Need an afternoon pick-me-up? Starbucks just introduced two new drink options for spring, and one is completely vegan – no substitutions necessary. Pull up the Starbucks app and place your mobile order for a nearly-instant caffeine rush.
The two new Starbucks beverages are amplified, sweetened versions of the classic macchiato. A macchiato, in its purest form, is a shot of espresso topped with a layer of steamed milk. That’s it. Starbucks’ version is more of a latte/cappuccino hybrid, in which they blend (plant-based) milk with shots of espresso, then top it with foam (and a few sweet syrups).
Starbucks’ new line of macchiatos includes a Hazelnut Mocha Coconutmilk Macchiato and an Iced Cinnamon Almondmilk Macchiato. The hazelnut variety is reminiscent of vegan Nutella. The drink obtains this chocolately-hazelnut fusion from the company’s special Sumatran coconut milk, marked with espresso, and sweetened with hazelnut syrup. The beverage is topped with a frothy coconut milk cloud and finished with a mocha drizzle, generously applied in a checkerboard design. And yes, it is vegan, even the drizzle.
For those experiencing warmer climates, the Iced Cinnamon Almondmilk Macchiato will provide a jolt of sweet relief – with a few vegan alterations. This beverage has graced the Starbucks menu before, but only for a limited time. The drink is ‘horchata-inspired,’ according to the company, and features an iced blend of almond milk, espresso, and cinnamon dolce syrup. Due to the iced component, the foamed milk layer is forgone, replaced by a cross-hatch of thick caramel drizzle and a sprinkling of cinnamon dolce topping. To remain dairy-free, skip the caramel drizzle and topping; both contain butter. For an extra flavor kick, help yourself to the cinnamon shaker on the self-serve milk and sugar bar.
Although neither of these beverages contains dairy (with the proper substitutions), Starbucks does caution that it cannot guarantee the complete elimination of cross-contamination, as all orders are prepared and stored with shared equipment.
Image Credit: Starbucks
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