Starbucks jumps into "swicy" TikTok trend with new drinks
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Starbucks' Spicy Lemonade Refreshers and Spicy Cream Cold Foam launch April 16. Photo: Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks is jumping into the TikTok-driven "swicy" trend — sweet and spicy — Tuesday by raising the heat with a new line of lemonade drinks.
Why it matters: The coffee giant is making a play for Gen Z and millennial consumers who have been embracing the growing sweet-heat fad.
The big picture: Starbucks isn't alone in bringing the heat. Spicy margaritas have been a popular drink for years and hot honey has gone mainstream.
- Pizza Hut released a Hot Honey Pizza in February.
- Lay's Sweet & Spicy Honey flavored chips also debuted in February.
- Arby's, Chick-fil-A, Wendy's and other chains have also been adding more spicy sandwiches to the menu, some as temporary items.
Between the lines: TikTok has fueled the sellouts of viral Trader Joe's mini tote bags and Stanley cups but some trends fade quickly.
- Starbucks says these drinks will only be available for a "very limited time." Social media hype may play a role in how fast the items vanish.
Dig in: The National Restaurant Association predicted more hot honey menu items and restaurants incorporating social media trends as part of its 2024 What's Hot Culinary Forecast.
- Monin, a beverage flavoring company, named hot honey as the flavor of the year for 2023.
Starbucks Spicy Refreshers launch Tuesday
Driving the news: Starbucks announced it will release three new Spicy Lemonade Refreshers and a new spicy cream cold foam that can be added to any drink Tuesday at participating U.S. restaurants.
- The Refresher flavors are spicy dragonfruit, spicy pineapple and spicy strawberry and all include Starbucks Spicy Chili Powder Blend.
Zoom in: Starbucks has found cold drinks to be hot in the U.S. and the majority of its sales.
- Cold beverages accounted for around 75% of beverage sales in Starbucks U.S. company-operated stores, the company said last year.
Starbucks Spicy Lemonade Refreshers taste test
Our thought bubble via Axios' Ross Terrell, who tried the strawberry and pineapple refreshers Tuesday:
- "The spice isn't overpowering by any means but it does leave your mouth with a nice tingle," he said.
- "Why ruin a good thing as classic as strawberry lemonade, but it's not bad," he shared.
Yes, but: Brace yourself for a delayed reaction to the heat as the chili powder may settle at the bottom if you don't reshake your drink.
- The pineapple had less of a kick and more of a tropical taste, Terrell said.
- "The strawberry gives you more of a spicy/sweet feel," he said.
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Editor's note: This story was updated with Axios' taste test of the new drinks.
