One Starbucks Barista Reveals the Worst Drinks He’s Ever Made

published Oct 30, 2017
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
(Image credit: A. Aleksandravicius)

At Starbucks, there are two types of people: those who stick to the menu and keep their orders super simple, and those who doctor up their drinks with all kinds of so-called “hacks.” These complicated orders no doubt drive baristas bonkers and hold up the line for coffee, but they’re also wildly unhealthy.

Unless you’ve witnessed these orders first hand, it’s hard to imagine something as sinister as 20 pumps of pumpkin syrup in one cup. But now one barista — who recently put in his two weeks’ notice — has dished on all of the insanely sweet, over-the-top, ridiculously outlandish drinks he’s had to make during his tenure behind the counter.

Terence Wiggins, a blogger and podcaster who goes by The Black Nerd on Tumblr and Twitter, posted 10 photos of the most horrifying drinks he’s made, including one with 15 packets of Splenda.

Yes, you read that right — 15!

Although it’s probably pretty hard to believe, the substitutions and modifications get even more ridiculous than that. Behold this pumpkin latte, loaded with 14 shots of espresso, 20 pumps of pumpkin sauce, almond milk, and extra pumpkin topping with zero whipped cream.

(Image credit: Terrence Wiggins/Tumblr )

Another drive-thru order of drip coffee was requested with extra cream and 12 sugars, which somehow seems reasonable compared to the 16 pumps of caramel syrup added to a caramel Frappuccino and the 10 pumps of raspberry syrup flooding a half-decaf white mocha latte. For reference, the daily recommended intake of sugar is just six teaspoons for the entire day.

(Image credit: Terrence Wiggins/Tumblr)

Honestly, these concoctions are giving me a sugar crash just thinking about them. Feel free to modify your Starbucks order however outlandishly you feel, but I think the takeaway here is that we all need to go easy on the syrups. Because this is totally out of control.