Starbucks debuts a new drink as the coffee giant's holiday season comes to a close
- Starbucks debuted the new Cinnamon Shortbread Latte on Tuesday.
- The drink combines espresso with brown butter and vanilla flavors and is topped with cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Starbucks is also adding a few new items to its food menu. The new drink and new food menu items signal the end of Starbucks' holiday season, which was intended to be especially festive in 2018.
Starbucks is kicking of the new year with a new drink.
On Tuesday, the coffee giant debuted the new Cinnamon Shortbread Latte. The drink combines espresso with brown butter and vanilla flavors and is topped with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Starbucks is also adding more items to its food menu, including Ham, Cheddar and Peppers Sous Vide Egg Bites; Ham and Swiss Panini; Red Velvet Loaf Cake; and the Morning Bun with an updated recipe.
The new winter menu signals the official end of the Starbucks holiday season, which started earlier than ever in 2018.
The coffee giant rolled out its full holiday assortment in early November, more than a full week earlier than it did in 2017. Stores were decked out in seasonal decor, and baristas donned red aprons. Starbucks also pushed its holiday assortment with a "more robust" media plan, according to the company.
"Our customers tell us they love the holidays and Starbucks holiday cups are a cue that the season is upon us," Chief Operating Officer Roz Brewer said during a call with investors.
"Last year our stores didn't sufficiently reflect the festive environment our customers know and love and have come to expect from us," Brewer continued.
Starbucks' US same-store sales fell 2% in the quarter that ended on December 31, 2017, due in large part to the chain's disappointing sales on holiday beverages, merchandise, and gift cards. The company is set to report how this year's holiday season went in late January.