Shake things up a little with Starbucks new non-dairy iced shaken espresso beverages
Starbucks introduces two new plant-based iced shaken espresso beverages along with the national launch of oatmilk in stores this spring.
Starbucks introduces two new plant-based iced shaken espresso beverages along with the national launch of oatmilk in stores this spring.
There’s always been a romance to espresso. It starts with the low rumble of the bean grinder, then that bubbling hiss you hear as the perfect espresso shot cascades into the cup. The crescendo comes with the flick of the wrist as a barista swirls a beautiful cap of foam. You can practically hear Italian opera humming along.
Shaking it up
In the summer of 2003, Starbucks added another bit of the theater to the Starbucks experience with the introduction of its hand-shaken iced coffee and teas. The technique, modeled after mixology, cooled the beverage quickly and allowed the ingredients to mix perfectly to bring out their flavors. It added refreshing new beverage options on warm weather afternoons, along with some visual flair behind the bar and the soothing sound of swooshing ice. Baristas even wore T-shirts that season with a design that featured tumbling shakers murmuring, “Shake, shake, shake … ahhh.”
In the nearly two decades since shaking things up with those firsthand-shaken beverages, cold is not just for summer afternoons anymore. Changing demographics are helping drive this shift, with a growing number of customers favoring cold beverages. In the past four years alone, cold beverage sales at Starbucks have grown by nearly 45 percent. Starbucks customers are also embracing and increasingly asking for more non-dairy choices. Following positive partner (employee) and customer feedback from the regional roll-outs of oatmilk across the Mid-West and California, oatmilk will be the fourth non-dairy milk available to customers in the U.S. to enjoy (alongside other permanent favorites soymilk, coconutmilk and almondmilk).
Introducing the new Iced Shaken Espresso lineup
Thirsty yet? Starting Mar. 2, Starbucks is adding two new iced (and plant-based!) shaken espresso beverages to its core menu to stores in the United States: Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso along with the national launch of Honey Oatmilk Latte (previously only available regionally).
“The fun thing about shaking is it adds another dimension to the beverage,” said Alicia Binion, senior product developer on Starbucks beverage development team. “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.”
Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
The new Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso starts with shots of Starbucks® Blonde Espresso, shaken with brown sugar and cinnamon and topped with oatmilk.
“The delicate sweetness and the depth from the brown sugar pairs really well with the cinnamon and the Starbucks Blonde Espresso,” said Binion. “All these warm and comforting flavors are also delicious cold.”
Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso
Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso is made with Starbucks® Blonde Espresso, cocoa and notes of malt shaken and topped with almondmilk.
“This beverage has some complexity to it with notes of a chocolate malt that complement the nuttiness of the almondmilk,” she said. “It’s fun with a little bit of familiarity at the same time.”
Iced Shaken Espresso
Iced Shaken Espresso rounds out the iced shaken espresso lineup, a reimagining of the classic Starbucks Doubleshot® on Ice (first introduced in 2015) made with Starbucks rich, full-bodied signature espresso that’s been chilled and mellowed with a touch of 2 percent milk and just enough sweetness.
“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,” she said. “They have more espresso than a traditional latte, so it’s perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.”
Now serving: Oatly Oatmilk
Honey Oatmilk Latte
Joining the spring menu at Starbucks is the national rollout of Honey Oatmilk Latte, which arrives in stores along with the national launch of Oatly oatmilk. The beverage, a customer favorite since its regional introduction one year ago, combines oatmilk and Starbucks® Blonde Espresso with a hint of honey and a toasted honey topping. Available hot and iced.
