Starbucks' New Summer Menu Features A Line Of Boba Tea

Once strictly a place to get a good cup of joe, Starbucks is now a pioneer in the beverage space, adding to its menu exciting tastes inspired from around the world. In 2005, the company treaded into the relatively-new-to-the-West matcha territory, and it soon became one of its most popular handcrafted drinks. Then in 2023, released the Italian-authentic, but largely a flop of a release, the Oleato. Now, it seems the worldwide coffee establishment is forging a new path once again, exploring the world of boba tea.

During a recent earnings call, Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan told BI, "For summer, we are launching our first texture innovation, Pearls," adding, "This is the first of more texture-based innovations that our customers can expect in the coming years." The Summer-Berry and Summer-Berry Lemonade Refreshers, along with the Summer-Skies version of the popular cold drink, will be rolling out on May 7th featuring raspberry flavored boba pearls. 

Conceived in Taiwan, boba tea is traditionally made with black tea, milk, ice, and sweet and chewy tapioca pearls. The drink has been gaining popularity in the U.S. for some time, though it often goes by different names. Boba tea is the moniker generally used in the Western U.S., whereas the East tends toward "bubble tea." Whatever you call it in your neck of the woods, Starbucks plans to feature a version of the Taiwanese staple on its summer menu, though not for the first time.

In 2021, some viral TikTok videos showed people ordering drinks from Starbucks with what appeared to be boba balls lingering around the bottom of the cup. After testing the concoctions out in a few select locations without much fanfare, the Java giant appeared to abandon the idea, but other drink establishments took note. 

Dunkin' released a version of boba tea with its "Popping Bubbles" promotion, allowing customers to add strawberry-flavored boba pearls to an iced or frozen drink. Not long before Dunkin' tried its hand at bubble tea, fast-food chain Sonic also added "Bursting Bubbles" to its line of cold beverages, but this rebranded version of boba pearls was green apple flavored. Until now, Starbucks seemed content to let others forge the boba tea path, but its new lineup of seasonal drinks shows it may be high tea time for the coffee business.

With boba tea gaining popularity in recent years, and cold drinks making up a sizeable portion of its sales, it's unsurprising to see Starbucks taking advantage of new and unique menu offerings to please its customers. The upcoming array of boba-inspired beverages at Starbucks will feature raspberry-flavored pearls in its new line of Refreshers.

Along with this unique lineup of boba teas, Starbucks is planning to showcase summertime snacks on its seasonal menu. A Pineapple Cloud Cake featuring fluffy sponge covered in a sweet, chunky fruit spread and pineapple-infused whipped cream will be available, as will an intriguing Orange Cream Cake Pop made with a cream cake mixed with buttercream, that's been dipped in chocolate icing and decorated into adorable orange slices. 

As with all its seasonal menus, the summer menu at Starbucks will only be around for a short time. If you've never tried boba tea drink and are curious, it's hard to deny that when the Green Mermaid picks it up, it's officially hit the mainstream market.