Starbucks has officially launched its secret menu in the app with a $25,000 contest for the best custom creation
Starbucks Secret Menu Contest: Your Chance to Win $25,000
Starting July 14 through July 20, 2025, Starbucks is inviting both customers and employees to submit their favorite customized beverage creations for a chance to win big. This nationwide search for the next viral Starbucks drink comes with serious incentives:
Contest Timeline & Prizes
- Submission period: July 14-20, 2025
- Four finalists selected: Each receives $5,000 and featured placement on the Starbucks app
- Finalist drinks featured: August 18-25, 2025
- Public voting: August 18-20 via Starbucks Instagram
- Grand prize: $25,000 for the winning creation
Get creative with your drink combinations to stand out in the contest
This contest marks the first time Starbucks has fully embraced the “secret menu” phenomenon that has been circulating online since at least 2011. By standardizing these popular customizations and offering them directly in the app, Starbucks is responding to customer preferences for personalization while creating excitement around their brand.
How to Access the Secret Menu in the Starbucks App
Finding these hidden gems is now easier than ever. Starbucks has integrated the secret menu directly into their mobile app, making ordering these custom creations simple and consistent. Here’s how to access them:
- Download the Starbucks app if you don’t already have it
- Create or log into your Starbucks Rewards account
- Navigate to the “Offers” tab in the app
- Look for the “Secret Menu” section
- Select your desired custom drink
- The drink will be added to your cart with all customizations pre-populated
- Complete your order as usual
The menu will be regularly updated with new drink customizations, so check back often to discover the latest creations!
Join Starbucks Rewards to Access the Secret Menu
You’ll need to be a Starbucks Rewards member to access these special drinks. Sign up today to start exploring the secret menu!
Current Secret Menu Drinks You Can Order Today
To kick off the secret menu launch, Starbucks has added four fan-inspired customizations to the app. These drinks showcase the creative possibilities and serve as inspiration for your own contest submissions:
Cookies on Top
A cookies and cream lover’s dream! This customization starts with a Cold Brew base, adds two pumps of vanilla syrup, and tops it with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam and cookie crumble topping for a dessert-like experience.
Fan Favorite
Dragonfruit Glow-Up
This Instagram-worthy creation transforms the Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refresher by adding peach juice blend, blending it all together, and topping with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam for a stunning layered effect.
Most Photogenic
Lemon, Tea & Pearls
This refreshing twist adds raspberry-flavored popping pearls to the classic black tea and lemonade combination, creating a fun textural experience with every sip as the pearls burst with flavor.
Refreshing Pick
Just Add White Mocha: Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso enhanced with White Chocolate Mocha Sauce and topped with Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Foam
Pro Tips for Creating Your Contest-Winning Starbucks Drink
Want to create a drink that could win the $25,000 grand prize? Here are some expert tips to help your submission stand out from the crowd:
Winning Drink Creation Strategies
- Balance flavors – Sweet, sour, bitter, and creamy elements should complement each other
- Consider visual appeal – Layered drinks and colorful combinations perform well on social media
- Think about texture – Incorporate elements like cold foam, whipped cream, or popping pearls
- Name it memorably – A catchy, descriptive name helps your drink stand out
- Keep it orderable – Use ingredients and modifications that are actually available at Starbucks
- Test it first – Order your creation to make sure it tastes as good as it sounds
“The best secret menu creations combine unexpected flavors in a way that’s both delicious and visually striking. Think about what would make someone want to take a picture of your drink before they even taste it.”
Experiment with different combinations of syrups, toppings, and milk alternatives for your contest entry
How to Order Secret Menu Drinks Like a Pro
While the official secret menu drinks are now available in the app, you might still want to order other custom creations you’ve seen online. Here’s how to do it without frustrating your barista:
DO
- Know the exact recipe and ingredients before ordering
- Be patient during busy times when ordering complex drinks
- Have a backup option if an ingredient is unavailable
- Use the mobile app for complicated orders when possible
- Tip your barista for their extra effort
DON’T
- Just ask for a drink by its internet name (e.g., “Mermaid Frappuccino”)
- Expect baristas to know unofficial recipes
- Get upset if your drink doesn’t look exactly like online photos
- Order extremely complex drinks during rush hour
- Request ingredients that Starbucks doesn’t carry
Baristas can create amazing custom drinks when you provide clear instructions
Pro Tip: Save Your Favorites
Once you find a secret menu drink you love, save it to your favorites in the Starbucks app for easy reordering. You can also take a screenshot of the recipe to share with friends or reference later!
How to Submit Your Drink to the Starbucks Secret Menu Contest
Ready to enter your creation in the contest? Follow these steps to submit your drink and compete for the $25,000 grand prize:
Contest Submission Process
- Visit the official contest page at secretmenucontest.starbucks.com
- Create your account or log in with your Starbucks Rewards credentials
- Fill out the submission form with your drink’s name and detailed recipe
- Upload a photo of your creation (optional but recommended)
- Describe what makes your drink special in 100 words or less
- Submit before July 20, 2025 to be considered
Get inspired by these creative submissions from previous Starbucks drink contests
Will Your Creation Be the Next Starbucks Sensation?
The Starbucks secret menu drinks contest represents an exciting opportunity to put your creativity on display and potentially win $25,000 for your coffee innovation. With the contest running until July 20, 2025, there’s still time to perfect your recipe and submit your entry.
Whether you’re inspired by the current secret menu offerings or have a completely original idea, this is your chance to make your mark on Starbucks history. The four finalists will see their creations featured in the Starbucks app nationwide, giving them exposure to millions of coffee lovers.
Could you be the next $25,000 winner in the Starbucks secret menu drinks contest?
Ready to Create Your Winning Drink?
Don’t miss your chance to win $25,000 and see your creation featured nationwide. Submit your entry before July 20!
Will you enter the contest? Tag us with your creation! We’d love to see what you come up with and might even feature your drink in a future article about innovative Starbucks creations.
Share Your Starbucks Secret Menu Creations
Even if you don’t win the contest, sharing your custom creations on social media can help them go viral. Many of today’s most popular secret menu items started as social media posts that caught on with Starbucks fans.
Social Media Sharing Tips
Social media has been instrumental in popularizing secret menu drinks