Costa Coffee Unveils Vibrant Spring Menu with Matcha Focus
Costa Coffee has officially launched its eagerly anticipated Spring menu across the United Kingdom, introducing a colourful array of new matcha-based beverages, indulgent sweet treats, and innovative savoury options just in time for the Easter season. The coffee chain's latest seasonal offering embraces pastel hues, fruity flavours, and a significant emphasis on matcha, reflecting current culinary trends.
First Impressions of the New Spring Drinks
The Spring lineup features several standout items, including the eye-catching Sweet Ube Frappe, the Cherry Vanilla Iced Matcha Latte, and the Strawberry & Matcha Cookie Sandwich. Savoury selections such as a bacon and chilli jam hot cross bun complement classic Easter treats, ensuring there is something for every palate.
Naturally, we sampled a few of the most visually appealing options to provide an honest assessment. While we did not try every item, three particular creations captured our attention and might just rank among the most Instagram-worthy drinks Costa has ever produced.
Sweet Ube Frappe: A Purple Delight
The Sweet Ube Frappe immediately stands out due to its striking lilac colour, derived from ube, a purple yam commonly used in Filipino desserts. This blended frappe combines milk, ice, and ube flavouring, topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream.
Flavour-wise, it is sweeter than anticipated, offering a creamy and vanilla-forward taste with subtle nutty undertones. Some tasters detect hints of coconut or biscuit, making it reminiscent of a milkshake. This indulgent, dessert-style beverage is more about fun than refreshment, and its vibrant colour alone is likely to make it a social media sensation.
Cherry Vanilla Iced Matcha Latte: A Surprising Success
Next, we tried the Cherry Vanilla Iced Matcha Latte, which initially seemed an unusual combination. Costa has embraced the matcha trend with several green tea-based drinks, and this version blends matcha with milk and a sweet cherry-vanilla sauce.
Despite initial scepticism, the earthy matcha flavour balances remarkably well with the sweetness of the cherry syrup, creating a drinkable dessert experience. Some reviewers have compared it to a cherry Bakewell tart, though those less fond of cherry might find it less appealing. Visually, it is one of the prettiest drinks on the menu, with red syrup swirling through pastel green matcha, making it an excellent introduction for those curious about matcha but wary of its grassy notes.
Strawberry & Matcha Cookie Sandwich: A Sweet Treat
For something to eat, we sampled the Strawberry & Matcha Cookie Sandwich, arguably one of Costa's most colourful snacks in recent memory. This treat features two white chocolate and matcha cookies filled with strawberry jam and matcha frosting, finished with pink icing drizzle and freeze-dried strawberry pieces.
It is unapologetically sweet, almost cake-like, and feels more like a dessert than a quick snack. The matcha flavour is not overpowering, allowing the strawberry and white chocolate to shine, resulting in a genuinely tasty and satisfying indulgence.
Additional Spring Menu Highlights
Although we did not sample every item, Costa's Spring menu includes several other seasonal offerings. On the savoury side, there is a bacon, mature cheddar, and chilli jam hot cross bun, which combines smoky bacon and cheese inside a sweet, spiced bun. An Ube Hot Chocolate also piques curiosity for future tasting.
Overall, Costa's Spring menu successfully blends creativity with flavour, offering a range of options that cater to both sweet and savoury preferences while capitalising on the popularity of matcha and vibrant, photogenic presentations.
