Starbucks has rolled out quite a few drinks nationwide this week that are made with their Oleato Golden Foam. One of the drinks specifically states that oatmilk is in it. This always makes a vegan or dairy-free coffee drinker question if the drink is animal-free in its entirety. And another has a name that we have been accustomed to being dairy-free/plant-based at Starbucks.
To begin, let me share what Oleato is. According to Starbucks, Oleato means, “with oil” in Italian. Essentially every drink we will discuss will contain Partanna® extra virgin olive oil. We are not here to tell you if adding olive oil to your drink is necessary or not–that’s your personal choice and yours to research.
The drinks that are nationwide now are the Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut, Oleato Caffe Latte with Oatmilk, Iced Chai Tea Latte with Oleato Golden Foam, Iced Matcha Latte with Oleato Golden Foam, Paradise Drink with Oleato Golden Foam and the Dragon Drink with Oleato Golden Foam.
Is Starbucks Oleato Golden Foam Vegan?
No. Starbucks’ Oleato Golden Foam is NOT vegan. According to Starbucks’ ingredient list, the Oleato Golden Foam contains the following ingredients:
GOLDEN FOAMÂ [VANILLA SWEET CREAMÂ (CREAMÂ (CREAM, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, CARRAGEENAN), MILK, VANILLA SYRUPÂ (SUGAR, WATER, NATURAL FLAVORS, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CITRIC ACID)), EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL]
Cow’s milk is listed in this group of ingredients, making it not vegan.
Can You Ask for the Oleato Golden Foam to be Made with Oatmilk?
You can try. There is no option to do this within their online ordering platform but if you stop in a store, ask. We were able to test how foam is when choosing a non-dairy milk
, at Starbucks, and found that oatmilk made the best foam and consistency.
Since the original foam is made with cow’s milk, vanilla syrup and olive oil, you will ask for the foam to be made with oatmilk (or your choice of non-dairy milk–oat, soy, almond or coconut), vanilla syrup and olive oil.
–> Be aware that not every location will do this so go in with a backup plan.Â
Is Starbucks Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso Vegan?
No. The Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso is the drink I referred to earlier that has a name that Starbucks has programmed us to believe is dairy-free. From here on out, we can no longer believe that any iced shaken espresso that Starbucks releases is without animal ingredients.
You may have heard that this drink does contain oatmilk just like the other iced shaken espressos that Starbucks offers; however, the Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso has that Oleato Golden Foam that contains cow’s milk.
Did they try to create this drink using oatmilk as the base in the golden foam? We would like to hope so but have no idea if they did. If your location will make a non-dairy foam, here’s how you can order it.
Order an Iced Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. Ask for it to be topped with golden foam using your choice of non-dairy milk, vanilla syrup and extra virgin olive oil.
Is Starbucks Oleato Caffe Latte with Oatmilk Vegan?
Yes! This drink you CAN order at Starbucks. Technically, the Oleato Caffe Latte is the ONLY drink they released that does not contain the golden foam. This drink is a latte with oatmilk, brewed blonde espresso and extra virgin olive oil.
Is Starbucks Iced Chai Tea Latte with Oleato Golden Foam Vegan?
No. The Iced Chai Tea Latte with Oleato Golden Foam is NOT vegan nor can it be modified to be. Not only does the golden foam contain dairy but the chai tea concentrate Starbucks uses for their chai tea latte contains honey.
Is Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte with Oleato Golden Foam Vegan?
As is, no, Starbucks Iced Matcha Latte with Oleato Golden Foam is NOT vegan. Could it be? If your Starbucks will make a golden foam using non-dairy milk with vanilla syrup and extra virgin olive oil, you could make this one vegan. Here’s how:
Order an Iced Matcha Latte with your choice of non-dairy milk. Top with golden foam using your choice of non-dairy milk, vanilla syrup and extra virgin olive oil.
Is Starbucks Paradise Drink and Dragon Drink with Oleato Golden Foam Vegan?
We’re lumping these two together since they are both refreshers. The Paradise Drink is Starbucks Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher with coconut milk while the Dragon Drink is their Mango Dragonfruit Refresher with coconut milk.
Are these two drinks vegan with the Oleato Golden Foam? No. As-is, the Oleato Golden Foam contains cow’s milk. Can you make it dairy-free? As already mentioned, that depends on your Starbucks location. If yours will, here’s how you will order your drink.
Order a Paradise or Dragon Drink. Ask for it to be topped with golden foam using your choice of non-dairy milk, vanilla syrup and extra virgin olive oil.
Wrapping Up…
Nationwide, you can now order any drink with the Partanna® extra virgin olive oil. While Starbucks has curated drinks with the olive oil, you can never be for sure if it is dairy-free and vegan-friendly just by knowing that oat milk is in the ingredient list. We suggest checking in with our Vegan Guide for Starbucks for a complete list of vegan drinks and food.
Are you able to modify the Oleato Golden Foam? That depends on your Starbucks but if you can, from the testing we previously did, we suggest using oatmilk for the foam.
If you try any of these out vegan, please let us know how what your review is in the comments below!
