Starbucks is serving its new spring menu, including a line of iced shaken espresso beverages.
The Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso combines Starbucks Blonde Espresso, brown sugar and espresso topped with oat milk and ice.
“The delicate sweetness and the depth from the brown sugar pairs really well with the cinnamon and the Starbucks Blonde Espresso,” says Alicia Binion, senior product developer on Starbucks’ beverage development team. “All these warm and comforting flavors are also delicious cold.”
The Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso features Starbucks Blonde Espresso, cocoa and notes of malt all shaken together and topped with almond milk and ice.
“This beverage has some complexity to it with notes of a chocolate malt that complement the nuttiness of the almond milk,” Binion says. “It’s fun with a little bit of familiarity at the same time.”
The Iced Shaken Espresso is a reimagining of the classic Starbucks Doubleshot on Ice, which was introduced in 2015. The beverage is made with chilled espresso and 2% milk.
“All of the iced shaken espresso beverages are coffee-forward with delicate sweetness and delicious flavors like chocolate malt or brown sugar found in the new beverage duo,” Binion says. “They have more espresso than a traditional latte, so it’s perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.”
Starbucks first offered shaken beverages in the summer of 2003, when it launched a line of shaken iced coffee and tea. The technique, which is modeled after mixology, cools the beverage quickly, allows ingredients to mix and enhances the flavor, Starbucks says.
“The fun thing about shaking is it adds another dimension to the beverage,” Binion says. “It creates a rich texture on your palate — by just adding air. When you take that first sip, you get a wonderful froth that is infused with flavor.”
Joining the Starbucks spring menu alongside the new shaken espresso beverages is the Honey Oatmilk Latte, which is receiving a national rollout following its regional introduction in spring 2020. The drink, available hot or iced, blends oat milk and Starbucks Blonde Espresso with honey and a toasted honey topping.
Starbucks also is launching Oatly oat milk nationally following the regional rollout across the Mid-West in January 2020 and California in June 2020. Oat milk will be the fourth non-dairy milk available to US customers, alongside soy milk, coconut milk and almond milk.
“We’re pleased to bring Oatly oat milk to Starbucks stores nationwide in the US — something our customers have asked for as they increasingly seek a variety of plant-based choices,” says Luigi Bonini, senior vice president of global product innovation at Starbucks. “When selecting an oat milk, we looked for a high-quality ingredient that is not only delicious, but also complements our coffees and inspires new handcrafted beverages like the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and Honey Oatmilk Latte. Oatly’s oat milk has a smooth and velvety texture, foams beautifully, and pairs perfectly in our light and dark roast coffees, opening up new possibilities for beverage innovation at Starbucks.”
Starbucks first began offering non-dairy milk at its US stores in 1997 with the addition of soy milk, followed by coconut milk in 2015 and almond milk in 2016. The company also offers non-dairy creamers at retail in partnership with Nestle SA.
“We know from experience that we’re in the midst of a plant-based revolution,” says Toni Petersson, chief executive officer of Oatly. “People everywhere are looking for ways to eat and drink that are better for them and for the planet they live on. Oatly exists to make it easy for people to make those choices every day, with every cup of coffee. We’re excited to be part of Starbucks’ ongoing commitment to sustainability. With this next step, together we’re able to reach that many more people across the US with oat milk and in so doing, continue to do great things for the planet.”
Rounding out the Starbucks spring menu is the new Chickpea Bites & Avocado Protein Box, featuring chickpea bites, snap peas, mini carrots, a dried cranberry nut mix and avocado spread. The on-the-go box provides 15 grams of protein.