18 Absolute Best Starbucks Chocolate Drinks, Ranked

White, milk, dark. Devil's food, German, lava. From cakes and cookies to fountains and fro-yo, we love our chocolate in so many forms. It's one of the few delicacies that boasts multiple heaven-made matches, like strawberries, nuts, even potato chips, and, of course, coffee. Both chocolate and coffee have been around for a couple of thousand years, giving us humans plenty of time to fine-tune the harmony of two of our favorite tastes.

Starbucks, on the other hand, has only existed for a few decades, but it has gotten the marriage of coffee and chocolate down pat. Whether you like steamy mochas, crafty cold brews, or a blended treat that tastes straight from the cookie jar, Starbucks' chocolate drinks appeal to the chocoholic in all of us. The Starbucks drink menu has its fair share of cocoa-based staples, but there are some simple secret treats to satiate the sweet tooth, too. We picked an assortment of chocolatey choices and ranked them on taste, drinkability, and scale ranking on the choc-o-meter.

CoffeeTok, you've let us down. This secret Starbucks menu recipe popped off on TikTok over the summer, so we, of course, had to give it a chance in our chocolate bracket. You can order the TikTok iced white mocha by ordering a white mocha over ice, topped with sweet cream cold foam, and adding caramel drizzle both in the cup and on top. Sounds delectable, right?

But, the amount of vanilla in the cold foam and caramel in the drizzle is far too minuscule to impact the drink's taste at all. Only if you catch a few sips of the cold foam before it dissolves do you get a hint of anything that differentiates this drink from a plain old iced white mocha. After the foam settles, the tiny bit of caramel and vanilla are completely lost in the drink's sweetness. The white mocha sauce in general usually creates a sweeter drink, thanks to its higher sugar content, so the add-ins to this very overhyped drink are just an added expense to your Starbucks run.

However, because this is the chocoholic's countdown, we felt this drink still deserved at least a spot on the list, even if it's last place. If you want caramel and white mocha in your iced latte, just ask for an iced caramel white mocha. The vanilla cold foam, in our opinion, is entirely futile on this one. Back to the drawing board, TikTokers.

It doesn't get much simpler than mocha sauce and steamed milk — these are the two lone components of a Starbucks hot chocolate, plus a swirl of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle (which melts into the hot drink immediately, of course). It might be quite an unassuming beverage, but there are ways to transform this long-loved winter classic into a creamy, decadent treat that'll make Ghirardelli himself salivate.

Sadly, Starbucks seems to have missed out on the opportunity to master this basic staple in chocolate craft drinks. The perfect hot chocolate is full-bodied with a heavy mouthfeel, as smooth as heavy cream without the filminess. Our Starbucks hot cocoa was unfortunately the opposite: thin and watery, with a standard chocolate flavor but no velvety texture or depth. It's the perfect drink to appease children when they accompany you in the drive-through, but — no hate to our baristas, they make the drink well — the standard Starbucks hot chocolate lacks in personality.

Make this drink more of an experience by asking for your hot chocolate as a breve, or adding your favorite secondary flavor like cinnamon dolce, caramel, or raspberry. However, we think the best advice is to find (or create!) your favorite hot chocolate recipe — using cream, high-quality bittersweet chocolate, vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon, and a sprinkle of salt — to make the ultimate hot chocolate right in your cozy kitchen. No Swiss Miss needed.

Another classic for the chocolate connoisseur, the Starbucks white chocolate mocha is made with espresso, white chocolate sauce, and steamed milk. While it may sound basic enough, this drink is a saccharine explosion of chocolate. White chocolate is already higher in sugar than dark or milk, and, combined with the sweetness of steamed milk, this white mocha will be an affront to your taste buds if you aren't used to drinking melted ice cream.

Of course, since it is extremely chocolatey, the white mocha will rank well on our list over its few predecessors, but not by much. One of our biggest desires for this drink is to mature the flavor profile a bit to take away from the sweetness — but white mocha is not a flavor that meshes well with milk alternatives. Coconutmilk (Starbucks' version of coconut milk isn't actually coconut milk, FYI, which is why it's spelled as one word instead of two) is an option if you enjoy the taste, and soy is quite universal, but those still won't do enough to course-correct this drink's flavor. Instead, there seems to be a missing component to the flavor entirely, an element that the taste buds are left craving after. Is it a shot of tart raspberry? A swirl of savory pumpkin? A bite of cool peppermint? That's up to you to decide.

Whether you prefer an iced or hot caffè mocha, the contents of each version are nearly the same. An iced version includes ice (of course), a milk of your choice, espresso, and the mocha sauce found in many other popular Starbucks drinks. Unfortunately, the iced caffè mocha has often been a mixed bag whenever we've ordered it in the past, so it comes in the lower half of our rankings.

For starters, whether or not your barista takes the extra time to melt the mocha and espresso together before adding any milk is crucial. This is an especially important step in an iced caffè mocha, since the only warm addition going into the drink is espresso.

Additionally, though this iced drink is certainly chocolatey, the mocha sauce is a little bit on the bitter side. Granted, Starbucks doesn't really have an option for other brown chocolate types, so if you're looking for a way to sweeten up your order, consider opting for a tuxedo mocha. Take half of the mocha pumps and replace them with white chocolate mocha. When combined, the two chocolate sauces will become more like a creamy and sweet milk chocolate, which may make the drink more enjoyable.

The double chocolatey chip crème Frappuccino and the chocolate cookie crumble cream Frappuccino are remarkably similar drinks. The only distinction between the two is the cookie crumbles found on top of the so-named Frappuccino, whereas the double chocolatey chip crème option only has a mocha drizzle. Given the similarities, if a location is out of mocha drizzle (or has a new barista), you may order a double chocolatey chip crème Frappuccino and end up with cookie crumble sprinkles instead — as happened to us.

Now, although the barista didn't follow the precise recipe with our beverage — and missed accurately topping the whipped cream with just mocha drizzle — the actual liquid of the drink was made exactly as Starbucks intended. The double chocolate chip gets its name from the mocha sauce and Frappuccino chips that are blended together. To be fair, the flavors here are quite good and taste sweeter than a typical mocha Frappuccino because it uses a cream base.

However, the biggest problem this one suffers from is texture. The added chips create a tasty flavor, but they don't fully mix into the drink, which isn't exactly preferable with a chocolate milkshake-type drink. Some may enjoy chewing on little bits as they slurp. But it's not our favorite mix-in, and it's ranked in the bottom half as a result.

If you were to take the tongue-twisting chocolate cookie crumble Frappuccino and use a coffee base rather than a cream one, you'd end up with the mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino. In other words, this chocolate Starbucks drink has both mocha sauce and chocolate chips mixed throughout, just like the aforementioned option. However, unlike other Frappuccino options made with chips, the chocolate specks appeared to be more evenly mixed in this version, and we weren't forced to chew our drink as a result.

Whether this occurred because of our particular barista or the composition of the drink itself is anyone's guess. But we definitely preferred the texture of the coffee-based mocha cookie crumble Frappuccino to the lower-ranked Starbucks chocolate beverages. Frankly, if you're looking for a something slightly sweeter than a typical mocha Frappuccino, this Starbucks chocolate drink offers some solid middle ground between that and a tuxedo mocha flavor.

If you enjoy a mocha but want the flavors more thoroughly combined, you're likely to favor a mocha Frappuccino. This coffee-based drink uses the Frappuccino roast coffee blend, mocha syrup, your chosen milk, and ice to create something like a chocolate coffee milkshake. In fact, even though it's caffeinated, this Starbucks chocolate drink leans more toward an ice cream shop creation than a beverage made in a bustling coffee shop.

Now, the Frappuccino is a generally agreeable drink — especially with the whipped cream on top — and chocolate is a widely enjoyed flavor, so the mocha option is an easy go-to for many patrons. That also makes this a good option for newer customers who are attempting to figure out their favorite Starbucks order.

Additionally, you can even ask for a shot of espresso to be blended right in with your mocha Frappuccino if you're looking to strengthen it overall. In terms of consistency, this is more preferable to an iced mocha that only has espresso mildly melted into the mocha sauce, but it wasn't better than the higher-ranked chocolate drinks.

For every chocolate obsessor out there, there's a coffee drinker who prefers a more understated current of the flavor. This is exhibited to perfection in Starbucks' iced chocolate almondmilk Shaken Espresso. Just because this drink is modestly flavored does not make it unsophisticated. Crafted with the chain's chocolate malt powder, blonde espresso, and almondmilk (no, that's not a typo, that's how Starbucks spells it), the resulting profile is simple and elegant, like a kiss on the cheek from chocolate rather than being slapped in the face by it. It won't stand up to the biggest ravenous sweet tooth, but a coffee lover who occasionally seeks to indulge in a little something will find delight in the modest chocolate in this shaken espresso.

But without a dessert-esque sweetness and intense cocoa flavor, this one will probably hold little appeal to chocoholics. The almond flavor of the milk speaks louder than the chocolate and malt, leaving much to be desired when the chocolate hankering is strong. A shot of mocha sauce might help but could derail the flavor of this drink significantly. Additionally, since this Starbucks chocolate drink isn't currently offered on the menu as of May 2024, you'll need to make some specific customizations to another drink to enjoy this one.

While it is an acquired taste, espresso can take on an entirely different identity when consumed without the hindrance of steamed milk. Milk tastes sweeter after it is heated, so coffee drinkers without a sweet tooth may avoid lattes altogether, opting to enjoy the flavor of strong coffee on its own.

There's nothing wrong with adding a touch of flavor to your caffeine, though, and that's what you can do with the triple shot mocha, which is simply a triple shot accompanied by a pump of bittersweet mocha sauce. This chocolate drink deserves a spot on the list but it is far from a crowd pleaser. The espresso is robust and may seem bitter to some, the mocha is intense but barely sweet, and there's no creamy milk to make it all more palatable. We akin this drink to ultra-dark chocolate, like over 80% cacao; you're certainly not putting this on your s'mores, but some may enjoy taking small nibbles.

Every now and again, you see a seemingly new drink pop up at Starbucks that isn't necessarily a whole new item. Rather, it's a creative augmentation of an already existing menu item — and the chocolate hazelnut cookie cold brew is one such item. Although this drink is no longer on the base menu as of May 2024, with some simple swaps and additions, it's easy to order.

Begin by asking for a chocolate cream cold brew with hazelnut syrup rather than vanilla syrup in the cold brew. Then, ask your barista to include some of the cookie crumble topping pieces on top of the chocolate cold foam. If you're a fan of hazelnut, you may ask your barista to add a few more pumps of hazelnut than they typically would to make sure the flavor really comes forward. After all, it's definitely going to be contending with the cold brew, which can be a little overpowering compared to syrup editions (which helped keep this in the middle of our rankings).

The two biggest customization factors here — the cookie crumble topping and the chocolate cream cold foam – are the pieces that need to be in stock in order for you to order this one. Without these pivotal ingredients, you're not going to be able to order the same kind of drink that once graced the menu. But if they are, you're apt to enjoy this chocolatey Starbucks beverage.

Does it look like a lot is going on in this Frappuccino? That's because there is complete chaos in this Frappuccino — but we're kind of here for it. Allow us to introduce the secret menu Twix Frappuccino, a fan creation that is made by asking for a caramel crème Frappuccino, two pumps of hazelnut syrup, java chips, blending the whipped cream in, lining the cup with caramel drizzle and topping it off with a zigzag of mocha. Your taste buds will thank you if you're both a chocolate and caramel fan.

This incredibly sweet Frap tastes good — how can it not? — but we were sad to discover that it tastes much more like hazelnut and caramel than chocolate. It does a surprisingly good job of imitating the Twix flavor, but we'd hoped to see a stronger chocolate taste — and you can forget about tasting coffee, too, since it's wholly drowned out by everything else going on here.

We think this one is on the right track to be a luscious dessert-time treat, but we need the chocolate flavor to really serve if it's going to be on our chocoholic's guide to Starbucks.

Starbucks' chocolate cookie crumble crème Frappuccino — try ordering that five times fast. This drink is the lovechild of a bakery and a coffee shop: It is sugary, it is heavy, and it is death by chocolate in its purest form. Frappuccino chips and mocha sauce are blended with milk and ice, poured over layers of whipped cream and chocolate cookie crumble, then crowned with a pillowy top of whipped cream, mocha drizzle, and — yes, there's more — more chocolate cookie crumble.

With essentially no non-chocolate components and even no coffee, this one is truly the cocoa fanatic's paradise. Each drink brings layer upon layer of rich chocolate flavor, while the Frap chips and cookie crumble help keep things interesting with a different texture. There is very little to enjoy flavor-wise besides chocolate here (even our bottom whipped cream layer was quickly engulfed, to our immense sadness), which is just what some people want to hear. If you've got a bigger obsession with the cocoa bean than Willy Wonka, nothing at Starbucks will bring you more satisfaction than this.

Don't underestimate the power of this simple, three-ingredient drink. Dark mocha, smooth espresso, and creamy steamed milk unite in an uncomplicated yet refined Starbucks menu staple. We are talking about chocolate here, of course, so it could be disappointing or delightful that the brand's robustly bittersweet mocha sauce almost completely overpowers the espresso in this craft beverage (such a shame). We recommend using oat or almond milk to add another layer of depth to the timeless mocha. The steamed milk alternative will also likely taste less sweet than the standard cow's milk, helping to bring out a stronger coffee element in this Starbs classic.

Or, if you are lucky enough to live near a Starbucks Reserve location, opt for the Reserve Dark chocolate mocha. The small-batch espresso and cocoa powder will put on an entirely different performance than the standard ingredients (in the absolute best way possible, of course).

Even when the degrees outside drop to the negatives, we will always recommend the frozen blended white mocha over the hot or iced white mocha every time. In this cold coffee treat, the flavor is far closer to dessert than it is to espresso, but the components are still on an evening playing field. As a cold blended drink, the white mocha combined with milk is so much easier to drink. The intensely sweet white mocha flavor is much more balanced with the coffee, giving the Frappuccino roast a chance to collaborate with the chocolate.

The hot white mocha felt like it was hollow somewhere, missing a complementary taste or maybe just too sugary-sweet to the point where enjoyability was lost. Although, in good news, the white chocolate is still very intense, so no chocolatey flavor is being missed out on here. The frozen version is 10 times more level and compatible, and the white mocha stands all on its own without a secondary flavor — although we would recommend blending pumpkin sauce or chai syrup into a frozen white mocha if you want to create an entirely different drink.

The chocolate cream cold brew joined the Starbucks lineup not long ago, debuting on the menu in 2022. The drink is made by sweetening cold brew with vanilla syrup, then topping the brew off with a cap of chocolate malt cold foam. This drink was one of many Starbucks icons of that summer, but (at least we think) it unfairly lost some spotlight to the following releases of teas and summer refreshers at Starbucks, a disappointment considering the quality of the drink.

Malt is such an unexpected and underrated addition to the chocolate-coffee duo. The vanilla sweetening is just subtle enough that you aren't jarred by a sour cold brew, letting the clear centerpiece of the drink — the chocolate cold foam — shine. The cold foam takes a while to settle into the coffee, so be sure not to sip it all up while you're waiting because you're definitely going to want those two components to incorporate. Once the two are finally mixed, the sweet and creamy chocolate combines with smooth and bold coffee. The perfect equilibrium of the flavors is worth celebrating with a third-place ranking, and even if this amount of chocolate isn't enough for you, you can always ask for a pump of mocha sauce in your cold brew to take it from chocolatier to chocolatiest.

Some drinks just taste like a particular season, and Starbucks peppermint mocha is that type of beverage. The combination of the rich chocolate and bright peppermint tastes like chilled air and excitement all wrapped up in the winter holidays. While we adore ordering one of these drinks when Starbucks is in full holiday mode during the end of each year, you may be surprised to learn that peppermint mochas need not be relegated to a limited, seasonal drink.

This not-so-secret menu order merely requires adding peppermint to a mocha drink. Though this one can be ordered hot or cold, the hot variety offers a nice mix of the coolness from the peppermint and the warming feel of the hot chocolate. In fact, if you're looking for a caffeine-free Starbucks drink, asking for peppermint to be added to a hot chocolate is a delicious, evening-friendly drink — particularly when you're longing for a tingly, wintery option. Hence, it ranks near the top.

When you think of chocolate and coffee at Starbucks, there's a good chance you think of the Java Chip Frappuccino,a cocoa-goodness-packed option that combines mocha sauce, Frappuccino chips, Frappuccino roast, and milk. This frozen concoction is a great wait to get your chocolate and coffee fixes while also cooling off in the warmer weather.

While it is among the sweeter chocolate trips Starbucks has to offer, the java chips help cut the toothache sugar-packed mouthfeel that the Chocolate Cookie Crumble Creme Frappuccino brings. We strongly preferred the deep mocha richness of this one, but that's because we are going to want a coffee-forward drink if we are at Starbucks. We can't deny the Java Chip Frap's classic creamy texture, cocoa abundance, and prevalent taste of Frappuccino roast. It's the ultimate coffee-chocolate collaboration. Its simplicity but hearty fulfillment of our chocolate cravings kept this drink high in the rankings, but we had to tack one off because this tried-and-true menu resident lacks the ingenuity of our first-place winner.

Juicy strawberries dunked in rich chocolate shall no longer have to be a Valentine's Day specialty. To order this secret Starbucks menu item, ask for a cold brew with mocha and raspberry flavors in the coffee, and have the baristas top the cold brew with cold foam that's been mixed with strawberry puree.

Heavenly is what comes to mind with this drink. The first sips are pure, creamy, and strawberry, but if you give the foam and cold brew a minute to mingle, this drink tastes like it's right out of a heart-shaped box. We were unsure of the raspberry in this recipe, but its tartness helps to elevate the fruity flavor without overpowering the strawberry. The berry tones are accentuated by Starbucks' smooth cold brew and rich mocha; what you end up with is a secret menu beverage that's perfectly sweet, intricately layered, and a rare perfect twin of the flavor it's meant to replicate. No Valentine needed, thank you.

When ranking these handcrafted Starbucks drinks, we ordered them off the menu and then tasted each one, assessing its overall flavor, enjoyment factor, and texture. Then, we ranked the various chocolate beverages from worst to best based on those factors. How much we enjoyed a drink and its flavor largely determined how high or low it ranked on this list. Additionally, the opinions expressed in this article are based on the first-hand assessment of the writers.