Starbucks has long been a go-to destination for iced coffee lovers, but a recent change to its iconic recipe has sparked widespread discussion among fans. As customers get their first taste of the revamped beverage, opinions are pouring in, ranging from enthusiastic approval to nostalgic longing for the old recipe. Here’s what you need to know about the new Starbucks iced coffee and how it’s being received by the devotees of the popular coffeehouse chain.
The New Starbucks Iced Coffee Recipe
On August 13th, Starbucks revealed to TODAY.com that it introduced a significant update to its iced coffee recipe starting May 7th. This marks the first change to the blend in 18 years, following its initial launch in 2006.
The new Starbucks iced coffee is now crafted using a blend of “sun-dried and washed” Latin American coffee beans, which the chain claims will create a cup that’s “approachable and refreshing with notes of malted milk chocolate and a brown-sugar sweetness.”
Starbucks emphasizes the versatility of the new blend. Leslie Wolford, a coffee developer at Starbucks, stated in a press release, “Designed with customization in mind, the new Iced Coffee Blend is delicious either on its own or customized to any customer’s preference.”
This focus on customization is reflected in the new standard serving – unsweetened by default. Starbucks explains that most customers were already choosing to have less or no classic syrup in their iced coffee, which was previously included as part of the standard recipe.
Starbucks Iced Coffee Recipe Update Draws Mixed Reactions
Social media was abuzz with speculation even before the official release of the new Starbucks iced coffee blend. In March, a Reddit post titled “Did SBUX change their iced coffee?” sparked a discussion among users who noticed something different about their drinks.
“I’ve gone to three different stores now, and each time my drink (just an iced coffee with 2 toffeenut and oatmilk) has tasted…burnt?” the Redditor wrote, expressing concern that the roast seemed darker than before.
“Did Starbucks change their iced coffee roast or how the iced coffee is brewed?” they continued. “If it was just a one-time thing, I wouldn’t think anything of it, but it’s been consistent the past couple of months now. It doesn’t taste right, and most of the time I’ve been drinking only half of it before tossing it away.”
Although the new blend wasn’t introduced until May, subsequent comments on the post suggest that customers are indeed noticing the change.
“I immediately noticed a change on back-to-back visits during the first week of May,” one commenter observed, describing the new brew as “soured.” The original poster agreed, replying, “YES! ‘SOURED’! That’s exactly the word I was looking for!”
For months, several Reddit threads have been filled with similar questions and mixed reviews.
“No longer served with classic syrup by default is good, but the new blend kinda sucks,” wrote one user in a post titled, “Hey, did they change the Iced Coffee?”
On the other hand, some customers have expressed their excitement on social media about the unsweetened change to Starbucks’ iced coffee.
“The BEST thing @Starbucks has ever done was to remove the ‘classic syrup’ from the iced coffee!” shared one X user.
“Love that the iced coffee doesn’t come with sweetener now!” a Starbucks fan wrote on Instagram.
“Yay for making iced coffee unsweetened! Thank you,” added another person on Instagram.
Broader Changes in Starbucks’ Cold Beverage Offerings
The iced coffee recipe update is part of a larger trend at Starbucks, where nearly two-thirds of beverage sales now come from cold drinks, including iced coffees, cold brews, and iced shaken espressos. This shift in consumer preference has prompted Starbucks to innovate its offerings, ensuring it meets the evolving demands of its clientele.
For instance, Starbucks has recently introduced new cold drink cup designs that use 10 to 20% less plastic. This initiative aims to reduce environmental impact, with projections indicating that it will prevent over 13.5 million pounds of plastic from entering landfills annually.
Leadership Transition Amidst Recipe Changes
In a significant corporate shift, Starbucks announced that CEO Laxman Narasimhan will step down on September 9th, 2024, to be succeeded by Brian Niccol, the current CEO of Chipotle. This leadership change comes after the company faced two consecutive quarters of sales declines, raising questions about the strategic direction of the brand. The new leadership may influence future product innovations and marketing strategies, particularly in light of customer feedback regarding the iced coffee recipe change.