Starbucks has chosen South Korea as the launchpad for its innovative new beverage, the Aerocano, citing the country’s thriving café culture and unwavering popularity of iced Americanos, enjoyed year-round.
The Aerocano, making its global debut this Thursday, is crafted by infusing air into iced espresso. This unique process creates a luxuriously creamy texture and a lighter sensation on the palate. The drink features a captivating cascading effect as microscopic bubbles form a smooth, velvety foam.
Data from Starbucks Korea reveals that iced Americanos have consistently dominated Americano sales, accounting for over 70 percent of the total volume annually between 2023 and 2025.
“We sought a dynamic market with significant influence in the global coffee scene,” stated Aleksandra Orsolic, Senior Product Manager at Starbucks Asia Pacific, during a press conference held on Wednesday.
“Korea emerged as the clear frontrunner,” Orsolic explained, highlighting the country’s coffee enthusiasts who are eager to discover and share novel coffee experiences. “We wanted to express our gratitude to this vibrant market and its coffee-loving consumers.”
Starbucks Korea positions the Aerocano as a natural evolution of the Americano, further enhancing its selection of black coffee options, which already includes brewed coffee, cold brew, and the traditional Americano.
“Now, our customers have yet another enticing choice to explore,” a Starbucks Korea representative commented.
