A coffee with olive oil in it? Yep, you read that right. It’s called Oleato, and it’s one of those drinks that sounds bizarre until you try it.
So what is this viral drink with thousands of reviews — some praising its velvety texture and others criticizing its strong, oily aftertaste?
Read on to learn about the Oleato coffee, how it tastes, why Starbucks created the unique brew, and how to make it at home.
What Is Oleato Coffee?
Oleato coffee is a small Starbucks beverage range that combines coffee with extra virgin olive oil. The flagship beverage from the range is the Oleato caffè latte, which mixes blonde-roast espresso with steamed oat milk and Partanna extra virgin olive oil. The second brew is the “Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut” — an iced coffee with an olive oil and oat milk foam.
You can also find an additional range of Oleato beverages exclusive to “Starbucks Reserve” locations in the US and Italy. On the menu, you'll find Oleato espresso martini, Oleato iced cortado coffee, cold brew, and more.
What Does Oleato Coffee Taste Like?
Starbucks aficionados on social media have mixed reviews of Oleato coffee. Fans claim the olive oil adds a deliciously smooth, elegant texture. On the other hand, some report it's hugely underwhelming or downright repulsive. The beverage line's unique flavor and texture seem to be "love it, or hate it."
Here are some of the flavor notes of Oleato coffee:
- Buttery & Smooth — The Partanna extra virgin olive oil adds a smooth, buttery taste and oily mouthfeel.
- Nutty & Savory — The combination of blonde-roast coffee and olive oil adds hints of walnut or chestnut and adds an “umami” quality.
- Sweet & Caramel-Like — The Oleato Golden Foam iced shaken espresso is sweet and has notes of salted caramel.
- Earthy & Herby — Olive oil adds subtle herby, grassy, and floral afternotes.
Origins: How Was the Oleato Created?
Starbucks launched the Oleato in February 2023 in Milano, Italy, and introduced it to the United States a month later (March 2023).
This unique innovation came when the founder of Starbucks (Howard Schultz) visited Sicily. He was introduced to the Mediterranean tradition of consuming a spoonful of olive oil in the morning — a practice believed to offer a range of health benefits. As he sipped his morning coffee and took his spoon of olive oil, he was inspired to combine the two.
When Schultz added the spoonful of olive oil to his morning latte, he “unlocked the unexpected” — creamy coffee enhanced by the lush, smooth, velvety taste and texture of olive oil.
What Do You Need to Make Oleato Caffè Latte Coffee?
You'll need some specialist ingredients to make an Oleato caffè latte at home. You'll also need an espresso machine and a few pieces of equipment.
Here's what you'll need:
Equipment
- Espresso Machine — You'll need espresso to make Oleato coffee like Starbucks. If you don't have an espresso machine, you can use a moka pot, Aeropress brewer, or Rok Espresso Maker.
- Coffee Grinder — Most espresso machines have a built-in grinder. If yours doesn't, you'll need a burr grinder capable of producing a fine grind.
- Weighing Scales — Scales allow you to accurately measure your coffee.
- Tablespoon — A tablespoon is needed to measure the olive oil.
- Tamper — Use a tamper to pack the finely ground coffee into the portafilter of your machine.
- Steam Wand — You'll need a steam wand to create the milk foam — most espresso machines have one built in.
- Steaming Pitcher — This will be used to steam the milk in.
- Large Coffee Cup — Use a large (8 oz) coffee mug for assembling and serving the brew.
Ingredients
- Whole-Bean Coffee — Opt for a high-quality, whole-bean coffee. Grinding beans fresh before brewing creates the best-tasting cup of Oleato.
- Water — Use fresh, cold, filtered water in your espresso machine. This will make the cleanest espresso and prevent mineral buildup in your machine.
- Oat Milk — Oleato caffè latte calls for oat milk. Starbucks uses the Oatly brand.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil — The defining characteristic of this brew is olive oil. Starbucks uses Partanna extra virgin olive oil.
- Sugar or Syrup (Optional) — Add a spoonful of sugar or a coffee syrup of your choice to sweeten the beverage if desired.
Coffee Recommendations
If you want to make an Oleato that's identical to Starbucks’ offering, opt for the brand’s “Blonde-roast espresso blend.” You can purchase these beans online or from your local Starbucks store.
If you want to improve the quality of the Oleato you make at home, opt for a fresher, higher-quality coffee. We prefer medium or dark roasts for this brew. Olive oil pairs particularly well with the rich, nutty notes of a dark-roast arabica coffee blend like DaLat or the chocolatey, hazelnut flavors of a medium-roast robusta and arabica blend such as DaNang.
How to Make Oleato Caffè Latte at Home
Oleato coffee is surprisingly easy to make at home. If you know how to make a latte, you’ll master this unique brew pretty quickly. Here’s how to make a Starbucks Oleato caffè latte in six simple steps:
1. Prepare Your Espresso Machine
Start by switching on your espresso machine to heat it — this can take up to 30 minutes, depending on the machine you have.
Fill the water reservoir with clean, fresh, filtered water.
2. Measure and Grind the Coffee
Next, measure and grind your coffee beans. You'll need 9 g for a single shot Oleato latte or 18 g for a double shot. Grind your coffee to a fine consistency — similar to powdered sugar.
3. Prepare the Portafilter
Pour your coffee into your portafilter and firmly tamp the grounds using your tamper. Apply firm, even pressure, but don't over-tamp — this can lead to channeling and over-extraction.
Once you've prepared the coffee in your portafilter, lock it into the group head of your machine.
4. Brew the Espresso
Place a large coffee mug on the drip tray underneath the portafilter and start the extraction. Pull the shot for 25 to 30 seconds until a bold, dark espresso with a rich, creamy crema is produced.
5. Prepare the Milk
In a milk pitcher, add around 7 oz (110 mL) of oat milk — Oatly is the brand Starbucks uses. Stir in one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Starbucks uses Partanna.
6. Steam the Milk
Using the steam wand on your espresso machine, gently froth the milk until it turns into a warm, smooth, velvety foam.
7. Assemble the Brew
Gently pour the steamed milk over your espresso while holding back the bulk of the foam with a spoon. Move in a circular motion, and once the cup is almost full, release the foam and pour it onto the surface of the coffee.
Gently stir in a spoonful of sugar or syrup to sweeten (optional), and enjoy your Oleato latte while warm.
Similar Starbucks Brews & How to Make Them
The Oleato coffee isn’t the only beverage available at Starbucks. This coffee giant has over 30 different blends and more than 170,000 unique ways to customize its beverages.
Here are four other popular Starbucks drinks and how to make them at home:
1. Blonde Vanilla Latte
The blonde vanilla latte is made using the same beans as the Oleato latte. It combines blonde-roast espresso with velvety steamed milk and vanilla syrup. This indulgent, sweet, milky beverage is a popular choice in Starbucks across the US and Europe.
Here's a brief rundown on how to make a vanilla latte at home:
- Grind the Coffee — Grind 9 g (single shot) or 18 g (double shot) of blonde-roast coffee to a fine consistency.
- Prepare the Portafilter — Fill your portafilter with the ground coffee and tamp it evenly and firmly.
- Brew the Espresso — Pull an espresso shot into a small cup for a 25- to 30-second extraction. Pour the shot into a large mug or heat-proof glass.
- Froth the Milk — Using the steam wand in your espresso machine, warm and froth one cup of whole milk until light and velvety.
- Add the Vanilla Syrup — Add one to two tablespoons of vanilla syrup to your espresso and stir to combine.
- Assemble the Latte — Gently pour the frothed milk over the espresso until combined. Spoon the microfoam on top of the beverage. Serve and enjoy while warm.
2. Frappuccino
The Frappuccino is an original Starbucks creation. It's a chilled coffee with espresso, crushed ice, and milk, served with a dollop of whipped cream on top. The Frappuccino is one of the chain's most popular iced coffees.
Here's how to make a Frappuccino at home:
- Grind the Coffee — Grind 18 g of coffee to a fine consistency. Opt for a 100% arabica or a balanced blend.
- Prepare the Portafilter — Fill your portafilter with coffee grinds, tamp firmly, and lock it into the group head on your machine.
- Brew the Espresso — Brew a double shot of espresso into a small demitasse cup.
- Combine the Ingredients — In a blender, add your double shot of espresso, two cups of ice, and one cup of whole milk. Add sugar or syrup to sweeten if desired.
- Blend the Ingredients — Blend the ingredients until the ice is completely crushed and you get a light, foamy, creamy beverage.
- Pour, Serve, and Garnish — Pour your Frappuccino into a tall glass. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and garnish with a sprinkling of coffee or a few whole coffee beans.
3. Caramel Macchiato
The caramel macchiato is available freshly brewed from Starbucks or as a ready-to-drink (RTD) beverage from most grocery stores.
Unlike a traditional Italian macchiato, an espresso shot that's “stained” with a small amount of milk, the Starbucks caramel macchiato contains a large amount of steamed milk — more similar to a latte.
Here's how to make a caramel macchiato at home:
- Grind the Coffee — Grind 9 g of 100% arabica coffee, such as DaLat, to a fine consistency.
- Fill the Portafilter — Add the grounds to your portafilter and tamp evenly and firmly.
- Brew the Espresso — Extract a shot of espresso (25 to 30 seconds) until you produce a dark, rich shot.
- Froth the Milk — Add one cup of milk to a steam pitcher and froth it until light and velvety.
- Assemble the Brew — Add one to two tablespoons of vanilla syrup to a large mug and add the frothed milk. Pour the espresso shot through the foam to create a “black and white” layered effect.
- Garnish and Serve — Add a drizzle of caramel sauce over the foam of the brew, making sure it doesn't fall through. Serve and enjoy.
4. Pumpkin Spice Latte
The Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) is Starbuck's most famous seasonal beverage. This Fall favorite combines steamed milk, espresso, and a sweet, indulgent pumpkin spice syrup.
Here's how to make a Starbucks PSL at home:
- Grind and Measure the Coffee — Measure 9 g (single shot) or 18 g (double shot) of arabica coffee or a blend. Grind the beans to a fine consistency similar to powdered sugar.
- Prepare the Portafilter — Fill your portafilter with coffee and tamp the grounds until evenly distributed.
- Brew the Shot — Lock in the portafilter to the group head on your machine and brew a shot of espresso.
- Heat and Froth the Milk — Using the steam wand on your machine, heat and froth the milk until a light, velvety texture is produced.
- Add Pumpkin Spice Syrup — In a large coffee cup, add one to two tablespoons of homemade pumpkin spice syrup.
- Assemble the PSL — Pour the espresso over the syrup and stir to combine. Then, gently pour over the milk and spoon the microfoam on top.
- Garnish and Serve — Add a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice. Serve and enjoy.
FAQs: The Oleato Coffee
Want to learn more about Oleato coffee and other similar brews?
Check out the answers to the FAQs below…
1. What’s in an Oleato Coffee?
Oleato coffee is a relatively new Starbucks coffee that combines espresso coffee with milk and Partanna extra virgin olive oil. The beverage is available hot or cold and comes in many different formats — the most popular is the Oleato caffè latte, which combines steamed oat milk, olive oil, and Starbucks Blonde espresso roast.
2. Does Oleato Coffee Contain Espresso?
Yes, Oleato coffee is made with freshly brewed espresso coffee (usually blonde roast) and is typically served with steamed oat milk. However, the exact composition can vary depending on the Oleato beverage selected.
3. How Much Caffeine in a Starbucks Oleato Coffee?
The caffeine in a Starbucks Oleato coffee varies depending on the exact Oleato beverage selected. The average Oleato caffè latte contains around 85 mg per 8 oz (240 mL) serving.
4. Is Oleato Coffee Keto?
No, Starbucks Oleato coffee isn't keto-friendly. The original drink has 34 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of sugar, and the iced shaken Oleato Venti contains 28 g of sugar and 37 g of carbohydrates. However, You can make a keto-friendly Oleato-style coffee at home by combining black coffee with olive oil and butter before blending.
5. Can You Mix Other Oils With Coffee?
Yes, you can combine other oils with coffee to produce unique flavors, textures, and potential health benefits.
Here are some of the different oils that can be paired with coffee:
- MCT oil (medium-chain triglycerides)
- Coconut oil
- Almond oil
- Peppermint oil
6. What’s the Best Coffee for Making Oleato at Home?
Starbucks uses its signature Blonde espresso roast to make Oleato coffee. You can purchase whole-bean Blonde roast coffee directly from Starbucks to make this beverage at home. Alternatively, opt for a light to medium roast 100% arabica or a balanced robusta coffee and arabica blend.
7. What’s the Most Popular Coffee at Starbucks?
The most popular coffee at Starbucks is the “iced brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso.” The pumpkin spice latte (PSL), iced caramel macchiato, caramel cream cold brew, and caramel Frappuccino are also popular in the US, UK, and Europe.
8. Can You Make Oleato With Instant Coffee?
You can’t make a “true” Oleato coffee with instant coffee — freshly brewed espresso will always produce a better-tasting beverage. However, you can make a similar coffee with an instant espresso blend such as our Instant Vietnamese Espresso 2.0.
9. What’s the Difference Between Arabica and Robusta?
Arabica and robusta are two types of coffee beans from the species Coffea arabica and Coffea robusta. Robusta coffee beans contain twice the amount of caffeine as arabica and produce dark, rich, bitter brews. Arabica beans contain twice the amount of sugar as robusta and produce smooth, sweet, bold brews.
10. Does Starbucks Sell Vietnamese Coffee?
No, Starbucks doesn’t sell Vietnamese coffee or any 100% robusta beans. However, you can make a similar-tasting brew by ordering an iced white chocolate mocha with four espresso shots. The white mocha mimics the sweetened condensed milk, and the four espresso shots mimic the dark, rich flavor of robusta.
