Starbucks to offer super-size Trenta drinks in S.Korea

Starbucks will roll out its biggest size for iced drinks, the Trenta, next week in South Korea, which was chosen as its first overseas market to introduce what it called its secret size.

The Trenta size, which holds 31 ounces (887 milliliters), will be available for three types of beverages for take-out only: the cold brew coffee for 6,900 won ($5.4); the black tea infused with grapefruit and honey for 7,700 won; and the strawberry acai lemonade Starbucks refresher for 7,900 won.

They will be offered between July 20 and Sept. 30 of this year, Starbucks Korea said on Wednesday.

The Seattle-based coffee chain has been serving Trenta-size drinks in North America only since 2011. Trenta means 30 in Italian.

Venti, an Italian for 20, is currently the biggest size available at Starbucks Korea and holds 24 ounces (591 mL).

Its two other size options are Grande, meaning large, for 16 ounces (473 mL) and Tall for 12 ounces (355 mL).

“The Trenta is as big as an adult face,” said the company, quoting an anonymous customer’s review.

Starbucks’ decision to pick South Korea as its first overseas market in which to introduce its biggest size reflects the new trend in South Korea to drink very large, cold beverages such as 1-liter iced Americanos even in winter.

That is compared with China and Japan, where hot tea is a popular drink. The Vietnamese prefer to sip coffee at cafes, rather than buying drinks to go.

Iced Americanos accounted for 76% of Starbucks Korea’s beverage sales in 2022, compared to 64% in 2021. In the winter season between November and February, iced drinks take up over 60% of its beverage sales.

“After offering the Trenta size for this limited period of time, we will decide on whether to offer the size to other types of drinks based on customer response and opinions,” said Starbucks Korea Chief Executive Son Jung-hyun.

Write to Kyeong-Je Han at hankyung@hankyung.com

Yeonhee Kim edited this article.