Starbucks is kicking off the new year with a brand-new addition to its menu. For the first time, the global coffee giant is introducing the Cortado, a Spanish espresso classic, including a plant-based Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado. It’s also adding a new certified vegan dish to its permanent food menu, the Spicy Falafel Pocket.
What is Starbucks’ new Cortado?
The Cortado, a small yet powerful espresso-forward drink, joins Starbucks’ core lineup of espresso beverages on Jan. 3. The name Cortado derives from the Spanish word “cortar,” meaning “to cut,” referring to how steamed milk mellows the intensity of bold espresso. This drink, popularized in Spain’s Basque Country, is popular worldwide for its balanced flavor.
Starbucks’ take on the Cortado features three ristretto shots of its Blonde espresso—a sweeter and lighter roast than its signature espresso—topped with steamed milk. It is available exclusively in an eight-ounce size and is served hot. Plant-based and dairy-free coffee lovers seeking a twist can opt for the new Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado, which blends the classic espresso base with brown sugar syrup and oat milk for a non-dairy option.
“Espresso is the heart and soul of Starbucks,” Ricky Gonzalez, a member of Starbucks’ beverage product team, who collaborated with research and development to perfect the Cortado, said in a statement. “Our goal was to create a new way for customers to experience espresso from us.”
The beverage, which has been long-requested by customers in regions like South Florida and Chicago, was tested extensively before its nationwide debut. “In those markets, a lot of customers asked for this,” Gonzalez said. “They have been asking, ‘Starbucks, do you have a Cortado?’”
The enthusiasm was echoed by Starbucks baristas during early testing. “Customers had been asking for Cortado for a long time, and I feel like they are super excited that it’s on the menu,” said Paulina J., a barista from South Florida. “It feels good,” she said. “Customers had been asking for Cortado for a long time and I feel like they are super excited that it’s on the menu.”
Meeting modern coffee culture with innovation
Starbucks says the introduction of the Cortado to its menu highlights the drink’s cultural heritage while catering to modern consumers’ (increasingly plant-based) preferences with options like the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado.
“So many cultures have a shared coffee tradition,” said Eva Pinero, a Starbucks store manager. “The Cortado goes hand in hand with community. We don’t have a family or friend gathering without coffee being involved.” Pinero says the launch is really exciting because of its cultural relevance. “We had a beverage that our community could connect with beyond just what they already know of Starbucks that was bringing a piece of their culture into our space. Now seeing that it’s coming out nationally,we are proud to bring a little bit of our culture to everybody else as well.”
A broader menu: vegan options and premium coffee
Starbucks’ latest offerings also include the certified vegan Spicy Falafel Pocket, a savory addition to its permanent food lineup. The Spicy Falafel Pocket combiness mashed falafel, hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce, wrapped inside a toasted lavash flatbread.
Beyond the Cortado, Starbucks is responding to consumer preferences for more customizable beverages. The company has updated its matcha powder to be sweetened with classic syrup, allowing patrons to adjust sweetness levels to their liking. This change caters to a growing desire for personalization, a key trend in the coffee industry.
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