Starbucks Just Brought 4 Drinks From Its Milan, Italy Locations To American Stores — So, Of Course, I Tried Them

I didn't know what to expect from these new drinks.

Hello, friends of the internet and fellow coffee lovers! If you are someone like me, you too get excited anytime Starbucks announces new drinks being added to their menu.

Bravo

Yesterday morning, I received a text to a group chat with my two best friends about Starbucks' new "Oleato" drinks — which are coffee drinks infused with extra virgin olive oil. Yes, you read that correctly.

Fabiana Buontempo

The Oleato line first launched last month at a Reserve location in Milan, Italy, but as of March 23, American customers can order the new drinks at Reserves in Chicago, New York City, and Seattle.

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The good news is if you don't live in any of those cities, on March 27, select Starbucks shops in Seattle and Los Angeles will also start serving the olive oil drinks.

I'm Italian American, so espresso and olive oil basically run through my veins. As you can imagine, I eagerly jumped at the opportunity to try these new drinks and share my thoughts on them.

I visited the Starbucks Reserve in New York City — located in the Meatpacking District — for my Oleato experience.

Fabiana Buontempo

If you've never been to a Reserve Roastery or have no idea what I'm talking about, they're basically extra-fancy Starbucks locations that serve more experimental (and often pricier) beverages — occasionally even alcoholic drinks. This location, in particular, was incredible.

This location offers three Oleato drinks in addition to an espresso martini — but considering it was 9:30 a.m. when I was doing this taste test, I unfortunately opted out of trying the martini.

Fabiana Buontempo

First up was the Oleato Golden Foam Cold Brew, $9.

Fabiana Buontempo

After placing my order and setting the three drinks down in front of me in a cozy corner of the Reserve, I started my taste testing with the Golden Foam Cold Brew. According to Starbucks, this cold brew is lightly sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with cold foam infused with extra virgin olive oil.

I'm a big fan of Starbucks' cold brew, so I dove right into this one. After the first sip, I was immediately hit with a wave of olive oil.

Fabiana Buontempo

The olive oil flavor was intense and after a few sips, I had remnants of oil on my lips, so that just tells you how infused the cold foam was. I wasn't even able to really taste the coffee or vanilla flavors because of how rich the foam's flavor was.

I probably wouldn't order this cold brew again in the future because, although I'm an olive oil stan, its flavor was just too overpowering in this coffee for me. 

Next was the Oleato Caffè Latte, $9.

Fabiana Buontempo

I'm not usually a big fan of hot lattes (I'm more of an iced latte girly), BUT this latte with olive oil–infused oat milk was very good. The olive oil flavor was way more subtle compared to the cold brew. This drink also had more of a nutty flavor and it wasn't sweet at all, which was fine by me because I don't like overly sweet drinks.  

The latte was very smooth and is something that I could see myself ordering again in the future when I want a warm drink that isn't overly flavored with syrups but also isn't just a bland, boring drink.

Fabiana Buontempo

Last but not least was the Oleato Iced Cortado, $8.

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This was hands down my favorite drink from the Oleato line. I personally love the flavors of espresso and strong coffee, so this iced cortado was right up my alley. This drink is made with espresso, demerara syrup, and a dash of orange bitters. The oat milk is infused with olive oil and served over ice. Starbucks' site says it's finished with an orange peel, but maybe my barista was sleepy this morning and forgot mine.

The iced cortado was the perfect blend of espresso flavor, olive oil, and orange bitters. This will easily become my new go-to iced drink when I want to treat myself, because an $8 drink would otherwise rob my wallet.

Fabiana Buontempo

TL;DR: If you're hesitant about trying these new olive oil–infused Starbucks drinks, I'd ease into it and start with the latte and work your way up to the cold brew — which has the most intense olive oil flavor out of all three drinks.

Would you try these Oleato drinks? Tell me all your thoughts in the comments below or send me a DM and we can have a coffee chat!