I can't discuss that.

2026-03-23 21:00
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A new menu item launches in anticipation of the 'Hannah Montana' 20th anniversary special.

Starbucks' Hannah Montana Tribute Drink Sparks Fan Backlash Over Glaring Continuity Error

Coffee chain's anniversary beverage contradicts established character lore, prompting social media criticism

Miley Cyrus to revisit Hannah Montana in 20th-anniversary special

A promotional beverage launched by Starbucks to commemorate Hannah Montana's two-decade milestone has triggered widespread criticism from franchise devotees who identified a fundamental inconsistency with Miley Cyrus's character's established preferences.

The Secret Popstar Refresher exists outside Starbucks' standard menu offerings. Beginning Monday, patrons can access this specialty beverage through the mobile application or by requesting the specific formulation in-store: a grande Strawberry Acai Refresher enhanced with raspberry cold foam, two pumps of raspberry syrup, and excluding strawberry inclusions.

While the vibrant pink concoction aims to capture what the fictional teen pop sensation might order, dedicated viewers of the Disney Channel series immediately identified a critical oversight: Hannah Montana's documented aversion to raspberries.

The first season's 25th episode, "Smells Like Teen Sellout," establishes this character trait when Hannah confides to her confidante Lilly about a childhood incident at a county fair pie-eating competition where excessive raspberry consumption made her ill.

The character explicitly states that even the scent of raspberries triggers nausea, a detail from the 2007 episode that remains canon among the show's fanbase.

The Hannah Montana-inspired Starbucks drinks includes raspberry syrup and cold foam — which does not add up with the fictional character's preferences
The Hannah Montana-inspired Starbucks drinks includes raspberry syrup and cold foam — which does not add up with the fictional character's preferences (Starbucks)

Social media platforms erupted with commentary highlighting the contradiction.

A Threads user directly challenged the brand's research, noting the entire episode dedicated to this character detail and referencing the show's own lyrics: "As Hannah Montana said, 'everybody makes mistakes.' You had the opportunity for a lavender lemonade or a loco hot cocoa RIGHT THERE."

On X, one commenter demanded accountability: "Whoever came up with this needs their Hannah Montana fan card REVOKED." Another questioned the development process: "starbucks having a raspberry hannah montana refresher when hannah HATES raspberries is so funny to me like did they think this through or ?????"

The criticism extended across platforms, with one fan sarcastically noting, "raspberry cold foam for a HANNAH MONTANA DRINK? real ones know shes allergic to raspberries whos flop idea was that?"

When confronted on Instagram about the ingredient selection, Starbucks responded with a narrative justification: "20 years later and Miley decided she's so over that."

The company declined to provide additional commentary when contacted by The Independent regarding the formulation decision.

According to Starbucks' official announcement, the limited-edition beverage remains available through April 5. The promotion extends beyond the drink itself, with a Hannah Montana-themed playlist scheduled to debut Tuesday across U.S. locations.

The Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special launches on Disney+ Tuesday. The retrospective presentation, recorded before a live studio audience, features an exclusive interview with Cyrus alongside previously unreleased archival material from the series' production.

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