For Frappuccino fans in Japan, Starbucks’ cherry blossom creations are the beverage highlight of spring.

The first offering for this year (apart from the convenience store cup drink) is the ‘Sakura Strawberry Shiratama Frappuccino’, along with a hot latte option. But the ubiquitous coffee chain isn’t stopping there, as they’ve already unveiled yet another cherry blossom release for 2022.

Starbucks’ next creation is inspired by ‘yozakura’, which means night sakura. It refers to viewing cherry blossom during the evening, and many popular cherry blossom spots are lit up with lanterns to accommodate this popular tradition.

As the name suggests, the ‘Sakura Cassis Strawberry Shiratama Frappuccino’ is quite similar to the first instalment, but with the added ingredient of cassis, or blackcurrant. This addition gives it a deeper pink-purple colour, to mimic the hues of blossom seen during a spring night.

The drink base is made from milk, shiratama (rice flour dumplings), and a sakura powder and strawberry sauce, blended with ice. The cassis sauce is mixed throughout, and the whipped cream topping is sprinkled with sakura strawberry chocolate shavings. The crowning glory is a pink nama yatsuhashi, a Kyoto specialty.

This springtime treat will be on the menu in Japanese branches of Starbucks from now until 15th March 2022.