Starbucks Launches its First-Ever Vegan Fall Beverage in the U.S.

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Sep 1

The Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is a creamy combination of Fall flavors, including apple, cinnamon, and oats swirled with oat milk and Blonde espresso.

For the first time, vegans in the United States can celebrate Fall ‘Starbucks-style’ thanks to the coffee chain’s new seasonal beverage: the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato.

The beverage, which is vegan by default, will launch on August 30, alongside the company’s full menu of Fall favorites. The oat milk macchiato combines Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso base with creamy oat milk and layered flavors of apple, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Topped with a spiced apple drizzle, the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato is available hot, iced or blended at U.S. stores.

“Crafting the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato with Starbucks Blonde Espresso gives the beverage a soft and smooth foundation that ties all the flavors together,” said Harvey Rojas Mora, Starbucks beverage developer. “The oatmilk adds a creaminess and brings forward the oat flavors of a traditional apple crisp topping.”

The new beverage is a vegan revamp of Starbucks’ Apple Crisp Macchiato, which was released last Fall with a dairy-base. Inspired by the idea of the Fall harvest, the research team taste-tested apple-flavored favorites, including apple maple syrup, apple cider donuts, and a variety of apple pies, cakes, and crisps to develop the seasonal beverage.

Although last year’s version of the drink could be made dairy-free by opting for a plant-based milk, the new vegan-by-default drink is part of Starbucks’ efforts to embrace milk alternatives as demand for dairy-free continues to grow.

“As you know, the Apple Crisp Macchiato was first introduced last year, and is returning this year with oatmilk and Starbucks® Blonde Espresso as the standard recipe,” a Starbucks spokesperson told Species Unite. “We are always listening to our customers and partners (employees) and evolving our menu to meet their unique tastes and preferences. As interest in alternative dairy continues to grow, we’re thrilled to bring our customers Starbucks first nondairy fall beverage.”

But, What About Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spiced Latte?

Despite being one of Starbucks’ most popular drinks, the coffee chain does not currently offer a fully vegan version of its Pumpkin Spice Latte in U.S. stores. Although customers can swap out dairy milk for a plant-based alternative, the pumpkin syrup is currently made with skim milk and Starbucks does not currently offer vegan whipped cream in the U.S.

However, U.S. customers can find a dairy-free flavored coffee creamer inspired by the iconic PSL on grocery store shelves this Fall. Introduced last year, the Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Flavored Non-Dairy Creamer is crafted with almond milk, oat milk, and the flavors of pumpkin, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Non-profit organization Species Unite is petitioning Starbucks to make their in-store PLS vegan in U.S. locations. “Although we appreciate the additions of a Pumpkin Spice Creamer to Starbucks’ Fall product line, we are asking the company to go one step further and finally make their Pumpkin Spice Latte vegan friendly so that everyone can enjoy this Fall classic” reads the petition.

What We Drink Matters

In 2020, Starbucks announced plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 50 percent by 2030. With dairy products accounting for the biggest source of carbon dioxide emissions throughout Starbucks' operations and supply chain, Chief Executive Officer Kevin Johnson stated that "alternative milks will be a large part of the answer,” with “the demand-supply curve for consumer goods already altering."

Starbucks’ Vegan Milk Upcharge

As Starbucks itself points out, the dairy industry is a top producer of the greenhouse gasses that contribute to the climate catastrophe and encourages its customers to choose plant-based milks. However, the coffee giant continues to charge up to $0.80 extra for vegan milk substitutions.

Celebrities like Sir Paul McCartney and Babe actor James Cromwell have joined advocacy organizations in calling the company out, arguing that the surcharge is creating a financial barrier for those wanting to make a more ethical and sustainable choice with vegan milk.

“Starbucks’ punitive price hike on vegan milks harms cows, the planet, and customers who are lactose-intolerant - many of whom are people of color,” says PETA’s Vice President Tracy Reiman. “PETA has appealed to Starbucks to stop profiting from the plant-based milk upcharge, but so far, greed continues to define the company’s position.”

Despite the opposition, Starbucks does not have any current plans to change its policy at its U.S. stores. “We have nothing immediate to share on plans in the US, but will keep you updated as we continue to learn and evolve,” the spokesperson says, explaining that “adding a splash of any non-dairy milk to Brewed Coffee, Iced Coffee, Cold Brew, and Americano beverages is offered free of charge.”

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