Starbucks’ new Tie-Dye Frappuccino is colorful and worryingly vague

As summer finally arrives, so does a new limited-edition drink at Starbucks. We tried the Tie-Dye Frappuccino, and though it was colorful, it was disappointingly lacking in any real flavor.

If you haven’t heard by now, Starbucks is back with yet another limited edition Frappuccino. Some previous limited edition Fraps like the Witch’s Brew, Unicorn, and Crystal Ball were all met with mixed reviews, but this new Tie-Dye Frappuccino might be the most mediocre of the bunch.

The frap is described on the Starbucks website as a “deliciously fruity drink… with red, blue and yellow tie-dye swirls, topped with vanilla whipped cream, and dusted with red, blue and yellow powder”, and if that sounds weird and a suspiciously vague, that’s because it is.

Last time we checked, “yellow” and “blue” weren’t flavors. And though the different powders make for a very visually appealing treat, they don’t offer much in the way of flavor. Upon taking the first sip, you’re greeted with a muted, sort of banana-esque flavor which we would describe as most closely resembling a spoonful of soggy Captain Crunch Berries cereal.

The whipped cream, however, was much tastier than the drink it topped. Starbucks’ vanilla whipped cream is never bad, but the colorful powders dusted over top did add some flavor, though it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what that flavor is, other than “fruity”.

In the end, we think it’s pretty safe to say that while the Tie-Dye Frappuccino isn’t terrible, it’s nothing special. Those who go out to get one for themselves won’t be impressed by the flavor, but instead the rainbow look of the drink, and the cute Tie-Dye shirts that the baristas wear.

If you enjoy colorful treats and were a fan of previous limited edition frappuccinos, then you’ll likely enjoy this new addition. But for those looking for exciting flavors or delicious new treats, you might be better off elsewhere.

Nevertheless, no matter what your motivations for getting one are, like all limited-edition Starbucks drinks, supplies are very limited. So if you’re considering grabbing a drink to try for yourself, we’d recommend going ASAP before ingredients run out and it’s gone forever.

Are you planning on trying the new Tie-Dye Frappuccino? What’s your favorite limited edition Starbucks drink? Sound off in the comments below.