"Wicked coffee drinks? What are those?" you may ask. Well, since the Universal Studios adaptation of the musical Wicked came out in November 2024, these drinks have been brewing up a storm!
“Wicked coffee drinks? What are those?” you may ask. Well, since the Universal Studios adaptation of the musical Wicked came out in November 2024, these drinks have been brewing up a storm!
From the green-hued Elphaba cold brew to the shimmering salmon-colored Glinda drink, these magical coffees have captured the imagination of coffee drinkers everywhere. Partly, thanks to one of the biggest coffee companies in the world, Starbucks.
But here’s the real spellbinding news: you don’t need to wait in line or spend a fortune to enjoy these beverages. So, why not make them at home?
Well, that’s the subject of my post today. Keep reading to learn how to conjure up these enchanting drinks at home.
Wicked Coffee Drinks: What’s the Deal?
Starbucks Wicked coffee drinks are a fascinating intersection of pop culture and coffee fantasy. They’re part of the limited-edition Starbucks coffee menus that took off in 2024. These, in particular, take their inspiration from the hit movie Wicked. Not since “Pottermania,” which peaked in the early 2000s, has a movie influenced pop culture so much.
It all started with the Elphaba cold brew, named for the Wicked Witch of the West. The sublime Cynthia Erivo, who plays this particular Witch with a green hue and black dress code, inspired the drink.
What makes this drink stand out is the color contrast. Dark cold brew coffee contrasts beautifully with the light green matcha foam, perfectly mirroring the character.
Its counterpart, the Glinda Pink Potion, is a vibrant (pink) dessert drink. At Starbucks, it blends a Mango Dragon Fruit Refresher with coconut milk and freeze-dried dragon fruit. Plus, strawberry cold foam (non-dairy) and rainbow candy sprinkles act as toppings.
This dessert drink boasts dreamy pink hues and a pleasant sweetness. It’s reminiscent of the Good Witch of the South, portrayed by the talented Ariana Grande.
Partly because of their stunning looks, and partly because of their deliciousness, both drinks have caught on across social media. You’ll find them gracing feeds and FYPs from Instagram to TikTok.
Another reason these drinks went viral is due to the customization factor. After COVID and fourth-wave coffee, people enjoyed putting their own twist on the original Starbucks recipes. And as these drinks allowed them to do that, they garnered thousands of fans. It also helped that people love posting pretty looking coffees on their Instagram and TikTok feeds, popularizing the drinks further.
What’s in the Elphaba Cold Brew?
Elphaba’s cold brew, inspired by the green-skinned witch in Wicked, is one of social media’s most seductive coffee trends. Here’s why this Starbucks drink is so popular. It contains:
A base of rich cold-brew coffee
A dollop of emerald-green matcha cold foam
Dark chocolate java chips
Peppermint syrup
Optional chocolate drizzle and pink and green candy sprinkles
The way every Starbucks barista makes this drink is what makes this drink truly magical. Visually stunning, the dark brown, almost black cold brew contrasts against the bright green matcha foam. This color palette echoes Elphaba’s recognizable green and black movie ensemble. Furthermore, as the green cold foam slowly drips down into the pitch black coffee, it casts a magical marbled effect that’s highly photogenic.
The flavor profile is just as sophisticated. Cold brew coffee provides a deep, velvety flavor, and much needed caffeine! Matcha adds sweet, earthy undertones. Then comes peppermint. It imparts a cooling, fresh element, which dark chocolate amplifies with richness and depth. All like Elphaba herself!
To me, it tastes like Wisconsin Andes chocolate mints. It combines the bitterness of coffee, the sweetness and depth of chocolate and the freshness of peppermint perfectly.
It also appeals to coffee lovers due to its high caffeine content. This is rare in Starbucks novelty drinks. A Tall drink contains 175 milligrams of caffeine, as much as an 8-ounce drip from the best drip coffee maker. A Grande contains more, approximately 225 milligrams. The caffeine comes from both the cold brew and the sweet matcha tea cold foam.
How to Make Elphaba’s Cold Brew
So, how can you recreate the magic of Wicked coffee drinks at home? Let’s start with the Elphaba cold brew. To make it at home, you’ll need:
Elphaba Starbucks Drink Ingredients
8 ounces (240 milliliters) cold brew coffee (store-bought or homemade)
4 ounces (120 milliliters) heavy cream or half-and-half
1 teaspoon high-quality matcha powder
2 tablespoons vanilla syrup
2 tablespoons chocolate chips or java chips
1/2 teaspoon peppermint syrup (optional)
Ice cubes
Fresh mint and candy sprinkles to garnish
Equipment:
Handheld milk frother or blender
Tall glass
Measuring spoons
Japanese matcha set: matcha whisk (chasen), matcha scoop (chashaku) and tea bowl (chawan). Alternatively, use any small whisk or bowls you may have at home.
Elphaba Cold Brew Recipe
First, fill a tall glass halfway with ice cubes. Then, pour in the cold brew coffee. If using peppermint syrup, add it now and stir it in.
Now, either using the matcha set or in a small bowl, whisk 1 teaspoon of matcha powder with 2 tablespoons of hot water. Whisk until completely smooth.
In a separate bowl, combine half a cup of heavy cream or half-and-half, 2 tablespoons vanilla syrup and the matcha mixture.
Use a handheld frother or blender to blend until smooth and thickened (30-45 seconds).
Sprinkle half of the chocolate chips onto your cold brew. Then, gently pour the matcha tea cold foam over the back of a spoon to create a stunning layered effect.
Top the coffee with the remaining chocolate chips, candy sprinkles and fresh mint.
Oh, and please don’t wait to enjoy this coffee! The beauty of its fresh flavors and stunning presentation are what made it a hit!
Pro Tips:
Sub with coconut cream for a dairy-free recipe
For the best layering effect, make sure you use icy-cold cold brew coffee
Sift your matcha powder before blending to prevent clumps
The cold foam should be thick but still pourable
Let the drink sit for about 30 seconds after assembling; this creates beautiful green swirls as the foam slowly incorporates into the coffee
What Is in the Glinda Drink at Starbucks?
The Glinda drink, named after the Good Witch in the movie, is the second of our Wicked coffee drinks. It captures the sparkle and charm of the character to a T.
Below are the ingredients that make this magical Starbucks drink so unique:
Vanilla bean Starbucks-like frappuccino base
Strawberry purée
White chocolate mocha sauce
Coconut milk
Freeze-dried dragon fruit pieces
Non-dairy strawberry cold foam with pink powder
Whipped cream topping
Pink sugar sprinkles and candy sprinkles
Optional dragon fruit powder for that extra pink color
The Glinda drink aka Glinda’s Pink Potion, derives its sweetness from the opulent vanilla base. It also contains sweet, ripe strawberry flavors. Silky white chocolate undertones and a light, airy consistency elevate this unique drink further.
Like Elphaba’s cold brew, this drink is stunning to behold (and drink). It’s deliciously sweet and strawberry milkshake-flavored. Moreover, it provides a delicious fruity experience. Notably, its white and pink colors create a light, airy finish and the cold foam, a cloud-like texture. Likewise, sprinkles add a playful effect.
Coffee-wise, this drink is not a heavy hitter. It contains only 45 milligrams of caffeine, making it suitable for those who prefer a light boost. Either way, I’d say this is the perfect drink to order as a Starbucks birthday drink!
How to Make Glinda’s Pink Potion
Glinda’s Pink Potion is also very easy to recreate at home. It’s ideal for Wicked fans who prefer low-caffeine options.
While Starbucks baristas use a Mango Dragon Fruit Refresher with coconut milk (like the one you’d use for a coconut milk latte), I’ve gone full dairy. My choices, in this instance, are whole milk and vanilla ice cream. However, feel free to sub with non-dairy options if that’s your preference.
Glinda Pink Potion Ingredients
To make this second of the Wicked coffee drinks, you’ll need:
For the base:
2 scoops vanilla ice cream (or 1 cup vanilla frappuccino base)
4 ounces (120 milliliters) dairy or plant-based milk like oat, almond or coconut milk
2 tablespoons strawberry purée (homemade or store-bought)
2 tablespoons white chocolate sauce
1 cup ice
For the pink cold foam:
4 ounces (120 milliliters) heavy cream or coconut cream
2 tablespoons vanilla syrup
1/4 teaspoon dragon fruit powder (or natural pink food coloring)
For the topping:
Whipped cream
Pink sugar sprinkles or edible glitter
Additional strawberry purée for drizzle
Equipment:
Blender
Tall glass
Measuring spoons
Handheld milk frother (for making the cold foam)
Ice cream scoop
Small whisk and bowl
Glinda Pink Potion Recipe
Combine heavy cream, vanilla syrup and dragon fruit powder in a bowl. Whisk until the powder fully dissolves. Then, using a milk frother, create a thick, fluffy foam.
Cover this mixture with saran wrap and chill it in the refrigerator until ready to use. Incidentally, it stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
In your blender, combine the vanilla ice cream or frappuccino base, milk, white chocolate sauce and ice. Blend until smooth and creamy. You may sub non-dairy milk for whole milk here.Â
Then, add 1 tablespoon of strawberry purée. Pulse to create subtle pink swirls (don’t overmix, or those pretty swirls will disappear).
Drizzle the remaining strawberry purée around the inside of your glass. You may easily do this by dipping a handheld milk frother in the strawberry puree.
Then, whirr the frother inside the glass, gradually whirring and stopping as you go higher. This will create concentric circles of strawberry purée on the inside surface of your serving glass.
Next, pour the blended base mixture on top with the sweet, pink cold foam.Â
Add a generous swirl of whipped cream and sprinkle with pink sugar, candy sprinkles and/or edible glitter. For extra pizazz, you may add a final drizzle of strawberry purée.
Enjoy immediately for the best taste and presentation.
Pro Tips
Ensure all the ingredients are well-chilled before using for the best texture
Make this whimsical drink coffee-based by adding a shot of espresso (brewed with your best home espresso machine, of course!)
Use coconut milk and dairy-free ice cream for a vegan version
Add a splash of rosewater for a floral touch
Mix in white chocolate chips for extra texture and decadence
Wicked Coffee Drinks: Are They Any Good?
I’m usually very suspicious about pop culture-inspired coffee drinks (I’m a purist, through and through). But the flavor of these drinks genuinely surprised me!
Whether you love the dark, emerald sensuality of the Elphaba cold brew or glittery blushing charm of the Glinda drink, these beverages show that coffee can be delicious and theatrical.
While Wicked coffee drinks have gone viral courtesy of Starbucks, the real magic happens when you brew them at home. Why not make one for you and the other (coffee-free, of course) for the kids? Not only will you save money, but also be a real hero/heroine in their eyes.
These specialty coffee drinks will also allow you to experiment with different recipe proportions. This way, you control what goes into them until you find your perfect spell.
So, as they sing in the musical, “Everyone deserves the chance to fly!” And with these whimsical recipes, I’m sure your coffee game will soar to new heights. Happy brewing, and “I hope you’re happy right now,” wink wink!
Did these Wicked coffee creations cast a spell on you? Have you made them yet? Share your coffee creations inspired by the film adaptation in the comments below. Whether you’re Team Elphaba or Team Glinda, I’d love to hear all about your recipe variations!
