It’s a fact: you can never go wrong with Starbucks for a daily cup of coffee. And if you’re one of their regular customers, you have probably tried every drink they offer, from their seasonal Pumpkin Spice Latte to their ever-popular Java Chip Frappuccino.
For those who like trying something new for their drinks, you know how there have been countless secret menus people come up with to spice up their drinks. And then there are the classic Starbucks ways you can do that you probably have yet to hear of or try, such as their double-blended drinks. So, what exactly is it, and how does it differ from the regular Starbucks drink you order?
What Does Double Blended Mean at Starbucks?
From the name itself, “double blended,” a double blended drink at Starbucks means your beverage is blended twice to make drinks smoother, tastier, and easier to drink with a straw. Some people prefer lighter beverages on some days, so they choose double-blended for a smoother and creamier texture. (Learn How To Make Coffee Thicker)
Getting Double Blended Starbucks Drinks
At Starbucks, they use a Vitamix Blending Station Advance 48-ounce or “The Quiet One.” These Starbucks blenders have specific buttons depending on how baristas should make the drink. When ordering a double-blended drink, they blend your order twice, as usual, to make it smoother and dense. Since it’s creamier, it tends to melt faster, too, so you should drink it immediately.
Starbucks coffee shops often have two blenders only, so double blending a drink means it will take longer to make. A double-blended drink isn’t recommended if you’re in a rush because it takes longer to prepare.
Ordering Double Blended Drinks at the Starbucks App
Unfortunately, double-blended drinks are only available in-store. Tell the barista to double blend your drink; they already know it. However, this is not possible in the Starbucks app so you might want to squeeze some minutes into your time to go on a coffee run if you badly need one.
Starbucks Drinks You Should Get Double Blend
If you don’t know which of Starbucks’ wide array of coffee you can order double blended, you might want to try some of these drinks:
Crème Frappuccino
A double-blended creme Frappuccino drink is perfect for those who like sweet and creamy beverages since double blending results in a milkshake-like texture. If you’re craving a milkshake with a twist, try double mixing your favorite crème Frappuccino drink!
Our recommended double-blended drinks: Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino, Strawberry Crème Frappuccino, and Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino
Coffee Frappuccino
For those who like their coffee strong but with a hint of sweetness, you can try double blending your favorite coffee Frappuccino. The perfect example is the famous Java Chip Frappuccino which contains Frappuccino chips. A double-blended Frappuccino will mix the chips twice and break them into smaller pieces, making them easier to drink.
Our recommended double-blended drinks: Java Chip Frappuccino, Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino, and Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino
Refreshers
A double-blended Starbucks Refresher makes a delicious frozen beverage perfect for a hot summer day. They also make an ideal drink for those who prefer something other than coffee and prefer a healthy double drink. Just note that before asking to have your refresher double blended, your drink must have coconut milk as a base. Other milk bases tend to separate from the drink, which you want to avoid.
Our recommended double-blended drinks: Strawberry Acai Starbucks Refresher, Pink Drink Starbucks Refresher, and Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refresher
Iced Coffee
Yes, you can also double-blend your go-to coffee drink! Some people also order a double blended coffee as a cheaper version of the Starbucks Frappuccino to save some money. However, note that it can separate faster since it lacks the ingredients a Frappuccino has that hold it together, so chug it quickly!
Our recommended double-blended drinks: Iced White Chocolate Mocha, Iced Caffé Mocha, Iced Caramel Brulee Latte. (Learn How Much Do You Make At Starbucks)
Making a Double Blended Drink at Home
If you enjoyed your cup of Starbucks double blended drink and want to recreate it at home, here’s how you can do it:
Start slow and build your speed
Speed plays a huge factor in achieving that smooth blend. If you want a result like that of a Frappuccino double-blended drink, you should begin slow in your first blending cycle. Let it blend slowly and see how it crushes the bigger ingredients into smaller and smoother ones. You can blend faster on your second cycle to make the remaining chunks finer.
Use crushed ice
Crushed ice works better in achieving that smooth finish rather than using large ice cubes. You must also use twice as much ice as any ingredients to get the best results.
Add banana or yogurt
A drink blended with yogurt and banana is guaranteed to make your homemade double-blended drink soft and smooth. You can use yogurt as a substitute for milk, and you’ll be surprised at how creamy and smooth your drink will be.
Add some protein powder
Adding protein powder is good news for those who hit the gym since it is known for making smoothies they drink daily. Adding protein powder to your regular coffee or Frappuccino can also help achieve that double-blended smoothness.
Tips When Making Double-Blended Drinks
Now that you know how you can make a homemade double-blended beverage, here are some things you should keep in mind:
- Use a high-powered blender to break down the ice and make a smooth drink easily.
- Pour in the liquids first when blending so the blades of your blender can move easier.
- DO NOT OVER-BLEND. The secret to double-blending is making sure you blend slowly at first, then a little faster, so you won’t make your drink too watery.
Other Ways to Customize Your Starbucks Drink
A double-blended Starbucks drink is one of the many ways to customize your beverage. If you’re not familiar with customizing Starbucks drinks, here are other ways you can do to adjust your drink to your liking:
Milk
Whether you are lactose intolerant or simply cutting down your dairy intake, you can customize the milk of your drink according to your preference. Starbucks offers whole milk, 2% milk, nonfat milk, and non-dairy alternatives, such as soy, coconut, oat, and almond.
Syrup
A typical Starbucks drink with a syrup flavor often has three pumps of syrup for a tall drink, four pumps for a grande, and five or six pumps for a venti. You can add or lessen the syrup pumps or opt for sugar-free variants, depending if you want to make your beverage stronger or sweeter.
Sweetener
If you prefer a natural sweetener for your drinks, you can ask the barista for a sweetener substitute such as Sweet’N Low®, Equal®, SPLENDA®, or Stevia Blend.
Whipped Cream
Some cold coffees have whipped cream on them, which you may opt to remove if you’re not a fan of it. You can tell the barista “less whip” or “no whip” when ordering.
Skinny
If you’re unfamiliar with “skinny” at Starbucks, the beverage is made with nonfat milk, no whipped cream, and sugar-free syrup. The barista can customize your double-blended drinks to a “skinny” one. Once you make it skinny, it is the healthiest double-blended drink you can enjoy.
Cold Foam
You’ll be surprised at how good adding a cold foam is to your favorite iced coffee or cold brew drink. It’s a delicious and creamy addition that will make your coffee much more enjoyable!
Espresso Shot
Does your coffee need a little more kick? Adding an espresso shot will give that extra boost. Note that tall lattes often have one shot of espresso, grande drinks have two, and venti drinks also have two. So, how many extra espresso shots you need to get that caffeine rush is up to you. (Learn How Much Vanilla Extract Is Too Much)
No Water
You can request no water for your drink if you want a stronger tea or coffee flavor. Starbucks usually adds water to any drink to dilute it, and asking to remove it can make it extra strong.
Light ice
If your drink has too much ice, you can ask the barista to have light ice on your drink. This way, you’ll enjoy more of your drink without sipping on too much ice.
Conclusion
What is double-blended at Starbucks, you ask? We’re sure you already know it by this time. In summary, double-blended drinks refer to blending a drink twice, as usual, to make it extra smooth and achieve that nice texture you don’t usually get on a regular drink.
Getting a double-blended drink still boils down to preference, so if you enjoy a lighter drink, it is your best choice!