I Tried Starbucks’ New ‘Wicked’ Drinks
Discover what to expect from Starbucks' magical Wicked-inspired drink collaboration
I Tried Starbucks’ New ‘Wicked’ Drinks—Here’s What To Expect
Leading up to the highly anticipated release of the Wicked movie, Starbucks has joined forces with Universal Pictures to create a magical beverage experience that captures the essence of the beloved characters from the Emerald City. Starting Tuesday, October 22, Starbucks nationwide launched two enchanting drinks that bring the world of Oz directly to your coffee cup. These limited-edition beverages, created in collaboration with Universal Pictures, offer fans a unique way to celebrate their favorite characters while enjoying delicious, innovative flavors that deliver main character energy with every sip.
The Inspiration Behind the Collection
When Starbucks set out to create drinks inspired by the iconic duo of Glinda and Elphaba, they drew deeply from each character’s personality and visual aesthetic. Starbucks beverage developers worked meticulously to capture the essence of these beloved characters through flavor profiles that would resonate with both casual moviegoers and devoted fans of the musical phenomenon that has captivated over 50 million people since its 2003 debut.
The creative process behind these drinks involved more than just selecting complementary flavors; it required a deep understanding of what makes each character distinct. The development team considered the vibrant personalities, signature color palettes, and the emotional energy that each witch represents. This thoughtful approach resulted in two beverages that are not only visually stunning but also deliver experiences that feel authentically connected to their inspirations.
Glinda’s Pink Potion: A Sweet and Sparkling Experience
Glinda’s Pink Potion represents everything bright, bubbly, and glamorous about the Good Witch. Starbucks beverage developer Natalia Vasquez explained that they were inspired by Glinda’s bright character and her iconic association with the color pink. This refreshing beverage perfectly captures the essence of a character known for her charm, warmth, and dazzling presence.
What’s Inside the Cup?
The composition of Glinda’s Pink Potion is a beautiful balance of tropical and creamy elements that create a genuinely delightful drinking experience. The foundation of this drink is a Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refresher, a fruity base that provides natural sweetness and vibrant color. The drink includes creamy coconut milk and a generous scoop of real, freeze-dried dragonfruit pieces that add texture and authentic flavor. The top is crowned with a luxurious nondairy strawberry cold foam, creating that signature cloud-like appearance, and finished with colorful candy sprinkles that add an extra touch of whimsy and fun.
Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes
Upon first sip, the drink delivers a predominantly sweet flavor profile with tropical undertones from the mango and dragonfruit combination. The texture is particularly noteworthy—the freeze-dried dragonfruit pieces provide little bursts of concentrated fruit flavor throughout the drink, while the strawberry cold foam adds a creamy, indulgent element. Between the dragonfruit pieces and the strawberry cold foam, the overall sensation is remarkably reminiscent of a premium strawberry milkshake, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer beverages on the sweeter side or who don’t typically enjoy coffee-forward drinks.
Serving Recommendations
To maximize the Glinda’s Pink Potion experience, it’s highly recommended to drink this beverage without a straw. This approach allows you to get a proper balance of the cold foam and the drink with each sip, ensuring that you experience all the layered flavors and textures that make this drink special. The strawberry cold foam is particularly delightful when consumed directly, and skipping the straw ensures you don’t miss out on this premium element of the beverage.
Elphaba’s Cold Brew: Dark, Minty, and Mysterious
Elphaba’s Cold Brew captures the bold, defiant spirit of the Wicked Witch of the West through a sophisticated blend of coffee and mint flavors that shouldn’t work together on paper but create pure magic in reality. Starbucks beverage developer Rosalyn Batingan shared that they were inspired by Elphaba’s bold energy and her stunning green skin when creating this recipe, resulting in a drink that feels both mysterious and sophisticated.
The Surprising Flavor Experience
Despite containing no actual chocolate, Elphaba’s Cold Brew remarkably tastes like an Andes mint candy—that classic combination of cool peppermint and subtle chocolate notes that has delighted candy lovers for generations. This seemingly impossible flavor transformation is achieved through a carefully balanced combination of cold brew coffee sweetened with peppermint-flavored syrup. The base coffee provides the depth and richness typically associated with chocolate, while the peppermint syrup delivers that refreshing mint element that makes the whole experience feel like a gourmet candy bar in liquid form.
Visual Appeal and Presentation
The drink is topped with nondairy matcha cold foam and green candy sprinkles, creating a visually striking presentation that’s instantly recognizable as Elphaba’s creation. The matcha cold foam is particularly noteworthy—it’s genuinely delightful, offering a slightly earthy undertone that complements the minty-coffee base beautifully. The green color palette makes a bold statement and connects visually to Elphaba’s iconic green skin, while the candy sprinkles add a playful touch that acknowledges the celebratory nature of this limited-edition collaboration.
Serving Recommendations
Like Glinda’s Pink Potion, Elphaba’s Cold Brew is best enjoyed without a straw. This allows you to experience the matcha cold foam properly and ensures that each sip delivers the perfect balance of cold brew, peppermint syrup, and that delightful matcha foam layer. The foam is truly exceptional and worth savoring directly rather than pushing it aside with a straw.
Who Should Order Which Drink?
Choosing between these two magical beverages depends largely on your personal preferences and what you’re in the mood for. If you prefer coffee-forward flavors and want to maintain some sophistication in your beverage choices, Elphaba’s Cold Brew is the clear winner. Its rich coffee base and minty sophistication make it perfect for those who appreciate nuanced flavors and aren’t looking for an overly sweet drink. However, if you tend to avoid coffee entirely or prefer beverages on the sweeter side, Glinda’s Pink Potion is your perfect match. Its tropical, refreshing profile and minimal caffeine content make it accessible to everyone, regardless of their coffee preferences.
The Complete Wicked Merchandise Collection
Starbucks has expanded its Wicked partnership beyond just drinks. Starting November 7, the coffee chain launched an extensive collection of Wicked-themed drinkware and merchandise that allows fans to bring a piece of the magic home. This comprehensive collection includes multiple options to suit different preferences and collection styles.
Available Merchandise Items
The Wicked merchandise collection features beautifully designed tumblers, traditional mugs, specialty cold cups, mini tumbler keychains, and exclusive Wicked-themed Starbucks gift cards. Each item is carefully designed to reflect either Glinda’s glamorous pink aesthetic or Elphaba’s mysterious green energy. One particularly standout item is the cold cup that glows in the dark, adding an extra layer of magical appeal to the collection. The attention to detail in the merchandise design ensures that each piece feels like a genuine tribute to the characters and the upcoming film.
Limited Availability Notice
It’s important to note that all Wicked merchandise is available while supplies last and only in select stores. Given the anticipated popularity of both the film and this collaboration, items are likely to sell out quickly. Fans interested in securing any of these collectible pieces are encouraged to act promptly, as availability may be limited and the collection will not be restocked once items sell through.
Timing and Availability
The Wicked drinks launched nationwide on Tuesday, October 22, giving fans nearly a month to enjoy these limited-edition beverages before the film’s theatrical release on November 22. However, it’s uncertain exactly how long Starbucks will continue to serve these drinks after the movie premiere. Industry speculation suggests that the drinks may remain available throughout November, aligning with the movie’s opening week and initial box office performance. However, as Starbucks typically rotates its specialty offerings seasonally, the introduction of the winter holiday menu could potentially limit the Wicked drink availability.
Why This Collaboration Matters
This partnership between Starbucks and Universal Pictures represents more than just a marketing opportunity; it’s a cultural moment where two entertainment powerhouses come together to create an immersive experience for fans. The Wicked musical has been a cultural phenomenon for over two decades, having introduced millions of people to talented performers and telling a compelling story that reimagines a classic tale. Now, with the film adaptation bringing these characters to life on the big screen, Starbucks’ themed drinks offer a way for fans to extend their engagement with the story beyond the theater.
The Broader Context of Themed Beverages
Starbucks has become increasingly skilled at creating limited-edition, themed beverages that drive customer engagement and social media buzz. These drinks aren’t just about caffeine or refreshment; they’re about creating shareable moments and collectible experiences. The Wicked drinks fit perfectly into this strategy, offering visual appeal that photographs well on social media and personal resonance for fans of the musical and film. Whether consumers choose Glinda’s Pink Potion or Elphaba’s Cold Brew, they’re participating in a larger cultural conversation and expressing their allegiance to their favorite characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When did the Wicked drinks launch at Starbucks?
A: The drinks launched nationwide on Tuesday, October 22, in partnership with Universal Pictures ahead of the Wicked movie release.
Q: Do the Wicked drinks contain caffeine?
A: Glinda’s Pink Potion has minimal caffeine as it’s fruit-based, while Elphaba’s Cold Brew contains caffeine from cold brew coffee.
Q: How long will the Wicked drinks be available?
A: The drinks are limited-time offerings, likely available through November, though exact end dates haven’t been officially confirmed by Starbucks.
Q: Are the Wicked drinks suitable for those with dietary restrictions?
A: Both drinks use nondairy milk alternatives (coconut milk for Glinda’s, matcha foam made with nondairy option for Elphaba’s), making them vegan-friendly.
Q: Should I use a straw when drinking these beverages?
A: No, it’s recommended to drink without a straw to fully enjoy the cold foam layers and get the complete flavor experience.
Q: What is the primary difference between the two drinks?
A: Glinda’s is a sweet, tropical refresher ideal for non-coffee drinkers, while Elphaba’s is a sophisticated cold brew with minty flavors for coffee enthusiasts.
Q: When does the Wicked merchandise launch?
A: The Wicked-themed drinkware, including tumblers, mugs, and special cold cups, launches on November 7 at select Starbucks locations.
Q: Will the merchandise be widely available?
A: Merchandise is available in select stores only, while supplies last, so availability may be limited and items could sell out quickly.
