New Blended Cold Brew Beverages Now Available at Starbucks
The blended drinks keep onlineing!
Starbucks, the creator of the craziest frozen beverages (we’re looking at you unicorn frappuccino), has just launched a new blended beverage, only it’s not the technicolored, sugary concoction you might expect. Promoted as, dare we say, healthy, Starbucks’ new plant-based Protein Blended Cold Brew beverages are now available in two flavors, Almond and Cacao.
So, what are they?
Well, think of a frappuccino that takes the caffeine buzz from cold brew, packs in some plant-based protein, incorporates rich flavors from cacao or almond butter, adds a touch of sweetness from a natural sweetener blend of bananas and dates, and is blended with alternative milk options.
The two flavors vary slightly in ingredients:
Almond: Starbucks cold brew with almond milk, 12 grams of plant-based protein, almond butter, banana date fruit blend, and ice.
Cacao: Starbucks cold brew with coconut milk, 10 grams of plant-based protein, cacao powder, banana date fruit blend, and ice.
The good, the bad, and the spendy…
The Good: They provide a good source of protein without loading in heavy amounts of refined sugar. Plus, they’re vegan and dairy-free, though it’s important to remember that they’re being made in the same area as other drinks that do contain dairy, so cross-contamination is possible.
The Bad: Even though it’s a “natural” source of sugar, these blended beverages still pack a punch of sugar and carbs, ringing in at around 36 total carbs for the cacao flavor and 30 grams for almond. Plus, the protein gives the drink a bit of a grainy texture (though that can be onlinemon with protein drinks).
The Spendy: Ordering a grande size of one of these drinks is going to set you back $5.95, a bit of an increase over the grande coffee Frappuccino at $4.25.
Will you give these blended protein drinks a try?
Let us know your thoughts in the onlinements!
