Just last week, Starbucks discontinued a whopping 13 beverages, including the Iced Matcha Lemonade, Espresso Frappuccino, and White Chocolate Hot Chocolate, among other drinks. But as the saying goes, out with the old and in with the new. The chain just dropped an entire spring menu including a brand new beverage.
On March 4, Starbucks officially launched the all-new Iced Cherry Chai, alongside three returning beverages: the Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha, Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte, and Lavender Crème Frappuccino. While my usual Starbucks order is about as boring as it gets (a regular black dark roast coffee)(or maybe an Americano or Cold Brew if I'm feeling crazy), I decided to go out on a limb and give the new Chai a try for myself.
A day before the drink drop, I arrived at my local Starbucks for an exclusive taste and was was blown away at first sight. It's one of the prettiest orders I've seen from the chain to date and it makes for the perfect pastel accessory. Not to mention the fact that my first sip had me questioning my basic order (and coffee-specific allegiance) altogether. The black tea is infused with cinnamon, clove, and other spices to create that Chai flavor we all know and love. It's then combined with your milk preference (dairy or an alternative), ice, and topped with a cherry cream cold foam and cherry crunch topping.
The chai and cherry combo strikes just the right balance between sweet and tart, and it's unlike anything else on the menu. It's packed with spicy and fruity flavor notes that effortlessly compliment each other and the crunch topping adds a sugary texture and additional flavor, too. While the drink is a little too indulgent to have me abandon my classic coffee order altogether, the Iced Cherry Chai is such a refreshing alternative for spring, or just when you need a sweet treat.
In addition to the spring beverage drop, Starbucks also introduced a new food item to its permanent menu: The Jalapeño Chicken Pocket. The lavash flatbread is toasted and stuffed with chicken, charred poblanos, green jalapeños, three-chile-pepper cheese, and a jalapeño cream cheese. With just the right amount of kick, it will serve as the perfect counterpart to the sweet and smooth Iced Cherry Chai.
