Starbucks now serving flat whites in the U.S.

Starbucks introduced a new drink to its menu Tuesday called the flat white. If you’re wondering what it is, we’ve got some answers.

For one, it’s not a white Frappuccino. The flat white is similar to a latte, but is made with two ristretto shots. These shots, referred to as “short shots” are made by the barista pulling only the first portion of a full-length espresso extraction.

Starbucks describes the shots as delivering a “sweeter, more intense coffee flavor,” in a recent release.

The drink also include a thin layer of creamy micro-foam (also known as steamed milk). The milk is free-poured on top of the espresso so that they both combine throughout the cup.

The drink is topped with a latte art dot, so you can feel like you’re in a fancy coffee house.

“The growing sophistication of coffee drinkers around the world and in the United States makes the flat white a perfect beverage for coffee lovers,” Christine Barone, vice president of espresso and brewed coffee for Starbucks, said in a statement.

But Starbucks is far from the only spot to offer flat whites in L.A. Other coffee shops offering the drink include Coffee + Food on Melrose Avenue, Woodcat Coffee in Echo Park, Bronzed Aussie in downtown L.A., Two Guns Espresso in Manhattan Beach, Document Coffee Bar in Koreatown and more.

According to Starbucks, the flat white originated in Australia in the 1980s before gaining popularity in Britain. The drink was introduced to Starbucks menus in Australia in 2009.

The drink is available at participating stors in the U.S. and Canada. A 16-ounce grande flat white made with whole milk has 220 calories and 11 grams of fat.

I don’t do flavored coffee drinks. Follow me on Twitter @Jenn_Harris_