My Starbucks Summer 2026 Menu Review

Summer 2026 brought the arrival of new Starbucks menu items, including Blended Energy Refreshers, Iced S'mores Chai and blue coconut drinks. I'm not a big coffee fan, but I'm armed with Starbucks gift cards, and the brand has expanded so much in recent years that it's not hard to find espresso-free drinks on the menu. As always, this is an honest, non-sponsored Starbucks review--but if they want to pay me to try their recipes, I'm all ears.

Iced Blue Coconut Matcha

Iced Blue Coconut Matcha features Starbucks' classic matcha recipe blended with mango syrup and topped with a special cold foam that includes toasted coconut syrup and blue spirulina. The result is a pale green drink with about two inches of blue space on top, like a child's drawing of the grass and sky.

As someone who's loved mango matcha ever since I tried it at a family-owned cafe, I couldn't wait to order this drink. Unfortunately, the Starbucks version didn't quite measure up. I could barely taste the mango syrup (in fact, I forgot all about it until I started editing this review), and it didn't contribute much but a hint of sweetness.

The foam took up a surprising amount of real estate, but it paired well with the smooth, milky matcha, and it enhanced the drink more than other cold foam flavors had in the past. While the mango syrup was a little disappointing, Iced Blue Coconut Matcha was still delectable on a hot day. I think this would make a great permanent addition to the menu.

Ocean Energy Drink

Ocean Energy Drink features strawberry, acai and toasted coconut flavors blended with ice, coconut milk and a scoop of blue spirulina. This drink contains caffeine and B vitamins, which may give you a burst of midday energy. With its bright blue shade, this menu item definitely looks like the ocean in a cup.

When I took a sip, my first thought was that this drink tasted like fruit punch. Strawberry and acai flavors dominated the drink, creating the classic "mixed berry" flavor that you'd find in juice boxes. Toasted coconut syrup added another dose of artificial sweetness. The coconut milk was easily the best ingredient in this drink, and it offered a clean, refreshing aftertaste with a hint of the tropics.

Without the coconut milk base, this drink probably would've tasted like a melted snow cone. I also didn't notice much of an energy boost--but, admittedly, it takes a lot for caffeine to affect me. Ultimately, Ocean Energy Drink is ideal for people who like bold, sugary drinks but don't feel like indulging in Starbucks' characteristic caramel drizzle and whipped cream.

Butterfly Energy Drink

Butterfly Energy Drink layers guava and passionfruit flavors with coconut milk and a dash of butterfly pea flower. Mango-pineapple popping boba rests at the bottom of the cup, suggesting that this is Starbucks' way of jumping on the bubble tea craze. I've been dying for a boba tea shop in my area--but, since I don't have one, this will have to do.

Luckily, this drink was bright, cool and refreshing with a slightly bitter tang that reminded me of fresh lemonade. The lavender layer was mildly sweet, while tropical fruit and coconut milk dominated the pink layer underneath. The popping boba was definitely the highlight, with each pearl unleashing a rich, creamy liquid that practically melted on my tongue.

While I couldn't quite get past the syrupy tang, this beverage offered a decent blend of flavors and a fun drinking experience. If you're a popping boba fan, I'd give Butterfly Energy Drink a shot. As a bonus, I enjoyed a small energy boost after I'd drained the glass.

Iced S'mores Chai

Normally, I'm not a fan of sweet beverages, but I was craving a chocolatey drink--and, judging by the name, it sounded like Iced S'mores Chai would deliver. This menu item features chai blended with milk and marshmallow syrup, then topped with marshmallow cream cold foam, crumbled graham crackers and chocolate drizzle.

S'mores and chai sounded like an odd combination, but Starbucks chai has a naturally toasty flavor that made a great base for this campfire-inspired recipe. The marshmallow foam was sweet and creamy, and the drizzle added a rich, chocolatey taste to a few sips, although it was more of a decoration than anything. Plus, the chai balanced out the sweetness and kept this drink from being too saccharine.

This was a fun drink, but I couldn't help but suspect that it would've performed better in the fall and winter, when you're ready to host bonfires and roast marshmallows with your friends. Iced S'mores Chai came out in the middle of a heat wave, and while it didn't ruin the taste, a heavy, syrupy drink is a hard sell in the summer months.

Blended Ocean Energy Drink

Blended Ocean Energy Drink includes the same ingredients as the regular version, but blended with ice to create a slushie-like beverage. This bright blue beverage had white streaks that reminded me of ocean waves, and maybe that was intentional. The air bubbles looked like craters on the surface of the moon.

On the first sip, it was clear that this recipe improved on the basic Ocean Energy Drink. The liquid was bold, sweet and fruity with strong coconut notes, and the crushed ice quickly melted on my tongue, creating a cold, refreshing drink that offered relief from the summer heat. I enjoyed this drink a lot more than the original version even though the basic recipe didn't change.

If you're looking for a drink that's lighter than a smoothie but more substantial than an iced tea, this menu item finds a solid middle ground. The coconut milk was the standout, while the strawberry and acai flavors added a little tartness. Once again, I didn't notice an energy boost--but if I wanted that, I would've ordered an espresso instead.

Have you tried any of these drinks? If not, what's your usual Starbucks order? Let me know in the comments.