Starbucks’ olive-oil Oleato drinks, dubbed ‘a legit laxative,’ are now launching nationwide

Starbucks is spreading oil across the nation.

Beginning Jan. 30, Starbucks will serve their olive oil-infused Oleato beverages nationwide.

The coffee chain announced that the beverages infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil will be available in all US Starbucks company-operated and licensed stores — including those in grocery stores, airports and college campuses.

The Oleato drinks made its debut in Italy in February 2023 before making its way to select California locations and Reserve and Roastery locations in March 2023.

Some consumers who got a taste of the Oleato drinks before the American hard launch reported experiencing unfortunate stomach issues from the coffee-oil combo.

Baristas and customers alike gave the drink candid reviews on Reddit in a thread titled “Olive oil drinks…“

“Caffeine is a stimulant for your bowels and oil a relaxant. So yeah wonderful idea by Starbucks,” one person pointed out.

“Half the team tried it yesterday and a few ended up … Needing to use the restroom, if ya know what I mean … I’m honestly scared to try it because I already have stomach/bowel problems,” wrote a suspected Starbucks barista.

NBC News reported one customer claiming that “the Oleato at Starbucks is a legit laxative.”

Another chimed in: “New marketing campaign – Starbucks new weight loss coffees!”

Oleato (Italian for “oiled”) is also now available in several locations worldwide, including Canada, London, Paris, Osaka and Tokyo.

Starbucks Reserve locations will offer a “unique” lineup of Oleato drinks as well as an “exclusive tasting experience.”

Any drink can be topped with the Oleato Golden Foam, a vanilla sweet cream cold foam infused with olive oil — but there are also specific Oleato drinks for customers to try.

The Oleato-curious might want to try the drink that launched with the company’s soft launch of the unique beverage — the Oleato Caffè Latte with Oatmilk. The original pre-made drink is made with a blonde espresso roast, oatmilk and, of course, infused with Partanna extra virgin olive oil.

Starbucks also launched the new Oleato Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Toffeenut — made with blonde espresso with toffeenut and oatmilk, topped with Oleato Golden Foam — with the launch of the North American Oleato debut.

Though the lactose-intolerant should be cautious before ordering the Oleato drinks, since the Golden Foam contains dairy.

Oleato’s origin story began with Starbucks founder Howard Schultz’s visit to Sicily when he was introduced to the Mediterranean custom of having a daily spoonful of olive oil, according to the Starbucks website. While enjoying his morning coffee, he had the inspiration to combine the two delicacies.

“During my first trip to Milan in 1983, I was captivated by the sense of community, connection, and passion for coffee I found in the city’s espresso bars. It was that trip that inspired me to bring the ritual of handcrafted espresso to Starbucks and to America,” Schultz said in a Feb. 2023 statement.

“Oleato represents the next revolution in coffee that brings together an alchemy of nature’s finest ingredients – Starbucks arabica coffee beans and Partanna cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. Today I feel just as inspired as I did 40 years ago, Oleato has opened our eyes to fresh new possibilities and a transformational way to enjoy our daily coffee.”