Starbucks has just made a bold move that has coffee lovers buzzing: its once-hushed “secret menu” is no longer a secret. For years, fans of the global coffee giant have shared off-menu drink hacks online, creating viral concoctions inspired by everything from candy bars to pop culture. But now, Starbucks is officially embracing the hype.
Secret Menu Goes Public
On July 14, Starbucks introduced the first-ever official secret menu items, now available directly in the “Offers” tab of the Starbucks app. This marks a major shift in how the brand engages with its community and acknowledges the creativity of its most loyal customers.
The first four creations now officially featured on Starbucks’ once-hidden secret menu are:
- Cookies on Top: This indulgent treat combines Cold Brew with two pumps of vanilla syrup, finished with a layer of Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam and a generous sprinkle of cookie crumble.
- Dragon fruit Glow-Up: A vibrant, fruity fusion of Mango Dragon fruit Lemonade Refresher and peach juice blend, finished with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam.
- Lemon, Tea & Pearls: A fun twist on the Arnold Palmer — black tea and lemonade with raspberry-flavored popping pearls for a boba-style experience.
- Just Add White Mocha: Iced Brown Sugar Oat milk Shaken Espresso meets two pumps of White Chocolate Mocha Sauce and Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam for a smooth, rich finish.
$25,000 Drink Creation Contest
But It isn’t stopping at just showcasing popular customizations — they’re inviting everyone to join the fun. From July 14 through July 20, Starbucks is hosting a Secret Menu Contest open to customers and employees alike. Participants can submit their own unique drink creations for a chance to win big.
Here’s how it works:
- Submissions will be reviewed and narrowed down to four finalists.
- Each finalist will receive $5,000 and have their drink featured in the Starbucks app from August 18 to August 25.
- From August 18 to 20, fans will be able to vote for their favorite finalist on Starbucks’ Instagram.
- The drink with the most votes wins the grand prize — a cool $25,000.
All contest details, including how to enter and the full rules, are available on Starbucks’ official channels.
A New Era of Customization
The move to make the secret menu official reflects a broader trend in personalized dining and customer-led innovation. Starbucks has long been known for customizable drinks, but this initiative celebrates the creativity of fans in a new, highly visible way.
Whether you’re a long-time secret menu sleuth or just curious to try something new, now’s the perfect time to tap into Starbucks’ app and see what surprises await.
And if you’ve ever dreamed of inventing the next viral drink sensation, now might be your moment to shine — and earn $25,000 while you’re at it.
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