It was just a normal day in Beverly Hills until it wasn't. Drake was spotted clutching a Starbucks cup, and suddenly, the internet lost its mind. People weren't just looking at the drink. They were looking at the vibe.
You've probably seen the photos. He’s walking with that specific "Certified Lover Boy" swagger, rocking a designer jacket, and holding a standard white cup like it’s a trophy. It feels relatable, right? Even one of the wealthiest musicians on the planet needs a caffeine fix from the same green siren we all visit. But when it's Drizzy, a simple latte isn't just a latte. It becomes a meme, a fashion statement, and a weirdly debated piece of pop culture history.
What Drake drinking Starbucks tells us about celebrity branding
Why do we care? Honestly, it’s because it breaks the fourth wall of being a superstar.
Most of the time, Drake is living a life that feels like a sci-fi movie. He’s on his "Air Drake" private jet or courtside at a Raptors game. Seeing Drake drinking Starbucks brings him back down to earth. It’s that "Stars—They’re Just Like Us!" trope that tabloids have lived on for decades. Except, Drake knows exactly what he’s doing. Every public move is curated. Even the coffee.
There’s a specific psychology at play here. When a celebrity of his stature is seen with a mass-market brand, it creates a sense of "approachable luxury." It's the same reason you see him wearing Nike. It’s accessible. You might not be able to afford a $100 million mansion in Toronto, but you can definitely afford a $6 Caramel Macchiato. That connection is gold for a brand's relevance.
The viral moments that stuck
Remember the 2017 pap shots? He was caught in a puffer jacket, looking slightly annoyed, holding that cup. It became a template for "Monday Morning" memes across Twitter and Instagram.
Then there was the time he was seen with a drink that looked suspiciously like a Passion Tango Herbal Tea. Fans started dissecting the color. Was it a custom order? Does Drake have a secret "Drake Drink" we don't know about? Unlike the "Pink Drink" or the "Charli" at Dunkin', Starbucks never officially partnered with him for a menu item. They didn't have to. The organic visibility of Drake drinking Starbucks did the heavy lifting for them.
👉 See also: Blair Underwood First Wife: What Really Happened with Desiree DaCosta
It’s actually kinda funny how much weight we put on these sightings. In 2023, a TikTok went viral claiming he ordered a very specific, complicated Frappuccino. It turned out to be fan fiction, but the fact that it gathered millions of views shows the hunger for these "lifestyle" snippets. We don't just want the music; we want to know what his taste buds are doing at 10:00 AM.
The "paparazzi walk" and the coffee accessory
In the world of high-end fashion, a coffee cup is basically an accessory. It’s the ultimate "I’m busy but I’m relaxed" prop.
Drake often uses these walks to showcase his latest OVO gear or a rare pair of Nocta sneakers. The Starbucks cup acts as a neutral grounding element. If he were holding a gold chalice, it would look ridiculous. If he were holding a generic water bottle, it would look boring. The white and green cup is the perfect middle ground. It says, "I’m a regular guy," while his security detail says, "No, I’m definitely not."
Is it actually Starbucks in the cup?
There’s a long-standing conspiracy theory in celeb circles that these cups aren't always filled with what they seem. Some PR experts suggest that celebrities carry "stunt" cups to look more relatable or to hide whatever they’re actually drinking (maybe a high-end green juice or just plain water).
However, with Drake, the sightings often happen near high-end Starbucks locations in West Hollywood or Soho. People have actually seen him go in. He’s a fan of the classics. Sources close to his entourage have occasionally leaked that he’s a fan of basic teas and the occasional espresso-based drink. Nothing too crazy. No "15 pumps of sugar-free vanilla" stories have actually been verified.
Why this keeps ranking in search results
You might wonder why Drake drinking Starbucks is still a thing people search for years after the initial photos dropped.
✨ Don't miss: Bhavana Pandey Explained: What Most People Get Wrong About the Original Bollywood Wife
It’s the "lifestyle" factor.
- Trend-spotting: People want to see what he’s wearing during his casual runs.
- Location scouting: Fans want to know which Starbucks he frequents so they can hang out there.
- Relatability: It humanizes a figure who often feels untouchable.
When he’s seen out and about, it signals he’s "in the streets" (in the most curated way possible). It’s a far cry from the "God's Plan" video where he was giving away money in groceries stores, but it serves a similar purpose. It places him in the physical world that we all inhabit.
The impact on the Starbucks brand
Let’s be real. Starbucks doesn’t need Drake. They’re a global behemoth.
But having the "6 God" seen with your product provides a level of "cool" that a traditional ad campaign can't buy. It's the difference between a commercial and a lifestyle. When Drake is seen drinking Starbucks, it reinforces the brand as the default choice for the elite and the everyman alike. It’s a "safe" brand. It’s consistent. Just like a Drake hook, you know exactly what you’re going to get.
The comparison to other celebs
Drake isn't the only one. Ben Affleck has Dunkin'. Taylor Swift has her Starbucks "Lover" tie-ins. But Drake’s relationship with the brand feels more like a background character in his life. He isn't doing "runs" like Affleck. He’s just existing, and Starbucks happens to be there.
This subtlety is actually more effective. It doesn't feel like a sell-out move. It feels like a genuine habit. Whether he’s in Hidden Hills or roaming through London, that cup remains a constant.
🔗 Read more: Benjamin Kearse Jr Birthday: What Most People Get Wrong
What we can learn from the Drake coffee phenomenon
There’s a lesson here about personal branding.
Consistency matters. Drake has a "uniform"—the beard, the jewelry, the specific fit of his pants, and yes, the occasional coffee cup. These repetitive visual cues build a recognizable brand identity. Even when he’s doing something as mundane as drinking a beverage, he’s reinforcing "Drake."
If you’re trying to build a brand, think about your "props." What are the things people associate with you in your daily life? It doesn't have to be a multi-billion dollar coffee chain. It could be a specific style of notebook, a type of pen, or the way you organize your desk. These small details create a narrative.
How to spot a "Drake-level" lifestyle moment
If you want to capture the same energy, it’s not about the coffee. It’s about the confidence.
- Confidence in the mundane: Drake doesn't look like he’s trying to be seen, even though he knows he is.
- High-low mixing: Pair something expensive with something common.
- The "Off-Duty" Look: Investing in high-quality loungewear makes even a coffee run look like a photoshoot.
Basically, the fascination with Drake drinking Starbucks is a fascination with how the 1% navigates the 99%'s world. It's a tiny window into the day-to-day life of a man who lives behind guarded gates.
Next time you’re standing in line for your morning brew, look around. You probably won't see Drake. But you’re participating in the same ritual that even the biggest stars in the world can’t seem to quit.
To really understand the "Drake effect," look at your own habits. We often adopt the small, reachable traits of people we admire. Maybe you started ordering a specific drink because you saw a photo of him. Maybe you bought a specific hoodie. That’s the power of celebrity influence in its most quiet, caffeinated form.
If you're looking to replicate this aesthetic for your own social media or personal brand, focus on candid-style photography in urban settings. Use natural lighting. Don't look at the camera. And maybe, just maybe, hold a cup. It works for the boy, and it'll probably work for you too.