I've Tried Every Starbucks Breakfast Menu Item – These Are The Best Things To Order

Meredith Holser
Mar 14, 2024
Starbucks Breakfast Menu ranking

As an ex-barista, I've tried a lot of coffees in my day. But what I've tried even more of is food and bakery items, especially when I was working at Starbucks. There would be new seasonal releases introducing new snacks and such, and I'd be down to try them all. In fact, the Starbucks breakfast menu kept this girl going on those early morning shifts! From classic breakfast sandwiches to sugary-sweet pastries, I'm ranking all the items on Starbucks' breakfast menu, and revealing the best ones of all time!

Ahead, a ranking of the best Starbucks breakfast menu items.

Turkey Bacon, Cheddar & Egg White Sandwich

10/10

Yes. Yes, yes, and yes! The Turkey Bacon, Cheddar & Egg White Sandwich is undoubtedly Starbucks' best breakfast sandwich when it comes to taste, ease of eating, and even nutrition facts. For 230 calories, you get 17 grams of protein, which is a total plus to me, as someone who tries to eat high-protein. It's not nearly as greasy as a lot of the other sandwiches, too.

I really enjoy that this sammie is one of Starbucks less-bulky hot breakfast offerings, which makes it easy to handle from the moment you get it in your hands. Every iteration I've eaten – in various states and airport locations – arrives very hot, with the cheese melting so beautifully. I will say it's not very flavorful on its own (at least, not for my preference), so I always add a drizzle of Sriracha to this sandwich.

Iced Lemon Loaf

10/10

Oh Lemon Loaf, how I love you. It should be criminal how moist this bakery item is, and the flavor is simply top-notch, based on years worth of me eating loaf after loaf (after loaf, after loaf). Each bite is zingy yet sugary, plus the icing that lines the top makes the perfect match.

Albeit very obviously manufactured in mass amounts for mass consumption (it comes straight from a plastic wrapper), the Starbucks Lemon Loaf is an icon. It even rose to fame with hundreds of viral tweets a few years back.

Cinnamon Coffee Cake

10/10

If the Cinnamon Coffee Cake was just the crumbly-sweet streusel topping it comes with, that'd be totally fine with me. It really complements the buttery coffee cake layers that lie below, and when ordered warmed, this Starbucks snack is heavenly.

Though it's more of an 'every once in a while' treat for me, I have no notes for this coffee cake. It's perfectly sweet, the texture is bomb, and it pairs extremely well with any coffee order I've ever tried.

Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites

9/10

This flavor of egg bites is the best one. Period. Advertised as the lighter, healthier version of all three Starbucks egg bites, the Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites are made exclusively with egg whites and not the whole egg. Perhaps that's why they're worlds easier for me to digest and even feel inclined to order in the first place! Anywho...

I would eat these on almost every break I took during my wacky barista days. Ordering them extra-crispy is absolutely the move, as it turns the texture into something less... soggy. Their only downfall is not being super seasoned – nine times out of ten, I would have to have salt + pepper or Sriracha to go along with them.

Glazed Donut

9/10

I go crazy – no – absolutely bonkers for a cake donut, which is why I very much appreciate that Starbucks' star donut isn't just a regular glazed donut like you'd get from your local shop. This denser, cakier version feels like a real treat that you have to sit down and savor instead of inhaling like a sugar monster (but trust me, I do that all the time).

The only shortcoming of the Starbucks Glazed Donut is not having the ideal icing-to-donut ratio. In my opinion, there could always be more glaze!

Impossible Breakfast Sandwich

8/10

I don't care if Impossible meat freaks anyone else out – I personally love it, and it's surprisingly good on Starbucks' Impossible Breakfast Sandwich. This sammie is like your basic SEC (sausage, egg, and cheddar), comprised of the plant-based meat, cage-free fried egg, cheddar cheese all on a puffy ciabatta bun.

Every Impossible Breakfast Sandwich I've ever chowed down on has turned out very yummy. It's salted to perfection, though can get pretty oily (and subsequently, messy) at times. I highly recommend snacking on it with some Sriracha sauce for that extra oomph. Just kindly ask your barista for a packet or two! All in all, I really like this pick.

Butter Croissant

8/10

It's far from authentic – I know – but the Butter Croissant is honestly so good. I appreciate that it's on the Starbucks breakfast menu because plain croissants have been a cafe staple for forever and there's truly no better feeling than dipping your pastry into a steaming-hot vanilla latte.

For a fast food item, the Starbucks Butter Croissant has some impressively flaky layers, and of course, everything is super buttery, which I love.

Vanilla Bean Custard Danish

8/10

I love sweets. I love pastries! So, danishes in any form are gonna be good to me. This newer Starbucks breakfast menu item is filled with a smooth vanilla bean custard that gets folded into a sugary, layered croissant dough, and wow, it's pretty good for a fast food-level pastry! The only requirement is that you order it warmed, though. If you don't, this selection turns out pretty sad.

Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf

8/10

The fact that Starbucks had to revive this bakery item from being seasonally-exclusive to fall and slap it on the year-round menu proves just how tasty it is. While the Starbucks site describes this guy as "slightly spiced," I think that description isn't very accurate. The Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf definitely packs a pumpkin-y punch, and there are plenty of warm spices to go around – which is a good thing, IMO! I want a pumpkin bread to deliver on the pumpkin spice vibes.

Better yet is the crunchy, nutty topping that coats the top of this loaf. Scrumptious. Delicious. You just can't beat it!

Bacon & Gruyère Egg Bites

7/10

These egg bites were super popular at my Starbucks store when I was a barista, but still, aren't my favorite item. Smoked bacon and two different kinds of cheeses get whisked into these snack-sized bites, which creates a pretty decadent mix! Having both gruyère and Monterey jack cheese in a single bite definitely gives this item a leg-up in terms of flavor, plus the bacon does a good job at salting things up a bit more so there's no need to add anything.

Double-Smoked Bacon, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich

7/10

I fear Starbucks kinda went off with this breakfast sammie! While it's stacked with the expected BEC ingredients (bacon, cheddar, egg), what ties it all together with pure perfection is the flaky croissant bun. I love food that's fun to eat, and the layers on this signature bun are unbelievably satisfying.

Though, like many other Starbucks breakfast menu items, this pick tends to slip n' slide, and fall apart. The bacon typically hangs out past the area of the bun, and I had (very sadly) burned myself several times with hot, residual bacon grease trying to prep them behind the counter. If the sandwich was just easier to get a hold of, I'd award it an additional point or two.

Ham & Swiss Croissant

7/10

I feel obligated to deduct points from this food because more often than not, it'd come out of the oven flat, deflated, and overall sad-looking for a what a croissant is supposed to be. Like the Butter Croissant, the Ham & Swiss Croissant is not authentic in any way, but dang, does it taste good.

Looks and construction aside, the Ham & Swiss Croissant is pretty awesome. I think the balance between the meat and cheese is what does it for me. It feels like a breakfast sandwich by nature, but isn't as bulky or as much of hassle to snack on. I ate a truly embarrassing amount of these as a barista!

Bacon, Sausage & Egg Wrap

6/10

This breakfast wrap is dense, hearty, and fairly cheesy. All wrapped up into a flour tortilla, you'll find bacon, sausage, eggs, potatoes, and cheddar cheese – all the savory breakfast goods you could possibly want!

During my barista era, I'd make this wrap for myself when I took my lunch break. It's a bit too filling for breakfast time, in my opinion! One troubling factor about the Bacon, Sausage & Egg Wrap for me – and I hope I'm not alone in this – is that it falls apart very easily, which makes eating it huge challenge. I would find myself quite disgruntled with the actual eating part of this Starbucks breakfast menu item, but not entirely disappointed flavor-wise. Just make sure you grab a fork.

Potato, Cheddar & Chive Bakes

6/10

Another fairly-new item to the Starbucks breakfast menu, these square baked bites are packed with a medley of diced potatoes, cheese, spinach, egg, and chives. The consistency mimics that of a hash brown, which is great, but they are severely lacking in the flavor department. As one barista notes in this Reddit thread, there's "nothing a little Sriracha couldn't improve."

Cheese Danish

6/10

Again, a danish could do me no wrong. But, now that the Vanilla Bean Custard Danish exists, the OG Cheese Danish ranks a little bit lower for me. The Cheese Danish filling is more yogurt-y and savory than its sweeter counterpart, which is not entirely a bad thing, but I think where this one fails to thrive is in presentation. Every Cheese Danish I've ever had from Starbucks – barista or not – has been very flat and despairing, which is not what I'd wanna be greeted with on a pastry-hungry tummy.

Banana Walnut & Pecan Loaf

6/10

While the Lemon Loaf and Pumpkin & Pepita Loaf are superbly moist, I've found that the Banana Walnut & Pecan Loaf is much less so. The reason why? I'm unsure, but I just know it's not super satisfying to me. Each slice packs in a generous amount of nuts, too, which might steal some of the spotlight.

This Starbucks breakfast menu item is good, but not good enough to stand out. Especially given that Dunkin' just released an even better (and more chocolatey) version with their most recent spring menu.

Blueberry Muffin

6/10

The only part of this muffin that matters is the delicious, sugar-crusted muffin top that sits above the wrapper – and that's okay! The bottom half is completely discardable and doesn't taste nearly as good as the sweet upper. This is another regular Starbucks breakfast menu item I'd get as a working barista, and it never failed me, especially when warmed. It's nothing super special, though, hence the ranking.

Sausage, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich

6/10

The Sausage, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich is like the white bread of all Starbucks breakfast menu items. It's basic. It's expected. Nothing new. But, it's still pretty yum for what it is. I appreciate that it's built using an English muffin, unlike a few of the other picks which have varied (and often hard-to-eat) buns.

The top quality of this SEC sammie is definitely the cheese. There's an impressive ratio of cheesiness to meatiness, egginess, and breadiness. Where the Bacon, Gouda & Egg Sandwich flops, this one slays.

Bacon, Gouda & Egg Sandwich

5/10

Gosh, did our customers love this one! With a mix of bacon, gouda cheese, and scrambled egg on an "artisan" roll, this Starbucks breakfast menu item sold out nearly every day I worked there.

Sure, the Bacon, Gouda & Egg Sandwich is an undeniable fan-favorite, but (being honest here) I really very much do not care for it! Each time I reached for it, it never felt like there was enough bacon to balance out the egg, and same thing with the cheese. It was always handed to me very dry and bready, which doesn't quite work for my tastes. It could potentially benefit from some added Sriracha or even a ready-made spread like the Chicken, Maple Butter & Egg Sandwich. Which brings us to...

Chocolate Croissant

5/10

Funny memesaside, the Starbucks Chocolate Croissant is, all in all, mid. It's essentially like the Butter Croissant, just reshaped to fit two piped lines of very sweet chocolate.

What I think really takes away from experiencing this snack at its full potential is that, when warmed, most of the chocolate melts out of the pasty and things get real messy, real fast. So, as an ex-barista who's seen a lot of Starbucks mishaps and unhappy customers, I'd recommend ordering this pick non-warmed.

Kale & Mushroom Egg Bites

5/10

Don't clock me for this, but I don't like mushrooms. Thus, my opinion on the Starbucks Kale & Mushroom Egg Bites is quite useless! Nonetheless, when I did try them, the texture was comparable to the other (and much tastier) egg bites on the menu, and not an issue at all.

Since I had learned to order Starbucks egg bites extra-crispy (AKA double-toasted) while working there, the outsides were perfectly crisp and browned a bit, which was most pleasing to me. The mushroom part, not so much.

Chicken, Maple Butter & Egg Sandwich

4/10

This first breakfast sandwich made its debut earlier this year alongside the rest of theStarbucks winter menu. It features a stack of breaded white-meat chicken, egg, and a swipe of maple-butter spread all smushed between a biscuit roll.

While I wanted to like the Chicken, Maple Butter & Egg Sandwich when I first tried it, there was something very off-putting about the way the layers were so... distinct from each other. I also felt like it was vastly under-seasoned. Chick-fil-A's breakfast offerings are way better in terms of taste + quality!

Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap

4/10

Another low- (well, lower-) calorie breakfast option, the Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap measures up pretty meh when it comes to other Starbucks breakfast menu items. Cage-free egg whites, spinach, feta cheese, and sun-dried tomato cream cheese are all rolled into a mostly seamless whole wheat wrap.

Like I've noted with a few other Starbucks foods, this wrap falls apart so easily, and I hate it! I also think it's less-than-cool that it's usually not filled with any of the filling. Sure, you get hints of the ingredients, but it doesn't feel like a full, satisfying wrap ever.

The Spinach, Feta & Egg White Wrap used to be my ride-or-die order since college, but now, it feels like a flop. When I had it in my barista days, it'd turn out spongy and even a bit soggy, no matter what.

Oatmeal

3/10

I do not have much to say about this oatmeal. It's just oatmeal. And even with all the toppings, it never really hit the mark for me! I could make much better oatmeal at home, including sweet overnight oats that cost way less money. I will give this Starbucks breakfast menu item some credit, though, for being one of the healthiest options available. I'd recommend skipping this one entirely unless you have to eat healthy on-the-go and really have no other option.

Blueberry Scone

3/10

She's dry. She's crumbly. She is not at all what a proper scone should be. The Starbucks Blueberry Scone is low-key a disappointment to scones around the world. But I get it – the chain has to cater to a wide audience. But this baked version isn't my jam at all, and scones I've had at local shops have been much, much better.

Plain Bagel

2/10

I'm sorry, but Starbucks is not (I repeat: NOT!) the place to be getting a good plain bagel. The Plain Bagel is exactly how it sounds, but worse. Gasp! It's dry, cracky, flavorless, and not fresh. It's supposed to emulate New York-style bagels, but doesn't live up to those expectations in any way. You can get a better bagel at your local deli for less $$$, is all I'm sayin'. This bagel might be able to redeem itself, but only if you try it with Starbucks' avocado spread or cream cheese. Even then, I'm not confident things would work out.

Everything Bagel

2/10

Continuing my bagel rant, the Everything Bagel doesn't do the Starbucks pastry case justice, either. It's mostly just a texture and quality thing, I think. Again, some spreads and schmears might barely level up this breakfast bite. Sorry to all Starbucks bagel truthers.

Sign up for our newsletter for more taste-tests and food rankings!

Images via Starbucks.

Starbucks Is Offering 50% Off Drinks Every Friday In May – Here's How To Get Yours

Life is all about the little treats that keep you going. For me, it’s either a sweet dessert or a biiig cup of iced coffee – but those purchases can really rack up, especially when I’m making weekly (or TBH, twice- or thrice-weekly) Starbucks runs. I know I’m not alone in wishing there were more Starbucks deals that’d save me a buck or two each visit.

Wish no more – there are actually tons of ways to snag some Starbucks deals. I’ll even dish on how to get free Starbucks right now. Read on for the coolest coffee deals around!

Does Starbucks have discounts?

Yes, Starbucks has discounts often. They usually depend on the day and time you visit, or seasonal offerings that the chain decides to promote. You can easily find Starbucks deals in the Starbucks app, and check back here for current offers!

What is the cheapest thing to get from Starbucks?

If you still want a drink (but want to spend the least amount of money), a kids-sized steamed (or cold) apple juice is the cheapest thing to get from Starbucks at $2.25. Typically, any kids-sized drink will save you some dough!

How does Starbucks Rewards work?

You earn 1 Star per $1 spent at a Starbucks location with Starbucks Rewards after scanning the Starbucks app and paying with cash, debit card, credit card, or select mobile wallets. You can earn 2 Stars per $1 spent after making a purchase with a preloaded Starbucks Card linked to your Starbucks Rewards account as well. Once you earn enough, you can spend those Stars on freebies like a drink customization, a hot brewed coffee, or a handcrafted drink like a latte!

1. Look out for flash deals

Starbucks regularly runs deals that depend on the day and time you visit – you just have to check in the right places. More often than not, they’ll be posted on the Starbucks app.

Right now, they’re offering several deals for May 2024:

  • 50% off one handcrafted beverage on May 10, 17, 24, and 31 only from 12-6pm local time
  • Personalized offers released in the Starbucks app on May 13, 20, and 27 only

Plus, new Starbucks Rewards members who join during the month of May will will receive 50% off any handcrafted drink during their first week as a member. All they have to do is download the app, join Starbucks Rewards, and click the ‘New Members Get 50% Off’ link!

2. Use Starbucks Rewards

Like I mentioned before, the Starbucks app is a pretty easy way to know what deals are going on when. Signing up for Starbucks Rewards will get you on track to get free Starbucks even easier. Their rewards system operates via Stars – you’ll earn 1 Star for each $1 spent when scanning the Starbucks app and paying with cash, debit card, credit card, or select mobile wallets, or 2 Stars per $1 spent when you pay with a preloaded Starbucks Card in the Starbucks app.
  • 25 Stars earns you a free drink customization
  • 100 Stars earns you a free brewed hot or iced coffee or tea, a bakery item, or a packaged snack
  • 200 Stars earns you a free handcrafted beverage or hot breakfast item
  • 300 Stars earns you a free sandwich, protein box or a bag of coffee beans
  • 400 Stars earns you free Starbucks merch (select items only)

If you’re a regular customer, signing up for Starbucks Rewards will definitely pay off! Learn more here.

3. Opt for a personal cup

When you use a personal cup at Starbucks, you receive a $0.10 discount. For regular visitors, those savings can rack up! Furthermore, if you're a Starbucks Rewards member, using a personal cup, you'll receive 25 Stars. Now, you can use a clean (this is key!) personal cup in Starbucks cafes, in the drive-thru, and even when you order ahead on the app.

4. Don't forget about birthday rewards

Starbucks deals also include birthday freebies, in which you’ll get one free handcrafted beverage, OR one free food item, OR one free ready-to-drink bottled bev.

All you have to do to take advantage of the free Starbucks is register for a Starbucks Rewards account and ensure your birthday date is associated with your account, then once the big day comes, show it to your barista. They’ll take care of you!

Sign up for our newsletter to stay posted on the latest Starbucks deals!

Images via Starbucks.

This post has been updated.

starbucksstarbucks hacksbirthday freebiesdealscoffeefood news

Taylor Swift Just Added 7 TTPD Songs To The Eras Tour

We are now two for two on expecting Taylor Swift to announce Reputation (Taylor's Version) during an acceptance speech and getting an album announcement instead. After showing up to the 2022 VMAs in a "Look What You Made Me Do"-inspired outfit and announcing Midnights, Taylor Swift wore a black and white ensemble on the 2024 Grammys red carpet before telling the world her new album The Tortured Poets Department is coming this spring! Here's everything we know about the new Taylor Swift album. (Here's everything you need to know about Taylor Swift (Taylor's Version) too ;)).

What is Taylor Swift's The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift's new album (which is also referred to as TS11) is called The Tortured Poets Department. Taylor Swift announced the album while accepting the award for Best Pop Album at the 2024 Grammys. While we don't know the exact vibe of the album, over the last year, we've gotten quite a few clues about what we can expect! Just like "Daylight" at the end of Lover sets up Midnights, I think "Dear Reader" sets up The Tortured Poets Department.

Taylor's official announcement features beautiful language that evokes the same emotion "The Lakes" does, which makes me believe TTPD will be similar to Folklore and Evermore (maybe it'll even serve as the third sister album Swifties thought we'd get in 2021?). Some fans are also convinced TTPD connects to Reputation, and TBH, I'm hopping on this train!

"I think the two albums are sisters albums, but in like an opposite way," one Reddit user says. "Reputation is all black, this one is going to be all white and softly coded."

"Reputation is presented as a dark album but is truly a love album," another user comments. "This one is presented as soft and white but I bet the lyrics will be devastating."

I'm expecting TS11 to have the same lyrical prowess as songs like "Would've, Should've, Could've," The National's "The Alcott" (on which Taylor's a featured artist), and "You're Losing Me." Taylor is all about looking past appearances and telling a complex story, and The Tortured Poets Department will be no different. Just like Reputation is an edgy, glittery, emotionally-charged version of the beginning of her relationship with ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn, I totally agree that TTPD could look grounded, airbrushed, and dreamy from the outside, but the lyrics will be SAD.

There's also been some discussion that TS11 could be another pop album that's even more nuanced than Midnights. Well, during her Eras Tour show in Sydney, Australia she played yet another round of suspicious surprise songs. While sitting at the piano, Taylor Swift takes her earpiece out and calls attention to the keyboard. "Do you hear that?" she says (via TikTok). "My damn keyboard's playing a synth sound." She then does what she almost always does when dropping an Easter egg: she smirks.

"That sound is how the album starts, mark my words," one comment reads. Another says, "That smirk tells me everything I need to know."

When is The Tortured Poets Department release date?

Image via Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

The Tortured Poets Department is dropping April 19, 2024. But on February 16, an artist by the name of Nils Sjöberg posted a song titled "The Tortured Poets Department." You might be wondering, "Why is this noteworthy? Who's Nils?" Nils Sjöberg is the pseudonym Taylor Swift has been using for over 10 years! With the fake name, she's written hits like "This Is What You Came For" by Rihanna, so when the title track of TS11 popped up on Spotify, it didn't take long for Swifties to notice.

The singer's voice sounds like it could be an auto-tuned version of Taylor's, but admittedly, it could also be AI. With the recent advancements in audio AI, some tracks from The Tortured Poets Department have supposedly leaked online, but we'll have to wait until April 19th to hear what the album *actually* sounds like. Either way, Nils' song is a fun one to listen to!

At the Eras Tour shows in Tokyo, Taylor Swift explained when she started working on TTPD. “I’ve been working on Tortured Poets since right after I turned in Midnights,” she said onstage. “So, you turn in an album months in advance…and I’ve been working on it for about two years. I kept working on it throughout the U.S. tour and when it was perfect, in my opinion, when it was good enough for you, I finished it.”

"Soon you'll get to hear it, soon we'll get to experience it together," she continued. "I'm over the moon about the fact that you guys care about my music...Everyone’s like, ‘Why do you make so many albums?’ And I’m like, ‘Man, because I love it! I love it so much! I’m having fun, leave me alone.'”

The brand new album follows Speak Now (Taylor's Version) and 1989 (Taylor's Version). When Midnights was announced after Fearless (Taylor's Version) and Red (Taylor's Version), I wondered whether she'd have a two rerecordings, one new album pattern and it looks like that's what we're getting!

How do I presave The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift's official store/UMG

Before The Tortured Poets Department's release on at midnight on April 19 (we're less than a month away!), go ahead and pre-save it. It'll make streaming the album a little bit easier because when you pre-save, the album will pop up for you as soon as it drops! Go to Taylor Swift's official website and click on the "Pre-add/Pre-save" button. It'll take you to a new page where you can save it on Spotify or Apple Music (depending on which service you use), and you can also pre-order at stores like Target!

How many songs will be on The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift dropped The Tortured Poets Department song list February 5, and we already have theories about what each track could reference. IMO, "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart" is totally referencing Taylor Swift's performances of "Lover" following her split from Joe Alwyn (you can see her crying during the set), while there's a good chance "Florida!!!" is referencing her first Tampa concert, which was the first show she performed after the breakup became public knowledge. Taylor Swift's dad Scott Swift recently told fans he's most excited for Swifties to hear the title track and "Florida!!!" Here's the full tracklist for TS11:

  1. Fortnight (feat. Post Malone)
  2. The Tortured Poets Department
  3. My Boy Only Breaks His Favorite Toys
  4. Down Bad
  5. So Long, London
  6. But Daddy I Love Him
  7. Fresh Out the Slammer
  8. Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)
  9. Guilty as Sin?
  10. Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?
  11. I Can Fix Him (No Really I Can)
  12. loml
  13. I Can Do It With A Broken Heart
  14. The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived
  15. The Alchemy
  16. Clara Bow
  17. Bonus Track: The Manuscript
  18. Bonus Track: The Bolter
  19. Bonus Track: The Albatross
  20. Bonus Track: The Black Dog

Will The Tortured Poets Department be explicit?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

There are 7 explicit songs on The Tortured Poets Department: "The Tortured Poets Department," "Down Bad," "But Daddy I Love Him," "Florida!!! (feat. Florence + The Machine)," "loml," "I Can Do It With A Broken Heart," and "The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived."

What is the theory of Taylor Swift's double album?

Image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Throughout her stay in Sydney, Australia for the Eras Tour, Taylor Swift has been dropping lots — and I mean lots — of twos. @v_swiftie_ points out that in addition to holding up the number two while announcing The Tortured Poets Department, she's been playing more surprise song mashups than normal, and Taylor Nation has been posting Instagram stories featuring the number 2 instead of the number 13. Suspicious, Tay, very suspicious.

What is The Albatross about?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

During one of her Eras Tour shows in Sydney, Australia, Taylor Swift announced a new version of The Tortured Poets Department featuring exclusive bonus track "The Albatross." This new album already has some crazy track titles — all with pretty noteworthy meanings.

According to Collins Dictionary, if you call someone an Albatross, "they cause you great problems from which you cannot escape, or they prevent you from doing what you want to do," while a Bolter could refer to someone bolting out of a relationship (or bolting from a restaurant to a car like in this viral clip 🤨).

Meanwhile "The Alchemy" refers to the continual process of trying to turn something into gold — remember how Taylor Swift spent 6 years saying her relationship with Joe Alwyn was golden? Buckle up Swifties, TS11 is going to be a wild ride.

What does loml mean?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

At first glance, the twelfth song on The Tortured Poets Department, "loml," means "love of my life." Some fans were wondering if the song was a nod to Harry Styles since his Harry's House finale track is "Love of My Life" (the album also features a track named "Daylight" which is another funny connection to Taylor Swift). But Bonnie & Emily from ChatsAndReacts have got me thinking about the track in a whole new way.

Emily says that while Taylor might sing about the love of her life at the beginning of the song, she also has the potential to switch it up each verse. "Lie of my life" and "loss of my life" are HEART WRENCHING, and totally something Taylor would write.

Will The Tortured Poets Department have any featured artists?

Image via Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Yes, The Tortured Poets Department will feature Florence + The Machine on the song "Florida!!!" and Post Malone on the song "Fortnight." And after Taylor Swift teased a variety of collaborations by posting handwritten lyrics from artists like Harry Styles and Lorde, Swifties are wondering if The Tortured Poets Department will be the "collab album" we never got.

Another clue that leads me to believe this is true is the fact that the title of this album is so much longer than her other titles — and she refers to herself as "Chairman" of the department. Who are all the constituents?! Are they all the same artists who left Scooter Braun's management last year? Only time will tell, because as far as I'm concerned, surprises aren't out of the question until the TS11 era is over!👀

How can I buy The Tortured Poets Department?

Image via Taylor Swift store

You can pre-order a bunch of different versions of The Tortured Poets Department on Taylor Swift's website right now, includingThe Tortured Poets Department CD + Bonus Track "The Manuscript", The Tortured Poets Department CD + Bonus Track "The Manuscript" andThe Tortured Poets Department Cassette + Bonus Track "The Manuscript".

What is a tortured poets department?

Image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

Taylor Swift has spent years talking about her anxiety, her sleepless nights, and her emotions. "My muses, acquired like bruises / My talismans and charms / The tick, tick, tick of love bombs / My veins of pitch black ink," she writes in her official Instagram post. "All's fair in love and poetry." My guess is that The Tortured Poets Department features a bunch of artists who all feel very deeply and have a similar ethereal, larger-than-life approach to their music.

As far as the name, it looks like The Tortured Poets Department could be referencing her ex-boyfriend Joe Alwyn's group chat name — "The Tortured Man Club" with Paul Mescal (who starred in Normal People while Joe starred Conversations With Friends. Both series are based on Sally Rooney books).

Are you excited for The Tortured Poets Department? What kinds of collabs or songs are you hoping for? Let us know in the comments and check out these Taylor Swift Disney Movie Posters Inspired By Her Songs for more fun content!

Lead image via Taylor Swift/Instagram

musicpop cultureentertainmenttaylor swift

I Tried Starbucks’ New Boba Drinks – Here’s My Brutally Honest Review

The Starbucks summer menu just dropped, and it’s packed with some pretty divisive drinks. The menu lineup introduced a new flavor of Refreshers alongside something Starbucks has never done on a large scale before: boba. The most recent release also brought two new sweet treats to the pastry case – the Orange Cream Cake Pop and Pineapple Cloud Cake.

Given that these new sips and snacks really venture into uncharted territory, I had to give them a proper try to see if they’re worth it! If you’re on the fence about trying some items from this year’s Starbucks summer menu, scroll on for a totally honest review.

Summer-Berry Refresher

I got my hopes up for the new Refreshers with fruity boba. In hindsight, the long-awaited hype was not worth it. By itself, the Summer-Berry Refresher tastes just like blue Gatorade. Sorry not sorry.

The boba was expected to be the saving grace of this drink, but I was left wanting more after sipping down my first few pearls. The raspberry-flavored popping boba pieces supply a fun texture, but they’re not super flavorful. You also don’t get a great serving size based on the ratio of the drink.

Maybe it was just the location I went to, but though I was given the special wide boba straw, I couldn’t use it with the lid that came with my drink. My Refreshers were handed to me with the signature Starbucks sipper lid – which is too small to fit the new straws. Just a bit annoying, especially if you plan to drink this in the car or on the go!

Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher

I sipped theSummer-Berry Lemonade Refresher sans boba first. It definitely has more flavor than the OG, but it’s overwhelmingly lemonade-y. The zesty lemonade really overpowered the berry Refresher flavor, so much so that you can’t quite taste the berry.

I might recommend ordering this bev with a light amount of lemonade, so the flavors balance out more harmoniously.

Summer Skies Drink

Okay, y'all – the Summer Skies Drink redeems the rest of the Refreshers. Essentially, it’s the Summer-Berry Refresher with a splash of coconut milk, a la the Pink Drink. I think it’s my favorite of all 3 of them!

It’s creamy and mildly sweet, which works out wonderfully. With the boba, it’s definitely giving milk tea, which I – as a boba fiend – very much appreciate. Though I like the drink itself, I still wish the boba delivered a more berry-like flavor.

White Chocolate Macadamia Cold Brew

Well, yes! The White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew is – dare I say – the best thing on this year’s Starbucks summer menu. It’s so good. I typically associate nuttier coffee flavors with fall, but this bev has changed my mind. As much as I appreciate a sweet treat, this cold coffee was a nice reprieve from the all-new Berry Refreshers I had sipped beforehand.

This new menu item is great for those who don’t like a ton of sweetness — the bitter cold brew contrasts exceptionally well with the sweet white chocolate macadamia-flavored cold foam. It gets even better (my tasting notes read: “so very delicious”) when you stir in the cold foam with the coffee.

I also enjoy the little crunchy cookie crumble bits on top. While the popping boba (Starbucks is calling ‘em pearls) falls flat, these sprinkles actually enliven the drinking experience!

Orange Cream Cake Pop

New cake pop just dropped! And it’s everything. The hard shell that coats the tiny ball of cake in this treat is extremely satisfying. When I bit into it, it had an indescribable (in a good way) kind of crunch to it. And while the exterior is harder, the cakey inside is very moist. I wasn’t surprised at how good the texture was since most of Starbucks’ cake pops are scrumptious. That’s that for the texture…

As far as the flavor goes, I expected more of the Orange Cream Cake Pop. Sure, there’s a slight orange flavor – it’s not too overwhelming – but this skewered snack is definitely heavier on all things vanilla-y and downright sugary. It almost tastes like an orange Dreamsicle.

All that being said, I’d still order the Orange Cream Cake Pop over and over and over again if I just want a lil’ something.

Image via Starbucks

Pineapple Cloud Cake

I didn’t get to try the Pineapple Cloud Cake yet since the location I went to had sold out (a good sign, perhaps)! According to Starbucks, it’s “an airy cake filled with layers of pineapple cream, pineapple spread and whole fruit pieces with a sweet drizzle topping.”

Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on future menu drops and food reviews!

Photos by Meredith Holser.

food reviewtaste teststarbucksstarbucks menunew starbucks drinksfood

Hailey Bieber's Pregnant! See The Gorgeous Announcement Pictures Now.

After confirming their breakup rumors were, in fact, only rumors, Justin and Hailey Bieber broke the internet on May 9 by announcing they're expecting! The couple has talked about wanting to start a family in the past, and I am so excited for this new chapter in their lives. Check out Hailey Bieber's pregnancy announcement — and the photos — below!

www.instagram.com

On May 9, the couple separately uploaded nearly identical Instagram posts of what looks like a vow renewal ceremony. In the photos, which overlook the mountains and feature a super cute rope swing, Hailey can be seen cradling her baby bump while wearing the most beautiful white lacy gown.

Hailey Bieber once promised GQ Hype that when she did get pregnant, the internet would be the last to know. "I want kids so bad but I get scared," Hailey Bieber also told The Sunday Times. "It's enough that people say things about my husband or my friends. I can't imagine having to confront people saying things about a child."

Image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

TBH, Hailey Bieber's pregnancy just proves how in love Justin and Hailey are!! "words could never truly describe the beauty of who you are," Hailey captioned an Instagram post for Justin's 30th birthday. "love of my life, for life."

"YOU MAKE LIFE MAGIC," Justin Bieber said in his own Instagram caption. "OBSESSED WITH EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. LOVE YOU BUM BUM."

I literally cannot get enough of this couple, and I can't wait to see what their growing family looks like over the next couple of years. Stay tuned for a gender and baby name reveal (should they choose to share) — this is going to be one cute kid!

Check back here for the latest news on Hailey Bieber's pregnancy!

Lead image via Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

familyparentingmotherhoodcelebritypregnancycelebrity news

The 7 Worst TV Breakups Of All Time

While it's always nice to see something realistic represented in our favorite TV shows, there are few things more painful than watching a TV breakup (especially when it reminds you of your own, oops!). Even when we don't actually know fictional characters IRL, it's absolutely devastating to see them break each other's hearts. (Although, I'll admit it's equally as bad as never seeing your favorite prospective couple get together — I'll never, ever forgive The 100 for what they did to Clarke and Bellamy!!).

Keep reading to see some of our most heartbreaking splits in recent television history — and then check outWhat Being Team Conrad Or Jeremiah Says About Your Dream TV Boyfriendto put a smile back on your face.

Brit + Co's Picks For The Worst TV Breakups

Image via The CW/WB

Rory and Jess from Gilmore Girls

This is one of my personal worst TV breakups because it seems like, out of all of Rory's boyfriends, Rory and Jess are going to stay together forever when they start dating. Not only does their love of books bring them closer together, but their personalities are so compatible — they're perfect for each other, IMO! But when Jess leaves for California at the end of season 3 (without saying anything to Rory, I might add) is unacceptable! They see each other a few more times over the course of the show, but it's never the same. This ending breaks my heart, and based on the final look he gives Rory during A Year in the Life, he also regrets it BIG TIME.

Image via NBC

Ross and Rachel from Friends

Friends is one of the most iconic sitcoms of all times, and Ross and Rachel is definitely one of the worst TV breakups. In season 3, this iconic couple decides to take a break, and in "The One with the Morning After," Ross wakes up with another woman named Chloe at the exact moment Rachel shows up at his door to get back together. Rachel finds out about the affair, and after a fight in Monica's living room, the couple calls it quits.

Regardless of how you feel about Ross using every opportunity to point out they "were on a break" when he slept with Chloe, seeing Rachel's reaction (and knowing the trust between them was broken) is one of the worst moments in the whole show. Just thinking about it makes my stomach bottom out!

Image via The CW/WB

Damon and Elena from The Vampire Diaries

This Vampire Diaries couple was truly endgame, and I can't lie: The will-they-won't-they of it all was one of my favorite things about the show. So when they broke up (to my horror), I was devastated.

Damon and Elena admit they're bad for each other in the season 5 episode "While You Were Sleeping" (then Damon tells her he doesn't even want to be friends. Ouch!!), but it's the season finale, "Home," that makes me extra emotional. When Damon gets stuck with Bonnie on the Other Side, he says goodbye to Elena, who's begging him not to leave but can neither see nor hear him. Say it with me: gut! wrenching!

Image via Erika Doss/Prime Video

Conrad and Belly from The Summer I Turned Pretty

The Summer I Turned Pretty fans are PASSIONATE about whether they're team Conrad or team Jeremiah (trick question, my OTP is Taylor and Stephen), and even the most dedicated Conrad stan hates the prom scene. You know, when he breaks up with Belly at her prom, in the rain. I know he just thinks Belly deserves better, but it's still very painful to watch. (Not quite as painful as him realizing Belly didn't know he loved her in episode 6).

Image via BBC/Prime Video

Fleabag and The Priest on Fleabag

In the history of TV, I don't think I've ever heard anything as heartbreaking as "I love you," "It'll pass." Like, who approved that line?! The viral moment comes at the end of the Fleabag series finale, when Fleabag is sitting with The Priest at the bus stop. Over the course of the series, we not only see how much these two care about each other, but how well they know each other (like how The Priest recognizes when Fleabag zones out). To be loved is to be known, and that's what makes this devastating TV breakup even more devastating.

Image via FOX

Schmidt and Cece from New Girl

When I hear "worst TV breakup" I IMMEDIATELY think of Schmidt and Cece from New Girl. Schmidt gets away with a lot of ridiculous things throughout this show, but dating two girls at one time is not one of them (nor should it be). After Nick has a hard time keeping Schmidt's love life secret, Schmidt finally comes clean to Cece in "Double Date," leaving both her and me in tears. No matter how many times you rewatch the show, it truly feels like their relationship (and maybe even the friend group) will never recover.

Image via HBO

Carrie and Aidan on Sex and the City

After so much back and forth, it's hard to accept Carrie and Aidan's final breakup on SATC. But in season 4's "Change of a Dress," Carrie realizes she's not ready for marriage and Aidan realizes he doesn't trust her after her affair with Big. The combo of broken trust and being at two different life stages makes this extra painful to watch, and I don't think any amount of rewatches (or And Just Like That binges) is going to change that.

What's YOUR worst TV breakup? Let us know on Facebook!

Lead image via Prime Video

This post has been updated.

tventertainmentpop culture