In 2017, there were over 27,000 Starbucks stores across more than 75 markets around the world. Let those figures sink in for a second. That’s a hell of a lot of coffee! Its first international coffeehouse opened up in Tokyo in 1996, and since then, the power coffeehouse chain has made a massive effort to cater to the very specific — and very unique — tastes and trends of each country and each market. For us, that apparently includes pumpkin-spice lattes and brightly colored, Instagram-worthy Frappuccinos (yes, we’re talking about the Unicorn Frappuccino).
In other countries, though, we’ve seen everything from a matcha tea-coffee hybrid and date-flavored macchiatos to green tea Frappuccinos topped with whole red beans to fruitcake-flavored lattes. These flavors might seem strange to us, but to those in the countries they’re served, it makes perfect sense: New Zealanders actually love fruitcake; red beans are widely used in China; and matcha tea and matcha tea ceremonies are an integral part of the traditional Japanese culture, while dates are an integral part of the United Arab Emirates’ heritage and identity.
So, ready to take a look at the rest of the wonderfully bizarre Starbucks drinks from around the world? You might even see a few you wish we had on our menu.
Coffee & White Tiramisu Frappuccino
Where: Japan
What: Just looking at this layered beast, we already feel full. This drink has coffee Frappuccino, a layer of cookie crumble and brownie, cream cheese mousse and cocoa powder.
Lúcuma Créme Frappuccino
Where: Peru
What: What is Lúcuma, you ask? Lúcuma is a Peruvian fruit that has a custardlike flavor. So combine that with cream, and you have this Frappuccino.
Dolce Misto
Where: Vietnam
What: It’s a sweet yet strong drink that combines French-roast coffee and dolce syrup.
Iced Sparkling Espresso With Mint
Where: Seattle, United States
What: This drink combines espresso, mint, demerara (a light-brown cane sugar) simple syrup and soda water.
Orange Honeycomb Crunch Frappuccino
Where: Indonesia and Singapore
What: This Frappuccino is like a Creamsicle topped with crunchy orange-honeycomb candy.
Date Macchiato
Where: United Arab Emirates
What: Introduced in the UAE alongside maple and caramel macchiato, this drink is your average macchiato, but topped with a date drizzle.
Hojicha Frappuccino With Earl Grey Jelly
Where: Japan
What: This isn’t your average caffeinated Starbucks drink. Hojicha, a Japanese green tea roasted over charcoal, is poured over and blended with Earl Grey tea jelly.
Red Bean Green Tea Frappuccino
Where: China
What: The green tea Frappuccino topped with sweet red beans is considered the most popular Starbucks blended drink in China.
Double Chocolate Green Tea Frappuccino
Where: Australia
What: Tea, milk chocolate sauce, matcha powder and java chips? Not sure about this one…
Avocado Yogurt Blended Drink
Where: South Korea
What: OK, we can definitely see this one in the U.S. It’s everything health nuts are all about these days: avocados, low-fat yogurt, kale and coconut milk.
Lemon Ginger Fizzio With Mango Jelly
Where: South Korea
What: Remember when Fizzios hit Starbucks stores here, and we collectively said, “Eh,” and moved on with our lives? Not in Asia. There are tons of interesting flavors now, like this one with lemon, apricot and ginger.
Cherry Pie Frappuccino
Where: Japan
What: Your eyes don’t deceive you: That is a pie crust pastry dome atop the cherry pie Frappuccino.
Mulled Fruit Drinks
Where: United Kingdom
What: It makes sense for Starbucks to add mulled fruit drinks to U.K. menus: This hot juice garnished with either cinnamon sticks or orange peels is a British tradition.
Irish Cream Coffee Pudding Frappuccino
Where: Asia
What: This Frappuccino has a lot going on: a coffee pudding base, Irish cream, espresso whipped cream and loose espresso powder.
Butterscotch Brûlée Latte
Where: United Kingdom
What: Honestly, this sounds delicious. Espresso and butterscotch? Count us in.
Yogurt Pineapple Coconut Frappuccino
Where: Mexico
What: The tropical flavors in this drink are absolutely fitting for its home in Mexico.
Matcha Espresso Fusion Drink
Where: Asia
What: Green tea, espresso and milk? Not sure if this one mixes well, but we’d still be game to try.
Unicorn Frappuccino
Where: United States
What: This flavor-changing, color-changing drink was both sweet and sour and topped with “blue fairy powders.”
Caramel Coffee Jelly Frappuccino
Where: United Kingdom
What: Flavor-wise, this doesn’t sound outlandish; it’s just a caramel Frappuccino. It’s the coffee jelly base that’s throwing us off.
Christmas Panettone Latte
Where: New Zealand, Singapore, China and the Philippines
What: This Italian-style fruitcake-flavored Christmas panettone latte, topped with chunks of dried fruit, made its way onto U.K. Starbucks’ seasonal menu.
Leave a Comment