If you've searched for cascara on Starbucks' menu lately, you already know: it's gone.
The Starbucks Cascara Latte debuted in 2017, introduced a lot of people to cascara for the first time, and then quietly disappeared from menus a few years later. Since then, people have been asking the same question in coffee shops, subreddits, and search bars: where can I get cascara syrup now?
The answer is: from the source. Small-batch cascara syrup from producers who actually care about the ingredient — not as a limited seasonal flavor, but as the whole point.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Was the Starbucks Cascara Latte?
Starbucks launched the Cascara Latte in 2017 as a seasonal Valentine's Day drink. It combined espresso, milk, and a cascara-flavored syrup, topped with a dusting of cascara sugar. The flavor was subtly fruity and sweet — different from any other latte on the menu.
It was a hit with people who tried it. Cascara has a naturally complex taste — somewhere between tart cherry, rosehip tea, and brown sugar — and paired with espresso it made for something genuinely unique. Specialty coffee shops had been working with cascara for years, but Starbucks put it in front of millions of people who'd never encountered it.
Then it disappeared. The drink cycled off the menu and never came back as a permanent item.
Why Cascara Matters Beyond Starbucks
Here's the thing: the Starbucks version was a starting point, not the full picture.
Cascara is the dried skin of the coffee cherry — the fruit that surrounds the coffee bean. For most of coffee's history, that fruit was discarded as waste after the bean was extracted. But cascara has been consumed as a drink in Ethiopia and Yemen for centuries, long before anyone roasted the beans themselves.
It's only recently that cascara has found its way into Western specialty coffee and the beverage industry more broadly. The flavor is entirely its own — fruity, lightly tangy, with a natural sweetness that doesn't taste like coffee at all. Brewed or mixed as a syrup, it's one of the most versatile drink ingredients out there.
Cascara also carries a sustainability story. Using the coffee cherry that would otherwise go to waste means nothing is lost from the harvest.
What to Look for in Cascara Syrup
Not all cascara syrups are the same. A few things to look for:
Real cascara as the primary ingredient. Some syrups are flavored to taste like cascara without much actual coffee cherry. Look at the ingredient list — cascara or coffee fruit should be at the top.
Small-batch production. The character of cascara varies by origin and processing method. Mass-produced syrups tend to flatten that out. Small-batch producers preserve more of the natural complexity.
Designed for mixing. Cascara syrup should work with sparkling water, citrus, and ice just as easily as with espresso. A good cascara syrup is versatile — not just a latte additive.
The Cascade Syrup: Cascara Done Right
The Cascade is a small-batch cascara and lemon syrup made in Portland, Oregon. It's built specifically for sparkling drinks — mix it with soda water and ice and you have something bright, tart, and refreshing in about thirty seconds.
It works equally well as a latte syrup (one or two pumps into an espresso drink), in mocktails, or as a mixer in cocktails. The lemon is subtle — it lifts the natural fruitiness of the cascara rather than dominating it.
The 750 ml bottle is the best value and lasts a while if you're using it regularly. The 16 oz is a solid entry point if you want to try it first.
How to Make a Cascara Latte at Home
Miss the Starbucks version? This is better.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz (2 tablespoons) The Cascade Syrup
- 1–2 shots espresso
- 4–6 oz steamed milk or milk alternative
Method:
- Pull your espresso into a mug or glass.
- Add The Cascade Syrup and stir briefly to combine.
- Steam your milk and pour over the top.
- Optional: a light dusting of cinnamon or orange zest on top.
The cascara syrup adds a fruity, lightly tangy note that makes the whole drink taste brighter than a standard latte. No extra sugar needed — the syrup brings its own natural sweetness.
Cascara Sparkling Refresher (The Easier Version)
If espresso isn't your thing, try this instead. It's closer to what you'd find in a specialty café today.
Ingredients:
- 1 oz The Cascade Syrup
- 8 oz sparkling water
- Squeeze of fresh lemon
- Ice
Method:
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Add sparkling water.
- Pour in The Cascade Syrup and a squeeze of lemon.
- Stir and drink.
That's it. It takes sixty seconds and tastes like something you'd pay seven dollars for at a café counter.
The Bottom Line
Starbucks introduced a lot of people to cascara — and then took it away. The good news is that cascara syrup is more available now than it's ever been, and the small-batch versions made by producers who specialize in it are a significant step up from a seasonal chain menu item.
If you've been searching for where to get cascara syrup since the Starbucks version disappeared, this is your answer.
