Starbucks baristas are already throwing their hands up in disbelief because the coffee giant is dropping a new drink that they fear will absolutely swamp stores, according to the Daily Dot. That drink is the Dubai chocolate matcha, and it’s hitting the winter menu soon.
This is a classic matcha base that gets topped with a decadent layer of chocolate cold foam. It’s Starbucks’ way of jumping on the viral Dubai chocolate trend that has been dominating social media like TikTok. The drink quickly went viral among the staff itself, but definitely not in the positive way the company probably hoped.
Starbucks officially announced the full winter menu in a press release on December 1, confirming that the new items will launch nationwide on January 6. If you’re a fan of the returning classics, you’ll be happy to see the fan-favorite Pistachio Latte and the Pistachio Cream Cold Brew coming back. There’s also a brand-new Pistachio Cortado joining the lineup this year. Alongside the Dubai chocolate matcha, Starbucks is also releasing the Iced Dubai Chocolate Mocha, fully leaning into that trending flavor profile.
It’s going to be a tough time for the Starbucks baristas
I totally understand why the staff is panicking about the matcha drink. High-demand, complex drinks are awful for store efficiency, and the baristas are already dreading the long lines and the extra prep time this will cause. When something goes viral on TikTok, customers don’t just want the drink, they want the exact experience of the viral drink, and that often means customizing it heavily. That adds serious time to every single order, especially when you’re dealing with cold foam, which requires blending and layering.
The reactions from staff on TikTok have been intense and frankly hilarious. One barista, posting sarcastically over screenshots of massive customer lines, simply stated, “We’re so f***ed.” That’s a strong reaction, but it perfectly captures the level of stress they’re anticipating from the sheer volume of orders.
The panic is so real that another TikToker claimed they are planning to quit their job before the drink officially lands. They shared an image with on-screen text reading, “Quitting my job as a Starbucks barista cause I’m not making you a Dubai chocolate latte.” It sounds like a perfect recipe for burnout right at the start of the new year, especially since they’re rolling this out right after the holiday rush finishes up. Notably, Starbucks had to pay a hefty settlement for violating workers’ rights.
It’s interesting because not everyone thinks this drink will be a massive hit, which might give the baristas a small break. Some viewers are pointing out that Starbucks might have missed the boat completely on this trend. While the horse treat trend has lasted a fair while, it’s more of an exception. Viral food trends move incredibly fast, and if the Dubai chocolate craze peaked eight months ago, Starbucks is effectively selling yesterday’s news.
The tension here is obvious: Starbucks is trying to capitalize on a social media trend, but the people who actually have to execute the complicated drink builds are the ones suffering. If the skepticism is right and the trend is already dead, the baristas might get lucky. If the drink catches a second wave of viral popularity, however, expect those lines to be long starting January 6.
Published: Dec 8, 2025 05:30 pm