Starbucks summer drinks come out Tuesday despite menu cuts
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Starbucks' Summer-Berry Refreshers were first introduced last summer. Photo: Courtesy of Starbucks
Starbucks launches its summer menu with new and returning limited-time drinks Tuesday despite the coffee giant's plans to keep trimming the menu.
Why it matters: The Seattle-based company is promoting a "back to Starbucks" campaign to return to its roots to try to reverse a decline in foot traffic and sales.
- Starbucks' comparable sales declined 1% in the quarter, the company said April 29, its fifth consecutive quarterly decline.
- Seasonal menu launches have helped drive sales and traffic in the past.
Catch up quick: Under Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol — who joined from Chipotle in September — the company has been making a series of changes to reestablishing its cafes as community coffeehouses.
- Starbucks introduced a new code of conduct, free refills and brought back condiment bars in late January after ditching the nondairy milk fee in November.
- In early March, the company removed 13 longtime drinks to simplify its menu as part of the strategy to cut the menu by roughly 30% by September.
- Last week, Starbucks' new dress code went into effect for baristas, which prompted hundreds of workers from unionized locations to strike in protest.
When does the Starbucks summer menu come out?
The big picture: May 20 is the first day of the seasonal menu.
- Last year, the summer menu launched on May 7.
Summer-Berry Starbucks Refreshers return
Zoom in: Summer-Berry Refreshers return Tuesday for a limited time and Starbucks says the line of drinks quickly became a "customer-favorite" when they were introduced to the 2024 summer menu.
- The drinks feature "a sweet and summery blend of raspberry, blueberry and blackberry flavors shaken with ice and water, poured over raspberry flavored pearls."
- The drinks can be ordered with lemonade as the Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher or with coconut milk in the Summer Skies Drink.
Starbucks' Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso
The intrigue: Starbucks said its new Iced Horchata Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is inspired by the Mexican-style horchata, a popular beverage throughout Latin America.
- It includes blonde espresso, oatmilk and horchata flavored syrup and described as "a fusion of warm cinnamon, sweet vanilla and subtle nutty notes reminiscent of the rice milk that makes up a traditional horchata."
- Horchata recipes vary from region, Starbucks said, noting the drink is often made with non-dairy milk.
- Another addition to the summer menu is the new Strawberries & Cream Cake Pop.
Follow the money: Starbucks said the Iced Shaken Espresso has been the fastest drink to reach $1 billion in sales in company history. It launched in 2021.
Starbucks menu changes 2025: More items to be cut
What's next: Additional beverages and food items are expected to leave the menu "throughout the coming months," with the roughly 30% menu reduction happening by September 2025, Starbucks has said.
- Company officials said this will "make way for innovation."
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