Hannah Montana fans roast Starbucks for themed drink’s ironic flavor


Starbucks has launched a new secret menu item to celebrate Hannah Montana’s 20th anniversary — but fans are insisting that Miley Cyrus’s iconic character would never order the drink.

The Secret Popstar Refresher is not on the official Starbucks store menu, but starting Monday, customers can order the refresher variation on the mobile app or by repeating the recipe in person: a grande Strawberry Acai Refresher with raspberry cold foam, two pumps of raspberry syrup and no strawberry inclusions.

The bright pink drink is thought to be what Hannah Montana would order at the coffee chain, but devoted fans of the iconic Disney Channel show quickly called out the fact that the fictional pop star famously hated raspberries.

In season one episode 25 of the show, titled “Smells Like Teen Sellout,” Hannah Montana tells her best friend Lilly that raspberries made her sick after she ate too many of them at a county fair pie-eating contest as a kid.

“Even a whiff of raspberries makes me sick,” she says in the 2007 episode.

Hannah Montana fans roast Starbucks for themed drink’s ironic flavor
The Hannah Montana-inspired Starbucks drinks includes raspberry syrup and cold foam — which does not add up with the fictional character’s preferences (Starbucks)

Fans were quick to point out the irony on social media.

“Hey [Starbucks]… there was literally an entire episode about Miley hating the smell of raspberries,” one fan called out on Threads. “As Hannah Montana said, ‘everybody makes mistakes.’ You had the opportunity for a lavender lemonade or a loco hot cocoa RIGHT THERE.”

One person wrote on X, “Whoever came up with this needs their Hannah Montana fan card REVOKED.” Another complained: “starbucks having a raspberry hannah montana refresher when hannah HATES raspberries is so funny to me like did they think this through or ?????”

Another fan joked, “raspberry cold foam for a HANNAH MONTANA DRINK? real ones know shes allergic to raspberries whos flop idea was that?”

One commenter wrote on a Starbucks Instagram post, “doesn’t Miley dislike raspberries?” prompting the brand to respond, “20 years later and Miley decided she’s so over that.”

Starbucks did not immediately return The Independent’s request for comment on the ingredient choice.

According to a press release from Starbucks, the limited-time drink will be available to order until April 5. Fans can also expect to hear a Hannah Montana-inspired playlist Tuesday at U.S. stores.

The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special will be available to stream on Disney+ starting Tuesday. The tribute special, filmed in front of a live audience, will feature an interview with Cyrus as well as archival footage of the show that has never been seen before.