Before summer comes to a close, we’re drinking all the iced and frozen cocktails we can get our hands on. But since the ongoing pandemic has turned us all into home bartenders — and since Starbucks has over 14,000 U.S. locations offering over 80,000 drink combinations — we’ve decided to get creative by boozifying some of our favorite drinks.
In each recipe below, we’ve spiked 12-ounce (“Tall”) Starbucks iced teas, coffees, and Frappuccinos with liqueurs, wines, hard seltzers, and spirits. A standard pour for spirits and liqueurs is 1.5 ounces. When using wine and hard seltzer, we suggest a 1-to-1 ratio of booze to the original beverage.
Each recipe serves two, but can easily be scaled up or down depending on personal preference. When making these drinks on the go, simply ask your barista for an extra cup to make for easy sharing. Read on for our sweet suggestions.
Iced Pineapple Matcha + Rum
Health cleanse meets beach vacay in this refreshing iced drink. Ginger and pineapple flavors, combined with earthy (and caffeinated) matcha, make for an ideal daytime sipper. Rum takes this drink to the next level, adding to its tropical feel and making it the perfect pair with a boozy brunch.
Pour the original drink into two glasses, stirring as much rum as you’d like into each. Add some extra ice, stir, and enjoy.
Pink Drink + Sparkling Rosé
This viral drink needs an equally Insta-worthy companion: rosé. The Pink Drink is made with strawberry, acai, and passionfruit flavors, and coconut milk gives this sipper its creamy texture. Light, fruity rosé complements this drink’s springtime flavors, while bubbles add levity to this otherwise creamy drink. Pour sparkling rosé as desired into the drink for a spritzy, low-ABV treat ideal for day drinking.
Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew + Baileys
Though it‘s typically thought of as a late-fall treat, Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte may be returning to stores earlier than ever this year, with a potential release date of Aug. 28. But while we love a good PSL, we’re sticking to iced drinks until at least mid-September. If you’re craving pumpkin but want to avoid melting in the summer heat, try out the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with foamy pumpkin cream. Add a shot of Baileys Irish Cream to spice up your weekend mornings (or a WFH afternoon — we won’t judge).
Passion Tango Tea Lemonade + Lemon Hard Seltzer
Light, fruity, and bubbly, this drink is everything a summer cocktail should be. Passion Tango Tea Lemonade is rich with flavors of hibiscus, lemongrass, lemon, and apple. For a drink that serves two, combine the drink with a can of lemon hard seltzer — which accentuates this drink’s citrus flavors — pour into two glasses, and enjoy outside.
Caramel Frappuccino + Bourbon
This blended coffee drink is full of caramel goodness, making it the perfect pair for honeyed bourbon. Stir as much bourbon as desired into this coffee milkshake, or add to the blender with extra ice. Share with a friend or drink it yourself.
Iced Golden Ginger Drink + Tequila
For a tropical vibe, add some tequila to this spiced, fruity beverage. Pineapple, coconut, ginger, and turmeric flavor this golden sipper. Citrusy tequila adds depth to this drink and makes it an ideal poolside libation.
Iced White Chocolate Mocha + Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur
Looking for something decadent? This chocolatey, creamy cocktail is even tastier with a boozy kick. Add some Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur to this sweet, coffee drink, and you’ll never drink an Espresso Martini again.
Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher + Vodka
Need an extra boost? Forget Red Bull vodkas. For a drink to pair with picnics in the park, try spiking a Strawberry Acai Lemonade Refresher. With sweet notes of strawberry, passionfruit, and acai, this caffeine-forward sipper can turn into your new favorite cocktail with the addition of vodka. And if you want to lean into the beverage’s sweetness, try it with a flavored vodka, such as Deep Eddy Lemon.
