
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
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese airport rebrands itself as “Sushi Airport” to attract foreign tourists
Japan reacts to Donald Trump’s “Islamic Republic of Japan” remark
Tochigi man shares his family’s process for creating 16 years worth of rice paddy art
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Foreign tourists injured in Nissan GT-R crash near Tokyo’s Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Starbucks Japan puts a bow on peach season with new limited-edition Peach Creamy Tea Latte
Studio Ghibli theme park’s new dessert is a drinkable version of Hayao Miyazaki’s pilot daydream
Potato-Chip-Flavored Dressing coming to stores in Japan
Tokyo revises accommodation tax amidst tourism boom, Airbnb rentals now included
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
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?
How merry is Starbucks Japan’s new Merry Cream holiday Frappuccino?
Starbucks serves up a taste of retro Japan…with a gyu new twist
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
Does Starbucks Japan’s new rice cake Frappuccino live up to the hype?