9 Discontinued Starbucks Items That Need To Return ASAP
Late last year, newly-minted CEO Brian Niccol announced major changes in the Starbucks pipeline—including plans to cut down its menu by a whopping 30%. And while we're still waiting with bated breath to find out which of our favorite lattes and mochas are getting the boot, we can't help but reflect on the nostalgic beverages and snacks that have already come and gone over the years.
Here are the 9 discontinued Starbucks menu items we still miss so much:
The Oleato Caffé Latte With Oat Milk
Starbucks briefly launched the Oleato Caffé Latte With Oat Milk (as well as the Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso With Toffee Nut) in early 2024, only for it to quietly disappear from menus that same year. According to Starbucks, it just didn't pick up enough traction with customers.
Salted Caramel Mocha
The Salted Caramel Mocha was a fall release that, apparently, just couldn't keep up with the Pumpkin Spice Latte. The beverage, which included toffee nut and mocha syrups, was pulled from menus in 2021.
Dark Cherry Mocha
Starbucks released (and then quickly discontinued) its Dark Cherry Mocha after Valentine’s Day years ago. The drink featured a bold espresso, mocha sauce, candied cherries, steamed milk, whipped cream, and sprinkles. And while it’s gone, apparently, it’s not forgotten.
Customers even took to Reddit to share their disdain. “Dude I’m still waiting years and years later for them to bring it back for Valentine’s Day just one more time,” one person wrote. “I’ll forever be disappointed and holding a grudge.”
Others added: "I used to love these" and "they tasted like cherry cordials."
Gingerbread Latte
Personally, I'll never get over this loss. In 2019, Starbucks discontinued the holiday staple after nearly 20 years. And while they briefly brought it back in 2023 (along with the Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai and the Oleato Gingerbread Oatmilk Latte) we haven't seen it since.
S’mores Frappuccino
ICYMI, the S’mores Frappuccino quietly left menus in summer 2018. The former fan-favorite menu item featured a rich and decadent combination coffee, milk, chocolate, marshmallow, and whipped cream.
Oprah Chai
Yes, Oprah had her own beverage on Starbucks menus. The former drink, a.k.a. the Oprah Chai, dropped over a decade ago and featured a black tea blend with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves. It was available on both Starbucks and Teavana menus during its reign.
According to Reddit users, it received mixed reviews from customers. "I remember prepping it every morning and dumping it every night without using it a single time…pretty sure we started just not prepping it unless someone ordered it, which was like maybe once a week," one user wrote in an online thread, while another argued that it was "way better" than the current Chai on menus. "It was spicier and tasted not like just sugar," they said. Touché.
The Raspberry Mocha
Starbucks discontinued its Raspberry syrup altogether, taking the beloved Raspberry Mocha with it. "Why does sbux ruin everything," one user wrote on Reddit in response to the news. "That was my fav syrup for teas and refreshers," another commented.
The Birthday Cake Frappuccino
We can't be the only ones to remember the fun and festive Birthday Cake Frappuccino, right?? It was discontinued in 2016 but still living rent-free in our minds.
The Eggnog Latte
According to Starbucks employees on Reddit, no one ordered the now-discontinued Eggnog Latte. Another added that even though they personally loved the seasonal beverage, “it wasn’t popular, it was a pain to make, the eggnog was expensive, and [it] took up valuable space” in their tiny dairy fridges.
All I can say is: Brian Niccol, don't you dare touch my Pistachio Latte.
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