I can't discuss that.

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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

In what appears to be a significant oversight, Starbucks has introduced a Hannah Montana-themed beverage that directly contradicts the character's established preferences. The Secret Popstar Refresher, launched to commemorate the show's two-decade milestone, has ignited criticism from the franchise's dedicated fanbase over a fundamental ingredient choice that conflicts with series canon.

Available exclusively through off-menu ordering, the beverage requires customers to specify the recipe via mobile app or in-store request: a grande Strawberry Acai Refresher enhanced with raspberry cold foam, two pumps of raspberry syrup, and no strawberry inclusions. The promotional offering launched Monday and represents Starbucks' attempt to capitalize on nostalgia surrounding Miley Cyrus's iconic dual-identity character.

The vibrant pink concoction was presumably designed to reflect what the fictional teen pop sensation might order at the coffee chain. However, longtime viewers immediately identified a critical flaw: Hannah Montana's documented aversion to raspberries, a plot point explicitly established in the show's first season.

The 2007 episode "Smells Like Teen Sellout" features a scene where Hannah Montana explicitly tells her confidante Lilly about a childhood incident at a county fair pie-eating contest that resulted in raspberry-induced illness. The character's dialogue leaves no ambiguity: "Even a whiff of raspberries makes me sick."

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)

The contradiction has generated substantial commentary across social platforms, with fans questioning the product development team's familiarity with source material.

"Hey [Starbucks]... there was literally an entire episode about Miley hating the smell of raspberries," one viewer noted on Threads, invoking the show's own catchphrase: "As Hannah Montana said, 'everybody makes mistakes.' You had the opportunity for a lavender lemonade or a loco hot cocoa RIGHT THERE."

The response on X echoed similar sentiments. "Whoever came up with this needs their Hannah Montana fan card REVOKED," one user declared. 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 to authenticity concerns, with one commenter writing, "raspberry cold foam for a HANNAH MONTANA DRINK? real ones know shes allergic to raspberries whos flop idea was that?"

When confronted with the discrepancy on Instagram, Starbucks offered a tongue-in-cheek justification: "20 years later and Miley decided she's so over that." The company did not provide additional comment when contacted by The Independent.

According to Starbucks' official announcement, the limited-edition beverage will remain available through April 5. The promotion extends beyond the drink itself, with participating U.S. locations scheduled to feature a Hannah Montana-curated playlist beginning Tuesday.

The beverage launch coincides with Disney+'s release of the Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special on Tuesday. The retrospective production, recorded before a live studio audience, features an interview with Cyrus alongside previously unreleased archival material from the series' original run.

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