Starbucks summer 2023 drink lineup and products

The Starbucks 2023 summer lineup is here, and it includes new drinks including Frozen Lemonade Refreshers, the Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino, and the White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew.

(Related: See what Starbucks offers for their newest fall, holiday, winter, spring, and summer seasonal menus.)

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The 2023 summer launch of new Starbucks drinks launched on Tuesday, May 9. This launch features a new Frappuccino and a new cold brew flavor. And the second summer launch on Tuesday, June 27 introduced the Frozen Lemonade Refreshers.

Frozen Lemonade Refreshers

Starbucks announced that they are adding to the permanent menu three Frozen Lemonade Refreshers.

These frozen lemonade refreshers will build off of the three types of Refreshers that Starbucks currently offers — strawberry acai, mango dragonfruit, and pineapple passionfruit. The Refreshers base will be blended with “real fruit and lemonade, and layered with Strawberry puree.” So, the three will officially be:

• Frozen Strawberry Açaí Lemonade Refreshers – (Make this drink at home!)
• Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade Refreshers
• Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade Refreshers

“Since Starbucks Refreshers Beverages joined the menu in 2012, our customers and partners (baristas) have creatively customized their beverages, such as adding coconutmilk, lemonade or blending with ice,” said Matt Thornton, senior beverage developer at Starbucks. “Inspired by these customer and partner creations, we’re excited to bring the new Frozen Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers Beverages to the permanent menu this summer.”

These drinks don’t make use of any new ingredients and have been something that some people have ordered for a long time. Starbucks is capitalizing on the growth of the “Refreshers” market, and permanently adding this version to their menu.

These drinks do separate, so many suggest not ordering them through the app, as they are best when made and drank immediately. It depends on your preference though. You can also ask for the strawberry puree to be blended in, and that should help it stay together a bit longer since the puree includes xantham gum.

Chocolate Java Mint Frappucino

The Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino is made with a white chocolate mint sauce, Frappuccino chips (chocolate chips), and the Frappuccino coffee base.

Don’t be fooled by “java” in the name, you can easily order this as a creme-based Frappuccino also. And it’s something kids will love!

Starbucks says of the Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino:

“With the Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino, we wanted to take a new approach to the classic combination of mint and chocolate to create a blended coffee beverage that elicits nostalgia for one of our favorite summer treats,” said Maureen Matthews of Starbucks beverage development team.

“The new white chocolate mint sauce is subtle and creamy, and when paired with the crunch of Frappuccino chips and a swirl of rich mocha, is reminiscent of mint chocolate chip ice cream poolside on a warm summer day.” 

Review

The Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino, is thankfully exactly what you expect it to be. It’s a delightful minty drink that does taste very much like mint chocolate chip ice cream. The chocolate cookie mint sprinkle topping is also a fun addition.

The mint flavor was borderline too intense, so you might want to order it with one less pump of the sauce.

I’m interested to try the white chocolate mint sauce in another drink. I’m thinking it might go well in a shaken espresso with oat milk.

White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew

The White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew utilizes a new macadamia syrup to create this drink. This cold brew is made by adding the macadamia syrup, and then topping it with a cold foam that is mixed with both the macadamia syrup and white chocolate sauce. It’s topped with salty cookie crumbs.

“When creating Starbucks® White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew, we were inspired by memories of fresh macadamia nuts on tropical vacations and the distinct flavor of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies,” said Matt Thornton of Starbucks beverage development team.

“The smooth flavor profile of Starbucks Cold Brew combined with the nuttiness of macadamia flavor, creaminess of white chocolate flavored sauce in the cold foam, and salty cookie crumbs delivers the perfect balance of sweet and savory that customers love and offers a moment of summer fun with every sip.” 

Related: Get Macadamia Nut syrup on Amazon to help recreate this drink at home.

Review

I often drink cold brew, so I was looking forward to doing a taste test for the White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew.

I thought it was fine, but not excellent. The flavored cold foam and macadamia syrup gave a slight nuttiness and sweetness to the drink. It reminded me a bit of the Pistachio Cream Cold Brew but with a milder flavor. I did love the salty cookie crumb topping. I’ll probably be adding that to other drinks!

For a long time, I wasn’t a fan of white chocolate sauce, but I recently realized it is basically a frosting flavor, and it does lend itself to being combined with other flavors. I think it’s a nice enhancement to this drink.

I’ve heard that many people LOVE this drink, so definitely give it a try.

Bumblebee Cake Pop

The main thing this Bumblebee Cake Pop has going for it is the cute design. Unfortunately, the design doesn’t look much like a bumblebee but more like a cute yellow cat.

As far as flavor, it’s vanilla cake mixed with buttercream dipped in chocolaty icing. My 6-year-old tried it out and said, “It tastes like a cake pop.” He was not too enthused about it.

Green Apron Blend

This new coffee blend is a “light and lively Starbucks Blonde roast coffee, with hints of Honeybell orange and graham crackers, to emulate the brightness and energy of Starbucks partners (employees) and stores.”

This blend will be available in stores yearlong. It will soon be brewed daily in stores for a limited time.

This blend was created by Starbucks partners and “as part of Starbucks’ ongoing commitment to partners, $5 per each one-pound whole-bean bag of Green Apron Blend…will go to the Starbucks Caring Unites Partners (CUP) Fund.”

Modified Refreshers Pricing Change

Along with the summer drink launch on May 9, if you order a Refresher with “no water,” you will now be charged extra.

This goes along with other more recent charging changes such as charging the price of a custom tea for strawberry inclusions added to water.

There are rumors saying that you will be charged more for asking for “light ice” and that is not true.

Is the S’mores Frappuccino coming back for 2023?

The big question on many minds is, “Is Starbucks bringing back s’mores?” First launched in 2015, the S’mores Frapp has been a fan favorite and had a cult-like following. Unfortunately, at this point, the S’mores Frappuccino does not seem like it’s returning for 2023.

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