# Off-the-Menu Starbucks Drinks FoodBeast Challenged Baristas to Come With Original Recipes By Meghan Young | Published 2014-07-15 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/offthemenu-starbucks-drinks References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2014/07/starbucks-baristas-get-crazy-with-new-beverage-creations.html) & [foodbeast](http://www.foodbeast.com/2014/07/10/we-challenged-starbucks-employees-to-make-some-crazy-drinks-youre-welcome/) Ordering a drink from [Starbucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-drinks-1) can seem like a daunting task for many and these off-the-menu Starbucks drinks might make it feel even nore discouraging. Yet if people could ask the baristas to whip up their signature beverage like a bartender, perhaps the experience would be less stressful for newbies. [FoodBeast](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lto-western-bbq-pizza) challenged a handful of baristas from local Starbucks stores in Santa Ana, California, to create off-the-menu Starbucks drinks in order to test their creativity. The results were interesting. One of the off-the-menu Starbucks drinks is called LA Smog, which is based off of a [Green Tea Frappuccino](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-pizzeria) with added mocha syrup and java chips. On the more experimental end is the Blueberry Breakfast Shake, which boasts a full blended blueberry muffin. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 72% | Activity: 75% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Signature Barista Creations:** There is an opportunity for Starbucks to embrace the creative input of their baristas and offer a menu of signature drinks developed by their own employees. - **Personalized Drink Experiences:** Starbucks could introduce a feature that allows customers to ask baristas to customize their drinks with unique and innovative ingredients, providing a more personalized experience. - **Collaborative Menu Development:** By involving consumers in the menu development process, Starbucks could create a sense of ownership and excitement around new and unique drink creations. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** The food and beverage industry could explore the concept of incorporating individual barista creativity and customer input to develop unique and personalized drink offerings. - **Technology:** Technology companies could develop mobile apps or online platforms that allow customers to interact with baristas, suggest custom ingredients, and receive personalized drink recommendations. - **Hospitality:** The hospitality industry could adopt the idea of empowering employees to create and offer signature drinks, enhancing the overall guest experience and fostering innovation in beverage offerings. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Bespoke QSR Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-drinks-1.md) - [Bespoke Blended Fruit Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-fruit-frappuccino.md) - [Customizable Summer Drink Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-menu-remix.md) - [Chilled Dubai Chocolate Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dubai-chocolate-drinks.md) - [Foam-Topped Blended Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frappuccino-blended-beverages.md) - [Tequila Cold Brew Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-reserve-roastery-tokyo.md) - [Decadent Coffee-Dessert Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolate-and-strawberry-beverages.md) - [Chocolate-Flavored Coffee Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-3.md) - [Layered Cool Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strato-frappuccino.md)