Starbucks never stops surprising, the world's most famous coffee chain is always looking for the next trend. It's no longer just about hot coffee or classic lattes. Now, the menus include cold, refreshing drinks with extra benefits.
This fall, Starbucks brings two new items that are generating a lot of buzz: Coco Matcha and Coco Cold Brew. Two options that combine flavor, freshness, and a healthy touch.
The bet on healthy options
More and more consumers are looking for "better for you" drinks. Less sugar, fewer calories, and some functional benefit, Starbucks knows it. That's why it decided to try something different: drinks made with coconut water, a hydrating and light ingredient.
Coco Matcha combines coconut water with cold, creamy matcha, with no added sugar. A large drink has 230 kcal (230 calories) and 11 g (11 grams) of sugar. Meanwhile, Coco Cold Brew mixes coconut water with cold coffee and a silky chocolate foam. Its large version has just 70 kcal (70 calories) and 9 g (9 grams) of sugar.
Both are refreshing and aim to attract those who want to take care of themselves without giving up the pleasure of a special drink.
From testing to more stores
These drinks started being tested in July in New York, as part of the "Starting 5" program, which serves to measure the response of customers and employees. The plan worked so well that Starbucks decided to expand the test to more than 400 stores in several cities.
The selected cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cedar Rapids, St. Louis, South Bend, Springfield, Madison, and Milwaukee. If you want to know if your store offers these new items, just check the Starbucks app.
If everything goes as planned, Coco Matcha and Coco Cold Brew could reach menus nationwide. That would mean more customers would have the chance to try these unique combinations.
First reactions
As always when something new is launched, the response is diverse. Some customers describe the flavor as "interesting" but not essential. Others say it's "refreshing" and that the concept sounds "amazing".
The truth is that the combination of coconut water with matcha or cold coffee is different from what we usually find at Starbucks. It's precisely that difference that's generating curiosity.
A drink to try now
If you're in one of the selected cities, it's worth ordering a Coco Matcha or a Coco Cold Brew. They're perfect for hot days or for those who want something new without excess calories.
If your store isn't participating in the test, don't worry: there will always be a Pumpkin Spice Latte waiting for you in just a few days. In the meantime, these two drinks show that Starbucks keeps innovating and setting trends in the coffee world.