Was raspberry syrup discontinued at Starbucks?

Starbucks is known for its wide variety of coffee drinks, many of which can be customized to each customer’s preferences. One popular customization is adding flavored syrups to drinks, with options like vanilla, caramel, and hazelnut. In the past, Starbucks also offered raspberry syrup as a flavoring choice. However, in recent years, many customers have noted that raspberry syrup seems to no longer be available at Starbucks locations. This has led to questions around whether Starbucks has officially discontinued raspberry syrup, or if it is just temporarily out of stock.

When did customers first start noticing raspberry syrup missing from Starbucks?

Customers seem to have first noticed the disappearance of raspberry syrup from Starbucks menus around 2015. Discussion boards and social media posts from that time period contain customer inquiries about where the raspberry flavoring went. Some customers were told by baristas that their location was out of raspberry syrup, while others were informed that it had been discontinued. This seems to be when confusion and speculation about the status of Starbucks raspberry syrup first began.

What do official Starbucks sources say about raspberry syrup?

Unfortunately Starbucks has not provided any official statement on whether raspberry syrup has been discontinued. The Starbucks website does not include raspberry as one of the available syrup flavor options for customizing drinks. The Starbucks app also no longer has raspberry syrup listed as an option. This lack of official confirmation makes it difficult to say definitively whether raspberry has been discontinued permanently.

What are employees saying about the status of raspberry syrup?

Without official word from Starbucks, insights from employees provide the best information on the status of raspberry syrup. Based on conversations customers have had with baristas, many employees have told them that raspberry syrup has been discontinued nationwide at Starbucks locations. As of 2022, employee consensus is that raspberry is no longer available or manufactured for use in Starbucks stores.

Does this mean raspberry syrup is unavailable at all Starbucks locations?

While it seems raspberry syrup has been discontinued as a standard offering, some individual stores may still have leftover raspberry syrup supply. Customers have noted on Reddit and Twitter that they have occasionally come across a Starbucks that still has raspberry syrup available. However, this tends to be a rare occurrence, likely due to that store having leftover inventory. So while it is possible to sometimes still find raspberry syrup, the vast majority of locations no longer carry it.

When did Starbucks stop selling raspberry syrup?

Without an official announcement from Starbucks on when raspberry syrup was discontinued, the exact date is unknown. However, collective customer and employee experiences indicate Starbucks stores stopped receiving shipments of raspberry syrup sometime around 2015. It seems the flavor was phased out relatively quietly, with customers realizing it was missing as early as that year. Based on this, 2015 is likely around the time when Starbucks discontinued raspberry syrup nationwide.

Why would Starbucks discontinue such a popular syrup flavor?

With no official explanation from Starbucks, we can only speculate as to why a beloved syrup flavor like raspberry would be discontinued. Most likely, it came down to business and profitability decisions. Potential reasons could include:

  • Falling demand – Sales data may have shown decreasing customer orders for raspberry over time
  • Manufacturing costs – Raspberry syrup may have been more expensive to produce than other flavors
  • New product focus – Starbucks may have wanted to promote new syrup flavors instead
  • Simplified menu – Eliminating raspberry may have streamlined offerings

Ultimately, Starbucks has not shared the reason behind raspberry syrup’s disappearance. But declining popularity and a desire to simplify seem to be likely factors.

Could Starbucks bring back raspberry syrup in the future?

Starbucks has certainly brought back discontinued menu items in the past, so there is always a possibility raspberry syrup could make a return. However, since it has already been off the menu for over 5 years, the chances of it returning seem relatively slim. Starbucks may consider bringing back raspberry as a limited-time promotional flavor. But as a permanent year-round syrup offering, raspberry appears to be gone for the foreseeable future.

How have customers reacted to the loss of raspberry syrup?

Many Starbucks customers have expressed disappointment and frustration at the discontinuation of raspberry syrup. It was a popular flavor addition, especially for those who enjoyed fruity and sweeter drink customizations. Some customers have lamented trying to recreate the taste by mixing other syrups, with moderate success. Others have petitioned Starbucks via Change.org to bring back raspberry, showing there is clearly still demand for its return. Overall, the reaction indicates raspberry syrup was a treasured menu item and its absence has left a void for many Starbucks patrons.

Which drinks were most often ordered with raspberry syrup?

When it was available, customers would frequently add raspberry syrup to the following Starbucks drink orders:

  • Pink drinks – Strawberry Acai Refresher, Strawberries & Crème Frappuccino
  • Lattes – Vanilla, white chocolate, caramel lattes
  • Refreshers – Very Berry Hibiscus, Strawberry Acai
  • Teas – Shaken Iced Black Tea, Passion Tango Tea
  • Frappuccinos – Vanilla Bean, Mocha, Caramel

Raspberry complemented both coffee and non-coffee beverages, adding a touch of sweetness and fruitiness. Its versatility and ability to enhance many drink types likely contributed to its popularity at Starbucks.

What syrups offer similar flavor profiles to raspberry?

Customers looking to recreate the sweet, tangy taste of raspberry syrup have found these Starbucks syrup flavors to be some of the closest alternatives:

  • Very Berry Hibiscus Refresher – Provides raspberry-like fruitiness
  • Strawberry Acai Refresher – Has strong berry flavors like raspberry
  • Guava Passionfruit Drink – Offers a tropical fruit sweetness
  • Tropical Berry Over Ice Shaken Tea – Blends berry and citrus notes
  • Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup – Contributes added sweetness

While no syrup perfectly mimics the distinct raspberry profile, combining a few flavors can help approximate the overall taste. But many customers insist nothing compares to the original raspberry syrup’s flavors.

Are there any online petitions related to bringing back raspberry syrup?

Yes, some dissatisfied customers have created online petitions urging Starbucks to reinstate raspberry syrup. Two of the more prominent petitions are:

  • “Bring Back Starbucks Raspberry Syrup” on Change.org, with over 500 signatures
  • “Bring Back Raspberry Syrup at Starbucks” on Care2 Petitions, with over 100 signatures

The petitions implore Starbucks to listen to customer feedback and consider bringing back the popular syrup. They highlight the raspberry flavor’s loyal fanbase who would be excited to see its return. However, at this point Starbucks has yet to acknowledge or respond to these petitions specifically asking for raspberry syrup.

Conclusion

In summary, it appears Starbucks discontinued raspberry syrup around 2015, phasing it out quietly from menus and product offerings over time. The company has not provided an official statement on why it was discontinued or if it could return. While some limited supply may occasionally be found, most locations no longer carry it. This has led to disappointment among many customers who enjoyed the flavor in drinks like Pink Drinks, lattes, and Frappuccinos. Raspberry appears to be gone for now, but customer petitions show there is still demand for its return if Starbucks ever reconsidered bringing back this popular syrup. For now, berry-flavored refresher syrups and fruitier teas provide the closest flavor substitutes. But Starbucks fans seem to insist that nothing truly takes the place of the original raspberry syrup.

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