Living in a small town and not having a car, options for having fun are limited. Also, as a 16-year-old girl, I enjoy having Starbucks drinks. Over the last seven years since the Starbucks was built in Emerson, I have had a fair share of drinks. If you are new to Starbucks, indecisive, or just looking to branch out, this is the article for you.

Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino
The very first drink I ever had was seven years ago when I was nine years old. It is called the Vanilla Bean Creme Frappuccino. The best thing to compare it to is a vanilla milkshake. It is a thick, creamy, vanilla slush base with whipped cream on top. It is really good for younger consumers, or just people who generally enjoy a milkshake.

Strawberry Acai Refresher
It wouldn’t be a Starbucks article if a refresher wasn’t mentioned. Arguably the most popular drink amongst teenagers is the Strawberry Acai Refresher. What makes refreshers so good is how customizable they are. Many individuals get their Strawberry Acai with lemonade instead of water, and some remove the freeze dried strawberry inclusions. Emma Hennssey says “I think it’s a perfect drink for summer because its refreshing and sweet and a pretty color”. The refresher is sweet and fruity and, as Hennessy suggests, very refreshing. The Strawberry Acai is a great first refresher to try before branching out to others.

Iced Chai
Sophomore Mia Woodward says her favorite drink at the moment is an Iced Chai, and I could not agree more! Chai is a traditional Indian tea that is made with a blend of spices, which gives it the unique and distinct flavor! Woodward says “I absolutely love chai”. She then adds, “I love the different seasons when new flavors come out because I get to try them”.  Her favorite variation is the Cherry Chai, which includes cherry cold foam and pink sprinkles! A fan favorite variation is the Pumpkin Spice Chai which comes out in the fall.

Iced Matcha Latte
Similar to an Iced Chai, Iced Matcha Lattes are very customizable. Matcha is a bright green drink, but don’t be intimidated by the color. It is a very tasty tea made from Japanese green tea leaves. You can leave it as is or try my current favorite variation, which is adding the new Brown Sugar Cold Foam on top. It adds a sweet, foamy sensation while adding a delicious brown sugar taste.

Honey Citrus Mint Tea
Commonly known as the “Medicine Ball”, this drink is great for the rough New Jersey winters. The blend of flavors may sound overwhelming, but the way they blend together is a pleasant flavor that is hard to compare to anything else. If you are a tea drinker, these bursting flavors in one cup is not something you would want to miss!

Next time you find yourself near a Starbucks, try out Emerson High School’s favorite drinks/recommendations!