While Starbucks may be infamous for its ability to revive the annual pumpkin spice latte (PSL) craze that alerts the antennas of coffee lovers across America that fall has come, it is also the experimental mind that has produced many questionable flavors in its time, especially with its frappuccinos.
In the past, the company has gone through phases of rapid- firing specialty flavors onto its menu for a limited time, all in hopes of striking that perfect formula that mimics the PSL effect. But these times have led to few successes, many flops, and more Frankensteins than anything. Some may recall flavors such as Zombie, Witch Brew, and Crystal Ball that have since fallen off the chalkboard behind the baristas’ counter.
“I’ve had the witch one,” said junior Kenny Morrow, “I like pumpkin spice frappuccinos; I have those often. [The Zombie frappuccino] tasted like caramel apples.”
Other lesser-known wacky fall flavored frappuccinos can be found on its secret menu, including but not limited to: Pumpkin Cheesecake, Caramel Candy, Tootsie Roll, Count Chocula, Pumpkin Cinnamon Chip, Halloween Eggnog, Whoppers, and Pumpkin Chili. Some of these may play foul tricks on the tongue while others offer a satisfying treat.
“Chili is not something you put in coffee and pumpkin’s kind of gross anyway,” said junior Abby Fleming. “None of these sound like they’re coffee, and Starbucks is for coffee.”
Regardless, the idea of seasonal drinks still endures as a testament to the legacy of Starbucks in popular culture. Whether horribly disgusting or surprisingly delicious, the phenomenon created by the release of limited time drinks will encourage future stretches of exotic experimental products to entertain the taste buds. One may even find him or herself down the road still clutching onto the warm sleeve of steaming pumpkin-flavored-something as an indicator that the leaves must be changing.
“I like the idea of holiday drinks,” said Fleming. “I think it’s something that is sometimes more special when you can only get it at a certain time of year.”