Dolce is the Italian word for “sweet” and refers to a line of sweeter drinks offered by Starbucks. The Dolce menu features lattes, macchiatos, and other coffee and espresso drinks made with flavors like white chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut syrups to create a sweet treat.
What drinks are part of the Dolce menu at Starbucks?
The main drinks that are part of the Dolce menu at Starbucks include:
- White chocolate mocha: Espresso combined with steamed milk and white chocolate syrup.
- Caramel macchiato: Espresso topped with foamed milk and caramel syrup.
- Hazelnut macchiato: Espresso with hazelnut syrup and foamed milk.
- Vanilla latte: Espresso and steamed milk flavored with vanilla syrup.
- Cinnamon dolce latte: Espresso, steamed milk and cinnamon dolce syrup.
- White chocolate cream frappuccino: Blended coffee drink made with white chocolate sauce.
- Caramel frappuccino: Blended iced coffee with caramel syrup.
- Hazelnut frappuccino: A frappuccino made with hazelnut flavor.
There are also seasonal and limited-time Dolce drinks that are offered for short periods or specific times of year like the toasted white chocolate mocha available during the holidays.
What is cinnamon dolce syrup?
Cinnamon dolce syrup is one of Starbucks’ signature syrups used to flavor many of their Dolce menu items. The cinnamon dolce syrup has a sweet cinnamon sugar flavor that pairs well with coffee and espresso drinks.
Some key facts about Starbucks’ cinnamon dolce syrup:
- Made from a blend of cinnamon and other spices combined with sugar.
- Has a reddish-brown color.
- Adds a sweet cinnamon sugar taste.
- Used in cinnamon dolce lattes, frappuccinos, macchiatos, and more.
- Can be added to almost any Starbucks coffee or espresso beverage.
- Comes in the standard Starbucks syrup pumps used to flavor drinks.
- Sold by the bottle at grocery stores and online.
The cinnamon dolce syrup is a signature Starbucks flavor used to create sweet and spicy flavors in many of their popular seasonal and year-round Dolce drinks.
What is the difference between blonde espresso and regular espresso at Starbucks?
The main differences between Starbucks’ blonde espresso and regular espresso are:
| Blonde Espresso | Regular Espresso |
|---|---|
| Made with lightly roasted beans | Made with traditionally roasted beans |
| Has a smooth, mellow flavor | Bolder, richer, and fuller-bodied flavor |
| Lower caffeine content | Higher caffeine content |
Some additional key differences:
- Blonde espresso has tasting notes of caramel, nut, and citrus.
- Regular espresso has more roasted and earthy tasting notes.
- Blonde espresso highlights subtle flavors of coffee.
- Works well in milk-based espresso drinks.
- Regular espresso stands up to flavor additions like syrups and sauces.
Both types of espresso can be used in any Starbucks drink, but blonde espresso is marketed as an option for those who want a less intense espresso flavor in their coffee drinks.
What coffee beans are used in Starbucks Dolce drinks?
Most of the coffee beans used in Starbucks Dolce drinks are the same beans used for their regular espresso and coffee drinks. This includes:
- Starbucks Espresso Roast: A blend of Latin American and Asian/Pacific beans.
- Starbucks Blonde Roast: Mellower roast made with Latin American beans.
- Pike Place Roast: Starbucks’ signature medium roast.
- Dark roasts like French Roast and Italian Roast.
- Seasonal roasted such as Christmas Blend and Sumatra.
Additionally, some Starbucks Dolce drinks use specific beans to enhance the sweet flavor profile:
- Hazelnut drinks may use hazelnut-flavored beans.
- White chocolate mochas use lighter roasted beans like Veranda Blend.
- Toasted white chocolate drinks feature toasted Latin American and Indonesian beans.
- Seasonal beans like Jamaican Blue Mountain are sometimes used in limited Dolce drinks.
The base espresso roast provides the coffee flavor, while syrups, sauces, spices, and flavorings like cinnamon, hazelnut, or white chocolate drive the sweet taste profile of Dolce menu items.
Are the Starbucks Dolce syrups available for purchase?
Yes, many of the proprietary syrups used in Starbucks Dolce drinks can be purchased separately at grocery stores or online. Some popular options include:
- Cinnamon Dolce Syrup
- White Chocolate Mocha Sauce
- Caramel Flavored Syrup
- Vanilla Syrup
- Hazelnut Syrup
- Peppermint Mocha Sauce (seasonal)
- Pumpkin Spice Sauce (seasonal)
These can be used at home to recreate favorite Starbucks sweet coffee drinks or in unique coffee creations. They are sold in glass bottles in grocery store coffee aisles or online.
Additionally, Starbucks sells some ready-to-drink canned Dolce drinks like frappuccinos and macchiatos flavored with these same syrups. So the Dolce drink experience can be enjoyed at home or on-the-go thanks to bottled syrups and canned drinks.
What is the most popular Starbucks Dolce drink?
Based on Starbucks sales data and customer feedback, the Caramel Macchiato appears to be the most popular year-round Dolce drink on the menu.
Reasons for the Caramel Macchiato’s popularity:
- A classic combination of bitter espresso, sweet vanilla-flavored milk, and buttery caramel sauce.
- More complex flavors than very sweet coffee drinks.
- Available both hot and iced.
- Customizable with choices of milk, extra drizzle, and espresso type.
- One of Starbucks’ signature drinks, recognized by name outside the chain.
- Featured frequently in promotions and advertising.
- Consistent best-seller year after year.
The Pumpkin Spice Latte is likely Starbucks’ most popular seasonal Dolce drink that generates a lot of buzz and sales during the fall season.
Which Dolce syrups can be added to cold brew coffee?
Starbucks cold brew coffee has a smooth, less acidic taste compared to traditional iced coffee that makes it the perfect base for showcasing Dolce syrup flavors. Many of the syrups and sauces used in hot Dolce drinks can also be added to cold brews for a sweet iced treat.
Some popular options for customizing cold brew with Dolce syrups:
- Vanilla syrup
- Cinnamon Dolce syrup
- White chocolate mocha sauce
- Caramel sauce
- Hazelnut syrup
- Toffee nut syrup
- Pumpkin spice sauce (seasonal)
- Peppermint syrup (seasonal)
The smooth cold brew coffee profile allows the flavors of the syrups to shine through. Adding a splash of cream or milk is also popular to make a sweet creamy iced Dolce cold brew drink.
Which Dolce ingredients are vegan?
Many of the Dolce syrups and sauces at Starbucks are vegan friendly, making it easy to customize plant-based versions of sweet coffee drinks.
These Starbucks Dolce ingredients are vegan:
- Cinnamon Dolce syrup
- Hazelnut syrup
- Vanilla syrup
- Caramel syrup
- White chocolate mocha sauce
- Peppermint syrup
- Pumpkin spice sauce
- Sugar-free vanilla and cinnamon dolce syrup
Drinks made with these vegan syrups include:
- Cinnamon Shortbread Latte
- Iced Vanilla Latte
- Americano with Hazelnut
- Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
- Caramel Macchiato
Getting these drinks made with dairy-free milks like soy, almond or oat milk ensures a fully vegan Dolce drink.
How can you make Dolce drinks at home?
Recreating favorite Starbucks Dolce drinks at home is easy with the bottled syrups, a few key ingredients, and basic coffee brewing methods. Here are some tips:
- Use real espresso if possible for an authentic flavor. Or make concentrated coffee.
- Purchase Starbucks syrups like caramel, cinnamon dolce, vanilla, etc. Have them on-hand.
- Use foamed milk for lattes and macchiatos. Heat non-dairy milk and froth with a handheld frother.
- Add whipped cream or whipped topping to some drinks for extra sweet flavor.
- Blend with ice to make Frappuccino-style blended coffee drinks.
- Customize with your own twists – chocolate sauce, coconut, peppermint, etc.
With basic at-home coffee making equipment and the key Dolce flavor ingredients, you can craft a sweet Starbucks-style treat in your own kitchen.
What are some hidden menu Dolce drinks at Starbucks?
Some unique Dolce drink creations aren’t officially on the Starbucks menu but can be specially requested. Popular off-menu Dolce options include:
- Snickers Frappuccino – blended coffee, chocolate sauce, hazelnut syrup, milk, and mocha drizzle.
- Starbucks Double Chocolately Chip Frappuccino – mocha sauce, Frappuccino chips, milk, and whipped cream.
- Strawberries & Cream Frappuccino – vanilla bean powder, strawberry puree, milk, ice.
- Cotton Candy Frappuccino – raspberry syrup, vanilla bean powder, whipped cream.
- S’more Frappuccino – chocolate sauce, marshmallow syrup, milk, whipped cream and chocolate chips.
Part of the fun is customizing your own unique Dolce drink creations with the baristas! Just have an idea of flavors in mind when you order.
Conclusion
Starbucks Dolce menu features a wide array of sweet coffee and espresso drinks made with syrups, sauces, powders and espresso that can be customized to taste. Understanding the ingredients and most popular drinks helps coffee lovers get the most enjoyment from the Starbucks Dolce experience. With bottled syrups and copycat recipes, you can even recreate the Starbucks Dolce flavors at home for affordable sweet coffee treats any time.
