Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of the products, share your thoughts about them in the comments.
Snyder’s of Hanover Twisted Pretzel Sticks Jalapeno Ranch
(Spotted by Melody at Kroger.)
Snyder’s of Hanover Twisted Pretzel Sticks Sour Cream & Onion
(Spotted by Melody at Kroger.)
Lay’s Kettle Cooked Extra Honey Habanero
There’s also an Extreme Cheddar flavor. (Spotted by Tom H at Target.)
What is the Starbucks Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso?
Starbucks recently released new shaken espresso beverages, and the Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso is one of the two. (Here’s the review of the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso.) This one pairs Starbucks Blonde espresso with almondmilk and chocolate malt powder.
How is it?
Um, yum.
I was pleasantly surprised with how tasty it is. This thing tasted like a melted candy bar – and I loved it. The most notable thing with this drink compared to its Brown Sugar cousin is the espresso was more muted, perhaps masked by the chocolate malt powder. With a smooth finish, this is a delightful dose of caffeine if you like your morning java to have some flavor.
Now let’s talk about that chocolate. I was super intrigued to see the drink used malt powder as opposed to a sauce or syrup. But I am here for it! The malt powder made it sweet, but not too sweet, and reminded me of a milkshake you might have gotten with your grandpa when you were a kid. Since the baristas shake these ingredients in a shaker like you would a cocktail, I’m thinking the malt powder mixes more evenly.
The other thing I really enjoyed is how “shaking” the beverage really mixed the almondmilk with the espresso. Sometimes I find almondmilk and coffee can separate easily, but that was not the case here.
Anything else you need to know?
Is the chocolate malt a little strong for you? Or just want a hint? As with most other ingredients, you can request different levels of the powder – extra or light powder are also options.
Conclusion:
Cannot wait to have this one again. If I’m feeling fancy, I might even add some whipped cream on top to take it to the next level.
Purchased Price: $5.45 Size: Grande Purchased at: Starbucks Rating: 9 out of 10 Nutrition Facts: 110 calories, 3 grams of total fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 80 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of total carbohydrates, 1 grams of dietary fiber, 16 grams of total sugars, 2 grams of protein, and 255 milligrams of caffeine.
Cookies ‘N Cream Cone has vanilla flavored ice cream with chocolate creme filled cookie crumbles, dark chocolate-coated chocolate cone pieces, and a chocolate fudge swirl. (Spotted by Robbie at H-E-B.)
It combines Dunkin’s Iced Matcha Latte with pumps of its blueberry flavor shots. Pimple dimple simple.
How is it?
I enjoy Dunkin’s Iced Matcha Latte, which I reviewed when it debuted. And, to be honest, I thought adding some blueberry flavor wouldn’t make that much of a difference. But holy moly, while it just lingers in the background, the fruitiness totally enhances the sweet matcha. The blueberry flavor makes this taste as if it has a blueberry muffin essence.
It’s a simple addition, but the flavor shots make an already tasty drink even better. If you love the original, then definitely give this flavored version a try.
Although, now that I think about it, maybe my mind is blown a little because all the matcha lattes I’ve ever had have been just matcha with no other flavor. So perhaps the slight change is impressing me more than it should. Still, this is a mighty tasty beverage.
Anything else you need to know?
After drinking this, I wondered if there has ever been a Blueberry Matcha Kit Kat in Japan. I did a lazy Google search and found nothing. Maybe it’s time to get on that, Nestle Japan. Or if you’re feel courageous, Hershey’s, perhaps you should make it here.
Also, this drink makes me want to bake some blueberry matcha muffins. Although, I’m not very good at baking, which was proven when I did not add eggs to brownie batter. So maybe I’ll find a local bakery that does make them.
Of course, since it’s been possible to customize the matcha latte since it was introduced, I could’ve been getting this drink all this time. Speaking of customization, I got mine with whole milk, but you can get it with any dairy or non-dairy milk Dunkin’ offers.
Conclusion:
If you’re not into super sugary matcha drinks and prefer the green tea’s bitterness, then this is not for you. As for myself, I think I may get all future Dunkin’ Iced Matcha Lattes this way.
Purchased Price: $4.59 Size: Large Rating: 9 out of 10 Nutrition Facts: (Large w/whole milk) 350 calories, 12 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 35 milligrams of cholesterol, 170 milligrams of sodium, 45 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 43 grams of sugar (25 grams of added sugar), and 13 grams of protein.
What is the Starbucks Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso?
Non-dairy friends, rejoice! Starbucks now has oatmilk! The chain is using it in the new Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso. This drink takes shots of espresso – Starbucks Blonde espresso, specifically – and shakes it up with brown sugar and cinnamon. Baristas top it off with oatmilk and you’re good to go!
On first sip, I noted a strong espresso taste with a tiny hint of sweet – almost like a burnt sugar. I definitely got more of a cinnamon flavor coming through over the brown sugar, especially in the aftertaste. Side note: I’m interested in trying the Brown Sugar Syrup used in this drink in a latte or cappuccino, to really see what that tastes like on its own, too!
I described the shaken espresso to a co-worker as being rather mellow, since it didn’t taste like a sugar bomb. It’s smooth with an oat-y foam on top from the oatmilk. Unless you’re used to a lot of espresso at once, I’d recommend sipping this one slowly to really enjoy the flavor.
The oatmilk paired with the syrup flavor and cinnamon very well in my opinion, and I’m wondering if it will do the same with other combinations. Now off to conduct that research!
Anything else you need to know?
This drink is not for the caffeine faint of heart. A grande packs a punch of 255 milligrams, and let me tell you, I felt it the entire day (I had mine first thing in the morning). If that’s too much for you, I’d advise lowering the total number of espresso shots, or simply sizing down. A tall has two shots, a grande has three, and a venti has four.
I also thought the price was a little steep for this drink – one my usuals at Starbucks is a venti iced latte with various syrups, and it costs roughly the same even though it’s one size up. The new oatmilk is likely driving the price up on this one.
Conclusion:
While this isn’t my most favorite Starbucks drink, I enjoyed it enough to add it into my regular rotation, especially as the weather gets warmer (I’m in the Midwest and we’re patiently – or not so patiently! – waiting for spring!)
Purchased Price: $5.45 Size: Grande Rating: 7 out of 10 Nutrition Facts: 120 calories, 3 grams of total fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 120 milligrams of sodium, 20 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 13 grams of total sugars, 2 grams of protein, and 255 milligrams of caffeine.
Click here to read our previous Starbucks reviews.
