Turn up the heat with the new Starbucks "spicy" menu

Zia Eger-Slobig '25

Assistant Copy Editor

Starbucks released a new and HOT menu addition: a spicy seasoning powder that may or may not just  be taco seasoning without the salt. With this addition came the release of spicy refreshers just in time for the start of summer. As you may know, Starbucks has never been shy to controversial and hit-or-miss drinks, so we wanted to taste test these new additions. 

Coming in hot, leading our drinks for WOA (Will Order Again) is the Spicy Strawberry. 

This was a refreshing drink with the perfect mix of flavor profiles. For this we had to call in our local refresher expert, Mx. Hernandez, who as many know is a Strawberry Acai connoisseur - oftentimes spotted with a Venti. This drink, to no one’s surprise, was their favorite of the bunch despite them personally not being a person who enjoys spice. 

The powder definitely settles to the bottom so make sure to shake it before drinking in order to get the perfect mix. However, for me and Ms. Canfield, we felt as though it could be better with less sweetener if possible (to be fair, we aren’t always the biggest sweet tooths). Personally, this drink was the embodiment of a cup of fresh fruit with some chamoy and tajin sprinkled atop. 

Next in line, and this may be controversial, is the Spicy Cream Cold Foam. 

Full disclosure I am not a refresher girl but rather very much an iced coffee girl. This drink was the biggest gamble of the four as it is not as basic a concept, as fruity and spicy are often paired together nicely. Coffee being such a distinct flavor is harder to pair with outside flavor profiles, take for instance Starbucks’ Lavender Latte which was a disgrace to humanity. 

This drink had the perfect mix of spicy, bitterness and sweetness (aka it was not very sweet). It starts off as a classic cold brew with notes of spice that hit the back of your throat in a surprising yet tasteful way. People oftentimes take cold brew as very bitter but by pairing it with the spicy flavor, that bitterness balances gracefully. 

For Ms. Canfield, this is a drink that she would easily “grab on her way to work everyday” meaning that she is for certain “a fan.” This is definitely more of a day-to-day drink personally, rather than a refresher, but still adds a nice twist to the daily cup of coffee. 

Everyone that tried this drink landed on the consensus that this was easily the worst no ifs, ands or buts. This was alarmingly sweet and just not refreshing. For being something that is supposed to quench your thirst, our thirsts were unquenched. This should be the best because it is a drink that has mango flavoring which is normally the perfect partner to spice. This drink was left almost completely untouched and no one wanted seconds. 

Whether they were truly spicy is another question, but they were definitely (for the most part) enjoyable to try. I cannot emphasize this enough: make sure to mix as you drink if you want to try these yourself, the spice definitely settles to the bottom of the drink. 

Who said we need to be cool for the summer, let's be hot for the summer.