Starbucks Is Introducing Some Very Colorful New Drinks
Here are my honest thoughts.
Image Courtesy of Starbucks
Around this time of year, classrooms across the country turn to caterpillars for a lesson on nature, life cycles and metamorphosis. I can personally confirm that my kid’s preschool recently watched and documented these critters build their chrysalises and, slowly but surely, emerge as butterflies. And if you’re looking for that kind of springtime reinvention in your morning or afternoon coffee run, Starbucks has an aptly named new drink to sip on.
What are Starbucks' new Tropical Butterfly drinks?
Starting tomorrow, May 12, Starbucks is debuting its Tropical Butterfly Refreshers, a virtual rainbow in a cup that, according to the brand, “features layers of guava and passionfruit flavors and bursts with mango-pineapple flavored pearls, topped with a splash of butterfly pea flower infusion.” Bright-blue butterfly pea, a tropical vine, is used in food more as a natural dye than for any added taste, and it pairs well with the more vibrant tropical fruit flavors.
Like other Refreshers, the Tropical Butterfly can be customized with either water or lemonade in the base, and you can order it with or without a boost of green tea extract caffeine (the amount varies by drink size).
But if you really want to take it up a more decadent notch, you can order the Tropical Butterfly Drink, which adds coconut milk to the mix, offering a creamy and extra-tropical twist.
Adam Campbell-Schmitt
Starbucks Tropical Butterfly Drink with coconut milk.
My honest review of Starbucks' Tropical Butterfly drinks:
I tried both the water-based Tropical Butterfly Refresher and coconut milk-based Tropical Butterfly Drink ahead of their launch.
The Refresher was bright and tropical with strong notes of guava and passionfruit, and the popping pearls added tanginess and texture.
The Tropical Butterfly Drink amped up the mocktail qualities with coconut milk, giving it some piña colada-esque richness.
And the ombre colors were stunning on both, with eye-popping oranges, pinks and purples on the Refresher and more pastel lavender and pale sherbet layers on the Drink.
Both will be available starting tomorrow, May 12, for a limited time at Starbucks locations nationwide.
What else is new at Starbucks this month?
If you’re still looking for some cozy, creamy and spiced vibes in your cold drinks, Starbucks is also bringing back its Iced Horchata Shaken Espresso and Horchata Frappuccino. And, perhaps a perfect whimsical pairing with the Tropical Butterfly menu, the Unicorn Cake Pop is coming back, too.
And if you can’t stand the idea of waiting in line indoors as the sun shines outside, Starbucks is adding even more convenience to its online ordering platform. Starting today, you can schedule your order ahead of time, up to an hour in advance, so your drink is ready when you plan to arrive.
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