Spring’s in the air, and Starbucks just dropped their Pistachio Latte—a sweet, creamy upgrade from your usual coffee order. But is it actually worth ditching your iced matcha or trusty vanilla latte? After sipping my way through one (okay, fine, two), I’m officially convinced: this drink isn’t just good—it’s a full-on moment. If you’ve been looking for a sign to shake up your coffee game, this is it.
I should mention: I don’t even go to Starbucks often. Honestly, I’m not a huge coffee fan, and I don’t have a usual Starbucks order waiting on the tip of my tongue. But lately, it’s felt like the Pistachio Latte is everywhere. Posters plastered all over Starbucks, countless Instagram posts, and even my friends—who usually stick to their classic orders—have been hyping it up.
Apparently, this latte first came out back in 2021, but it didn’t really land on my radar until last month when Starbucks decided to make it a thing again. Maybe it’s a seasonal push or just great marketing, but either way, it worked. I found myself at the counter, curiosity piqued and expectations cautiously high.
Taste-wise, it’s subtle and sweet, without being overly sugary. If you’re expecting a bold, strong coffee flavor, this isn’t it—and that’s exactly why I enjoyed it. It’s creamy, cozy, and genuinely tastes best with oat milk, which complements the pistachio flavor perfectly. (Insider tip: baristas recommend oat milk by default for the ideal experience.) Starbucks officially lists espresso, steamed milk (ideally oat milk), pistachio syrup, and a salted brown butter topping as the key ingredients.
And if you’re feeling inspired to whip one up at home (even if, like me, you’re no kitchen wizard), here’s a straightforward version:
Easy Homemade Pistachio Latte
Ingredients:
- 1 small cup of strong coffee or espresso (you can find espresso shots easily in coffee capsules or just brew a small, strong coffee)
- 1 cup oat milk (trust me, it’s better)
- 2 tablespoons pistachio syrup (You can buy this ready-made online or in grocery stores. If you want to DIY: mix ½ cup sugar, ½ cup water, and ½ cup roughly chopped pistachios in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and let it gently bubble for 5 minutes. Then, pour it through a fine strainer to remove pistachios—done!)
- Tiny pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Brew your coffee or espresso.
- Heat your oat milk until hot but not boiling. To get that Starbucks-style frothy milk topping, whisk vigorously or use an inexpensive milk frother (available online for a few euros).
- Mix the pistachio syrup and pinch of salt with your coffee, then pour your frothy milk on top.
- Skip whipped cream—it’s overrated, and the frothed milk topping is much better.
Overall, even as a not-so-regular Starbucks visitor, I’m sold. It’s just sweet enough, super creamy, and feels like a small treat. Whether you’ve noticed the hype or not, it’s genuinely worth a try.