When it comes to creative drinks, Starbucks is always at the forefront. After all, who was it that thought up the iconic Pumpkin Spice Latte?
The coffee chain is now bringing us another range of unusual drinks, this time inspired by a kitchen staple. Named the Oleato series, the secret ingredient is (believe it or not) cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil.
Starbucks has partnered with a Sicilian olive oil company called Partanna that creates a curated blend of olives from Nocellara del Belice to pair with Starbucks’ Arabica coffee.
“Infusing Starbucks coffee with olive oil yielded a velvety smooth, rich texture, with the buttery, round flavors imparted by the olive oil perfectly pairing with the soft, chocolatey notes of the coffee,” said Starbucks’ principal beverage developer, Amy Dilger. “One thing that’s special about Partanna’s olives is their uniquely nutty, slightly sweet flavors – think of that rich smoothness of a buttery caramel, it’s a natural complement to our coffee.”
If you’re already excited, you’re not the only one. The new menu items include the Oleato Caffé Latte which combines Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast with oat milk infused with olive oil; the Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew featuring olive oil-infused foam; the Oleato Iced Cortado which includes orange bitters; the passionfruit cold foam Oleato Deconstructed; and the Oleato Golden Foam Espresso Martini which boasts vodka and vanilla bean syrup.
The Oleato range will debut in Milan on February 2023 before spreading to Starbucks stores around the world.
