Starbucks’ summer menu heats up
Coffee giant unveils new food and drinks.
Starbucks isn’t marking the start of summer 2019 with just the return of its S’mores Frappuccino. The coffee giant also is unveiling a new drink and two savory menu items in the U.S. and Canada, starting Tuesday.
The Seattle-based chain is launching the Dragon Drink (Mango Dragonfruit Refresher with coconut milk), the Crispy Grilled Cheese Sandwich (a threecheese blend on buttery, toasted sourdough) and the Baja Black Bean Veggie Wrap (black beans, salsa slaw and mixed vegetables in a tortilla wrap).
Starbucks also is celebrating the rising mercury with the return of three favorites – the Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino, the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino and the Frosted Doughnut Cake Pop (vanilla cake dipped in a chocolaty coating shaped into a mini doughnut topped with sprinkles).
“It’s all about a dose of fun,” said chief operating officer Roz Brewer. “When spring or summer hits, the sun comes out, the weather warms up, people want to do something different.”
The wrap and the cake pop are seasonal offerings, like the S’mores Frappuccino, according to the company. The others are permanent additions to the menu.
Nick Setyan, managing director at Wedbush Securities, said the warm weather means Starbucks can focus on cold drinks, as opposed to the hot drinks people prefer in the winter. Plus, cold drinks are a chance to work on drumming up afternoon business.
“The summer, like any other time, is an opportunity for them to try to drive incremental sales,” he said.