I Tried Starbucks’ New “Nutty” Winter Coffee, and It Totally Surprised Me (Major Caffeine Boost!)

I’m always on the hunt for the flavor of January — fall is all about pumpkin spice and apple pie, while December and the holidays scream peppermint. Regular old winter’s flavor, however, is not so obvious. Although, inspired by Starbucks’ new Pistachio Cortado, I’d like to throw pistachio into the mix. 

Pistachio for winter is actually not all that new at Starbucks, as seen from the chain’s returning Pistachio Latte and Pistachio Cream Cold Brew. But what is new on the winter 2026 menu is a Pistachio Cortado that seems like the perfect little pick-me-up to grab before classes. It has three shots of Starbucks’ Blonde Espresso, and a salted brown butter topping. I was very excited when Starbucks gave me a chance to try this drink, which sounded like nothing I’d ever tasted before. 

Don’t be fooled by its short stature — the Pistachio Cortado is served in an 8-ounce short cup and made with three ristretto shots of Starbucks Blonde Espresso, steamed milk, and pistachio-flavored syrup. It’s finished with a salted brown butter topping, which is just as good as it sounds. It has 230 milligrams of caffeine. (For reference, a grande latte with two shots of espresso from Starbucks has about 150 milligrams of caffeine.)

Starbucks calls it a “small but mighty” drink, and that description actually checks out. Cortados are meant to be a quick, strong coffee rather than something you sip on for an hour — basically perfect if you need the energy boost of straight espresso without cringing from that bitter taste. I paid $5.32 for the drink in North Carolina.  

The Pistachio Cortado is part of a larger winter menu that also includes the return of favorites, plus new “Dubai Chocolate”-inspired drinks and protein-packed caramel beverages.

This is a strong drink. It, for one, is very caffeinated. I’m someone who doesn’t see the point of drinking coffee if it’s not going to boost my typing speed by 75%, so I was all for it, but it may be a bit strong for more casual drinkers. The three shots of Blonde Espresso are front and center, and the drink isn’t very sweet overall, which is how I prefer my coffee — especially in the morning. 

The pistachio flavor is subtle and a little nutty, but I noticed some of the syrup settling toward the bottom of the cup. By the last few sips, it tasted noticeably sweeter, so I’d definitely mix it more next time to even things out.

The Blonde Espresso itself was smooth and not too bitter, which helped balance the intensity you might expect from espresso. The salted brown butter topping was my favorite part. It added just enough sweetness to soften the espresso and reminded me a lot of Starbucks’ salted caramel cold foam, which I love on cold drinks.

It also smelled really good, which sounds minor, but when you’re exhausted and holding a tiny cup of very strong coffee, it’s that smell that can wake you right up. The scent reminded me a bit of toffee, probably thanks to the buttery topping. This is definitely my new go-to drink for 8 a.m. classes, and the small size means I can easily finish it on the walk to my lecture hall.

The Pistachio Cortado is easily something I’d order again — especially if I had a long day and a late night, and wanted more caffeine than a latte. I could definitely feel an extra energy boost from the third espresso shot. It’s not a super-sweet coffee, but it’s also not something you need to pretend you like to finish. It’s warm, comforting, and carries the strong coffee flavor that I love. If you like sweeter drinks, this probably won’t replace your usual order, but if you want something powerful and a little different, it’s certainly worth trying.

I’ll definitely be keeping this one in my rotation for the rest of winter.