green Tea Lemonade and a classic matcha or chai, whether iced or hot, top many customers’ lists of the best Starbucks tea drinks. This time, thanks to its versatility and happening cultural moment, we’ll give the nod to matcha. 

What Is the Best Hot Tea at Starbucks? 

Not many hot teas at Starbucks can touch Peach Tranquility. Sure, the London Fog gives the deceptively simple tea a run for its best-Starbucks-tea money, but in the end, nothing beats out the beautiful simplicity of plain tea done well. Sweet and soothing without inducing a sugar rush — what more could you ask for? 

What Is the Best Iced Tea at Starbucks? 

Mileage may vary here, but it’s our strongly-held belief that not even the best Starbucks tea drinks top Passion Tango in the iced tea department. Not only is it the best flavor on its own, but you also have the option of adding lemonade, which makes it even more irresistible. Plus, name a more photogenic iced tea drink — we’ll wait.

However, as mentioned, many also rank iced matcha as the best tea at Starbucks. With this beverage's popularity increasing, you may see it ranked as the absolute best Starbucks tea within the next few years. 

Most of us go to Starbucks already certain of what we’ll order, and that’s a shame. There’s so much more to enjoy at the world’s most ubiquitous coffee chain than your standard day-to-day order, and there’s a whole universe of the best Starbucks tea drinks waiting out there for you to try.

So why not mix it up? With these 21 best Starbucks teas, you’re sure to be able to find a new favorite. 

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