Starbucks Is Adding A Sweet New Iced Oatmilk Drink To Its Menu

Are you a fan of Starbucks? This coffee chain with more than 32,600 locations globally (as of 2020) seems to be waiting on every urban street corner and in every suburban mall, ready to serve up top-selling caffeinated drinks ranging from pumpkin cream cold brews to iced caramel macchiatos to classic caramel Frappuccinos. Coffee lovers' taste for Starbucks never seems to wane: The chain is more popular than ever, growing at a rate even faster than McDonald's and Subway, according to Eat This, Not That!. With plans to open an additional 2,000 locations this year, the java giant is poised to become the largest fast food chain in the world.

Those who sip at Starbucks have no shortage of opinions on what their favorite drink is. Some go for nitro cold brew, others for an iced pistachio latte, and — of course — come fall, many choose the now-famous pumpkin spice latte that debuted in 2003 (via Starbucks). To keep its customers happy, the chain is forever introducing new options, and ahead of the spring season, a variation on a customer favorite has hit the menu.

Starbucks fans (particularly those that avoid dairy) might remember that almost exactly a year ago today, the coffee megagiant introduced a new vegan-friendly iced beverage to its lineup. The Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso debuted last March 2, according to Daily Hive, and quickly became a favorite refresher — we even ranked it third on our list of the chain's best iced drinks. Featuring the chain's Blonde espresso, plus oatmilk, brown sugar syrup, and cinnamon (via Starbucks), it's a sweet, smooth sipper that the chain's customers seem to love. And now, a year later, Starbucks has introduced a kissing cousin to the drink that's sure to be a springtime favorite.

According to the official website, the chain's Iced Toasted Vanilla Oatmilk Shaken Espresso is a minor variation on last year's drink, containing the same Blonde espresso, plus oatmilk and toasted vanilla syrup instead of brown sugar. And judging by the responses to Starbucks' announcement tweet, customers are excited for their first sip. "Well I didn't plan on going to Starbucks today but I guess I'll go," commented @classicallypunk.