Starbucks Makes Room for One More Fall Drink, the Pecan Crunch Oatmilk Latte
Is pecan the new pumpkin?
Photo courtesy of Starbucks
With the official first day of fall fast approaching, Starbucks is raising the bar on spiced coffee drinks with the release of a new pecan crunch oatmilk latte. The introduction of the new drink comes at a time when the spotlight is typically on pumpkin-spiced everything, giving coffee lovers a tasty new way to celebrate the spirit of the autumn season.
For a limited time beginning Thursday, September 19, Starbucks customers can opt for a hot or iced version of the seasonal drink, which combines the fragrant aroma and flavor of homemade pecan pie with oatmilk and Starbucks blonde espresso. The hot version is topped with a creamy cap of oatmilk foam, while the iced version incorporates a non-dairy vanilla sweet cream cold foam alternative, with both garnished with a layer of pecan crunch.
The idea for the dessert-inspired pecan beverage was a collaborative effort. Starbucks’ lead beverage director, Patrick Penny, took into consideration the opinions of more than 40 baristas and managers across the country while brainstorming ideas with his team for a new seasonal drink.
“We were really focused on what people are thinking, feeling, and doing during the holidays,” Penny said. “We asked questions like, where are you going? What inspires joy? How could Starbucks play a role in uplifting your day during the season?”
For his part, Penny drew inspiration from fond memories of his own grandmother’s homemade pecan pie. He and his team performed dozens of tests and came up with a non-dairy recipe for the pecan crunch oatmilk latte, which mimics the same nutty taste and savory brown buttery notes of the popular dessert. “The flavors in this latte evoke memories of the smell of freshly baked pecan pie, but also the warmth and connection of moments at home with family and friends,” he said.
During the testing phase, consumers offered feedback on the drink, making note that it was better suited for the fall than the holidays. Their assessments were heard, and the pecan crunch oatmilk latte swiftly joined the fall line-up, which already includes the iconic pumpkin spice latte and an apple crisp oatmilk macchiato.
As a bonus, Starbucks customers can add a touch of pecan flavor to their favorite beverages by customizing them with the new salted pecan cream cold foam, infused with pecan syrup, and available in both dairy and non-dairy varieties.
“It’s fitting to these cooler days and feels like the perfect transition from classic fall beverages into holiday beverages,” Penny said. “We’ve got pumpkin, we’ve got apple, and now we’ve got pecan. It’s the ‘pie-fecta!’”
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