Starbucks Fan Favorites

The Red Velvet Cake Frappuccino.

By: Shannon Gilkey, Executive Editor

This summer Starbucks released six new drink flavors in celebration of the 20th anniversary of their frozen blended drink, the Frappuccino. Their already diverse menu now includes six ‘fan flavors’: Caramel Cocoa Cluster, Cinnamon Roll, Cotton Candy, Cupcake, Lemon Bar and Red Velvet Cake. The flavors have been taken from Starbuck’s “secret menu,” an online list of drinks that has recently become not much of a secret.

Red Velvet Cake

Rating: 3/10

Ingredients: A blend of chocolate chips, mocha sauce, raspberry with vanilla syrup and whipped cream on top.

The Red Velvet was without a doubt the first new frappuccino I was going to try. I typically love red velvet cookies, red velvet cake, red velvet shakes, basically anything with red velvet flavoring, but Starbucks really disappointed me with this one. As listed in the ingredients raspberry is without a doubt in this drink, too much raspberry. The drink was kind of bland and did not taste anything like the richness of red velvet cake. I do not recommend this drink and will not be trying it again.

Caramel Cocoa Cluster

Rating: 9/10

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The Caramel Cocoa Cluster Frappuccino.

 

Ingredients: Coffee blended with toffee nut syrup, dark caramel sauce, topped with whipped cream and a mocha drizzle.

Wow, this drink was phenomenal. Typically I am not a huge fan of caramel coffee drinks, but this one may have changed that . The sweet drink was filled with the perfect combination of toffee and caramel flavor. The rich and sweet flavor also contrasted a bit with a touch of saltiness making my taste buds beg for more. I will be going back again and again and again for this caramely treat.

Cotton Candy

Rating: 8/10

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The Cotton Candy Frappuccino.

 

Ingredients: A pump of raspberry syrup in a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.

So I have to admit that I knew of this specific drink before the Fan Favorites appeared on Starbuck’s new menu. I loved it then, and I love it now. I am a sucker for anything cotton candy flavored including this. The light drink is perfect for a hot day in the sun; it takes me back to my childhood eating cotton candy at a carnival.

Cupcake

Rating: 5/10

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The Cupcake Frappuccino.

 

Ingredients: Hazelnut syrup mixed into the classic Vanilla Bean Frappuccino.

Cupcake anything is typically another favorite of mine. But again, I was disappointed in what this drink had to offer. It didn’t taste bad, but I really didn’t notice much of a difference from the normal Vanilla Bean Frap and it most definitely did not taste like a cupcake.

Lemon Bar

Rating: 7/10

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The Lemon Bar Frappuccino.

 

Ingredients: A lemonade and vanilla bean blend topped with whipped cream.

I was a little leary of this one at first, but I was pleasantly surprised. This drink is similar to a frozen lemonade and perfect if you are in need of a refreshing treat on a hot summer day. This  lemonade is very different from the typical summertime drink, the added vanilla tones down the sour lemony flavor and gives this frap an interesting, much sweeter twist.

Cinnamon Roll

Rating: 10/10

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The Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino.

Ingredients: Cinnamon dolce syrup blended with coffee, white chocolate mocha sauce and vanilla bean, topped with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkle.

The Cinnamon Roll Frappuccino is without a doubt my favorite of the new six. This drink legitimately tastes like a liquidated frozen cinnamon roll. Every sip is filled with sugary delight and contrasted with the spice of cinnamon. I will be getting this drink again and again without a doubt.