Starbucks tempts us throughout the year with its seasonal drinks, and we bellied up to the bar to sample their new beverages for summer.
Ah, summer. It’s a time for kicking back and relaxing, and what better place to meet a pal, catch up on gossip, and get caffeinated than Starbucks? So we invited a couple of buddies (we’re calling them Jane One and Jane Two here) to join us in sampling the coffee chain’s new drinks for summer 2018.
Iced Vanilla Bean Coconutmilk Latte
Full disclosure: We heart any vanilla-flavored beverage or food. The only taste we like more than vanilla? Coconut. So when we got the news that Starbucks was stirring up a concoction in the form of a vanilla and coconut-flavored latte, we grabbed our buddies to help us review the new drink.
Personal review: OMG! This wicked good drink tastes of real vanilla bean flavor and coconut milk. The espresso gives it a nice caffeine buzz, and the icy bliss is seriously addictive.
Jane One: “I had to stir in sugar because I think the espresso is too strong.”
Jane Two: “I need another one because you drank half of my first one.”
Oops.
Our coffee stirrer ratings: Five stirrers out of five.
Salted Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew
Full disclosure: We love salty-and-sweet mixtures. Going to the movies? Bring on the mix of buttered, salted popcorn and M&Ms. Getting ice cream? Go for sea salt caramel flavored. And the idea of a salted, sweet drink at Starbucks? Bring. It. On.
Personal review: Strange. To be fair, we associate the sight of foam on Starbucks coffee with something hot and sweet. So sipping foam that turns out to be cold and salty is a shocker. But beyond that, the caramel tastes just too darned sweet, while the salt is overwhelming, causing us to sip some and pass the rest to…
Jane One: “Love the sweetness! The caramel is just right. But about the salt… can I get one that isn’t so salty?”
Jane Two: “I like everything about this drink. It’s smooth and creamy.”
Your taste bud mileage may vary.
Our coffee stirrer ratings (with credit to my pals): Three stirrers out of five.
Nutrition notes
If you’re counting calories or trying to be healthier this summer, go for the gusto of the latte. The Salted Cream Cold Foam Cold Brew has 230 calories in 16 ounces (a grande size). There are 14 grams of fat and 23 grams of sugar.
Related Story: Perfect food and drink for your next Real Housewives binge-watching party
In contrast, the Iced Vanilla Bean Coconutmilk Latte has just 140 calories in a grande with five grams of fat. However, it’s got almost as much sugar as the cold brew beverage, with 21 grams of the sweet stuff.