We Now Have an *Official* Date for the Return of the PSL

Nothing quite prepares you for the mayhem that unfolds before 7 a.m. as a Starbucks barista, no matter what customers order. But when a drink with 13 customizations comes through, it’s downright frustrating.

This barista’s morning task was to make a single Caramel Crunch Frappuccino made in a venti size with (big breath) a caramel-lined cup, a double shot of espresso, 5 pumps of vanilla syrup, 3 pumps of caramel syrup, 3 pumps of dark caramel syrup, 5 pumps of white mocha sauce, 5 scoops of vanilla bean powder, almond milk, double-blended, light whip, extra caramel drizzle, extra cookie crumble toppings, and extra caramel crunch toppings. Whew, that’s a mouthful.

They shared the monstrous drink on r/Starbucks and vented with frustration:

“...She must have a stomach of steel bc she orders this every morning. I sigh every time I pull this sticker there is no reason that a sticker should be taking up [a] majority of the cup, and MINUTES of my time on bar. I can't help but judge people when they drink nasty stuff like this every day but hey you’re here for a good time not a long time right? 😅”

Many more baristas and Starbucks fans hopped in on the discourse, sharing the same annoyance.

“My teeth hurt just looking at that,” one person wrote.

“How is that even orderable like that? That’s crazy!” another person commented. “That should not be allowed.”

“This would instantly obliterate a Victorian child,” one more person said.

There are so many things wrong with this drink order. From a barista perspective, making a beverage with that many customizations takes up a lot of precious time behind the coffee bar, especially during a morning “rush” period – which typically starts at 7 a.m. Not to mention, it can disturb the drink-making process when there are other customers to take care of.

Secondly, it cannot be healthy at all. In fact, one Redditor did their own research and concluded that the Frappuccino measured up to have around 1040 to 1100 calories, 26 grams of fat, and 208 grams of sugar. Knowing the customer orders this drink every morning is just crazy. Yikes!

Next time you request a customization to your Starbucks drink, just know your request for extra cold foam or a sprinkle of cinnamon doesn't get worse than this.

Essentially an iced white chocolate mocha made with blonde espresso topped with matcha cold foam and brown butter sprinkles, one Starbucks barista revealeda tasty (and festive!) new way to enjoy the chain’s offerings in lieu of St Paddy’s: the Pot Of Gold!

The spirited drink starts with 4 pumps of white mocha sauce, which is then combined with 2 blonde espresso shots. Starbucks’ blonde espresso has a smoother effect than their traditional shots, so expect this sip to bring on the sweetness!

From there, you can order the drink with your choice of milk – and it’s a total bonus that Starbucks is no longer charging extra for alternative milks like oat, almond, coconut, and soy milk!

The next step is to order the drink with the chain’s vanilla cold foam, adding 2 scoops of matcha powder in the process.

Note: this secret menu item was shared before Starbucks reformulated their matcha powderto be unsweetened, but the cold foam should still have some sweetness, thanks to the vanilla.

Finally, the Pot Of Gold matcha drink is complete, boasting a satisfying layer of green on top of a golden latte. The barista who came up with the drink topped their bev with Starbucks’ brown butter sprinkles, which is in cafes for a limited time alongside their pistachio-flavored coffees.

If your local Starbucks is out of the brown butter sprinkles, a dusting of cinnamon or chocolate curls could also be so tasty!

With this secret menu hack, you’ll be sipping your way through a delightful sweetness and plenty of caffeine from both the matcha powder and espresso shots. If you prefer to have less jitters in your drink, you could easily order it ‘half-caff’ or with decaf espresso shots.

For quick reference, here’s how to order the Pot Of Gold drink. Ask for:

• A grande iced latte
• With 2 blonde espresso shots (or your preference for ‘half-caff’ or decaf)
• With your choice of milk
• Topped with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam with 2 scoops of matcha powder
• Add brown butter topping

And voila! This drink is such a fun way to ring in St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re craving an iced blended beverage, I also tracked down some pretty delicious-looking secret menu drinks for a Lucky Leprechaun Frappuccino and a Pot Of Gold Frappuccino.

Check ‘em out – and happy St. Paddy’s!

1. Lacy Boho

Free People Jae Knit Top

Boho feels like it’s been around forever, but we’re sure to see an uptick in all things lacy and frilly this year.

American Eagle Chiffon Bell Sleeve Ruffle Blouse

Where floral styles might have shined in years prior, more femme pieces will be huge in spring and summer 2025.

By Anthropologie Lace Godet Maxi Slip Dress

Inspired by the resurgence of handcrafted aesthetics, lacy boho pieces like flowy maxi dresses, crochet tops, and ruffled blouses create an effortless, yet ethereal look that’s also ideal for warm weather days.

2. Athleisure As Everyday

Girlfriend Collective White Jane Boat Neck Tank

Athleisure isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, though practical pieces are starting to be worn more commonly as fashion staples.

Halfdays Sophia Leggings

Brands are beginning to craft garments like leggings, hoodies, and workout tops with luxe fabrics and tailored fits, making them that much more elevated.

Old Navy Extra High-Waisted StudioSmooth Skort

This trend reflects the demand for fashion to be both functional and stylish, which is important, no matter your personal style!

3. Skinny Jeans

Levi's 501 Skinny Jeans

That’s right – skinny jeans have made quite the quiet comeback to fashion for 2025! That isn’t to say looser, baggier denim fits aren’t just as trendy, but if you wear skinny jeans, your outfits will have a unique effect and place you ahead of the trend wave.

Abercrombie & Fitch High Rise Super Skinny Ankle Jeans

Of course, it all depends on how you style ‘em – I personally love the look of pairing them with either tall boots or mesh ballet flats.

AG Mari Mid Rise Slim Straight Leg Jeans

The everlasting return of Y2K-inspired fashion and the need for streamlined, classic pieces are definitely fueling the skinny jean revival.

4. Pistachio Green

The A&F Madeline Textural Crew Sweater

Pastels are still springtime’s BFF, but shades of pistachio green are making their debut in a bigger way this year as a nice alternative to those expected pinks and yellows.

Endless Rose Strapless Textured Column Midi Dress

This soft, muted green tone exudes a calming, natural vibe that’s just plain fun to wear!

Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag

If you don’t want to go all-out in green, you can also easily accessorize with sunglasses, purses, and jewelry.

5. Gingham

Reformation Petra Linen Low Rise Pedal Pusher Pants

Gingham is truly timeless, but we're going to be seeing a whole lot more of it come summer 2025. More and more retailers and designers are getting playful with the pattern, putting out pieces with larger prints or even wacky colors – and I adore it!

Kimchi Blue Renee Smocked Maxi Dress

Gingham pants, dresses, tops, and accessories will be hot this year, and no matter how you wear it, you'll be putting on a look that’s undeniably nostalgic and youthful.