11 Starbucks Drinks That Have Been Retired

Not every Starbucks customer seeks a simple cup of black coffee—some crave drinks with flavors like pumpkin pie, birthday cake, or even stout beer. Over the years, Starbucks has introduced a variety of drinks that pushed its identity beyond just coffee, with some becoming enduring favorites while others vanished in mere months. Whether mourned or forgotten, these discontinued drinks are no longer available at your local Starbucks.

1. Valencia Orange Refresher

Starbucks has earned its reputation for cozy holiday beverages, but its summer offerings have also sparked enthusiasm. The Valencia Orange Refresher became a fan favorite after its launch in 2013. This refreshing iced drink combined real fruit juice, orange peel, cardamom, jasmine, and apricot, with a touch of green coffee extract for an extra caffeine boost. When it was discontinued in 2015, fans reacted with online petitions and social media campaigns to bring it back.

2. Cherries Jubilee Mocha

Not every seasonal Starbucks drink has the staying power of the Peppermint Mocha or Pumpkin Spice Latte. During the 2013 holiday season, Starbucks tested two drinks in select markets: the Cherries Jubilee Mocha and the Chestnut Praline Latte. While the Chestnut Praline Latte earned a permanent spot on the holiday menu, the Cherries Jubilee Mocha never expanded beyond its initial limited availability.

3. Eggnog Latte

Starbucks’s Eggnog Latte had been a staple of its winter holiday menu since its debut in 1986, so when it unexpectedly disappeared from stores in December 2021, it left many surprised. In its place, Starbucks introduced the Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk Latte, likely targeting younger consumers who are more inclined towards plant-based milk options over traditional dairy.

4. Unicorn Frappuccino

When the Unicorn Frappuccino debuted on Starbucks’s menu in 2017, it quickly captivated the internet. This colorful frozen drink was made with whimsical components like 'pink powder' and blue 'unicorn dust,' paired with a tangy blue drizzle and mango syrup for a fruity taste. However, it was more about the drink’s visual impact than its flavor. The drink was available for a short period, despite its overwhelming success.

5. Chantico

The Chantico was an indulgent treat, even by Starbucks’s famously sweet standards. Drawing inspiration from the French tradition of drinking chocolate, it was essentially melted chocolate you could sip like coffee. While it garnered some loyal fans, it was discontinued in 2006, as the company noted that its lack of customization options contributed to its lower sales. 'It was something that customers did like, but they wanted to be able to do something else with it,' said spokesman Alan Hilowitz. 'We wanted to go back and give customers what they are looking for.'

6. Zombie Frappuccino

The success of the Unicorn Frappuccino led to a surge of themed, limited-time Frappuccinos from Starbucks in the late 2010s. Among these was the Zombie Frappuccino, a Halloween exclusive in 2017. This drink was the antithesis of the Unicorn Frappuccino's vibrant cuteness, embracing a more grotesque aesthetic with a green apple base, a 'bloody' red mocha drizzle, and pink whipped cream that resembled 'brains.'

7. Dark Barrel Latte

The Dark Barrel Latte was a Starbucks creation that never made it past the test markets. It was sold in Florida and Ohio in 2014, featuring a dark, malty caramel sauce that gave it a stout-like flavor, but without any alcohol. Although it sparked some interest, there didn’t seem to be enough demand for a coffee drink that resembled beer among Starbucks’s customers.

8. Chile Mocha

In 2016, after dabbling with French hot chocolate, Starbucks introduced its take on Mexican hot chocolate with the Chile Mocha. This drink blended rich, chocolatey espresso with ancho and cayenne chile powder for a spicy-sweet twist. It was featured on the menu for the 2016 fall season but was discontinued the following year.

9. Birthday Cake Frappuccino

The Frappuccino has been a fan favorite at Starbucks since its debut in 1995. In celebration of the drink’s 20th anniversary, the Birthday Cake Frappuccino made a limited-time appearance in 2015. This sweet treat combined vanilla bean and hazelnut flavors, topped with whipped cream. It made a brief return for the Frappuccino’s 21st birthday in 2016, but was ultimately discontinued.

10. Berry Sangria Tea

The Berry Sangria Tea was Starbucks’s take on an alcohol-inspired beverage without the booze. Launched in 2016, this refreshing drink featured Teavana Iced Passion Tango Tea mixed with sangria syrup, blending peach, elderberry, blood orange, and raspberry flavors. Served with real blackberries and orange slices, it was designed to mimic the fruit-and-wine essence of sangria. Though it attracted a following, it was only available for a limited time.

11. Oprah Chai

Oprah Winfrey has been a part of numerous successful business ventures over the years, so it wasn’t a surprise when she had a Starbucks drink bearing her name from 2014 to 2017. The Oprah Chai, which resembled the regular bagged tea from Teavana, was developed in collaboration with the media mogul and featured her name on the packaging. Although the chai is still sold at Starbucks, the current version no longer carries Oprah’s name. According to a Starbucks blog, this updated chai blend is a bit darker with less rooibos and offers a more subtle spice flavor compared to the original Oprah Chai.