Starbucks Welcomes New Cortado and More

Starbucks expands its espresso beverage selection with the debut of the chain's take on a cortado, which is an espresso with a roughly equal amount of steamed milk. The coffee chain also welcomes Pistachio beverages and several food items to its winter menu.

The Starbucks Cortado (pictured) features three ristretto shots of Starbucks Blonde Espresso "cut" (the word "cortado" stems from the Spanish verb "cortar" which means "to cut.") with steamed whole milk (or your milk of choice). Ristretto shots are espresso shots made with less water and a short extraction/brew time. The resultant shots are meant to be sweeter and richer in flavor. The Cortado is only available hot in a short (8 oz) size.

The new drink joins a lineup of traditional espresso beverages that includes (from no milk to greater amounts of milk) the Doppio Espresso (a double shot of espresso), Caffè Americano (espresso with water), Espresso Macchiato (espresso "marked" with steamed milk), Espresso Con Panna (espresso with whipped cream), Flat White (espresso with finely foamed, steamed milk), Cappuccino (espresso with foamed steamed milk) and Caffè Latte (espresso with steamed milk).

The Starbucks Cortado is joined by the new Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado, which is a Cortado but made with steamed oat milk (instead of dairy milk) and brown sugar syrup topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Both drinks are meant to be permanent additions to the menu.

Starbucks' Pistachio drink lineup is back for a limited time this winter and includes the Pistachio Latte and Pistachio Cream Cold Brew.

The Pistachio Latte offers a mix of Starbucks Signature Espresso, steamed milk and pistachio sauce, finished with a salted brown butter cookie-flavored topping. The drink is available hot, iced, or as a Frappuccino. 

The Pistachio Cream Cold Brew features cold brew coffee mixed with vanilla syrup and topped with pistachio cream cold foam and salted brown butter cookie-flavored topping.  

The the edible side of things, Starbucks adds the following items this winter:

• New Certified Vegan Spicy Falafel Pocket (permanent) - Smashed falafel, hummus, roasted red bell peppers, pickled onions, and a spicy herb sauce, wrapped with a toasted lavash flatbread.  
• Vanilla Bean Custard Danish (limited time) - Flaky, sugared Danish dough filled with vanilla bean custard.
• Valentine Cake Pop (limited time) - A ball of vanilla cake mixed with buttercream, dipped in red chocolate icing, and decorated with a heart design.

Finally, Starbucks' matcha beverages are now adjustable in terms of sweetness. The chain changed its matcha green tea powder so that it's no longer pre-sweetened.

Photo via Starbucks.