Win $30,000 cash in the Starbucks Secret Menu Contest

Starbucks Corporation is sponsoring The Secret Menu Contest, which offers participants the opportunity to win a grand prize totaling $30,000. This unique contest invites entrants to create their own custom Starbucks drink recipe. Additionally, three finalist prizes of $5,000 each are available for standout recipes.

How to Enter

To participate, entrants must visit the contest website during the submission period from July 14 to July 20, 2025, and utilize the online menu tool to design their favorite customized Grande (16 oz.) drink. After creating their recipe, entrants submit it along with their name and email address. Only one entry per person is permitted, and while submitting a photo of the custom drink is optional, it will not affect the judging process. The contest is available to adults in the United States and the District of Columbia, including Starbucks employees, with some exclusions.

The judging process is set to involve a combination of computerized scoring followed by expert panels selecting finalists based on creativity, taste, feasibility, and trend alignment. Four finalists will advance to a public voting phase on Instagram from August 18 to August 20, 2025, where the drink with the most valid votes will secure the grand prize. The contest includes specific guidelines to prevent voting manipulation, and finalists must agree to terms regarding publicity and recipe rights.

The prizes consist of a grand prize of $30,000 awarded via bank transfer, which includes a $5,000 finalist prize plus an additional $25,000 for the winner. Each of the other three finalists will also receive $5,000. Winners will be responsible for any applicable taxes.

For those interested in participating, more information and entry details can be found on the official Starbucks Secret Menu Contest webpage.