
Starbucks

Audio By Carbonatix
Starbucks has made some recent menu changes. For one, the new CEO, Brian Niccol, removed the olive oil coffees from the menu. Bummer, huh? (We kid.) Niccol is also simplifying the menu, calling it “overly complex,” which included nixing the olive oil drinks. We tried them and weren’t fans. Good work, Niccol.
But Niccol, sorry, trying to simplify Starbucks orders is like telling America not to America. No matter what you put on the menu, it will be customized within an inch of its life.
Another big change some customers will notice is no extra charge to customize beverages with non-dairy milk.
New Holiday Items at Starbucks
Starting Nov. 7, Starbucks is introducing a trio of Cran-Merry Orange Refreshers that combine sweet orange, tart cranberry and warm spices. There’s a Cran-Merry Orange Refresher, Cran-Merry Drink (made with coconut milk and cranberry “inclusions”), and Cran-Merry Orange Lemonade Refresher.
New food items include a turkey sage Danish and dark toffee bundt cake topped with holiday sprinkles. There’s also an iced penguin cookie and a snowman cake pop.
There’s also a new lineup of holiday cold foams that includes gingerbread cream, peppermint chocolate, sugar cookie, chestnut praline cream and caramel brulee cream cold foam. (And this is the simplified menu?)
Also available on Nov. 7 are four new holiday cups, each one unique and inspired by old-fashioned holiday ornaments or peppermints with green, pink, red and white tones.
Holiday Reruns
Of course customers will find the iconic Peppermint Mocha back on the menu, in addition to the Caramel Brulee Latte and Chestnut Praline Latte. The Sugar Plum Cheese Danish and Cranberry Bliss Bars are also making a return. All of these are available in stores, starting Nov. 7.
Wicked
If you’re a fan of Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, or reusable drinkware, the retailer has introduced a new line of cups inspired by the movie, which will land in theaters on Nov. 22. There are collections specifically for Glenda and Elphaba (the star witches of the movie) and Emerald City. Participating stores will have a bevy of cold cups, tumblers, keychains and more, while supplies last.