Ben Williams
Starbucks turning up at Coachella for the first time was always likely to mean more than a few extra iced coffees in the desert.
That’s because festivals like this are built for branded moments, and the powerhouse coffee chain has clearly decided that if it is finally going to make an official appearance, it may as well do it with something people will actually talk about.
That is especially true at Coachella, where food and drink have become part of the whole spectacle rather than just a practical way to keep energy going between sets. There are the items that end up all over TikTok, the ones people queue for because they look ridiculous, and the limited releases that are designed to be photographed and have social media marketing buzz spread before they’re even finished.
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With that, the legendary Unicorn Frappuccino has returned, with Starbucks bringing back the colourful fan favourite as part of its Coachella debut.
The drink is returning for the 2026 festival, where Starbucks is serving as the official coffee, tea, and Refreshers sponsor. Festivalgoers will be able to visit the Starbucks Coffeehouse across both weekends, from 10 to 12 April and 17 to 19 April, for cold drinks and somewhere to stop off in the middle of the day.
There is still a catch, though, and it is not a small one; the Unicorn Frappuccino will only be available at Coachella itself, at the Starbucks Coffeehouse, and only for a few hours each day. So, while it is back, this is not a full menu comeback, and it will not be showing up in regular Starbucks stores.
This means a previously viral Starbucks drink is officially a festival exclusive rather than a proper nationwide return, which will probably be enough to excite anyone already heading to Indio and annoy everybody else in roughly equal measure.
Starbucks is also offering complimentary cold brews, iced matcha lattes, and strawberry acai refreshers on rotation, with ready-to-drink products available elsewhere around the festival grounds.
In a statement on the Starbucks website, Erin Silvoy, senior vice president of global marketing of the company, said: “Music has always been a powerful connector at Starbucks, and Coachella brings people together through music, creativity and self-expression.”
“We’re excited to make our Coachella debut in a way that feels authentic to who we are, creating welcoming spaces where people can pause, connect, and enjoy great coffee while being part of the music that brings everyone together.”
As for why this particular drink still gets people talking, the Unicorn Frappuccino was one of Starbucks’ most memorable limited releases when it first appeared in 2017, thanks to its bright colours, sweet-and-sour flavour mix, and the fact that it looked like it had been designed specifically for the internet.
It is made with a mango syrup crème base, blue drizzle, pink powder, and whipped cream, and famously changes colour as it is stirred.