The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Starbucks is expanding its seasonal menu on June 16 with the introduction of two new coconut-flavoured beverages designed to appeal to consumers seeking both aesthetic novelty and functional customisation. The new lineup, featuring the Iced Blue Coconut Matcha and the Blue Coconut Refresher, will be available at Starbucks locations throughout the summer season.

This product launch highlights several ongoing shifts in the quick-service beverage sector, including the strategic use of natural colour additives and expanded functional ingredient options.

A key formulation detail of the new summer lineup is the incorporation of blue spirulina, a naturally derived ingredient that gives the drinks a distinctive blue hue. Rather than relying on synthetic food dyes, Starbucks is leveraging spirulina to satisfy growing consumer demand for clean-label ingredients without sacrificing the vibrant visual appeal that drives social media engagement.

The two new offerings integrate this formulation across different beverage bases:

• Iced Blue Coconut Matcha: This beverage blends traditional green matcha with mango flavours and is topped with a toasted coconut cold foam. The blue spirulina is incorporated into the cold foam to create a layered, multi-coloured visual presentation.

• Blue Coconut Refresher: A hand-shaken beverage combining coconut, strawberry, and açaí flavours, hand-shaken with ice and blue spirulina for a uniform blue appearance.

Beyond aesthetic appeal, the launch highlights an industry-wide shift towards highly customisable functional beverages. Foodservice operators are increasingly tasked with providing drinks that act as lifestyle solutions rather than simple refreshments.