I Tried Starbucks’ New “Air-Whipped” Iced Coffee Drinks, and I’m Obsessed with This Technique

It feels like Starbucks is always releasing fun new flavored drinks, like the Iced Banana Bread Latte, or new ways to enjoy a beloved flavor, like the Iced Pumpkin Cream Shaken Espresso. So when I heard about the new Aerocano coming to Starbucks coffee shops on September 29, I was surprised to learn it’s simply a new way to enjoy an iced Americano. 

When Starbucks offered me a gift card to preview this new drink, which is pretty different from my go-to sips (some type of latte, or a cold brew with coconut milk if I’m feeling adventurous), I had to try it. Here’s everything to know about the Aerocano and my honest review of the new drink.

The Aerocano is visually interesting, with an air-whipped top that almost resembles cold foam (it’s not) and a striated appearance where the espresso settles at the bottom. Described in a Starbucks news release as “a modern take on the Iced Americano,” the Aerocano is “air-whipped to create a light foam and cascading visual effect.” According to an article on Starbucks’ website that dives deeper into the new sip, the Aerocano starts with hot Blonde Espresso and ice, which is aerated and then steamed to create its unique look.

While the Aerocano is new to North American Starbucks cafes, it launched in South Korea in early 2026, thanks to Chanda Beppu, senior vice president of Starbucks Asia Pacific. Beppu began exploring the idea while looking at coffee trends. “It was something that caught my eye,” Beppu said in the article. She added that the Aerocano isn’t a brand-new creation, but that Starbucks was well positioned to bring it to cafes, especially with “a growing iced coffee culture.”

The Aerocano and Caramel Aerocano join the Starbucks Core Menu on September 29.

I tried the classic Aerocano and a caramel version, and here’s how they stacked up.

As promised, this drink looks great. The first thing I noticed when the barista handed it to me was the light, airy foam that gives way to the dark tan espresso that gets even darker toward the bottom.

I didn’t know what to expect with my first sip, and I loved how the air-whipped top translated to a light, airy first taste. I didn’t get much espresso flavor, so I took a larger gulp and finally tasted the aerated blonde espresso, which had a nice, velvety finish. It didn’t taste as strong as I expected, which I appreciated, because straight espresso can sometimes leave a bitterness I don’t enjoy.

I don’t think I’ve ever had an iced Americano, so I might not be the target audience for this creation — and I can’t make a direct comparison — but I enjoyed the different textures in this iced drink. I found the Aerocano to be slightly watery as the ice melted, but not so much that the espresso lost too much flavor. 

I actually tried the caramel version first, so that may have biased me, but this is the drink I would order again if I got an Aerocano. As a flavored latte loyalist, I really loved how a hint of caramel came through on the first sip, combining with the airy topper to almost replicate a flavored cold foam (but much lighter). The sweet caramel with the lightly bitter, aerated blonde espresso was a combo that really worked for me. It tasted velvety at first and then watered down a little, but not in a way that noticeably affected the flavor.

Stating the obvious, I think the new Aerocano would be great for coffee drinkers who love an iced Americano. I’m personally excited to add it to the rotation when I want to venture outside my comfort zone, and the caramel version is my preferred bridge between flavored lattes and this espresso-forward drink.