If you’ve seen “blondie coffee” on a cafe menu or heard a friend mention it, you might be wondering what it is. A blondie coffee is a specific type of espresso-based drink that gets its name from the “blonde” espresso roast used to make it.
This drink is all about a smoother, sweeter coffee experience. It’s a great choice if you find traditional dark roast espresso to be too bitter or intense. The flavor is lighter and more mellow, often with citrusy or creamy notes.
Let’s look at what makes this drink special and how you can enjoy it.
What Is A Blondie Coffee
At its core, a blondie coffee is any coffee beverage made with Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso roast. This is a key point. While “blondie” can sometimes refer to a baked good, in coffee terms it’s trademarked by Starbucks.
Their Blonde Espresso is a lightly roasted coffee bean. It’s roasted for a shorter time than their signature dark roast. This lighter roast aims to highlight the bean’s natural sweetness and brighter flavor notes.
You can order a blondie version of almost any espresso drink. A Blonde Vanilla Latte or a Blonde Caffè Americano are popular examples. The “blondie” part simply tells the barista to use the blonde espresso shot as the base.
The Key Ingredient: Blonde Espresso Roast
Understanding the espresso is key to understanding the drink. Traditional espresso uses a dark, oily bean. The blonde roast is a complete shift from that.
- Lighter Color: The beans are a light brown color, not dark or shiny with oil.
- Milder Flavor: It has a softer, more approachable taste. The harsh, smoky notes of dark roast are absent.
- Higher Caffeine: Contrary to popular belief, the lighter roast actually has a slightly higher caffeine content by volume. The longer roasting process for dark roasts burns off a bit of caffeine.
- Different Notes: You might taste hints of lemon, caramel, or even toasted nuts, depending on the bean blend.
How It Compares to Regular Coffee Drinks
It’s helpful to see how a blondie drink stacks up against its classic counterpart.
Blondie Coffee vs. Regular Latte
A regular latte uses traditional dark roast espresso. The result is a stronger, more bitter coffee flavor that stands up to the milk. A blondie latte is smoother. The coffee taste is more integrated with the milk, creating a sweeter overall sip even without added sugar. Some people find it less likely to cause acid reflux.
Blondie Coffee vs. Flat White
A flat white is known for its velvety microfoam and strong espresso presence. A blonde flat white uses the lighter espresso. This gives you the same creamy texture but with a less aggressive coffee kick. The subtler espresso allows the quality of the milk’s sweetness to shine through more.
Blondie Coffee vs. Americano
An Americano is just espresso and hot water. A blonde Americano is therefore a much milder, brighter drink. It’s closer to a really good cup of drip coffee but with the clarity and body of an espresso base. It’s a fantastic option for black coffee drinkers who want something less intense.
Popular Blondie Coffee Orders at Starbucks
Since Starbucks pioneered this, here are some of their most popular blondie drinks. You can customize any of these with syrups or milk alternatives.
- Blonde Vanilla Latte: The top seller. The vanilla syrup pairs perfectly with the espresso’s natural sweetness.
- Blonde Caffè Latte: The simple, pure test of the blonde espresso flavor with steamed milk.
- Blonde Cappuccino: More foam than a latte, offering a drier, lighter texture with the blonde espresso punch.
- Blonde Honey Almondmilk Flat White: A dairy-free favorite that combines honey syrup and almond milk for a nutty, sweet experience.
- Iced Blonde Shaken Espresso: A refreshing choice where blonde espresso is shaken with ice and a bit of classic syrup, then topped with a splash of milk.
How to Make a Blondie Coffee at Home
You don’t need to go to a cafe to enjoy one. If you have an espresso machine or a strong coffee maker, you can make a version at home.
Step 1: Get the Right Beans
Look for a “blonde roast,” “light roast espresso,” or “espresso blend” that is specifically labeled as a light roast. Many local roasters offer them. Starbucks sells their Blonde Espresso beans in stores too.
Step 2: Prepare Your Espresso Shot
Pull a single or double shot of espresso using your machine. Aim for a shot that has a honey or light caramel color crema on top, not a dark brown one.
Step 3: Choose Your Milk
Any milk works. Whole milk will give the creamiest, sweetest result. For a dairy-free option, oat milk steams and pairs wonderfully with light roasts.
- Steam your milk until it’s hot and has a small amount of velvety foam (for a latte) or more foam (for a cappuccino).
- Pour the steamed milk over your espresso shot. If you’re making an iced drink, pour cold milk over ice first, then add the espresso shot on top.
- Add flavoring if you like. Vanilla, caramel, or hazelnut syrup are classic choices. A dash of cinnamon on top can be nice.
Why Choose a Blondie Coffee?
There are several good reasons to pick this type of drink.
- You’re New to Espresso: It’s a much gentler introduction than a bold, dark shot.
- You Prefer Sweeter Drinks: Its natural sweetness means you might add less sugar.
- You Drink Coffee Later in the Day: The smoother, less bitter profile can be easier on your stomach in the afternoon.
- You Want to Taste Origin Notes: Lighter roasts better preserve the unique flavors of the coffee’s origin, like fruity or floral notes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When ordering or making blondie coffee, keep these tips in mind.
- Overlooking the Caffeine: Remember, it has slightly more caffeine. If you’re sensitive, factor that in.
- Using the Wrong Grind: For home brewing, you still need a fine espresso grind for a light roast bean to get proper extraction.
- Expecting a “Weak” Coffee: It’s not weak. It’s just differently flavored—smoother and brighter, but still a full-bodied espresso drink.
- Pairing with Overpowering Flavors: Very strong syrups like dark chocolate or toffee might cover up the delicate notes of the blonde espresso.
Customizing Your Drink
The fun part is making it your own. Here are some popular customizations.
- Milk Swap: Try it with oat, almond, or coconut milk. Each changes the flavor profile slightly.
- Syrup Switch: Beyond vanilla, try brown sugar syrup, toffee nut, or even a pump of peppermint for a twist.
- Temperature: It’s excellent both hot and iced. The iced versions are particularly refreshing.
- Extra Shot: Add an extra shot of blonde espresso if you want a stronger coffee flavor without the bitterness.
Blonde Roast Beyond Espresso
The blonde roast concept isn’t limited to espresso machines. You can find blonde roast coffee for your drip machine, French press, or pour-over. These brews will share the same characteristics: a lighter body, higher acidity, and more pronounced origin flavors compared to dark roast brewed coffee. It’s a great way to explore the world of light roast coffees at home without an espresso machine.
Ultimately, a blondie coffee is about accessibility and a different kind of flavor. It opens up the world of espresso to people who previously thought it was to harsh. It also gives coffee enthusiasts a new way to appreciate the subtle notes of a lightly roasted bean. Next time you’re at a coffee shop, consider giving one a try—you might find your new favorite drink.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is in a blondie coffee?
A blondie coffee contains a shot of blonde espresso roast as its base, combined with steamed milk (for hot drinks) or cold milk and ice. It often includes a flavor syrup like vanilla, but the defining ingredient is the lightly roasted espresso.
What does blonde coffee taste like?
Blonde coffee tastes smoother, sweeter, and milder than dark roast coffee. It often has noticeable bright, citrusy, or caramel-like notes, with less of the traditional bitter or smoky flavor associated with espresso.
Is blonde coffee stronger?
In terms of caffeine, yes, blonde roast has slightly more caffeine per scoop than dark roast because less is burned off during roasting. In terms of flavor strength, it is milder and less intense, so “stronger” depends on your definition.
What is the difference between blonde and regular coffee?
The main difference is the roast level. “Regular” or dark roast coffee beans are roasted longer, creating a darker, oilier bean with bolder, bitter flavors. Blonde roast beans are roasted for less time, resulting in a lighter-colored bean with a sweeter, more acidic flavor profile.