Starbucks’ spring 2023 drink lineup and products
Starbucks’ spring 2023 lineup first launched on Tuesday, March 7. It is a slimmed-down launch but features a new drink, the Cinnamon Caramel Cream Nitro Cold Brew.
(Related: See what Starbucks offers for their newest fall, holiday, winter, spring, and summer seasonal menus.)
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For Spring 2023, the only new drink at Starbucks will be a Cinnamon Caramel Cream Cold Brew, available in nitro and regular.
While the drink promoted is the nitro version of cold brew, the drink is also available with regular cold brew.
Unfortunately, no new food items went along with this launch.
In recent launches, Starbucks has focused on promoting currently available drinks, and is doing more to promote different ways to modify drinks. They also are doing a heavy push for their cold and iced drinks.
This drink does feature a new syrup, Cinnamon Caramel, which can also be used in any drink including lattes and Frappuccinos.
Review & Details: Cinnamon Caramel Cold Brew
Launched in March 2023 the Cinnamon Caramel Cold Brew, in regular or nitro, is a new addition to Starbucks’ cold drink lineup.
“Taking inspiration from salted caramels and gooey sticky buns, the new Cinnamon Caramel Cream Nitro Cold Brew is a lovely balance of decadent baking flavors with a delicate and creamy cold foam topping that seamlessly blends into the coffee with each sip,” said Erin Marinan, Starbucks beverage developer. “This velvety smooth Nitro Cold Brew provides customers with a fresh take on the fan-favorite caramel flavor.”
To create the drink, baristas use the new Cinnamon Caramel Syrup, (1 pump for a tall, 2 for a grande, 3 for a venti, and 4 for a trenta), as the main flavoring.
This is different than their other promoted flavored cold brews like the Pistachio Cream Cold Brew and the Chocolate Cream Cold Brew since those use vanilla as the base syrup. Because of this difference, this drink has more of a flavored taste than in its other cold brews. Of course, you can always ask to sub vanilla if you like it that way better.
On top of the syrup, cold brew is added, either classic or nitro, and then the cold foam.
For the Cinnamon Sweet Cream Cold Foam, instead of the new Cinnamon Caramel Syrup, they use the Cinnamon Dolce syrup as a sweetener. This is an interesting choice. I am a fan of the choice but do wonder why they don’t also utilize their new syrup.
It’s topped with cinnamon dolce sprinkles.
On to my taste test.
I tried the Cinnamon Caramel Cold Brew and it’s not my favorite. I want to like it, but I just can’t. But, I get an odd aftertaste and the cinnamon intensity doesn’t mix well with the cold brew. I get no hints of caramel from it either.
I did scoop off a bit of the Cinnamon Sweet Cream Cold Foam, tried that separately, and found it delicious. It’s made with the Cinnamon Dolce syrup and not the Caramel Cinnamon Syrup, so that’s likely the difference.
I have heard from several others that they do like this drink, so it’s all about preferences.
Syrup review: Caramel Cinnamon Syrup
Starbucks’ newest syrup is called Caramel Cinnamon and launched in March of 2023.
Yes, this is very similar to their Cinnamon Dolce syrup. They say that Cinnamon Dolce is a blend of sweet cinnamon, butter, and brown sugar. And the Caramel Cinnamon is a blend of cinnamon and caramel and should remind you of delicious baked treats like a cinnamon roll. Make of those differences what you will.
(Related: Homemade Cinnamon Dolce Syrup Recipe – Fast & Simple)
I’ve tried the Caramel Cinnamon Syrup both on its own and in the featured cold brew.
When sampling the syrup, the first flavor I tasted reminded me of butter. Then I tasted the sweetness and at the end the cinnamon. I didn’t get much of a caramel taste, which is disappointing.
The cinnamon flavor is fairly intense and does leave a bit of an aftertaste that I don’t love.
I do think this syrup can pair well in certain drinks that are able to mask a bit of that cinnamon intensity, like one of the shaken espressos. Or, you could combine it with another syrup such as vanilla, white chocolate sauce, or caramel.
The real question to me is why this syrup was created when they already have the very successful Cinnamon Dolce syrup. But, that’s likely the answer. They want to build on that success.
I’ve heard from people that they love this syrup, but it’s not going to make the top of my list. I do remember working at Starbucks the first time Cinnamon Dolce came out, and that was a bit polarizing too.
If you want this exact syrup at home, people are already selling this new syrup on Amazon. The prices tend to be expensive because of demand, but it can be less expensive than going to Starbucks daily.
Discontinued Syrup
Yes, it’s confirmed that Starbucks will stop carrying raspberry syrup at the end of March. Your local store may still have some in stock for a few more months, but after that, it will be gone.
There isn’t a great option for a syrup replacement, but hopefully, Starbucks will come out with something similar soon. Check out our Starbucks Summer Lineup article for more details on what’s coming next.
If you want to get some raspberry syrup to add to your drinks at home, I suggest this Torani raspberry syrup available on Amazon.
Grocery store items
Pink Drink & Paradise Drink
Starting in April 2023, you’ll be able to find Starbucks’ new ready-to-drink Pink Drink and Paradise Drink in grocery stores. You can also purchase these drinks online on Amazon or at other retailers.
These grocery store items are created to mimic the in-cafe handcrafted Pink Drink and Paradise Drink options that have become very popular.
The drinks are both based on Starbucks’ Refreshers which use green coffee extract as a way to caffeinated the beverage. These are great options when you want some caffeine but don’t feel like drinking coffee or soda.
Starbucks says the Pink Drink “features bold fruit flavors of strawberry and açaí combined with coconut milk and refreshing fruit juice.”
And the Paradise Drink “features tropical fruit flavors of pineapple and passionfruit, blended with coconut milk and refreshing fruit juice.”
“We are excited to launch the new ready-to-drink Starbucks Pink Drink and Paradise Drink on store shelves nationwide, offering our customers another way to enjoy these delicious and refreshing beverages,” said Chanda Beppu, senior vice president & president, global channel development at Starbucks.
“Starbucks Pink Drink began as a customer-created beverage in our Starbucks stores and quickly became a fan favorite and permanent beverage on the menu. Offering the popular, plant-based, cold Starbucks Refreshers beverages in grocery channels further extends the Starbucks RTD portfolio.”
Starbucks also announced they will be featuring “an exciting fashion designer collaboration” soon to go along with this launch. Rumor has it that the collaboration is with Tim Singleton.
Frappuccino Mini chilled coffee drink
Starbucks is also releasing a mini version, 6.5 ounces, of their bottled Frappuccino drinks. They are available in caramel and white chocolate mocha flavors and will be sold in an 8-pack. You can purchase them at grocery stores and online retailers including Amazon.
They state that because more Gen Z and Millenial consumers are drinking flavored cold coffee than ever before that these will make the perfect addition to the grocery store lineup. They do note, with an asterisk, that they are talking about Gen Z consumers over the age of 18.
Featured coffee beans for spring
As for coffee beans, the Anniversary Blend is returning to their cafe stores. In grocery stores and online at Amazon, Toasted Coconut Mocha ground coffee and Starbucks’ Spring Day Blend are now available.
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