
Sweet Milk Coffee becomes a hit, with a special customisation that’s got everyone talking.
Starbucks is well known for its amazing limited-edition releases in Japan, and sometimes they prove to be so popular that they make it onto the menu as permanent mainstays. That’s what recently happened to the chain’s Sweet Milk Coffee, which was permanently added after numerous limited-time releases, and it’s already become a cult product, with people on social media raving about how much it tastes like Papico, an incredibly popular coffee-flavoured ice cream produced by Glico.
With people dubbing the Sweet Milk Coffee a “drinkable Papico“, there’s a recommended way to drink it as well, with a customisation hack currently doing the rounds with all the cool influencers on social media.
▼ The customisation involves switching from regular milk to Breve (a mix of milk and cream) for an additional 50 yen (US$0.34), and requesting a pump of mocha sauce for free.
Without the customisation, the multi-layered drink combines fresh cream with white chocolate-flavoured syrup and vanilla-flavoured syrup in the base, and tops it all with a blend of freshly extracted coffee, milk and cream. Upon first sip, the coffee hits you behind the eyes, awakening you to the rich blend as the sweet milky flavours kiss your taste buds with a hint of tantalising vanilla. The combination is pure luxury in terms of both taste and texture, and customising it is definitely the way to go, as the extra thick Breve milk amps up the rich creaminess while the mocha adds another layer of depth and sweeetness.
The creamy sweet coffee flavours are certainly reminiscent of Papico ice cream, but we’d go one step further to say it’s even better. The different layers allow you to enjoy a variety of coffee flavours throughout, from light and refreshing through to rich and milky, but if you want the drinkable Papico experience, we recommend mixing it thoroughly from the start so you can enjoy a well-balanced taste that’s reminiscent of coffee ice cream.
▼ The more you mix, the more addictive the flavour, so the drink will be gone in no time.
Available in a Tall size only, priced at 540 yen for takeout or 550 yen for dine-in, the Sweet Milk Coffee will be on the menu at Starbucks stores nationwide from 12 March. Rewards members are able to purchase the drink from 6-11 March, ahead of its official on-sale date, but this is one drink you don’t have to worry about missing out on, because unlike the new limited-edition colour-changing Frappuccino, this is a permanent resident on the menu.
Photos©SoraNews24
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
[ Read in Japanese ]




Three drinks you should try at Starbucks right now, according to staff who work there
Starbucks celebrates 25 years in Japan by adding four new limited-time coffee drinks to the menu
Starbucks has a mochi ice cream Frappuccino? New hanami dango hack goes viral in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases Bitter Cream Coffee, but how does it compare to Sweet Milk Coffee?
We get a taste of Starbucks Japan’s new coffees and sweets, including one that’s here to stay
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
We go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
Which of McDonald’s new “Beef Burgers of the World” is the best? We find out【Taste Test】
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
Expo 2025 mascot Myaku-Myaku to release tastefully erotic photo book
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Does Starbucks Japan’s first-ever flavour-changing Frappuccino live up to the hype?
Starbucks Japan releases a new limited-edition drink that’s big on simplicity
Christmas arrives early at Starbucks in Japan with new Merry Cream Frappuccino
Is Starbucks Japan’s new autumn Frappuccino better than the Tully’s Coffee tea shake?
Trying out Starbucks Japan’s ultra relaxing 2021 seasonal summer tea drinks【Taste Test】
Starbucks Japan adds a new Love & Peach Frappuccino to its menu for summer
New illy matcha coffee drinks combine green tea with espresso for a limited time
Starbucks Japan adds new sakura Frappuccino to its menu for a limited time, but is it any good?
Is Starbucks Japan’s new Gohobi Melon Frappuccino really the ultimate melon Frappuccino?
Starbucks serves up a taste of retro Japan…with a gyu new twist
How merry is Starbucks Japan’s new Merry Cream holiday Frappuccino?
Starbucks adds a Chocolate Mousse Latte to the menu in Japan for a limited time
Starbucks Japan adds a new sakura latte to its menu for cherry blossom season
Starbucks Japan unveils new Pistachio Christmas Tree Frappuccino drinks for the holiday season
We try Japan’s new Starbucks Frappuccino with first-ever almond milk whipped cream
Starbucks adds a new Triple Espresso Latte to the menu in Japan
Starbucks Japan vs. Tully’s Coffee: Which limited-edition autumn drink is better?