When you’re on the Starbucks beverage development team, inspiration can come from anywhere – sometimes even when you’re dodging bees.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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For Patrick Penny, a lead beverage developer, a trip to a lavender farm in Washington state helped inspire the development of the new iced lavender beverages arriving at Starbucks stores in Canada today, Mar. 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Last summer, Penny and members of the Starbucks beverage development team took a ferry from Starbucks headquarters in Seattle to Sequim, Washington – also known as the “Lavender Capital of North America.” They spent the sunny day walking through neat rows of fragrant purple lavender plants as part of what the team calls a “trek,” a special experience or outing that can help spark the creative process.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We have an abundance of lavender farms in Washington state; it’s a really beautiful floral and it smells amazing,” he said. “We were in the fields cutting various stalks of lavender, smelling different varietals, looking at the flowers ... trying not to get stung by bees.”&nbsp;

Soon after the trip, Penny began developing Starbucks new lavender flavor, which had been a popular request from Starbucks partners (employees) and at the original store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market and other nearby <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/press/2022/starbucks-unveils-heritage-market-with-three-seattle-hometown-stores-dedicated-to-honoring-past-present-and-future-of-coffee-and-community/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Heritage Market stores,</a>where they served a specialty Market Latte with a lavender honey syrup created by store partners in 2023.&nbsp;

The new beverages, Iced Lavender Cream Oat Matcha and Iced Lavender Oat Latte, are made with proprietary lavender powder. He said, “We found a powder to be the best expression of the subtle sweetness of lavender. It reminds me of lavender ice cream because of the light and soft vanilla flavor.”&nbsp;

Penny is looking forward to seeing reactions to the new beverages.&nbsp;

“Partners have been asking us to introduce lavender, and it’s a concept we’ve been working on for some time now,” he said. “We’re hoping to have captured the feeling of springtime with this flavor.”&nbsp;

Iced Lavender Cream Oat Matcha&nbsp;

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“When creating the new Iced Lavender Cream Oat Matcha, we wanted to capture the uplifting energy of spring in a cup,” Penny shared. “The vibrant green matcha topped with lavender-hued cold foam delivers a delightfully colourful and unexpectedly delicious flavour combination.”&nbsp;

“We aimed to create a really balanced, delicious beverage,” Penny said. “The oat beverage and the Blonde Espresso make a lovely pairing, providing a smooth, well-rounded profile that is complemented by the floral and vanilla flavors of lavender.”&nbsp;

*Lavender Cream Cold Foam contains dairy.&nbsp;

Iced Lavender Latte on an artistic background of lavender springs and window panes.

Starbucks is adding a touch of lavender to its lineup this season with the Iced Lavender Cream Oat Matcha and Iced Lavender Oat Latte, giving both coffee and tea-drinkers something new to love.

Starbucks new lavender drinks offer a taste of spring for everyone

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Starbucks is adding a touch of lavender to its lineup this season with the Iced Lavender Cream Oatmilk Matcha and Iced Lavender Oatmilk Latte, giving both coffee and tea-drinkers something new to love.

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Iced Strawberry Oat Matcha Tea Latte also returns to Starbucks menus in Canada, now available year-round.

On Thursday, March 7, Starbucks welcomes spring with the debut of two new beverages, the Iced Lavender Cream Oat Matcha and Iced Lavender Oat Latte.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

“Lavender is the perfect flavour to transition us from the winter season into spring,” said Patrick Penny, Starbucks beverage developer. “Its soft sweetness, light floral notes and beautiful colour ignite feelings of rejuvenation and awakening associated with the change of seasons.” 

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The new Iced Lavender Cream Oat Matcha* features Starbucks smooth and creamy matcha and oat beverage served over ice, topped with lavender cream cold foam, which creates sweet and subtle floral notes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“When creating the new Iced Lavender Cream Oat Matcha, we wanted to capture the uplifting energy of spring in a cup,” Penny shared. “The vibrant green matcha topped with lavender-hued cold foam delivers a delightfully colourful and unexpectedly delicious flavour combination.” 

The new Iced Lavender Oat Latte combines the soft, beautifully balanced flavours of Starbucks® Blonde Espresso with creamy oat beverage, ice, and sweet and subtle floral notes of lavender.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“We aimed to create a really balanced, delicious beverage,” Penny said. “The oat beverage and the Blonde Espresso make a lovely pairing, providing a smooth, well-rounded profile that is complemented by the floral, and vanilla flavours of lavender.”&nbsp;

The new drinks are available at Starbucks stores in Canada for a limited time, while supplies last. 

Additionally, after making its debut on the spring Starbucks menu last year, customers can welcome back the fresh tasting <a href="https://stories.starbucks.ca/en-ca/stories/2023/in-bloom-for-spring-and-exclusively-canadian-iced-strawberry-oat-matcha-tea-latte/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iced Strawberry Oat Matcha Tea Latte</a>, now available as a permanent menu item.&nbsp;

Exclusively available in Canada, the beverage pairs matcha green tea with the familiar, refreshing flavour of strawberry. The complex flavour profile of matcha is rich and earthy with mellow vegetal, grassy notes, an inherent sweet nuttiness and a pleasantly bitter finish. Strawberry flavoured syrup and strawberry pieces artfully complement the matcha and creamy oat beverage, creating a refreshing and balanced experience to welcome the brighter (and warmer) months ahead. &nbsp;

“It is clear customers love the taste of matcha and strawberry together as we add the Iced Strawberry Oat Matcha Tea Latte to Starbucks menus in Canada,” said Matthew Thorton, Starbucks senior product developer. “Combining the grounded earthiness of matcha, that first bite into a ripe, juicy strawberry with subtle notes of cucumber and a hint of lemon delivers a refreshing beverage that can now enjoyed year-round.”&nbsp;

Colourful Spring Merchandise

Starbucks is also introducing a new line of colorful drinkware to spring into the season. From multi-coloured pastel cold cups to solid colour curved hot cups, this vibrant collection will be available in participating stores in Canada for a limited time, while supplies last. 

As always, Starbucks customers who bring a clean, personal cup will receive 10 cents off their beverage, whether they order in café, on the Starbucks app, or in the drive-thru. 

Returning Seasonal Whole Bean Coffee

Starbucks Anniversary Blend is intense yet elegant, featuring aromatic notes of smoked cedar and allspice, alongside accents of black truffle and fresh tarragon. Developed in 1996 to commemorate Starbucks 25th anniversary, this blend is a favorite that returns every year. Big in flavour and inviting spice thanks to Starbucks beloved aged Sumatra beans, this year’s Anniversary Blend celebrates rich tantalizing coffees. Sourced from the Sumatra, West Java and Sulawesi regions of Indonesia, this blend pays tribute to Starbucks decades-long passion for seeking out the world’s finest beans and coaxing them to their fullest flavour potential.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both seasonal whole bean coffees are available at Starbucks stores in Canada for a limited time, while supplies last.&nbsp;

To learn more about Starbucks spring menu, visit <a href="https://www.starbucks.ca/menu/featured" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">starbucks.ca/menu/featured</a>. &nbsp;

On Thursday, March 7, Starbucks welcomes spring with the debut of two new beverages, the Iced Lavender Cream Oat Matcha and Iced Lavender Oat Latte.

Starbucks Spring Menu Blooms with New Lavender Drinks  - Starbucks Canada

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Starbucks Spring Menu Blooms with New Lavender Drinks 

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