# Festive Sponge Cake Drinks Starbucks Japan's Merry Strawberry Cake Frappuccino is Here for Winter By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2019-11-13 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/merry-strawberry-cake-frappuccino References: [delish](https://www.delish.com/food-news/a29674034/starbucks-japan-merry-strawberry-cake-frappuccino/) & [starbucks.co.jp](https://www.starbucks.co.jp/cafe/merrystrawberry/) While the Peppermint Mocha reigns supreme in North America, over in Japan, [Starbucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-joyful-medley) is serving up a new Merry Strawberry Cake Frappuccino for the holiday season. The new Merry Strawberry Cake Frappuccino is exclusive to [Starbucks Japan](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-smores-frappuccino) and officially made its debut on November 1st. According to the brand, the drink tastes much like a sweet strawberry shortcake and even includes a bit of cake in it. The drink starts with a small layer of sponge cake crumb, which is topped with a [sweet strawberry sauce](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chocolatecovered-strawberry-crme), and then finished with a sponge cake-flavored Frappuccino blend. The whole thing is then topped with whipped cream and some freeze-dried strawberries for a festive touch. For those looking for something warmer, there's also the Merry Strawberry Cake Milk drink, which is described as a ""hot beverage with strawberry sauce and sponge cake-flavored milk." Image Credit: *Starbucks Japan.* ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 35% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Holiday-themed Beverages:** Opportunity for other coffee chains to create their own festive drinks for the holiday season. - **Innovative Flavor Combinations:** Exploration of unique and unconventional flavor pairings to attract customers seeking novelty. - **Inclusion of Food in Beverages:** Bringing together the experience of eating and drinking by incorporating food components in beverages. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Coffee Chains:** Chance for coffee chains to capitalize on seasonal themes and create their own holiday-inspired beverages to cater to customer demand. - **Food and Beverage:** Opportunity for innovation in the food and beverage industry by exploring unconventional flavor combinations and incorporating food elements in drinks. - **Cafes and Bakeries:** Potential for cafes and bakeries to collaborate and create unique beverage and food pairings that combine the best of both worlds. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Festive Choc-Berry Frappuccinos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/berry-frappuccinos.md) - [Vibrantly Hued Holiday Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-joyful-medley.md) - [Extra-Creamy Festive Cafe Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-2023-holiday-menu.md) - [Secret Christmas Cakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-christmas-cakes.md) - [Festive Pistachio Frappuccinos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/melty-white-pistachio-frappuccino.md) - [Toasted White Chocolate Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/white-chocolate-beverages.md) - [Regional Holiday Cafe Beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hojicha-mochitto-milk.md) - [Romantic Indulgence Cafe Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-japan-valentines-day-drinks.md) - [Snow-Inspired Blended Cafe Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hatsuyuki-frappuccino.md)