Is Starbucks' Pink Drink Finally Coming to Mainland China?! How to Order the New Strawberry Lemon Frappuccino for the Best Taste?

Is Starbucks' Pink Drink Finally Coming to Mainland China?! How to Order the New Strawberry Lemon Frappuccino for the Best Taste?

Starbucks' Pink Drink Is Finally Coming to Mainland China

Starbucks' cult-favorite secret menu item, the Pink Drink, is finally headed for the mainland market after years of netizens begging for it!

According to Reuters, the Pink Drink will launch at the end of May or early June this year, though the product name has yet to be announced. It did debut in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan markets as early as last July, under the name "Pink Strawberry Frappuccino."

Two New Frappuccino Variations

Word is that the Pink Drink won't travel alone — its "good sister," the Strawberry Lemon Frappuccino, is launching alongside it. The key difference: the Pink Drink is built on coconut milk, giving it a relatively rich taste, a bit like strawberry yogurt; the sister drink uses lemon juice, making it tarter and far more refreshing.

The Origin of the Pink Drink

The viral drink traces back to 2016, when the Pink Drink started as a "custom creation" by Starbucks fans, later shared on social media as a hidden-menu hack.

Demand skyrocketed, curious drinkers flocked to try it, and the buzz soon caught Starbucks' official attention.

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In May 2017, Starbucks added the Pink Drink to the official US menu — a true "meeting of minds" with its fans. In spring 2018 it expanded beyond the US, rolling out across North America, including Canada.

In 2022, the drink landed in various Asian markets. Everywhere it went, consumers adored it, and it became a permanent fixture in many regional stores. Yet mainland Starbucks stayed indifferent to this internet sensation... netizens were getting antsy!

From Secret Menu to Global Phenomenon

From niche secret-menu item to a worldwide fan favorite, the Pink Drink has clearly earned its charm. News of the mainland launch has netizens thrilled — many "scolding" Starbucks China for not making the call sooner!

Tips for Enjoying the Frappuccinos

As for how to order them, fans worldwide have developed their own tricks. The most common complaint is that too much ice waters the drink down fast, so many recommend "less ice."

The original Pink Drink carries quite a lot of coconut milk, which can feel heavy — go for "less coconut milk" if you want it lighter.

The sister drink leans on lemon juice and runs tart overall, so first-timers shouldn't order "less sugar" right away. Taste it as designed before deciding whether to adjust the sweetness.

Image source: Internet, Starbucks

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If strawberry drinks are your thing, why not brew the fruit character yourself? FrontStreet Coffee's beginner-friendly picks:

FrontStreet Coffee Ethiopia Sun-Dried Huakui (Sidama) — Natural process with strawberry, passion fruit, jackfruit, and lychee aromatics, high sweetness, and almost no bitterness. Fans of fruit-forward drinks often call it "the coffee that doesn't taste like coffee."

FrontStreet Coffee Yirgacheffe Guodingding (Ethiopia) — Jasmine florals over lemon-bright acidity with berry sweetness and a green-tea finish. Clean, delicate, and effortless to brew — an ideal first specialty bean.

FrontStreet Coffee Panama Boquete Washed Geisha — The budget-friendly way into Geisha: pure varietal genetics from Panama's flagship specialty region, washed for a crystal-clear cup of orange blossom, citrus, and berry with a silky balance — like a flower-and-fruit tea with zero bitterness.