Starbucks Is Rolling Out Drinks Infused With Olive Oil
The unexpected combination results in 'velvety smooth, delicately sweet and lush coffee.'
Olive oil makes everything more delicious: pasta, bread, salad—even cakes. But Starbucks is planning to use the ingredient in a way you've never tasted before.
The multinational chain announced that its Italy locations will roll out a "transformational innovation in coffee" called "Oleato—a line of coffee beverages that brings together the unexpected—Starbucks arabica coffee deliciously infused with a spoonful of Partanna cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil."
The result of the combination "is velvety smooth, delicately sweet and lush coffee that uplifts each cup with an extraordinary new flavor and texture." The line of olive oil-infused coffee debuts today, February 22 with Oleato Caffè Latte, Oleato Iced Shaken Espresso and Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew.
Milan's Starbucks Reserve Roastery will also unveil additional Oleato beverages: Oleato Iced Cortado, Oleato Deconstructed and Oleato Golden Foam Espresso Martini.
Here's a breakdown of the drinks so that you know exactly what you're ordering.
Oleato? Caffè Latte: Starbucks Blonde Espresso Roast, a light roast that is smooth and subtly sweet, is infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil and steamed with creamy oatmilk to create a velvety smooth, deliciously lush latte.
Oleato? Golden Foam? Cold Brew: The inviting aroma of lush Partanna extra virgin olive oil infused cold foam cascades slowly through the dark, smooth cold brew, creating a subtle sweetness in the beverage.
Oleato? Iced Shaken Espresso: This coffee-forward beverage offers layers of flavor sweetened with notes of hazelnuts, rich espresso and creamy oatmilk infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil.
Oleato? Caffè Latte: Starbucks Reserve Espresso and creamy oatmilk infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil create a velvety, luscious latte.
Oleato? Iced Cortado: Starbucks Reserve Espresso, demerara syrup, and a dash of orange bitters and oatmilk is infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil. It is then served over ice and finished with an orange peel.
Oleato? Golden Foam Cold Brew: Starbucks Reserve Cold Brew is lightly sweetened with vanilla syrup and finished with Partanna extra virgin olive oil infused cold foam, creating an inviting aroma and subtle sweetness.
Oleato? Deconstructed: An ode to the Italian tradition of combining olive oil with a squeeze of lemon. This beverage pairs Starbucks Reserve Espresso and Partanna extra virgin olive oil infused with a luxurious passionfruit cold foam.
Oleato? Golden Foam? Espresso Martini: Starbucks Reserve Espresso, vodka and vanilla bean syrup topped with golden foam – a fusion of fior di latte (sweet cream) and Partanna extra virgin olive oil.
Starbucks Press Release
Starbucks is seeking to create another iconic drink, and olive oil coffee might be just the thing to rival a pumpkin spice latte.
This exciting innovation comes from interim CEO Howard Schultz, who is leaving the company on April 1.
"During my first trip to Milan in 1983, I was captivated by the sense of community, connection, and passion for coffee I found in the city’s espresso bars. It was that trip that inspired me to bring the ritual of handcrafted espresso to Starbucks and to America," said Schultz in a statement.
"Oleato represents the next revolution in coffee that brings together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients—Starbucks arabica coffee beans and Partanna cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Today I feel just as inspired as I did 40 years ago, Oleato has opened our eyes to fresh new possibilities and a transformational way to enjoy our daily coffee."
Though the new beverages hit Starbucks shops in Italy first, other locations around the globe will soon get to try the Oleato drinks. It'll make its way to the U.S. in the spring, arriving first at Southern California locations. It'll also be launched in Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Middle East later this year.