My Review of the 2026 Starbucks Winter Menu

In early 2026, Starbucks unveiled new additions to their menu: exclusive matcha blends, a selection of pastries and limited-edition Dubai chocolate drinks. With blends that emphasized matcha, pistachio, chocolate and yuzu citrus, it was pretty clear to me that Starbucks was taking inspiration from trending flavors. In any case, as a matcha lover, I had to try the new offerings--and the pastries seemed like the perfect accompaniment.

Now that you've gotten a little backstory, here's my honest, non-sponsored review of goodies that look like they came straight from your TikTok feed. I tried non-warmeed versions of all the pastries aside from the Yuzu Citrus Blossom. Some of these treats won't be around for long, but with Starbucks' drink customization options, you might be able to make "bootleg" versions after they disappear from the menu.

1. Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha

Judging by the name, I thought Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha would taste just like a bar of Dubai chocolate, which famously includes phyllo pastry and pistachio cream. Instead, the drink had a cloying, syrupy flavor that's a little hard to describe. The pistachio syrup added some nuttiness, but this drink was mostly sweet with a faint matcha aftertaste.

It's not necessarily bad, but I think Starbucks could've found a better way to infuse their matcha with the nutty, earthy flavor of crushed pistachios. Supposedly, their matcha doesn't include added sugar, but the sauces and toppings drown out the green tea's subtle bitterness.

Sugar lovers will enjoy this drink, but if you're here to savor the matcha's subtle variations, you're out of luck. Still, the iced tea and pistachio syrup paired well with the chocolate foam, which balanced out the recipe with warm cocoa notes. I can see why the Dubai chocolate trend took off.

2. Iced Double Berry Matcha

Iced Double Berry Matcha sounded like a summer drink, and sure enough, the cup displayed pale green matcha swirled with red strawberry puree and pink foam on top--all the colors of a budding spring meadow. I'm not sure why Starbucks released this drink in the middle of winter, but after taking a sip, I was glad they didn't make me wait.

The strawberry puree hit my tongue first, delighting my tastebuds with a sharp, fruity tang and seedy texture. This is why using real fruit instead of flavored syrup makes a difference, and I knew immediately that this drink would be my favorite of the three. The only downside is that the matcha took a backseat, adding a light earthiness to the recipe.

With the raspberry foam complementing the puree's tartness, this drink was a cool, refreshing afternoon treat. However, don't let the crushed strawberries fool you into thinking this beverage is healthy: one cup contains 37 grams of sugar and 45% your daily value of saturated fat. Next time, I'll ask them to leave out the classic syrup.

3. Iced Banana Bread Matcha

With brown sugar syrup and banana-flavored cold foam, Iced Banana Bread Matcha seemed like a true winter drink. The brown sugar gave this recipe a warm, cozy vibe, while the foam tasted just like the cooked pieces of banana you find inside a loaf of banana bread. Altogether, these flavors created a sweet treat that did taste a lot like a pastry.

Unfortunately, the matcha was almost impossible to detect in this blend. I think a velvety roast would've been a better base, but if you don't like coffee, the matcha offers a milder alternative with less caffeine. Banana bread flavors don't complement matcha as well as strawberries or cocoa, so the sugary syrups definitely carried this blend.

4. Chocolate Pistachio Loaf

Swirls of bright green and dark brown gave the Chocolate Pistachio Loaf an attractive, eye-catching appearance. On the first bite, I detected sweet, luscious cocoa that reminded me of melted chocolate chips. The pistachio flavor was more subtle, but it added a delicate earthiness, while the pistachio chips embedded in the side offered a hearty crunch.

Better yet, the slice had a delectable, moist softness that practically melted on my tongue. A little frosting on top would've polished it off, but this pastry was delicious on its own. I've always thought Starbucks pastries are underrated--I know the employees just heat them up in the microwave, but they maintain their taste and texture fairly well.

5. Strawberry Matcha Loaf

Strawberry Matcha Loaf indulged my senses with a bright strawberry fragrance, pink-and-green swirls and pale pink icing on top. Despite the marketing, the strawberry flavor dominated everything, even the matcha, which added little but a faint earthiness. Essentially, it's a strawberry cake with a sweet aftertaste.

Like the cake, the frosting was sugary and infused with strawberry flavor. While the cake was pleasantly moist and dense, at five dollars per slice, I wouldn't buy this pastry again. It's good for people who enjoy fruity desserts, but if you're looking for matcha flavors, I'd just order a drink.

6. Yuzu Citrus Blossom

On the website, Starbucks describes Yuzu Citrus Blossom as "the best parts of a croissant and muffin." This pastry had a warm, bready aroma like fresh croissants. When I pulled off a section, the bread was buttery and flaky with a hint of sweetness, hinting at the yellow filling in the center.

In the middle was a glob of yuzu citrus cream, which had a tart, tangy flavor like a cross between an orange and a lemon. This filling was the perfect complement to the browned bread, and the bright, sunny flavor felt like a warm day in the middle of winter. Plus, with 17 grams of sugar, it's a little lighter than some of the drinks on the menu.

7. Dubai Chocolate Bite

My first impression was that the $3 price tag was a little excessive. This pastry was smaller than my fist, and it looked like a dry brownie with chocolate drizzle and pistachio hunks on top. When I took a bite, the exterior had a strong cocoa flavor, but it wasn't enough to mask the dry, crumbly texture.

After a few bites, I reached the center of this snack: bright green pistachio cream with crunchy bits. The cream added moisture to the dry exterior and infused the treat with a pleasantly nutty flavor. Overall, it wasn't a bad dessert, but it needed more moisture to stand alongside Starbucks' regular brownies--and maybe a lower price, too.

Have you tried any of these menu items? What does your regular Starbucks order look like? Sound off in the comments.