Starbucks’ controversial Dubai chocolate drink lands on new menu — here’s why baristas hate the lineup

Matcha ado about nothing.

Starbucks is kicking off the new year with its winter menu, which officially arrived at coffeehouses on Jan. 6.

Say goodbye to the Creme Brulée Latte and other holiday delicacies and hello to flavors of caramel, pistachio and Dubai Chocolate.

The winter menu will see the return of fan-favorites as well as new drinks and food.

Perhaps the most highly anticipated items hitting Starbucks stores with the winter menu are the two new limited Dubai Chocolate drinks: Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha and Iced Dubai Chocolate Mocha.

The Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha features Starbucks unsweetened matcha, pistachio sauce, milk and ice, topped with chocolate cream cold foam and a salted brown-buttery topping.

The Iced Dubai Chocolate Mocha consists of Starbucks Espresso Roast, chocolate mocha sauce and milk over ice, completed with pistachio cream cold foam and a salted brown-buttery topping.

These drinks are inspired by the viral milk chocolate bar filled with pistachio cream, tahini and knafeh, a type of Middle Eastern shredded filo pastry.

Considering the Dubai chocolate craze has the country under its sweet spell, Starbucks workers are preparing for the worst when this menu drops, as they assume customers will be knocking down their doors to get a taste.

“We’re going to be so busy forever,” a barista whined in a video that had the caption, “We are actually so cooked.”

“Quitting my job as a Starbucks barista cause I’m not making you a Dubai chocolate latte,” on-screen text of another TikTok read.

Aside from the Dubai chocolate mania, two new caramel protein beverages, Caramel Protein Matcha and Caramel Protein Latte, are joining the permanent menu year-round. Both are available hot or iced and can be made with either classic caramel of Starbucks’ new sugar-free caramel syrup.

The Caramel Protein Matcha combines unsweetened matcha with protein-boosted milk and caramel syrup, offering up to 28-31 grams of protein per grande-sized coffee.

The Caramel Protein Latte is made with Starbucks Espresso Roast, protein-boosted milk and caramel syrup, with up to 27-29 grams of protein per grande.

Pistachio is back at Starbucks, too, and this year it will stay on the menu longer than usual, giving fans more of a chance to snag this fan-favorite flavor.

The pistachio flavor and cold foam will now be offered throughout the year, but the coffee giant is offering specific pistachio beverages on the winter menu.

Served in an 8-ounce short cup, the Pistachio Cortado is the newest addition to the cortado lineup, featuring three ristretto shots of Starbucks Blonde Espresso, pistachio flavoring and steamed milk, finished with a salted brown-buttery topping.

Pistachio Cream Cold Brew is made with cold brew and vanilla syrup, topped with pistachio cream cold foam and salted brown-buttery sprinkles. The Pistachio Latte, available hot or iced, combines pistachio sauce with espresso, milk and a salted brown-buttery topping.

Fans who order a Pistachio Frappuccino will get a blended beverage featuring pistachio flavor with coffee, milk, ice, whipped cream and a salted brown-buttery topping. Those who want a similar drink without the caffeine can order a Pistachio Crème Frappuccino.

A new food item joining the winter menu for a limited time includes the Truffle, Mushroom & Brie Egg Bites, featuring eggs with black truffles, brie and mushrooms cooked “sous-vide.”