Which non-dairy milk is best at Starbucks?

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Over half of Starbucks customers in the U.S. who modify their beverage will see a price reduction by choosing a non-dairy option since Starbucks removed the extra charge for non-dairy milks in November 2024. With more people exploring plant-based alternatives, it's a great time to discover which non-dairy milk is best at Starbucks for your favorite drink.

Quick Summary

A comparative guide to Starbucks' non-dairy milk options, including oat, almond, soy, and coconut milk, detailing their flavor profiles, textures, and ideal pairings for various coffee drinks.

Key Points

Oat Milk is the top contender: Baristas and taste tests consistently rank oat milk as the best all-around non-dairy option for its creamy texture, neutral flavor, and excellent frothing ability, making it ideal for lattes and shaken espressos.
Soy Milk adds sweet vanilla flavor: Starbucks' soy milk is sweetened with a vanilla flavor that complements coffee and tea well, offering a creamy consistency and a good source of protein for a more classic alternative milk experience.
Almond Milk is for the calorie-conscious: This lighter, nutty option is the lowest in calories and is best suited for iced coffees, refreshers, or beverages where a distinct almond flavor is desired.
Coconut Milk offers a tropical twist: Best used in iced drinks like Refreshers and matcha lattes, coconut milk adds a unique tropical taste but has a thinner consistency and does not froth well for hot lattes.
No more upcharge for non-dairy: Since November 2024, Starbucks has removed the extra charge for all non-dairy milk substitutions, making it more affordable to choose your preferred plant-based option.
Pick based on your drink: Choose oat milk for creamy hot lattes, soy for a sweeter classic, almond for light iced drinks, and coconut for a tropical twist in refreshers.
For optimal foam, go with oat or soy: Oat milk produces the most stable and velvety foam, while soy milk also froths reliably. Almond and coconut milks produce thinner, less stable foam, especially in hot drinks.

For years, Starbucks customers had to pay an extra charge to substitute dairy milk with a plant-based alternative, but that ended in late 2024. This change, coupled with a wider range of available options, means it has never been easier to customize your beverage. But which option is right for you? This guide will help you understand the nuances of each non-dairy milk to ensure your next Starbucks experience is perfect.

Oat Milk: The Crowd-Pleaser for Creaminess

Often considered the best overall non-dairy option for coffee, oat milk is praised by baristas and coffee enthusiasts alike. Its neutral taste and creamy texture make it an excellent substitute for dairy milk, particularly in hot drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. It steams well, producing a smooth foam suitable for latte art. Its flavor is mild and slightly sweet, complementing espresso without overpowering it. Oat milk is ideal for hot or iced lattes, as well as shaken espressos and flat whites. Starbucks typically uses a barista-blend oat milk designed for coffee.

Soy Milk: The Classic Alternative with a Sweet Twist

As Starbucks' original non-dairy offering, soy milk remains a popular choice known for its smooth, dairy-like richness and protein content. Starbucks' soy milk is sweetened and includes a noticeable vanilla flavor. Its sweet, vanilla profile pairs well with espresso, making it a good choice for hot or iced lattes, mochas, and chai lattes. Soy milk is generally stable and less prone to curdling in hot coffee compared to some other alternatives, though separation can occur over time.

Almond Milk: The Low-Calorie, Nutty Choice

Almond milk is often the lowest-calorie non-dairy choice at Starbucks. It has a distinct nutty flavor and a lighter, thinner texture than oat or soy milk. The nutty taste can be a pleasant addition or, for some, may be too strong. It works well in iced coffees, refreshers, and flavored drinks where the nutty note adds complexity. However, it doesn't froth as well as oat or soy milk and can sometimes taste bitter in hot lattes if not prepared carefully.

Coconut Milk: The Tropical and Unique Option

Starbucks' coconut milk provides a unique tropical flavor. Its richness enhances fruity drinks and matcha, but its strong flavor may not appeal to everyone. It has a pronounced coconut taste that can be a refreshing addition to certain beverages. Coconut milk is best suited for drinks like the Pink Drink, Dragon Drink, matcha lattes, and other iced beverages where a tropical hint is desired. It is thinner than oat milk and can separate when steamed, making it less suitable for hot lattes.

Choosing the Right Milk for Your Drink

To help you decide, here’s a quick breakdown of how each non-dairy milk performs in different beverages.

Non-Dairy Milk Comparison Table


Feature	Oat Milk	Soy Milk	Almond Milk	Coconut Milk
Flavor Profile	Mildly sweet, neutral, and slightly cereal-like	Sweetened, creamy, with a vanilla flavor	Nutty, sometimes slightly bitter	Pronounced, tropical coconut flavor
Creaminess	High, closest to dairy milk	Medium-high, rich and creamy	Low, thinner and lighter texture	Medium, can be oily on top
Frothing Quality	Excellent, produces a rich, stable microfoam	Good, stable foam for lattes	Poor, watery and thin foam	Poor, inconsistent foam
Best for Hot Drinks	Lattes, Flat Whites, Cappuccinos	Chai Lattes, Lattes, Mochas	Flavored Lattes (to mask bitterness)	Generally not recommended
Best for Iced Drinks	Shaken Espressos, Iced Lattes	Iced Lattes, Iced Mochas	Refreshers, Cold Brews	Pink Drinks, Dragon Drinks, Refreshers

Conclusion: Making Your Final Choice

Choosing the best non-dairy milk at Starbucks depends on your personal taste and the drink you're ordering. Oat milk is an excellent all-rounder for creaminess and frothing in hot lattes. Soy milk offers a sweet, vanilla-flavored classic option. Almond milk is a good low-calorie choice with a nutty taste for iced drinks. Coconut milk provides a unique tropical flavor, great for refreshers and matcha. With the removal of the extra charge in November 2024, trying different options to find your favorite has become more accessible. Asking your barista for recommendations is always helpful.

Choose Oat Milk If: You want the best all-around dairy substitute that froths well and offers creamy texture for lattes.
Choose Soy Milk If: You prefer a rich, creamy texture with a complementary vanilla flavor.
Choose Almond Milk If: You are looking for a low-calorie option with a distinct nutty flavor for iced drinks.
Choose Coconut Milk If: You desire a unique, tropical flavor, especially in refreshers or matcha beverages.

The best non-dairy milk is ultimately the one you enjoy most.

Optional Resources

For more information on Starbucks' menu and dietary options, you can visit their official website.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, starting in November 2024, Starbucks removed the upcharge for all non-dairy milk substitutions, including oat, almond, soy, and coconut milk.

Oat milk is widely considered the creamiest non-dairy option at Starbucks, providing a rich, velvety texture that closely mimics dairy milk.

Yes, the soy milk used by Starbucks is sweetened and has a distinct vanilla flavor, which complements many of their coffee and tea drinks.

Oat milk is the best choice for a hot latte because it steams and froths exceptionally well, creating a smooth and creamy texture.

For iced drinks like Refreshers, coconut milk adds a delicious tropical flavor. For creamy iced lattes and Frappuccinos, oat milk is often preferred due to its smooth texture.

Yes, almond milk can sometimes curdle in hot, acidic coffee drinks. For hot beverages, it's safer to choose oat or soy milk to avoid separation.

Yes, Starbucks offers dairy-free cold foam options. You can ask for cold foam to be made with oat, almond, soy, or coconut milk, which is especially popular for cold brews.

Almond milk is the lowest-calorie non-dairy milk option available at Starbucks.