Starbucks Is Adding a Brand-New Drink to Menus—and We Tried It First

Forget what Punxsutawney Phil said in February, spring has sprung! Well, at least it has at Starbucks—and even earlier than last year.

On March 4, Starbucks is going all in on spring with floral and fruity flavors hitting the menu. This year’s seasonal menu features the return of 2024’s spring offerings, lavender, and one all-new drink that’s not a coffee.

Despite Starbucks’ CEO Brian Niccol’s new “Back to Starbucks” initiative, which is focusing on getting customers back in the coffeehouse to enjoy its handcrafted coffee beverages, Starbucks has been leaning into more tea offerings over the past few years. From the new unsweetened matcha powder the brand introduced in January to the returning Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha, Starbucks is ensuring there’s something for every beverage-drinker on the menu.

Starbucks Debuts Its New Spring Menu—Including an Iced Cherry Chai

This spring, it’s taking a crack at its Chai Latte with a new Iced Cherry Chai. After multiple success stories from the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai and Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai, Starbucks is introducing its first-ever seasonal spring chai.

The Iced Chai Latte features cold black tea infused with cinnamon, clove, and other warm spices, lightened with milk and topped with a new cherry cream cold foam and cherry crunch.

The Iced Cherry Chai is joined by the returning Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha, Iced Lavender Latte, and Lavender Crème Frappuccino.

Additionally, Starbucks is adding a new food item to its permanent menu, the Jalapeño Chicken Pocket. After introducing its Spicy Falafel Pocket in January, the coffee chain is filling yet another lavash flatbread for a savory, hearty snack. The Jalapeño Chicken Pocket features a toasted flatbread stuffed with diced chicken, charred poblanos, green jalapeños, three-chile-pepper cheese, and jalapeño cream cheese.

And, if you want to spice up your chicken pocket—or any of Starbucks’ sandwiches, wraps, egg bites, or bakes—you can now order a free packet of Truff Original or Jalapeño Hot Sauce while supplies last through April 1.

I tried Starbucks’ new spring menu early, here is my honest review.

My Honest Review of Starbucks' 2025 Spring Menu

After Starbucks announced it was discontinuing more than a dozen items to simplify its menu—with more to come throughout 2025—I wondered if that meant it would also minimize its seasonal offerings. However, with the return of the lavender drinks, which received very mixed reviews last year, and the new Iced Cherry Chai, I guess the smaller menu means more room for limited-time beverages.

In the past, I’ve enjoyed Starbucks’ chai latte flavors, but sometimes they’re a little too sweet for my liking. So, I knew the Cherry Chai could go one of two ways depending on the actual cherry flavor itself. And, to my pleasant surprise, it has a perfect level of sweetness.

When tasted alone, the cherry cream cold foam reminds me of a maraschino cherry blended into an airy, sweet topping. The chai latte is slightly sweet from the cinnamon flavors, with more warming spices on the backend. But, when put together, the chai spices cut the cherry sweetness down and give you a perfect balance of sweet-tart cherries in a spiced, milky tea base.

Starbucks knocked it out of the park with its cherry cream cold foam, and even though I’m not sure it will taste as good on a coffee, you’d better believe I’m going to try it when the customization hits menus.

As for the Jalapeño Chicken Pocket, I think I can safely say this is my favorite food item Starbucks has added to date. Typically, I order the Bacon, Gouda & Egg Sandwich (and I love it), but, when I go to Starbucks in the afternoon, I don’t always want the breakfast sandwich—plus sometimes it’s sold out. So, the Jalapeño Chicken Pocket is the perfect savory go-to that will give you a protein boost to get through the day, without having to always order eggs from the chain.

The flatbread has a soft, fluffy exterior with the tiniest bit of crispy edges for a nice textural difference—and, the filling I could eat with a spoon. It’s creamy, cheesy, and has a good amount of hearty chicken with a nice level of spiciness. I’m thrilled that the chicken pocket will be available all year round.

Starbucks' new menu items wowed me all around. And knowing how tasty the nationwide options are, I’ll be sure to make a trip to the nearest Starbucks Reserve location to get its new Iced Ube Coconut Latte, Fig Walnut Ricotta Toast, and Rose Pistachio Twice-Baked Cornetto, too.

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