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How to Order Liquid Cocaine & Other Crazy Drinks Off the Starbucks Secret Menu

Oct 1, 2014 11:18 PM

Oct 2, 2014 02:12 AM

Three Starbucks coffee cups in varying flavors.

In-N-Out Burgers on the West Coast is famous for their not-so-secret and secret menus, along with their cheap, no-fuss burgers. Pre-internet, you felt like you were actually part of a small, select club when you knew what secret menu items to order.

But with the advent of the internet, not only can we access pictures of baby animals whenever we might need them (all the time), we can also get the secret menus of other popular food and beverage retailers...including the world's biggest coffee chain, Starbucks.

Know the Recipe Before You Order

Starbucks Secret Menu was created by Starbucks aficionados to collect recipes for various "secret" drinks. Why do they give you recipes? Well, not every barista knows what you mean when you order an OMG! Brownie Frappucino, Harry Potter-friendly Butterbeer, or a Purple Rain Refresher, and you really want to be able to help them out, especially since these special orders can just complicate a barista's workday.

Two milkshake glasses, one green and one pink, topped with whipped cream.

Two Starbucks secret drinks: the Grinch (L) and the Cotton Candy (R).

Keep in mind that the list of secret drinks literally numbers in the hundreds, and for the most part, it is unofficial. Some of the more common secret drinks are over at Hack the Menu, but they give recipes, too. Just err on the side of caution and courtesy and take the recipe with you, in case your local Starbucks doesn't know what the eff goes in a Liquid Cocaine (hint: it is not actual cocaine).

There are also a few mobile apps that give you the secret menu in just a few taps of your touchscreen. For iOS devices, there's Secret Menu for Starbucks ($0.99), and for Android, there's Secret Menu for Starbucks (free, and not related to the iOS one) and Starbucks Secret Menu (free, or $0.99).

Starbucks frappuccinos in pink, light pink, and white cups.

Three secret drinks, L-R: the Cotton Candy, the Neopolitan, and the Horchata.

Speaking of Hack the Menu, they also have secret menu items for many popular chain restaurants, including Burger King, Five Guys, Jamba Juice, and Taco Bell, as well as many other restaurants.

How often do you order off the secret menu? And what's your favorite secret drink? Let us know below!

Cover image via Brand Genetics

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