Starbucks reserve latte vs regular Starbucks latte: do they have different tastes?

If you are a coffee lover, Starbucks latte is definitely on your list of some of your favorite drinks. I occasionally enjoy a cup of Starbucks latte, and I love that the beverage is creamier and the coffee flavor is more subtle. One thing that Starbucks customers may not know is that they can get Starbucks regular latte or reserve latte. If you are unaware of the differences between the two, this article will delve into that and help you learn if the two have different tastes.

What are the differences between Starbucks reserve latte vs regular Starbucks latte?

Features/Starbucks Latte	Starbucks Reserve Latte	Regular Starbucks Latte
Ingredients	Milk, Reserve espresso	Milk, Brewed Espresso, milk foam
Taste Profile	Creamy with a mellow coffee flavor	Creamy with a more subtle coffee flavor.
Calories	230 in a standard size serving	190 in a standard size serving
Sugar	18 grams in a standard size serving	18 grams in a standard size serving
Fat	12 grams in a standard size serving	7 grams in a standard size serving
Caffeine	135 milligrams in a standard size serving	150 milligrams in a standard size serving
Accessibility/Availability	Seasonal-it is made from coffee sourced from small farms.	Easy to access every day in a Starbucks store near you all year round.
Roast Level	Blonde roast	Dark roast

Starbucks reserve latte vs regular Starbucks latte – How They Compare

Ingredients

Starbucks reserve latte is prepared with milk and reserve espresso. The final product is a creamy coffee that is flavorful. 

On the other hand, the regular Starbucks latte is prepared with milk, brewed espresso, and milk foam. The outcome is a creamy drink with a more subtle coffee flavor.

The regular Starbucks latte wins in this category because it is prepared with more ingredients. 

Taste Profile 

Starbucks reserve latte has a creamy mouth feel and a mellow coffee flavor. On the other hand, the regular Starbucks latte has a creamy mouth feel with a more subtle coffee flavor. 

The Starbucks reserve latte wins in this category because it has a smoother texture and is flavorful. 

Calories

Pick the latte with fewer calories if you are obese and want to lose weight. The regular Starbucks latte has fewer calories. A standard size serving of the regular Starbucks latte contains 190 calories.

On the other hand, the Starbucks reserve latte has more calories. A standard size serving of the latte contains 230 calories.

The regular Starbucks latte wins in this category because it is the healthier option. 

Sugar 

Pick the latte with less sugar if you are obese and want to lose weight or have diabetes. A standard size serving of both lattes contains the same amount of sugar. 

A standard serving of each latte (Starbucks reserve latte and regular Starbucks latte) contains 18 grams of sugar.

This category is a draw because both lattes add the same amount of sugar to your body. 

Fat 

Pick the latte with less fat if you are obese and want to lose weight or have a heart problem. The regular Starbucks latte has lesser fat. A standard size serving of the latte contains 7 grams of fat. 

On the other hand, the Starbucks reserve latte has more fat. A standard serving of the latte contains 12 grams of fat.

The regular Starbucks latte wins in this category because it is the healthier option. 

Caffeine 

Pick the latte with more caffeine if you are a strong coffee lover. The regular Starbucks latte has more caffeine than the Starbucks reserve latte. A standard size serving of the regular Starbucks latte contains 150 milligrams of caffeine. 

On the other hand, the Starbucks reserve latte has less caffeine. A standard size serving of the latte contains 135 milligrams of caffeine. 

The regular Starbucks latte wins in this category because it has more caffeine and is ideal for all coffee lovers. 

Accessibility/Availability 

The Starbucks reserve latte is seasonal-it is only available during specific periods during the year. On the other hand, the regular Starbucks latte is easily accessible in a Starbucks near year throughout the year.

The regular Starbucks latte wins in this category because it is available throughout the year, unlike the Starbucks reserve latte, which is seasonal.  

Roast Level

The Starbucks reserve latte is prepared using blonde roast coffee. On the other hand, the regular Starbucks latte is prepared using dark roast coffee. 

The Starbucks reserve latte wins in this category because the light roast spectrum gives it a stronger flavor than the regular Starbucks latte.

Starbucks reserve latte vs. regular Starbucks latte: A comparison overview

Starbucks Latte – Overview

Order a regular Starbucks latte if you crave a coffee with a creamy mouth feel. It combines brewed coffee, steamed milk, and milk foam to give you a one-of-a-kind coffee that will leave you wanting more. 

I like its creamy mouth feel and subtle coffee flavor, but I was not too fond of its high-calorie content. It is suitable for people who love creamy coffee. 

What I liked;

• Its creamy mouth feel 
• Its subtle coffee flavor 

What I didn’t like;

• Its high calories content

Who it’s best suited for.

• Best suited for people who love creamy coffee. 

Starbucks Reserve Latte- Overview

Go no further if you want a flavorful coffee with a creamy mouth feel. It combines Starbucks’ reserve espresso with milk to give you an unworldly coffee. 

I like it because it is flavorful and has a creamy mouth feel. I was not too fond of its high-calorie content. The Starbucks reserve latte is suitable for people who love a creamy cup of coffee.  

What I liked;

• Its creamy mouth feel
• It is flavorful 

What I didn’t like;

• It has a high-calorie content

Who it’s best suited for.

• Best suited for people who love creamy coffee.

Final Verdict: So, Which is Better? – Starbucks reserve latte vs. regular Starbucks latte

It would be unfair to choose which one is better between Starbucks reserve latte and regular latte since both have their strong points. Starbucks reserve latte is relatively more flavorful as it is made with a small-lot espresso. Starbucks regular latte has a little bit more caffeine to give you the caffeine kick. And while Starbucks’ reserve latte has relatively more calories than Starbucks’ regular latte, the amount is just a fraction of the daily recommended limit.

FAQ Section

Which one tastes better between Starbucks reserve latte and regular Starbucks latte?

Starbucks’ reserve latte tastes better than the regular latte because it is more flavorful due to the small-lot reserve espresso used to make it.

Is Starbucks reserve latte stronger than regular latte?

Starbucks reserve latte has 135 mg of caffeine, while a regular latte contains 150 mg of caffeine; thus, the latter is stronger.