As a Cinnamon Toast Crunch fan, I feel a personal obligation to try new foods that utilize its flavor. I have previously reviewed two Cinnamon Toast Crunch-themed items here. The ice cream was spot-on, but the creamer was a major let-down.
With the release of the new Nestle Sensations Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnamilk, I wondered which end of the spectrum it would land on. The concept seems straightforward: a drink that should taste like the milk from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch.
I poured some of it into a glass and was immediately disheartened. It seemed quite thick. There are no visible cinnamon specks in the drink. I gave it a quick whiff and was able to detect faint traces of the spice.
I took a swig of it and found the consistency to be immediately off-putting. It was considerably thicker than expected. It is akin to the texture of nutritional drinks, like Ensure. If you have ever been lucky enough to try one of those, you know that it is not the most pleasant experience.
The cinnamon flavoring is quite underwhelming. It was much milder than the milk from a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. There was another underlying flavor that I could not quite put my finger on. Nestle may have been going for a “cereal” taste in the milk. Unfortunately, because I thought of nutritional drinks, I kept perceiving that flavor. It is not necessarily offensive, but it screams artificiality.
My initial plan for this review was to pour Cinnamilk over a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and double-up on the cinnamon-y goodness. It isn’t good enough to do that, though. I did not want to waste a bowl of cereal.
I am not a food scientist, clearly. However, I cannot understand why Nestle did not use real cinnamon in this beverage. This was the same problem that plagued the coffee creamer. If this had actual cinnamon or even a more prevalent cinnamon flavor, I could have overlooked the unpleasant consistency. For me, Cinnamilk completely missed the mark. Store-bought horchata tastes more like Cinnamon Toast Crunch milk, and that does not even contain dairy.
Purchased Price: $1.68
Size: 14 fl. oz. bottle
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 bottle) 260 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 190 milligrams of sodium, 41 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of fiber, 39 grams of sugar, and 14 grams of protein.
Better off soaking actual cereal in milk then bottling your own. Much cheaper. CTC sale often under $2. And milk pretty cheap for a quart.
Save the soggy pieces for milkshakes and ice cream.
I agree with Alek’s comment, but instead of soaking, do a proper mixture in a Vitamix, and there will be no soggy pieces.
OOOH! A vitamix or a blender. Then strain off the bits. Soak first then blend it all up.
Yes! And it would have nice body.
Although I am not totally opposed to complete sugar bombs, otherwise I would not be here, this one just does not seem to have any redeeming qualities. Some of the stores in my area have already stopped carrying these.
I’ve had my share of Ensures (more than enough for a lifetime) in eating disorder treatment to help me gain weight and if this tastes anything like that, I hope for everyone’s sake that they never have to drink this. Even seeing the word Ensure makes me cringe now. Ugh…
Oh man; what’s worse, Boost or Ensure lol. IMHO, Soylent is the best tasting high protein/calorie/daily nutrition supplement. Though in treatment, I guess it makes sense that the “punishment” for not eating/finishing our meals was a shitty tasting, chalky, gagworthy drink. Lol, just not making that connection.
I think they’re pretty equal. Ick! In terms of flavors, though, strawberry is the absolute worst, with vanilla in a close second. That’s saying something because I love vanilla flavored things, but vanilla Ensure tastes like battery acid. Chocolate is the only one I could down (I was having to drink up to 4 a day at one point :() without gagging.
I feel you!
Wow–the bottle has well over the recommended daily sugar limit for women, and about the full daily allotment for men . . . .
It’s fine…totally responsible parents give it to their kids…it’s great…it’s part of a healthy active lifestyle and well balanced eating…obesity and diabetes epidemics are just all hearsay…this is where good habits start! …
I presumed the use for this was to pour on cereal, like Cheerios or corn flakes or some thing. Or maybe for coffee drinkers. It does have a decent amount of protein. And a great amount of sugar. Interesting…
Oof, I certainly hope not…and the amount of protein is proportionate to the servings in the bottle.
They had these 6 for .98 cents at Grocery Outlet tonight, so I bought 2. Your review is spot on, thick and bland, no cinnamon taste, just yuk
I enjoy them very much have one everyday if not two. I am drinking one atm. I’ll take everyone of them. CTC is my favorite cereal as I do prefer the cereal but a quick ride to work and one of these lil things a great start for me and my ride to work. To me not thick at all. Yes, cinnamon isn’t as much I would like but ill still drink the S**t out of them no probs for me. .)
To add another thing instead making a new post. I have a very high metabolism. I have tried many things to help but if this came as a whey protein I’d snatch it up real quick. If they added more things to make to “your” way with stronger something it may have put be worse for you in long run. But, like someone above me don’t drink them cause things like this and ohh yea McDonald’s make you gain weight.