Starbucks is experimenting with new carbonated coffee Quartz reported Thursday.
"Carbonation. That is a new category for us," Howard Shultz Starbucks CEO told investors at a recent earnings call Quartz reported. "We think it's a significant opportunity. (The recent tests are) very encouraging."
The news comes after customers have requested carbonations be included in drinks such as teas, and coffees. The company tested out the process in select locations in Japan, Singapore, Atlanta, and Austin. Drinks are available in lemon ale, ginger ale, and spiced root beer.
Tests in Atlanta, and Austin began in June however. Customers can also infuse carbon dioxide into coffee and tea.
"So far the response from customers in the test markets has been positive," Zack Hutson a spokesman for Starbucks told the Associated Press in September when the company submitted documents to own rights to the word Fizzio, which the drink could be called if it is made public.
"I would say that it's a next natural step in our customization options," the spokesman told Quartz.
Starbuck fiddled with the idea in April, launching the three news flavors.
"It is not necessarily indicative of a national rollout," Bloomberg Businessweek told spokesperson Lisa Passé at the time.
Baristas put the flavor into a shaker, and mix it with water. The creation then goes into a machine where the Carbon Dioxide is combined.
Starbucks has more than 19,000 locations around the world. Twelve-thousand are throughout the United States.
The coffee chain bought the Evolution Fresh brand of juices in August in hopes of establishing a line of its own products, and will join forces with Whole Foods to become a high-profile brand other than just a coffee shop chain USA Today reported.
Evolution Fresh juices are bottled with ultra-high-pressure technology to help retain vitamins in its fruits and vegetables rather than warmed as is the case with the brand's competitors. The product is made with over two pounds of produce.
A juice bottles will cost $2.99 to $6.99 for a 15.2 ounce bottle of juice USA Today reported. The brand will carry 14 different flavors including organic ruby roots vegetable juice and organic sweet burn hydration juice.
