Launching today for National Coffee Day, coffee lovers can now try something new, velvety, and delicious. This morning, Starbucks coffeehouses across North America debut the new Aerocano, which transforms Blonde Espresso and ice into a velvety coffee inspired by a beverage that became a sensation in South Korea. This new take on the Iced Americano features Starbucks Blonde Espresso air-whipped to create a light, velvety beverage. Meanwhile, the Caramel Aerocano adds rich caramel sweetness to the Aerocano’s light, airy texture and cascading layers.
As a huge fan of both the velvety texture of Starbucks’ nitro cold brew and the boldness of a classic iced americano, I’ll admit I was super amped up to try this new beverage. So much so that I made a point of stopping by the airport Starbucks in LAX during my layover on my way back home. I found the drink to be the right level of smoothness—the texture reminds me a lot of nitro cold brew, but with the taste of blonde espresso. I loved it, and it went down super easy (and I can’t wait to order it again).
Aerocano’s Starbucks journey began in South Korea, where it debuted earlier this year. The market was a natural fit. In South Korea, the iced Americano is one of Starbucks most popular beverages – a daily ritual for many South Koreans, whether it’s a hot summer day or below freezing in the winter. It’s actually a global trend: customers with a taste for cold – about 60 percent of the beverages Starbucks sells globally are cold. Chanda Beppu, senior vice president of Starbucks Asia Pacific, first saw the potential of the
Aerocano while exploring coffee trends.
“It is creamy with a slightly sweet [flavor],” Beppu said. “I’m an Americano drinker myself, and it’s fun to take that familiar experience and add a visual and textural element to it.” Knowing how popular iced Americanos are, Beppu’s curiosity quickly turned into an opportunity.”
