Starbucks has always placed handcrafted espresso beverages at the core of its customer experience, with each espresso shot carefully pulled to deliver a balanced, caramelly sweetness and a bold, unmistakable taste.
“Espresso is the heart and soul of Starbucks,” said Ricky Gonzalez, a member of the company’s beverage product team.
Gonzalez and his team recently took on a new challenge: “Our goal was to create a fresh way for customers to enjoy espresso at Starbucks.”
After testing more than a dozen drink ideas, the team landed on the Cortado, a small but powerful espresso-forward beverage served hot in an 8-ounce cup. Starting January 3, Starbucks will introduce two variations of this beverage at participating U.S. locations: the traditional Cortado with steamed whole milk, and a Brown Sugar Oatmilk Cortado.
Originating in Spain’s Basque Country over 100 years ago, the Cortado has become a beloved coffee drink across the Spanish-speaking world and beyond. The name “Cortado” comes from the Spanish verb cortar, meaning “to cut,” which refers to how the boldness of the espresso is “cut” with steamed whole milk.
“It was a favorite among the beverage development team,” Gonzalez said. “It definitely has that special spark.”
The Cortado has been a popular request from customers in South Florida and Chicago, prompting Starbucks to test it in stores in those regions last year. “In those markets, many customers had been asking for it,” Gonzalez explained. “They would ask, ‘Starbucks, do you have a Cortado?'”
When the beverage first appeared in South Florida, baristas were excited to share it with their customers, particularly those in the Cuban American community.
“It feels great,” said Paulina J., a barista at one of the test stores. “Customers had been asking for a Cortado for so long, and now they’re really excited to see it on the menu.”
Eva Pinero, a store manager, emphasized the cultural significance of coffee. “So many cultures share a coffee tradition,” she said. “For me, the Cortado represents community. We don’t have a family or friends gathering without coffee being involved.”
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