Looking for a new drink or treat to try this summer? Starbucks just released five summer-inspired menu items.
On May 7th 2024, after popular demand, Starbucks finally made popping pearls an addition to their menu. Customers are able to add pearls to any drink of their choice for an additional charge of $1.25 per scoop, but the pearls are already included in the price of the Summer Skies ($6.45), Summer-Berry Lemonade ($6.45), and Summer-Berry ($5.95) refreshers.
Every drink is composed of the standard Summer-Berry base, however, it is also available in variations with coconut milk and lemonade. Although the drink is described as having a blend of raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry flavors, it tasted much like a diluted blue raspberry slushie.
Additionally, to go along with the drinks, Starbucks has created special straws so that customers can enjoy their popping pearls.
The drink seems to be made first with a layer of popping pearls, then ice, and finally the refresher chosen by the customer. Unfortunately, the layer of ice between the drink and the popping pearls made it difficult for the pearls to “travel” up the straw. They often ended up breaking after being crushed by the ice.
As for bakery items, two new additions have been added to the menu: the Pineapple Cloud Cake and the Orange Cream Cake Pop. The Pineapple Cloud Cake is described as “a cake with pineapple cream and pineapple spread with fruit chunks, topped with a glazed drizzle,” and is priced at $3.65.
The Pineapple Cloud Cake was a much needed addition to the menu. Despite the overly sweet pineapple chunks, the cake is an instant and delicious reminder of summer. The cake was light and airy, and the pineapple cream made this one of the better items in the Starbucks bakery.
The Orange Cream Cake Pop, priced at $3.45, is made with orange cream cake and has an orange design for its exterior. The flavor of the icing is reminiscent of all Starbucks cake pops, but the cake inside offered a subtle orange flavor to the mix which can be enjoyed by orange enthusiasts, and your everyday customer.
Overall, the drinks were slightly underwhelming, especially considering the hefty price they come with. However, the new bakery items may come to serve as staples in the menu.
As of now, all items mentioned will only be available for a limited time. If you hope to try any of these new additions, do so as soon as you can.
