Starbucks Secret Menu Now Public: How to Order from the 'Not-So-Secret Menu'

Starbucks secret menu drinks are secret no more. The American coffee giant confirmed the news via its official Instagram account, teasing fans with the message: 'Something secret is coming to the Starbucks app 7/14.'

What was once the domain of hardcore coffee lovers and creative baristas has now become an official feature of the Starbucks experience.

To celebrate, the company is also launching a national competition to find the best coffee customisation, encouraging fans to bring their signature beverage ideas into the spotlight.

Why the Secret Menu Always Had a Cult Following

For years, Starbucks fans have been crafting personalised drinks using ingredients available in-store but not listed on the menu. Whether it was adding extra syrup, swapping out bases, or inventing entirely new combinations, the so-called secret menu offered a playground for experimentation. Even baristas often shared their own favourites online.

The trend peaked in the 2010s with social media fuelling demand. But until now, customers had to rely on word-of-mouth or third-party websites. This app-based release marks the first time Starbucks has acknowledged and embraced the custom menu officially.

Four Starbucks Secret Menu Drinks Available

For starters, Starbucks launched four new drink customisations in the secret menu. These include the following:

• Cookies On Top: For cookies and cream lovers, order a Cold Brew with two pumps of vanilla syrup, Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam and cookie crumble topping.
• Dragonfruit Glow-Up: Elevate the Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher by adding peach juice blend, then have it blended and topped with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam.
• Lemon, Tea & Pearls: Black tea and lemonade make a perfect pair — add an extra pop of flavour with raspberry-flavoured popping pears to take it to the next level.
• Just Add White Mocha: Put a spin on the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso by adding White Chocolate Mocha Sauce and topping it with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam.

Each customisation is designed to offer something different, from dessert-like indulgence to fruity refreshment.

How to Access the Not-So-Secret Menu

Access is currently limited to Starbucks Rewards members. Once logged into the app, users can tap the 'Offers' tab to see the available drink customisations under the new Not-So-Secret Menu section.

This move signals Starbucks' broader digital shift, integrating loyalty, customisation, and engagement all in one platform.

Competition Encourages Fan Creativity

From 14 to 20 July 2025, Starbucks is hosting a competition inviting fans to submit their own drink customisations via the official Not-So-Secret Menu contest page. The brand will narrow the entries down to four finalists.

Between 18 and 20 August, Starbucks will post the finalists' drinks on its Instagram account, where fans can vote for their favourite. The entry with the most votes will be crowned the Grand Prize winner.

Each finalist will receive a prize of £3,722 ($5,000), while the Grand Prize winner will be awarded £18,611 ($25,000).

A Strategic Shift in Brand Engagement

Tressie Lieberman, Starbucks Chief Brand Officer, explained that the initiative is part of a wider strategy to elevate fan creativity and boost engagement.

'We're really just working to help put media behind [fans] and get more reach around new ideas,' said Lieberman. 'It's a lot about being visible to our audience and being really strategic about how we approach these different trends as well.'

Starbucks is increasingly positioning itself as a lifestyle brand that listens to its community and adapts accordingly.

Is the Secret Still Special?

While many fans are excited by the new feature, some purists argue that making the secret menu public takes away its allure. What once felt like a hidden gem is now part of the mainstream experience.

Still, Starbucks' gamble may pay off. By inviting customers into the creative process, the brand taps directly into user-generated culture—something that resonates strongly with Gen Z and millennial audiences.

Whether it's about personalisation or recognition, the Not-So-Secret Menu proves that today's consumers want more than just coffee. They want to be part of the story.