Between early morning classes, long afternoons, and late nights finishing homework, many students at Brien McMahon High School find themselves making a quick stop at Starbucks. Whether it is before school, after practice, or during a weekend study session, the coffee chain has become a familiar part of student life.
As seniors, my friend Alinson Morales and I decided to turn one of our usual Starbucks runs into a mini taste test to see which drinks actually deserve the hype. We tried several popular menu items and rated them based on taste, sweetness, and overall vibe.
Before the tasting even began, though, we already knew one thing: our go to order is almost always the same.
“The Strawberry Açaí is literally our drink,” Morales said. “Every time we go, that’s what we get.”
We started with the Strawberry Açaí Refresher, the bright pink drink that seems to show up everywhere from study sessions to weekend hangouts. The drink was light, fruity, and refreshing, which made it easy to see why it is such a student favorite.
“It’s just really good every time,” Morales said. “It’s refreshing and not too heavy.” She gave it a 9 out of 10.
I agreed. It is the kind of drink you can get after a long school day and finish in minutes without getting tired of it.
Next, we tried the Pink Drink, another student favorite made with coconut milk and the Strawberry Açaí base.
“This one feels a little more creamy,” Morales said. “It’s really smooth.” She rated it an 8.5 out of 10, saying it was good but that the original refresher still held the top spot.
For something a little stronger, we tested the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, which has become popular for students who actually want caffeine.
“This one definitely wakes you up,” Morales said. “You can really taste the coffee.” She rated it an 8 out of 10, noting that it might be better for people who enjoy stronger drinks.
Finally, we tried the Caramel Frappuccino, one of Starbucks’ most well known drinks.
“This is basically dessert,” Morales said, laughing. The sweet, blended drink earned a 7 out of 10, mostly because it felt more like a treat than something you would get regularly.
After trying several different drinks, the result was clear: our usual order still wins.
“No matter what we try, we always go back to the Strawberry Açaí,” Morales said.
For many McMahon students, Starbucks has become a small but fun part of everyday routines. Whether it is grabbing a drink before a long day of classes, meeting friends after school, or taking a break from studying, it has become a go to stop.
And according to Morales and me, if you are not sure what to order, starting with a Strawberry Açaí might just be the safest choice
