Starbucks Espresso Menu 2026: Shots, Drinks & Prices

If you want a strong, concentrated coffee at Starbucks, then you are looking at the espresso menu. We will cover every espresso drink that Starbucks serves.

What Is Espresso at Starbucks?

Espresso is a coffee brewed under high pressure using fine-ground beans. The result is a small, thick, concentrated shot with a strong flavor, which makes a layer of golden crema on the top. They use two espresso roasts: the Signature Espresso, which is dark, bold, and slightly smoky. You’ll often find this espresso base featured in limited-time drinks on the Holiday Menu.

The other one, called Blonde Espresso. Which is lighter, smoother, and slightly sweet. You can request one for any drink.

Starbucks Espresso Shot Sizes & Prices

Before getting into the drinks, here are the shot sizes you need to know. If you’re curious how espresso plays into limited-time offerings, the Seasonal Menu regularly builds new drinks around these same shot foundations. 

Before espresso drinks, you need to know about the shot sizes:

• Solo: 0.75 fl oz, one shot
• Doppio: 1.5 fl oz, two shots
• Triple: 2.25 fl oz, three shots
• Quad: 3 fl oz, four shots

At Starbucks, most espresso drinks are made on doppio.

Iced Espresso

Full Starbucks Espresso Menu Items

Below is the full espresso menu at Starbucks, from pure, bold shots to smooth, milk-based classics, many of which are also featured in refreshing variations on the Summer Menu.

Whether you prefer intense flavors or creamy blends, there’s an espresso drink for every taste.

Espresso (Solo / Doppio / Triple / Quad)

Pure espresso does not include milk, water, or syrup. It is served in a small cup, and you need to drink quickly. It gives you a bold, intense, and slightly bitter flavor with a rich aftertaste. This is the most basic option on the espresso menu you get at the restaurant. And it is the starting point for every espresso drink. 

Espresso Con Panna

It is topped with a small dollop of whipped cream. “Con Panna” means with cream in Italian. The whipped cream softens the bitterness slightly and adds a light sweetness to your drink. It is available in solo, doppio, triple, and quad. 

Espresso Macchiato

It is an espresso shot with a small amount of steamed milk and foam on top. “Macchiato” means “marked” in Italian. The milk just marks the espresso rather than blending into it. It is still bold and strong, but with a slightly creamier taste than a plain shot. It is available in solo to quad sizes. 

Caffè Americano

In Caffè Americano, the espresso shots are combined with hot water. The water dilutes the espresso to give it a flavor closer to drip coffee. But with the character of espresso. It is originally black with no milk or sweetness. It is bold, clean, and low in calories. Now available in hot and iced, in Tall through Venti sizes. 

Cappuccino

It includes equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and thick foam. The foam on a cappuccino is much thicker than on a latte. It gives a rich and airy drink taste with a strong espresso flavor. They serve cappuccino in Short, Tall, Grande, and Venti hot sizes. Any milk type can be used in it, including oat, almond, coconut, or soy. 

Flat White

Flat White Espresso is made up of two ristretto shots of Signature Espresso. It also includes steamed whole milk, finished with a small dot of foam on the top. Ristretto means the shot is cut short; only the first, sweetest portion of the espresso is used. This makes the Flat White taste sweeter and more intense than a regular latte. 

Cortado

Starbucks added the Cartado to its permanent menu is Jan 2025. It is made with three ristretto shots of blonde espresso cut with a small amount of steamed milk. It is available in hot only, in the Short 8oz size. There is also a Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cartado made with blonde espresso ristretto shorts. 

Caffè Mocha

Caffe Mocha is made up of steamed milk and mocha sauce topped with whipped cream. It is richer and more chocolatey than a standard latte. The mocha sauce gives it a bittersweet chocolate flavor that pairs well with the espresso. It is available in hot and iced forms. 

White Chocolate Mocha

White Chocolate has the same structure as a Caffe Mocha, but with white chocolate sauce instead of regular mocha sauce. The white chocolate makes it sweeter and creamier with less bitterness. It is one of the most famous espresso drinks on the Starbucks menu. 

Iced Espresso

It is straight espresso shots poured over ice. No milk, no water, nothing added to it. It is available in solo, doppio, triple, and quad. If you want cold, pure espresso with nothing extra. This would be perfect to order.

Two Espresso Roasts Worth Knowing

Signature Espresso: Dark, bold, and slightly smoky. Best for Americanos, Mochas, and Lattes.

Blonde Espresso: Light, smooth, and slightly sweet. Best for Cortado, Flat White, or anyone new to espresso.

You can swap between roasts on any drink just by asking.

Ristretto vs Standard Shot – What Is the Difference?

A ristretto is a shorter espresso pull. The same coffee is used, but less water is poured through. So only the first and sweetest portion is extracted. It is more concentrated and slightly sweeter than a standard shot. 

Starbucks uses ristretto shots as the base for the Cortado and the Flat White. You can also request a ristretto in any espresso drink.

Conclusion

The Starbucks espresso menu goes far beyond a simple shot. From a straight doppio to a layered caramel macchiato, or the newly added cortado. Every drink on this menu is made on the same concentrated espresso base. But prepared differently.

You just need to know your roast, shot, and size, and the rest becomes easy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)