I Tried Starbucks’ New Ube, Coconut, and Lavender Drinks — and I *Do* Have a Favorite (The Cold Foams Are Incredible!)

Maybe it’s because it’s been pouring rain where I live for the past two days, but spring suddenly feels very close. I’m counting down to warmer weather, but in the meantime, I’m leaning into early spring the best way I know how: through a seasonal Starbucks run.

Luckily, Starbucks offered me a preview of three of the chain’s new spring drinks — the Iced Ube Coconut Macchiato, the Iced Lavender Cream Chai, and the Toasted Coconut Cream Cold Brew — and they almost made me forget how soggy it is outside. Here’s what I thought about what I’m lovingly calling the “spring cold foam trio.”

This year’s spring lineup hits menus on March 3, and it leans heavily into customization and flavor layering. Much to my delight, Starbucks is expanding its chai offerings with a recipe designed to adjust sweetness and spice, introducing toasted coconut beverages (including a new toasted coconut syrup that will become available year-round), and bringing back lavender drinks.

Here are the three drinks I tried.

• Iced Lavender Cream Chai: This cold drink blends Starbucks premium chai spices with milk over ice, and it’s topped with the returning lavender cream cold foam, which has a a subtly floral flavor.
• Toasted Coconut Cream Cold Brew: Regular Starbucks Cold Brew gets a tropical infusion with a new toasted coconut syrup-infused cold foam.
• Iced Ube Coconut Macchiato: This drink features layers of toasted coconut syrup, creamy milk, and espresso poured over ice. It’s topped with a vibrant, new ube coconut cream cold foam, which adds sweet, nutty-vanilla notes. The toasted coconut flakes on top finish it off with extra texture and flavor.

All three feature cold foam elements that completely shape the flavor of the drink and totally add something new to a classic. 

Visually, this one stole the show! It looks like spring in a cup with layered purple tones that are soft and a bit ombre. Flavor-wise, the ube is surprisingly subtle. It has a nutty, slightly vanilla-like depth, but I didn’t get a strong hit of it. The coconut flavor comes through more clearly than the ube. It adds a creamy finish without making the drink heavy or overly sugary.

I don’t think I’ve ever had a macchiato before, but this one was smooth and only lightly sweet. It did not have a strong coffee flavor either, so definitely try if you prefer to not taste the coffee in your coffee. 

This is the standout, and I can see why the lavender flavor is a fan-favorite. The lavender cold foam is the star of the trio of drinks I tried. It’s smooth, flavorful, and floral without tipping into that perfumy territory that lavender sometimes risks. The chai underneath brings warmth and spice, and the lavender foam softens it with a light sweetness. The combination works super well and is the perfect spring swap for Starbucks seasonal chai offerings. This will 100% be my go-to drink all spring long. 

If you’re a cold brew person, you’re going to love this seasonal upgrade. The base is exactly what you’d expect: smooth and strong with that slightly bitter cold brew taste, but the toasted coconut cream cold foam on top adds a sweet finish with a subtle nutty edge. It reminded me slightly of the vanilla sweet cream cold foam — but less sugary and a bit toastier. I didn’t get an overly strong coconut flavor, which I actually enjoyed. The drink tasted like an elevated cold brew and is definitely something I’d order when wanting to treat myself to a new flavor. The little coconut shavings sprinkled on top were a nice touch as well. Another plus, it smells amazing. (If Starbucks ever made a Toasted Coconut Cream Cold Brew Candle, I’d be the first in line to buy it.)

I continue to be impressed with how Starbucks works with flavored cold foams. Each drink in this new launch feels defined by its topping — and in the case of the lavender chai, completely transformed by it. Spring might not be here just yet, but if you’re going to try one sip from this new menu, make it the Iced Lavender Cream Chai. Trust me.