New year, new way to experience espresso at Starbucks!
Looks like 2025 is shaping up to be the year of espresso! If you’ve been following along our fast food news postings, then you’d know that Dunkin’ recently launched a new espresso beverage. Not to be outdone, Starbucks is adding a new menu item to its lineup of classic espresso beverages. This new drink that originated in Spain will have a non-dairy option, and will be joined by another healthy, flavorful bread that’s certified vegan. Let’s dive into the details about the latest drops at Starbucks.
Starting today, January 3, 2025, you can order a new item from Starbucks called Cortado. It’s the brand’s way of welcoming the new year, all while celebrating the espresso craft. You’ll enjoy Cortado if you want something warm and free from fancy toppings. Basically, this drink is made with only two ingredients: espresso and milk. According to Starbucks, their Cortado is made with three ristretto shots of the brand’s Blonde Espresso and steamed whole milk, or milk of your choice, to reduce the coffee’s acidity and create a well-balanced flavor profile.
So what else makes Starbucks’ Cortado special? The keyword you should focus on is “ristretto.” This refers to a short shot of espresso made with ground beans in less water. Ristretto shots use the same amount of coffee grounds found in regular espresso shots, but the former yields a richer flavor. Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso is known for its subtle sweet flavor, which should taste even better when the milk cuts through it. Cortado, after all, comes from the Spanish word “cortar,” which means “to cut.”
Cortado joins other classic espresso beverages at Starbucks, including Espresso Con Pana, Doppio Espresso, Espresso Macchiato, Caffè Americano, Flat White, Caffè Latte, and Cappuccino. Cortado can only be ordered hot, in a short or 80z size.
Non-Dairy Cortado Now Available
If you’re looking for more than espresso and milk, then you don’t want to miss out on the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado! This version is made with three ristretto shots of Blonde Espresso, steamed oatmilk, and brown sugar syrup, delivering a more intense coffee flavor with subtle sweetness. The Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado is also finished with a dash of cinnamon, making it all the more inviting and comforting. This option is served hot in 8oz size, and is best for those who want a plant-based coffee drink.
New and Vegan: Spicy Falafel Pocket
A perfect match for the Cortado, whether made with whole milk or oatmilk, is the new and certified vegan Spicy Falafel Pocket. This new bite features a combination of creamy hummus, smashed falafel, pickled onions, roasted red bell peppers, and a spicy herb sauce, all found in a toasty lavash flatbread. Similar to the Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado, the vegan Spicy Falafel Pocket will be a permanent addition to the Starbucks menu.
To fulfill its commitment of serving more vegan options, Starbucks has added the Spicy Falafel Pocket to its menu. Last November 2024, the coffee giant also announced that it will no longer charge extra fees for choosing plant-based milk over traditional milk. This applies to the following alternatives: almondmilk, soymilk, oatmilk, and coconutmilk.
Try These Trendsetting Lattes from TOUS les JOURS
Starbucks isn’t the only brand that’s making waves in the beverage industry. To celebrate the new year and set bold beverage trends, TOUS les JOURS is also offering two new flavorful drinks: Matcha Latte and Ube Latte. These new offers are sure to elevate your coffee break, making the new year a little more colorful.
- Matcha Latte – You can’t miss this drink in vibrant green color. It’s made with steamed milk and matcha, finished with a layer of foam. Matcha fans will love not just the drink’s creaminess, but also the velvety texture and balanced sweetness. Make this drink plant-based by requesting the use of soy, almond, or oat milk.
- Ube Latte – Now, this drink is as pretty as it is delicious! Sweet but mild, with a nutty undertone, and vanilla notes, this Ube Latte isn’t just a beverage but an indulgent experience. The new latte is expected to cater to the consumers’ demand for new and unique taste experiences. The ube flavor will surely standout, offering that subtly sweet and nutty taste in every sip.
RELATED: Don’t Miss These Upcoming Menu Surprises from McDonald’s and Subway
More Drinks to Ring in the New Year
Whether you’re just looking for something new for your morning drink or thinking to treat yourself at the start of the year, there are many other beverages that are well worth trying. Here are some of the most promising drinks we’ve found so far:
- Another Broken Egg Cafe’s health-forward mocktail – The high-end cafe is inviting guests to try its latest drink called Golden Thyme Mocktail. It’s a blend of orange juice, turmeric sours, and sparking water, creating a refreshing drink with citrusy notes. For extra freshness, it’s garnished with fresh thyme and an orange slice.
- Dunkin’s new espresso drink – Dunkin’ is also riding the espresso trend with the release of Sabrina’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso, in collaboration with Sabrina Carpenter. The limited-time drink is served in a go-to cup, combining Dunkin’s signature espresso, oat milk, and brown sugar. Looking at the ingredients, this could become a close rival of Starbucks’s Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado. In addition, Dunkin is bringing in other new drinks for the rest of winter season, including Lava Cake Signature Latte and Lava Cake Coffee.
RELATED: Kick Off 2025 with These New Fast Food Menu Releases
From The Club
It’s definitely a year of espresso, and I’m feeling so lucky already. I’m at that age when this kind of coffee is more appealing than frappe. Whenever I can, I order plant-based options, so I’m not gonna pass up on Starbucks’ Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado. The addition of cinnamon is a pleasant surprise! I’m also pretty sure that I’ll enjoy this with the vegan falafel pocket. Not a fan of spicy foods but this one looks tolerable. Are you getting these new Starbucks releases?