This article has been updated since its initial publish date to include more information regarding Starbucks’ Oleato drinks.
Starbucks has expanded its Oleato drink line nationwide, despite the fact that customers have reported to stomach issues linked to these olive oil-infused drinks—and, unsurprisingly, the customers who are just now getting their first tastes aren’t exactly responding well.
In case you missed it, Starbucks rolled out olive oil-infused coffees in a new line they call Oleato last year. The Oleato line, which debuted with three beverages, first launched in Italy and has since been teased in select locations in Seattle and Los Angeles, and at Starbucks Reserve locations in New York, Seattle, and Chicago. Now, you can find two of these beverages (an EVOO-infused oat milk latte and a new toffeenut iced shaken espresso with golden foam) across the U.S. You should be warned, though: even if you like the taste, they might take a toll on your stomach.
Starbucks customers complain about Oleato drinks
The Oleato drinks were first introduced with a tasteful, Italian-inspired palate in mind, but customers have since flocked to the Internet with complaints. On r/starbucks, one employee wrote that the drinks made half their team have to run to the bathroom. Yikes!
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In June, the coffee giant announced that it would expand the controversial product launch, bringing these drinks to more states and cities across the nation: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas and Miami, and cities in Alaska and Vermont, as well. Now, they’re nationwide—and they’re still not landing the best with customers.
Although customers in cities that have already had these drinks on the menu for some time may know better than to keep ordering them after the fiasco following their launch, a whole new flock of coffee-drinkers are now getting a rude awakening. It’s worth noting that some people are praising the flavor, but many are giving the drinks two thumbs down.
This Oleato Starbucks coffee is horrendous and I won’t hear otherwise,” one person posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.
The new Starbucks oleato coffee is disgusting!! Taste like straight cooking oil,” another complained.
These complaints certainly sound familiar. But in addition to the taste, customers have also previously reported that the drinks have laxative properties.
Last year, an employee of the chain began Reddit thread to discuss the latest drink release. They wrote, "Olive oil drinks... Have you tried them? I'm wondering how many people are going to have happen to them what a few happened to our team. Half the team tried it yesterday and a few ended up... Needing to use the restroom, if ya know what I mean." They continued, "I'm honestly scared to try it because I already have stomach/bowel problems. My [store manager] doesn't want us sharing this info with customers which I think is pretty F'd up."
Almost a hundred people responded to the thread, and the top commenter, which had nearly 400 upvotes, replied, "Caffeine is a stimulant for your bowels and oil a relaxant. So, yeah, wonderful idea by Starbucks." (It's true—nutritionists even say some olive oils can lead to bloating and symptoms of indigestion.)
Not surprisingly, the news kicked off a storm of replies from employees and fans of the chain worried about their digestion. "Omg, our store only has one bathroom. There is always a line for it," another employee replied. "Man, this is not gonna be fun." Even on Twitter, fans are reacting to the new release with ratings and reviews.
#Oleato — so far my stomach is gurgling and my throat is burning. Not sure if it’s the olive oil. @starbucks pic.twitter.com/rpqPURljV1
— James Reberry (@jamesreb) March 27, 2023
that new “oleato” shit at starbucks is the worst thing i’ve ever tasted. i could not drink it. it tastes exactly how you would hope it wouldn’t taste
— ¡cambam! (@cambam1963) March 27, 2023
Some questioned whose idea the new coffees were. "What marketing exec thought of this one," replied one user on the Reddit thread. Another chimed in, "New marketing campaign—Starbucks new weight loss coffees!"
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When the drinks were first released, customers were already skeptical. In the initial release post on Instagram, Starbucks boasted the new drinks' "deliciously lush" and "velvety smooth" textures, but customers reacted with less enthusiasm in the comments section. "Respectfully this sounds like the worst coffee on the menu," wrote one commenter. Another replied, "*cries in barista*." Tough crowd!
Starbucks Fans Just Wish They Released A Different Flavor
The backlash from Starbucks' release did come with some suggestions from frequent fans.
One user on Reddit replied, “I love that both baristas and customers have been asking for a variety of syrup flavors (like lavender), yet we get olive oil.” On Instagram, a top comment with over 600 likes wrote, “we asked for more sugar-free syrups/flavors and you give us…olive oil.”
Starbucks recently confirmed that the popular coffee chain would be removing drinks made with their raspberry syrup, like the ‘Raspberry Iced Tea,’ ‘Raspberry Chocolate Dream Frappuccino,’ and ‘Raspberry Lime Refresher.' The removal sparked disappointment on social media, and now with the release of olive-oil coffees, fans are even more confused with the changes. "So they are getting rid of raspberry for olive oil? Wtf," questioned one user on Reddit.
While positive reactions seem a bit harder to find, some fans who enjoy the "velvety smooth" texture that Starbucks claims the olive oil provides, have written satisfying reviews.
To know me is to know that I love olive oil - I use it in and on everything. Tried to stop eating/drinking at Starbucks and they got me y’all … the Olive Oil Cake and the Oleato Cold Brew with Vanilla Golden Foam. pic.twitter.com/I3euusiPyf
— Cory L. Cain (@coryLcain) March 26, 2023
Yo okay @Starbucks went off with the Oleato stuff. It’s really good
— kodrizzi (Taylor's version) (@kirks_minivan) March 27, 2023
Still, it seems the market of people who enjoy oil olive in their coffees is running pretty slim right now. Starbucks might fare better bringing back the raspberry syrup, but in the meantime, we'll be waiting for the next release.
Here's to hoping it's not olive oil...
