Starbucks changes recipe for its most popular drink - but not everyone is happy with the update

The reviews are in for Starbucks' new Iced Coffee Blend, which took effect this summer - but not everyone is thrilled with the change.

The recipe revamp marks the first formula change for the chain's Iced Coffee Blend - a best-seller - in the past 18 years.

The chain's iced coffees include ingredients that aim to create a drink that's 'approachable and refreshing.' 

'Designed with versatility in mind, the new iced coffee blend is delicious either on its own or customized to any customer’s preference,' Starbucks coffee developer Leslie Wolford wrote.

Wolford revealed that its recipe features a blend of 'sun-dried and washed' Latin American coffee beans. 

The chain's iced coffees include ingredients that aim to create a drink that's 'approachable and refreshing' 

The different Iced Coffee Blend marked the beverage's first recipe change in 18 years

She added that the iced coffee blend also includes 'malted milk chocolate' and 'brown-sugar sweetness.' 

While some have called the rollout "secretive," the brand insists that they rolled out the changes loudly and proudly.

'We shared the news of the new Iced Coffee blend and recipe alongside the news of the summer menu on May 7,' a spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

'It is inaccurate to say that the change was rolled out quietly."

Starbucks announced the new Iced Coffee Blend recipe in a summer 2024 press release

Secretive or not, the change was an unwelcome one for some customers who have taken to Reddit to vent about the change to their beloved Ice Coffee Blend, with many comparing the new coffee to that served at Dunkin Donuts. 

'I hope what I received today is not the new blend because it's bitter and awful, and their iced coffee was the only reason I frequent Starbucks. If this is the new taste, they've lost a customer,' wrote a Reddit user. 

Other Reddit users have called the recipe 'disgusting' and 'trash,' and at least three commenters said their iced drinks allegedly taste 'watered down.'

'I feel like it tastes, both more water down and simultaneously burnt every single time I’ve gotten it,' wrote a commenter. 

'I also love to get iced coffee from Starbucks and now I will probably stop going because it’s gross.'

Starbucks' recipe reminder came just one day after the company announced it's replacing current CEO Laxman Narasimhan with Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol

Another person wrote: 'It's no longer served with classic syrup. By default is good, but the new blend kind of sucks.'

One of the Reddit post's commenters accused Starbucks of 'ruining a good thing,' while another suggested they email a complaint to the coffeehouse chain last month.

The original commenter responded: 'I just sent them a nice long message telling them how much it sucks. Bring back the old iced coffee.'

The change to the formula is not the only recent shakeup at the company, which just announced it's replacing current CEO Laxman Narasimhan with Chipotle CEO Brian Niccol.

The coffeehouse chain negotiated the change with Elliott Investment Management for weeks following its sales decline and operating issues. 

Starbucks confirmed in its most recent earning report that it suffered a two percent fall in same-store sales.

Reddit users have trashed the new recipe since it was implemented last May, and one person wrote that they would no longer be a customer if it continues to be sold in stores 

After its profit drop in the second quarter, the company blamed wage increases for US staff members offsetting its hiked prices. 

Profit fell 7.5 percent in the second quarter, with the company blaming higher wages for US staff offsetting its rise in product prices earlier this year.