Most Starbucks attendees have heard of, and maybe have even tried, the Starbucks "Secret Menu." If you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's a link. There's so much on it that one can't even begin to fathom trying all of these drink concoctions. Although they all have super catchy names, it isn't that simple. In order to obtain one of these mysterious drinks, you have to make the decision to be "that girl." The one that ruins the barista's day by going up to the counter and ordering a "vanilla bean frapp with two pumps of dolce cinnamon syrup, one pump of raspberry syrup, a half a pump of peach syrup, the tears of my enemies, and a strand of hair from my unborn child."
Okay, maybe not to that extent. But still, the secret menu has always been a pain in the rear for most baristas.
So this summer, Starbucks has decided to meet us halfway by adding six of the "Secret Menu" items to the real menu temporarily. The catch being that until June 30th, we the people, have the opportunity to vote on which one of these "Secret Menu" visitors gets a permanent spot on the "Real Menu." Plus, all the drinks have #hashtags!
For those of you that don't have the time to go try all of them, I've decided to review all of them for you so that you can still get the experience!
Now, let's meet our lovely contestants...
First up: Red Velvet
#TeamRedVelvetCake
This tastes exactly how it sounds. Since I was able to order it off the menu instead of using a witches' brew list of ingredients to order it, I'm not exactly sure what was in it in. However, if I had to guess, I would say that it's a frappuccino with chocolate chips, pumps of vanilla, and a pump of raspberry, resulting in a great taste that is sure to satisfy most chocoholics.
Second Taste Test: Lemon Bar
#TeamLemonBar
This is one for the books, and that's coming from someone who isn't a fan of lemon flavored items. Starbucks managed to perfectly combine vanilla taste with lemon flavor. It's very similar to the frozen lemonade from Chick-Fil-A, minus the thick consistency. The barista that was cursed with the task of making all of these drinks for me told me that this was his favorite.
Third Taste Test: Cotton Candy
#TeamCottonCandy
I felt like my review for this one would be biased, because of it's color. I already loved it before I tried it because of it's bright pink appearance. However, if I'm being honest, I have to say that the name doesn't match up great with the taste. Obviously this is because there aren't cotton candy flavored syrups floating around; instead they used the good alternative of raspberry syrup. No worries, it's still insta-worthy for obvious reasons.
Fourth Taste Test: Cupcake
#TeamCupcake
If you tried the Birthday Cake Frappuccino a few months back, this one will be a trip down memory lane for you. It's also similar in that it's fun for a little while, but I wouldn't make it my permanent order. It's simple - a vanilla flavored drink loaded with sugar and topped with whipped cream. Definitely a good cure for your occasional sweet tooth.
Fifth Taste Test: Caramel Cocoa Cluster
#TeamCCC
This one is unique from the others in that it has the vibe of a drink that's already on the menu, being that it has a coffee taste to it. It combines the flavors of caramel, cocoa, and coffee into a strong drink that is sure to be loved by frequent Starbucks attenders. It's a lot in one drink, which can get mixed reviews. I liked it personally, but it seems boring compared to some of the other contestants.
Sixth Taste Test: Cinnamon Roll
#TeamCinnamonRoll
I've only tried a drink off of the "Secret Menu" one time. It was two years ago; it was the cinnamon roll frappuccino, and it was one of the worst things I'd ever tasted. In theory it sounds awesome, because everyone loves cinnamon rolls, right? However, the taste was almost too similar. It was like someone had stuck a cinnamon roll in a blender and served it to me. Not good at all. Starbucks made it much better by adding a coffee taste to it once it hit the real menu. However, I still remain scarred by my past experience.
Whether you're looking for a new favorite drink, or you're just curious, be sure to try at least one of these unique flavors before time runs out! Happy Voting!
