Tag: Frappuccino

REVIEW: Starbucks Frappuccino Passport Series Chocolate Churro

Marvo 7 Comments

Starbucks Frappuccino Passport Series Chocolate Churro

Starbucks’ Frappuccino Passport Series is inspired by flavors around the world. So it’s fitting that, in order to drink this Chocolate Churro flavored version, I had to travel a distance that measured into the thousands.

It took a whopping 22,860-millimeter trek from my desk upstairs to my kitchen’s fridge downstairs to try the coffee drink. Thankfully, the beverage was refreshing after the journey.

According to my internet friend @CandyHunting, the Passport Series will feature two other flavors — Caramel Flan and Hazelnut Tiramisu. Unfortunately, this one was the only flavor available at my local Target, but I think it’s the most intriguing of the three.

The best way I can describe its flavor is to say it’s sort of like Mexican hot chocolate, but without the steaming temperature or spiciness. It’s a sweet, delicious beverage with the right chocolate and cinnamon balance, but there’s nothing about its taste that makes me think of the churro’s delicious fried dough.

Starbucks Frappuccino Passport Series Chocolate Churro Back

Basically, if Starbucks decides to release this as a non-Passport Series flavor in the future, it could call it cinnamon chocolate or chocolate cinnamon. Or I guess it could continue to be called Chocolate Churro, but that would be a lie.

The sugary coffee beverage also had me scrolling through my computer’s “Drank” photo album because it tastes exactly like another canned or bottled beverage I’ve had several times. Despite giving my scrolling fingers a workout on my trackpad, because I’ve put my mouth around many things, I couldn’t determine what product this tastes like.

Because Starbucks’ Frappuccino Passport Series Chocolate Churro tastes like an unknown coffee drink that I probably enjoy since I’ve had it several times, I must like this Frappuccino. I do, but it’s a little disappointing that this tastes exactly like something else and there’s nothing churro-y about it.

Purchased Price: $3.19
Size: 13.7 fl oz bottle
Purchased at: Target
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 bottle) 280 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 3 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 140 milligrams of sodium, 48 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 45 grams of sugar, 10 grams of protein, and 115 milligrams of caffeine.

REVIEW: Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino

Leonard 4 Comments

Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino

I thought it was a late stage April Fool’s Day joke, like the Rainbow Drink or possibly a foreign exclusive since only they get the cool, wacky Starbucks drinks. Take a moment to Google “American Cherry Pie Frappuccino” that is available only in Japan, (sigh) of course.

Once the Unicorn Frappuccino finally became official, though, my mind started racing. Would it be made with the tears of unicorns? Has Starbucks finally figured out how to manufacture eternal euphoria? So many questions, but one thing was clear – I absolutely needed this in my life.

The drink is marketed to play up its mythical nature rather than provide too many specifics on its actual composition. I’m glad they didn’t go low budget, though, when sourcing their rainbows as the in-store menu informed me it’s made with only the finest ones. I’ve had cheap rainbows before and they were not very good (very dull in color and lacking intense flavor).

Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino 2

The drink’s actual contents are a crème Frappuccino with mango syrup, a sour-flavored interior drizzle and sour-dusted whipped cream. I couldn’t taste an iota of mango flavor, but I did get intense vanilla and sour notes. It’s as if little extremities of sour patch kids had invaded my vanilla milkshake.

Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino 3

I do applaud Starbucks for thinking outside the box with its creative claims that it changes color and flavor when you stir, although, execution wise, the color transition was very, very subtle and there didn’t seem to be enough of the blue sauce in my drink for it to completely change flavors.

The nutrition facts are frightening since a Venti supposedly contains 76 grams of sugar and 500 calories, but as only a rare treat, they are somewhat understandable. I was very concerned this meant it would be a sugar bomb that was so overly sweet and heavy it would be rendered nearly undrinkable. However, I was pleasantly surprised that it was instead both creamy and pretty delicious.

Overall, though, while this was a gimmicky drink through and through, Starbucks hit it out of the park on creativity and marketing. Seeing the hysteria ensue makes me wonder if it will be destined for a yearly reemergence. I just hope they push the envelope even further, like with a special iridescent straw that would glisten majestically like a horn, which I WOULD CAMP OUT FOR THE DEBUT OF.

Oh and your move, Starbucks Japan.

(Nutrition Facts – Venti – 500 calories, 18 grams of fat, 11 grams of saturated fat, 0.5 grams of trans fat, 55 milligrams of cholesterol, 310 milligrams of sodium, 79 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 76 grams of sugar and 7 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: $5.45
Size: Venti
Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros: A domestic Starbucks drink that for once can make international outposts jealous. Not a revolting sugar bomb. Flavor that’s like the offspring of a vanilla milkshake and a sour patch kid. Destined for McRib-like limited edition runs.
Cons: Low budget rainbow sourcing. Nutrition facts that I wish were mythical. No glistening iridescent straw. So-so execution of flavor/color changing nature.