When I first started drinking Starbucks, I had no idea that they had so many options for Teavana tea. The biggest surprise was the black tea lattes: the Royal English Breakfast and London Fog lattes. Ironically, these have become some of my favorite Starbucks drinks. I love adding different syrups to them in order to make “secret menu” drinks that would normally be made with coffee.

Royal English Breakfast Tea Latte

A hot Royal English Breakfast Latte is probably my favorite Starbucks drink. The English Breakfast tea is strong enough to hold up to the milk, but not at all bitter. The foam is smooth and adds a nice touch to the tea.

The iced latte, however, tastes very different. I’m generally not a fan of iced lattes, because they lack the foam and creaminess of hot lattes, and this is no exception. Important to note, when I ordered the iced latte, I heard one of the other baristas tell the one who was making my drink that he “could just make it with….” I didn’t hear the rest, but I’m assuming he meant the iced tea. In my opinion, there is a big difference between making a latte with freshly brewed tea and putting it over ice, and making it with already iced tea which has likely been sitting around for a while. I’m glad my barista made it fresh.

London Fog Tea Latte

I always prefer English Breakfast over Earl Grey, but the London Fog latte is also a very good latte with a typical bergamot and lavender flavor. I really enjoy the hint of vanilla in the London Fog, though there have been many times when I don’t thin they added it—particularly when I ordered the iced latte. The London Fog actually started as a secret menu drink, and the website suggests adding caramel syrup. While I love caramel flavor, I don’t think it blends well with the London Fog.

I truly believe that the black tea lattes are the hidden jems of the Starbucks menu. Not only are they great on their own, but they are also delicious with different additional syrup combinations.

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