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We Tried The New Juniper Latte From Starbucks So You Don’t Have To

By Mary | Senior Staff Writer

Nov 27, 2018 @ 11:12 AM MST

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Headed to Starbucks?

Starbucks just added a new Juniper Latte beverage to their holiday line-up… and if you like pine-like flavors with citrus undertones and notes of sage, this might be the drink for you!

This new Starbucks drink has their signature espresso, steamed milk, and is mixed with juniper syrup and notes of sage – topped with foam and a dusting of pine-citrus sugar. Sounds fun for the holidays, right? 🎄

Well, if you can imagine a Christmas tree mixed with the clean citrus scents of Pine-Sol, you’ll get the gist of the new Juniper Latte! 🎄😳 Unfortunately, we were not fans. 🙅🏼‍♀️

In fact, one of my sidekicks, Amber, actually ventured over to Starbucks this morning to test out this new Juniper Latte beverage, and here’s what she thought…

“Amber here, one of Collin’s Hip2Save Sidekicks! As y’all know, we work remotely so sometimes I like to work from Starbucks a day or two a week to just change up the scenery (and also get out of my PJ’s!). Anywhoo, this morning we were all chit-chatting about this new Juniper Latte at Starbucks as some of us were thinking it would be good and some of us said “eww” right off the bat! That being said, I went ahead and taste tested the latte this morning so we could get the real scoop.

Drumroll… I (personally) do NOT think it’s good AT ALL! It tastes like warmed up Pine-Sol. Ew! 🤢 It’s bad from the first sip until the aftertaste! I would (personally) not reonlinemend it, especially if you’re spending $5 on a cup of coffee! It also does not even have a pretty appearance, as you can see from the pictures. And my Starbuck barista friends even made it the prettiest they could for me 🙄. Conclusion – go for the other seasonal drinks!!!”

Still curious about what this seasonal drink tastes like?

Don’t forget that if you snagged one of these reusable Holiday Cups from a previous promotion, you can save 50¢ off ANY handcrafted holiday beverage after 2pm through January 7th, 2019 – including the new Juniper Latte!

Celebrating a birthday? You can even try it for FREE on your actual birthday if you’re a Starbucks Rewards member!

Will you be trying this new drink?

17 Starbucks Coffee Hacks YOU Need to Know!

Join The Discussion

onlinements 76

Alex November 27, 2018 at 11:14 am MST

Lol- I got the email about it and it does NOT sound good at all- y’all are brave!! BUT thanks for letting the rest of us know for sure 😊

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:16 pm MST

Haha Alex, I am glad I could brave it out for ya!

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Susan November 27, 2018 at 11:23 am MST

I also got the email this morning and thought, eww, I have no desire to even try this. It’s like butting an actual Christmas Tree in a cup. Who would want to drink that??

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:17 pm MST

I hear ya, Susan! It was NOT good!

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Berrysaves November 27, 2018 at 11:31 am MST

Yikes! Just why ?

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Dee November 27, 2018 at 11:32 am MST

Is anyone else old enough to remember the Euell Gibbons Grape Nuts onlinemercial: “Ever eat a pine tree? Many parts are edible.” First thing I thought of.

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jen November 27, 2018 at 12:04 pm MST

😂

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Susan Crawford November 27, 2018 at 1:05 pm MST

I had forgotten about those onlinemercials. I would never eat that cereal.

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anna November 27, 2018 at 11:33 am MST

Thank you for sparing me from trying this. If only they would bring back holiday spice flat white, i loved that drink.

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:17 pm MST

Oh Anna I totally agree- LOVE THAT!

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willowcat November 27, 2018 at 6:58 pm MST

I know! I was so sad when I found out I couldn’t get the holiday flat white this year!

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Betty November 27, 2018 at 11:35 am MST

sounds like a swing and a miss…

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Bianca November 27, 2018 at 11:39 am MST

I’m not a coffee drinker but my daughter and I tried the snickerdoodle hot chocolate and loved it!

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Karen November 27, 2018 at 11:40 am MST

Oh, yuck…thanks for the heads up! I’ll stick to my apple cider.

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:18 pm MST

Good idea, Karen! LOL!

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MeliH November 27, 2018 at 11:40 am MST

As much as I love Christmas trees and almost everything citrus, I don’t think I want them in my coffee. I’ll be skipping this one. Thanks for the (brave) review ☺

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:18 pm MST

You are so welonlinee! Glad I could test out for you!

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Caseye98 November 27, 2018 at 11:43 am MST

I was curious but my curiosity stopped with this post lol

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:19 pm MST

Yes! Don’t be curious anymore LOL! NOT worth it!

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Stephanie November 27, 2018 at 11:48 am MST

I’m dying right now 😂. Your description is exactly what I thought it might taste like. Thanks, but no thanks.

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:20 pm MST

Haha it’s 100% honest, Stephanie! NOT GOOD and a waste of $5! Love ya, Starbucks but onlinee’on!

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Laura November 27, 2018 at 11:51 am MST

Ugh, no. That sounds awful! Thanks for saving me money YET AGAIN, bo confirming my suspicions on this so I don’t have to do it myself 😅 I love you guys!!

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:20 pm MST

We love ya too, Laura!

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50 November 27, 2018 at 11:53 am MST

I mean…are we really shocked? Did anyone actually expect this to taste good? LOL

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irene November 27, 2018 at 12:01 pm MST

I love different flavors of ice cream at Jenny’s (Masala Spice, anyone?!) but I like the taste of coffee by itself without covering it up. Juniper will be a hard pass for me. Maybe on Salmon?

By the way, anyone else having issues redeeming Starbucks rewards? They rarely track the extra stars or load my “free drink with purchase” offers on my card automatically. Customer service always makes it right, but it’s a hassle.

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Gail November 27, 2018 at 1:41 pm MST

I have to call them every. single. time. Thought it was just me. Maybe they hope we’ll just forget about it.

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Megan November 27, 2018 at 3:08 pm MST

Haha!! Salmon coffee!!!

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Kerri November 27, 2018 at 3:29 pm MST

I always have to send an email to customer service. They ask for a photo of the promotion so now I always take a picture of the promo before I assign to my account just because I never get the reward stars (even though met)… I love Starbucks (alittle too much 😂). But this is frustrating…

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Irene November 28, 2018 at 3:56 am MST

The customer service rep says a few people have trouble redeeming. Sounds like a coding issue. Luckily, they are always pleasant and understanding.

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Gisette November 27, 2018 at 12:04 pm MST

Goes right along with the pine scent candles just ewwwww 😷

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Heather C November 27, 2018 at 12:04 pm MST

This made me laugh out loud… where do they onlinee up with these ideas… I like my Christmas season to SMELL like pine trees not TASTE like them 🤣🤣 thanks h2s for the candid and funny review

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:21 pm MST

You’re so welonlinee, Heather! Glad I could taste test for everyone. I will never forget it lol

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Heather O November 27, 2018 at 12:10 pm MST

I don’t know what they were thinking with this flavor! 😛

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:26 pm MST

Amen! Amen sister!

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MKFromMN November 27, 2018 at 12:12 pm MST

From the appearance of your cup, it looks like you are drinking a Pine Wreath!!😂🎄 Thank you for trying it so we don’t have too!

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:27 pm MST

Your so welonlinee! Hopefully the DON’T bring this drink back next year!

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LauraG November 27, 2018 at 12:13 pm MST

Seriously?? I mean, we’re not squirrels.

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sne3103 November 27, 2018 at 1:12 pm MST

Lol😂

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Lisa November 27, 2018 at 12:18 pm MST

I got the email this morning and thought it was a joke! I opened it and it was for real! Who wants to drink a pine cone, blech!

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K November 27, 2018 at 12:30 pm MST

I saw this when we were in Whistler a few weeks ago but thought it was a Canadian thing! I wonder how it’ll do.

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Haley November 27, 2018 at 12:38 pm MST

Who on earth is approving these seasonal/”limited time” drinks? Didn’t they have a few flops earlier in the year as well? These ingredients sound like they should be in a candle, not a coffee drink.

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Jen November 27, 2018 at 12:39 pm MST

Oh my goodness! You were brave to try that! YUCK!! Definately going to pass on this one!

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:27 pm MST

I would, Jen! Let’s just say most of it ended up in the TRASH!

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Confused November 27, 2018 at 12:39 pm MST

Hi Everyone, this is off topic but I figured I would ask…
I called Amazon for a price adjustment and was denied it- even though the product was purchased 3 days ago and was sold and shipped by Amazon and is actually still in TRANSIT!!!
I thought:
“If you purchased something on Amazon and the price drops within a week of buying it, you can request a refund on the difference!”
I was told today that is no longer the case by 2 representatives… when did the policy change?

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Angela November 27, 2018 at 12:49 pm MST

I’m not sure when it changed but I don’t think they do price adjustments anymore (but I’ve seen other readers have success). The reps always told me to return the item and purchase again at the lower price. I’ve had situations where I purchased it just one day ago and they still told me to return the item after it arrives. Hope that helps!

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Confused November 27, 2018 at 1:01 pm MST

Thank you! I see others readers post about adjustments too. That is why I’m so confused 🤷🏼‍♀️. So frustrating …

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Rachel November 27, 2018 at 1:07 pm MST

I had this and just refused the item when it arrived and they refunded my money. I repurchased the item at the lower cost.

On a separate purchase (less than $10), they actually returned my money and I didn’t have to return the item – this was just on the website as a return. The representative I was chatting with said he was unable to do this and it was a surprise to him that the website allowed the return of my full amount of money and I could keep the item.

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NV November 27, 2018 at 12:41 pm MST

Thanks for taking one for the team! Gross. Between this and Dunkins not bringing back Peppermint Mocha… I’m wondering what kind of marketing gurus are behind this craziness.

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:28 pm MST

You should try the white peppermint mocha at Starbucks! MY winter go-to! YUMMY!

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Megan November 27, 2018 at 3:10 pm MST

Wait, what?!?! They didn’t bring back peppermint? Isn’t that like a winter staple???

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Ash November 27, 2018 at 8:24 pm MST

They have peppermint all year. You can get them anytime even in July, they just promote it during this time of the year.

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Ann November 27, 2018 at 12:46 pm MST

I like Mrs. Meyer’s grapefruits over Pinesol

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Erin November 27, 2018 at 12:51 pm MST

I liked it! Not my favorite, but I’ll probably get it a couple more times this season.

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Amber (Hip Sidekick) November 27, 2018 at 1:29 pm MST

You go, Erin! Probably an acquired taste LOL!

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Emily November 27, 2018 at 1:57 pm MST

I loved it as did my husband. We got a venti with an extra espresso shot. It was a very subtle flavor. My guess is they did not go easy on the syrup in yours! I will pick it over the other holiday drinks any day. It isn’t super sweet though.

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Ash November 27, 2018 at 8:25 pm MST

I loved it too, I got it with the Blonde roast. Juniper is good, especially if you like gin. 😉

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Holly November 27, 2018 at 12:52 pm MST

You know how there’s always one?

Well, it’s me!

I won a 50% off coupon yesterday playing Starbucks for Life, so I figured I’d try it myself this morning.

I actually liked it. It DEFINITELY took a couple of sips to get my palate adjusted to it, but once my brain stopped expecting pumpkin or peppermint or the like, I found it to have a somewhat sage-y “thanksgiving stuffing” flavor.

I *do* think the juniper syrup would be a better onlineplement to tea, so I might try a London Fog on a future visit and add a pump or two of the juniper syrup.

I also really liked the topping and think it was the key for the drink to click for me. My first couple of sips were with the lid on, so I didn’t get the latte foam and sugar topping at first. Once I took the lid off the cup it was MUCH tastier!

But, yes, definitely still not your usual sweet holiday beverage! If you don’t have an adventurous palate, skip this one. 🙂

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susan November 27, 2018 at 1:53 pm MST

I won’t even try these drinks anymore. They have gotten me too many times. I stopped with the gingerbread latte last year that I felt I needed to chew while drinking. Thanks for the report and saving everyone $. These are too expensive to begin with.

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Crystal November 27, 2018 at 1:56 pm MST

Real Christmas trees make my eyes itch! My throat would probably close with this one 😂

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DCJava November 27, 2018 at 1:59 pm MST

This drink sounded like a bad idea…glad to know I my intuition was correct… and thank you for taking one for us…#neverforget!

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Amy November 27, 2018 at 2:06 pm MST

Thanks for tying it for us! I was hoping it wasn’t a real drink though. Not for me, that’s for sure.

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Jennifer November 27, 2018 at 2:09 pm MST

I’m going to have to try it for myself. I really love pine and citrus. In fact I have a recipe for a pine jelly that’s on my list of recipes to try.

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Kathleen November 27, 2018 at 2:58 pm MST

This drink literally tastes like someone is trying to kill me by putting pinesol in my coffee! I regret spending almost 5 dollars on this tall cup of poison!

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Megan November 27, 2018 at 3:08 pm MST

Thank you for trying it! I have to say that just sounds yuck! I don’t want to yuck someone’s yum but…

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Sara November 27, 2018 at 3:17 pm MST

I’m not big on sweet, sugary flavors in coffee. Possibly the target market these marketing people are going after? It’s definitely different & interesting for coffee. Now I’m curious…may try it out if they have another happy hour. I never pay full price for starbucks its too expensive, but I love their coffee as a treat!

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Holly November 27, 2018 at 3:19 pm MST

For what it’s worth, I don’t know if this applies to every location or if it was just the barista at mine, but when I ordered mine this morning, the barista said:

Barista: “You’re our first Juniper Latte!”
Me: “I thought, well, it’s half off (with the coupon I had), so why not give it a try!”
Barista: “Well, when you get it, try it, and if you don’t like it, just bring it back and we’ll make it right.”

Just FYI. 🙂

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Rita November 27, 2018 at 3:20 pm MST

Thank you for your honesty! haha! I probably would have tried this one and felt the same. Synthetic tasting Pin Sol would not be my thing either!

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SLS November 27, 2018 at 5:18 pm MST

I tried it, and I actually liked it. Interesting! To me, it was like a sage flavored breakfast sausage that for a little maple syrup on it. I’d drink it again.

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Hillb 96 November 27, 2018 at 5:24 pm MST

Thanks holly for the awesome review: ) Merry Holiday Wishes 2u

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Justine November 27, 2018 at 5:33 pm MST

I think this new flavor was inspired by an episode of Portlandia lol – very hipster.

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Iluvh2s November 28, 2018 at 12:42 am MST

I read in China you can buy a Christmas themed cheese flavored latte at Starbucks. Gross, lol.

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Kristen November 28, 2018 at 8:27 am MST

I found the drink wonderful! I love herbaceous drinks and this did not disappoint me! I know it isn’t for most people, but FINALLY a starbucks drink that wasn’t overly sweet and was more onlineplex than just so caramel. You guys keep the maple pecan latte- I will stick with this!!

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Barb November 28, 2018 at 11:10 am MST

I’m in the minority and actually liked it! The barista told me he had tried it iced, and thought it tasted better that way. I feel like he was trying to veer me in that direction, but I wanted to try it hot first. I like quirky flavors! 🙂

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Cynthia December 4, 2018 at 5:49 am MST

I tried this drink yesterday and quite enjoyed it. It had a subtle HINT of juniper and refreshingly, was not sticky sweet like the other holiday drinks. In fact, I am headed out to pick up another right now….

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Courtney December 6, 2018 at 6:38 am MST

I thought it would be disgusting BUT liked it!!!!!!

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leewilson January 30, 2019 at 6:19 am MST

I’m so thankful to Amber for the negative review of this coffee flavor and for all of the people that aren’t trying it because it means that Starbucks will have the ingredients much longer and I can enjoy this wonderfully flavored beverage much longer!!! THANK YOU!!! You don’t know what you’re missing! What a refreshing cup of coffee!

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