Starbucks makes major change to popular drink - and baristas are not happy

Starbucks is shaking up the way it serves one of its popular beverages - and customers are seemingly less than impressed by the decision.

If you’re someone who likes to step out of their comfort zone when it comes to hot drink orders, then you may already be head-over-heels for a Starbucks Chai Latte.

The milky treat, which has served as a permanent menu staple since 1999, is made using many of the same ingredients as traditional chai, such as black tea, cinnamon, cloves, ginger and other spices.

As well as the classic version, the beloved chain is known for putting seasonal spins on the drink, bringing the Iced Pumpkin Cream Chai out for autumn and the Gingerbread Chai during the holidays.

However, the iconic beverage is being reimagined in 2026, with Starbucks vowing to create a chai recipe that would enable customers to customise it while keeping ‘the iconic chai flavour they know and love’.

The Starbucks chai latte recipe is changing - but not everyone is pleased (Starbucks)

From this week, the brand has opted to de-couple sweetness and flavour, allowing guests to adjust each component to their own preference.

According to Bernadette Apostol, one of the beverage developers on Starbucks R&D team, this means a regular chai latte has ‘just a hint of sweetness from the honey’.

“Our chai includes cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger – great quality ingredients that get to shine, at whatever sweetness our customers choose to have.”

The beverage can be customised with the addition of classic syrup, with customers able to choose just how many pumps they want in their treat.

They can also adjust the flavour by swapping classic syrup for vanilla and caramel, or choose for the drink to be unsweetened for a more authentic taste.

While the news is sure to delight some, others are already mourning the loss of the chai latte they have come to love and adore.

“Idk about ya’ll but as a barista I’m NOT ready to explain to customers why their Chai doesn’t taste the same on March 3rd,” one TikTok user typed.

Some baristas have claimed to have 'prepared' their regulars for the switch-up (Getty Stock Image)

“I’ve been soft launching it. Every time someone orders chai I warn them that it’s gonna change,” another Starbucks employee remarked. “I have a regular who is SUPER picky about the taste texture and temp of her chai so we had a whole conversation about it to prepare her.”

A third commented: “If that pumpkin cream chai doesn't taste right come October they're never getting another penny from me for the rest of my life.”

“I only go to Starbucks for the chai… why change something if nothing is wrong with it??!” someone else penned.

If you’re ready to dive into the world of chai lattes, then why not sip on Starbucks’ latest flavour.

For a limited time, US coffeehouses are selling an Iced Lavender Cream Chai, made with Starbucks premium chai and milk, served over ice and topped with lavender cream cold foam.

If you’re in the United Kingdom, then the Ube vanilla velvety latte is landing this week.

The Ube menu is available at the coffee chain from this week (Starbucks)

It is built with nutty Ube vanilla-flavour sauce blended with Starbucks Blond espresso and steamed milk. A silky Ube Vanilla-flavour cold foam is used to top off the moreish delight.

The drink can be purchased from Thursday, 5 March, alongside the new Iced Ube Vanilla Macchiato, Ube Vanilla Velvet Matcha Latte, Iced Ube Vanilla Matcha Latte, Ube Vanilla Coffee Frappuccino, and Ube Vanilla Cream Frappuccino