Starting tomorrow, April 16th, Starbucks will introduce three new lemonade flavors with a spicy twist. Customers can ask baristas to add chili powder to their drinks for extra heat.
However, some are concerned that the spicy addition might cause stomach aches.
Starbucks Unveils Spicy Lemonade Refreshers
Starbucks has launched a new range of drinks that blend sweet and spicy tastes, the company revealed at Coachella. The lineup includes three flavors of Spicy Lemonade Refreshers: pineapple, dragonfruit, and strawberry. These beverages are infused with a unique chili powder blend developed by Starbucks.
In addition to the lemonades, Starbucks introduced a spicy cream cold foam to add an extra kick to any drink.
The company describes these new offerings as inspired by the "swicy" trend, which creatively combines sweet and spicy elements. The Spicy Lemonade Refreshers combine the familiar sweetness of Starbucks Refreshers, the zest of lemonade, and the fiery punch of Starbucks Spicy Chili Powder Blend, offering a bold and refreshing experience.
These spicy drinks started selling today, April 16 and will be available for a limited time this spring at all Starbucks locations.
Last month, Starbucks announced another series of sweet and spicy beverages featuring hot honey, exclusively available at their Reserve stores in Chicago, New York, and Seattle, as Nation's Restaurant News reported.
The full Starbucks lineup of Spicy Lemonade Refreshers includes the spicy dragonfruit, which features sweet mango and exotic dragonfruit flavors shaken with ice, real dragonfruit pieces, zesty lemonade, and Starbucks' Spicy Chili Powder Blend.
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There's also the spicy pineapple, which combines sweet flavors of pineapple and passionfruit shaken with ice, real pineapple pieces, zesty lemonade, and the spicy chili blend. Lastly, the spicy strawberry brings together sweet flavors of strawberry and açaí shaken with ice, real strawberry pieces, zesty lemonade, and chili powder.
Customers also have the option to customize their beverages with the new spicy cream cold foam for an added layer of complexity.
Baristas Buzz About Starbucks' Spicy Lemonades
Starbucks baristas are sharing their excitement about the company's new spicy lemonade drinks on Reddit. "I cannot personally wait to ask customers, 'And how spicy would you like that lemonade?'" one barista wrote excitedly. They also mentioned that, according to their manager, chili powder can be added to any drink.
Another barista anticipates high demand in south Texas: "I can't wait for these. I think they'll be popular here." Meanwhile, a third barista approved: "I love the spicy mango dragonfruit lemonade."
However, not all customers share the same enthusiasm. Concerns about potential health discomfort like heartburn and acid reflux have been voiced. "Talk about heartburn and acid reflux," a customer commented on Facebook, while another bluntly stated on the same platform, "Hard pass, I do not do spicy."
More severe concerns involve digestive issues, with one user on X predicting, "The spicy powder from Starbucks will ruin your guts."
Another Reddit user shared a similar discomfort, "For some reason, the spicy chili powder makes my stomach hurt."
Despite these mixed reactions, the Spicy Lemonade Refreshers are only available for a limited time and will be sold while supplies last.
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