Starbucks Launches Its First New Drink Of 2017: The Cascara Latte

Starbucks has recently released its first new beverage of the year, and it's going back to the root of coffee with cascara, the outer layer of coffee cherries.

The Cascara Latte, which became available in stores Jan. 10, was inspired by the Starbucks ReserveĀ® Roastery in Seattle, which dabbled with cascara and coffee during its Barista Innovation Challenge in September, according to the company website.

"Cascara is Spanish for 'husk,' and we are taking the fruit of the coffee cherry to give our latte a subtle, lightly sweet flavor," Erin Marinan from Starbucks Beverage Research and Development team, said in a statement.

The latte is made with espresso, steamed milk, and cascara syrup. To top off the beverage, cascara extract and cane sugar are combined to create a signature straight line design that resembles the inside of a coffee cherry.

In addition to the new Cascara Latte, Starbucks brought back the Smoked Butterscotch Latte, which was initially released in 2016.Ā