Starbucks' new spring menu includes drinks made with ube, lavender, and coconut. Here's how they taste.
Business Insider
March 4, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Starbucks has unveiled its new spring menu, featuring three vibrant and flavorful drinks: the Iced Ube Coconut Macchiato, Toasted Coconut Cream Cold Brew, and Iced Lavender Cream Chai. These beverages aim to capitalize on popular flavors while offering a refreshing twist for the season. The introduction of ube, a tropical fruit known for its striking purple color, marks its debut at Starbucks, alongside the return of lavender and coconut flavors in unique forms. This move reflects Starbucks' strategy to attract customers with sweet, Instagram-worthy treats, even as it emphasizes wellness-focused options.
The Iced Lavender Cream Chai stands out for its bold floral notes, thanks to the lavender cream cold foam. While visually appealing and reminiscent of bath products, the drink's overpowering lavender flavor overshadowed the chai base, leaving a mixed impression. Meanwhile, the Toasted Coconut Cream Cold Brew introduces a fresh take on coconut by incorporating toasted elements, though its bitterness and milky texture required more sweetness to balance. The Iced Ube Coconut Macchiato, with its striking purple hue and frothy texture, offers a delightful dessert-like experience, blending vanilla notes from ube with toasted coconut for a surprisingly soft flavor.
These new offerings align with Starbucks' goal of revitalizing sales after a seven-quarter slump, as seen with the success of protein lattes and cold foam in previous seasons. The drinks also tap into the growing trend of social media-driven beverage innovation, particularly with the vibrant colors of ube appealing to younger audiences. While the jury is still out on whether these flavors will resonate long-term, their introduction underscores Starbucks' ability to adapt and innovate, ensuring it remains a go-to destination for both coffee enthusiasts and dessert lovers alike.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 3/4/2026