"Too Popular"... Starbucks Menu Items That Secure a 'Permanent' Spot

'Limited Quantity Sale' but High Popularity and Exploding Demand
2019 Summer Season Limited 'Dolce Cold Brew'
3 Million Cups Sold in Two Months... Now a Regular Menu Item

Drinks that were sold in limited quantities or only temporarily available during specific periods are increasingly being "re-released" or becoming "regular menu" items due to popularity exceeding expectations.

According to the distribution industry on the 27th, Starbucks Korea recently re-released the "Snow Vanilla Tea Latte," which was introduced as a winter limited seasonal drink, as the regular menu item "Earl Grey Vanilla Tea Latte."

Starbucks explained, "The Earl Grey Vanilla Tea Latte sold out completely within two weeks of its launch, and even after sales ended, there were many customer requests for a re-release, so we decided to offer it as a regular menu item. However, the term 'Snow' was changed to 'Earl Grey' in the product name because 'Snow' could evoke a specific winter season."

So far, drinks that have been converted to regular sales through customer requests include seven types such as "Grapefruit Honey Black Tea," "Vanilla Cream Cold Brew," "Starbucks Dolce Latte," and "Vanilla Flat White."

The Dolce Cold Brew, launched as a summer limited edition in 2019, sold more than 3 million cups in two months and was converted to a regular menu item. The Vanilla Cream Cold Brew was also developed domestically and launched as a promotional drink in April 2017 before becoming a fixed menu item. At that time, it was praised for combining the popular cold brew with a vanilla flavor that appealed to the public, drawing positive customer responses. The Grapefruit Honey Black Tea, launched in September 2016, also gained high popularity and sold out nationwide within a month. Sales resumed after one month through urgent raw material orders. The Dolce Latte, launched in spring 2013 as a limited seasonal menu available only in spring, was re-released in early 2014 due to high demand and has remained a steady seller ever since.

Lee Jeong-hwa, head of the beverage team at Starbucks Korea, emphasized, "We are striving to identify domestic customers' preferences and trends and incorporate them into our drinks. We will continue to listen to customer feedback and review ways to allow more customers to experience our products."