Starbucks Just Announced A Sweet New Cold Brew Flavor For Summer

Summer is almost here and what better way to celebrate than a cold drink? How about with a cold, chocolatey drink that will also give you a caffeine boost? If this sounds like the perfect summer treat, then you're in luck because Starbucks has just announced a new cold brew flavor coming to its menu.

According to the announcement, Starbucks locations across the U.S. began selling the new chocolate cream cold brew today, May 10. The new beverage is made with Starbucks cold brew coffee, sweetened with vanilla syrup and a chocolate cream flavored version of its cold-foam. The announcement says the drink was "inspired by nostalgic summer moments," with Starbucks' beverage developer Rosalyn Batingan further explaining the flavors are meant to be "reminiscent of a chocolate malted milkshake or that last bit of melted chocolate ice cream on a warm summer day."

Though being introduced for the summer season, the new drink — which CNN reports will cost between $5.25 and $5.45 for a grande depending on location — is set to become a year-round menu item.

In addition to the new drink, Starbucks' announcement also includes another summer-inspired menu item joining the permanent lineup: a lime-frosted coconut bar. The coffee chain describes the tropical snack as made from a combination of coconut, oatmeal, and mini white chocolate chips. The bar is topped with lime-flavored frosting, coconut shavings, and white icing.

CNN says the incorporation of these new treats to the permanent menu should come as no surprise, especially the cold brew coffee, as Starbucks' cold drinks accounted for a whopping 74% of the chain's sales last summer. Starbucks attributes the popularity of its cold drinks in part to younger consumers, who CNN reports often choose the customizable menu items in lieu of other caffeinated options like soda or an energy drink.

In addition to the just-announced summer menu, Starbucks will be selling new, summer-colored drinkware, per the Starbucks website. The cups come in fun variations like iridescent purple, lime green (perhaps to match the new coconut bar), and even color-changing. These new reusable cups come only a few weeks after Starbucks' updated push for sustainability. In a March 15 statement, the chain shared it hopes by 2025 it will be able to provide all Starbucks customers with the opportunity to borrow or bring in their own reusable cup, with the end goal of decreasing the total amount of waste created by the chain 50% by 2030.