Starbucks’ Vibrant and Refreshing Fruity Frappuccinos Are Summer in a Cup

{Image Credit: Starbucks Press Room}

The allure and charm of bright summer fruits that are as vibrant in color as they are sweet, tangy and juicy in taste sparked the inspiration behind Starbucks’ newest Frappuccinos that are blowing up social media.

With the Seattle-based company’s Unicorn Frappuccino taking off this past spring, it was only  a matter of time until they hopped on the bandwagon of summery delights and amped up their menu with drinks that are a lot less neutral coffee-toned.

While the Unicorn Frappuccino was as elusive as its mythical magnetism and available for a limited time, the company is letting customers know we are living in a post-Unicorn Frap era. Most recently, they added the secret menu favorite, “Pink Drink” to its new menu and its latest offerings for the summer are no different.

Just in time for summer, Starbucks introduced its two new summer fruit flavor Frappuccino blended Crème beverages, Berry Prickly Pear and Mango Pineapple. And it might be safe to say, that these non-coffee beverages for Starbucks’ Colors of Summer campaign are definitely tastier than the Unicorn Frappuccino.

{Image Credit: Starbucks Press Room}

The two new drinks, both available for a limited time are our modern day answer to the milkshake or smoothie, and packed with bold and beachside worthy tropical flavors reminiscent of those lazy, hazy, crazy, days of summer.

But in the midst of living through “Generation Like” and social media users acting as organic brand evangelists, are the specialty drinks even worth trying? For naysayers, it’s all about living a picturesque lifestyle, raking in likes, which is why at The Hudsucker, we like putting things to the test.

According to the press release from Starbucks, the Berry Prickly Pear Frappuccino blended Crème beverage is made of a “mango Frappuccino blended Crème,” that is then “poured over a strawberry and prickly pear fruit puree.”

Starbucks’ beverage development spokesperson, Jennica Robinson says the Frappuccino is made without whipped cream, so the fruit flavors and bright colors truly shine through every sip.

“Prickly pear has a similar taste to tropical melon and berry, and we found that it pairs really well with strawberries,” she said.

When we ordered this one, it didn’t take long and the baristas at Starbucks actually recommended these two new additions over the Unicorn Frappuccino with one barista telling us, “The Unicorn was a real mess — hard to make and too much mess on our counters and hands after a shift.”

First up was the Berry Prickly Pear, which was incredibly refreshing. In addition to a smooth strawberry flavor, it also features hints of hibiscus, passionfruit and lime. The drink is also topped with another layer of berry prickly pear fruit puree for a beautifully layered blended beverage that is tarty, sweet and velvety in flavor.

{Image Credit: Tania Hussain}

As for the Mango Pineapple Frappuccino blended Crème beverage, that was pretty straightforward in flavor, but equally delicious.

Robinson says in the press release that it’s a drink that is truly mouthwatering, saying, “The fruit puree forms ribbons of bright color throughout the Frappuccino, creating creamy and fruity layers of flavor as you sip the beverage.”

And she wasn’t wrong. This drink starts off with a mango Frappuccino blended Crème, poured over a mango-pineapple puree. Not only can you see the tropical flavors, but you can also taste them — the juicy mango, pineapple and a hint of lime, to be exact. It’s then finished with another layer of mango pineapple puree for additional fruit flavor.

Not to mention, it’s actually not that sweet either. In fact, it tastes like a Creamsicle, has a nice velvety finish and cools you to the core, which is the perfect addition to that summer heat.

Customers can find these new exciting Frappuccino beverages at Starbucks stores across the U.S. and Canada for a very limited time this summer and at participating locations.

Have you tried the new Starbucks Frappuccinos? Do you know of a “secret menu” item we should try out? Let us know in the comments below.