Starbucks Regulars Tell Tasting Table What They Think Is The Most Overrated Drink

Starbucks is obviously popular. After all, the cafe is a mega-chain for many reasons — or, rather, many drinks. With a secret menu, rewards card options, and locations all over the world, Starbucks has made a name for itself that exceeds its humble origins. According to Starbucks' website, the chain started in 1971 as a one-off coffee store on the streets of Seattle's most famous food market, Pike Place. About a decade later, that simple coffee shop drew inspiration from Italy's coffeehouses and gradually expanded into a full-blown coffee conglomerate.

Since then, Starbucks has amassed an extensive menu and an extensive customer base. And with its prestige has come ever-climbing prices for its signature drinks, and according to USA Today, though demand has slowed, due to inflation, the price is still climbing.

But loyal customers continue to flock to Starbucks locations for their favorite drinks. Yet while the stores certainly have a popular menu, some drinks are better received than others. Tasting Table recently asked 567 people which Starbucks drinks they find to be the most overrated. The survey found that, for many, five popular drinks don't live up to the hype, with seasonal lattes bearing most of the brunt.

Pumpkin spice lattes broke Starbucks' annual sales record this fall ... but are topping yet another list. Of the 567 people who responded to Tasting Table's latest survey, 197 cited the PSL as the beverage chain's most overrated option. This equates to 34.7% of voters who'd rather not order what Starbucks considers fall's most festive drink. Still, People Magazine favors Starbucks' PSL over Dunkin Donuts' seasonal offerings, so not all is lost for the notorious drink. 

The Caramel Macchiato took second place in the ranking. About 18.7% or 106 voters cited the sweet drink among Starbucks' most overrated. The Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso followed suit, with 98 voters, or 17.3% of people, calling it out. The order is not only a mouthful to say, but apparently, it's also a mouthful to drink.

Meanwhile, Peppermint Mochas continued the trend of over-hyped seasonal drinks, as 90 people, or 15.9% voted against the festive order. At the bottom of the list was the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew — the coolest of the options, both in temperature and favor. Only 76 voters — 13.4% of people — cited the drink as overrated. Clearly, the survey proves that no Starbucks concoction comes without its haters, to complement its droves of fans.