Finals are coming… and in this time of hardship and scantron warfare, coffee is the golden liquid elixir of life. I love Starbucks as much as the next basic girl (or guy, or even non a basic person, because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love Starbucks?) and I am here today to tell you about the best Starbucks drinks that you didn’t know you could order.

As an employee of this heaven-sent chain, I asked my co-workers what they would make with their syrups and espresso shots given the freedom of any combination, as well as researched some of the most popular “secret menu” drinks. They gave me both coffee and non-coffee drinks and, what I discovered was magical. All recipes and pictures can be found on Starbuckssecretmenu.net

*Note that I have included “grande” portion sized. Add 0.5 pumps of syrups for Venti orders and subtract 0.5 pumps for a tall.

The Captain Crunch

Ask for a strawberries and creme frap with 1 pump of caramel syrup, 1.5 pumps of toffee syrup, and 1 pump of hazelnut syrup.

The Cotton Candy

Ask for a Vanilla Bean Frap, with 1.5 pumps of Raspberry syrup

The London Fog

Earl Grey English Breakfast Tea, with steamed milk. Add a pump or two of caramel/vanilla syrup to make it sweeter!

The Chai Cookie Latte

Ask for a chai latte with an extra 1.5 pumps of Chai syrup, 1.5 pumps of Hazelnut syrup, and Java chips. If you want it extra sweet, top it with hazelnut syrup.

The Coldbuster

Not as much of a "secret" on my college campus anymore, but still just as much of a delight, the coldbuster is simply Jade Citrus Mint Tea and Peach Tranquility Tea with half hot water and half steamed lemonade. Ask for a bit of honey, and if you want an extra kick, half a pump of peppermint. It will feel as if you sniffles dissolve instantly!

Pink Raspberry Passion

Start with passion tea, add 3 pumps of Raspberry Syrup, blend, and add whip!

Mango Milk Tea

Iced black tea with half and half, instead of water, and mango concentrate.

Strawberry Sunset Refresher

Strawberry acai juice, water, and a splash of mango juice, 2 pumps of peach juice (fizz if this is an option) then add ice!

Turtle Macchiato

3 pumps mocha syrup, 3 pumps caramel syrup, milk of choice, and number of shots of choice (default for grande is two).

Caramel Snickerdoodle Macchiato

Upside down caramel macchiato with 1.5 pumps of caramel syrup, 1.5 pumps of cinnamon dolce syrup.

Now you can stay up late to study for your finals. Or to get distracted by the internet and watch puppy videos until 2 A.M.... either way, you'll have a great Starbucks.