SEATTLE and PURCHASE, N.Y. — Two beverage companies are pairing up to introduce a new drink to convenience and grocery stores.
Starbucks and PepsiCo have created a ready-to-drink Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew. It is infused with nitrogen so when the can opens, a rush of microbubbles delivers a "velvety smooth" taste, according to the companies.
The drinks are available in Black, Vanilla Sweet Cream and Dark Caramel varieties and can be found at retailers nationwide. It has a suggested retail price of $3.99 in c-stores.
The beverage release follows the success of Nitro Cold Brew in Starbucks stores, which became available nationally last year.
The canned product was created under the North American Coffee Partnership (NACP), formed by Starbucks and PepsiCo in 1994. Its products include Bottled Frappuccino, Starbucks Doubleshot and Multi-Serve Iced Coffee. The partnership has grown to more than $2 billion in retail sales, according to the company.
“Through the NACP, Starbucks and PepsiCo created the RTD coffee category 25 years ago and have consistently delivered leading innovation to our consumers,” said Nik Dhodi, Starbucks' senior director of brand management. “To build on the success of Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew in our retail cafes and meet the evolving needs of consumers in the category, we are excited to launch a line of RTD Starbucks Nitro Cold Brew beverages to expand the reach to even more people.”
Starbucks Coffee Co., Seattle, has more than 30,000 stores around the world. It opened its largest store—the Starbucks Reserve Roastery—in November in Chicago.
PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., generated more than $67 billion in net revenue in 2019, driven by its food and beverage portfolio with brands such as Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana.
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