REVIEW: Starbucks White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew

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Starbucks White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew

I’ve decided Starbucks’ new game is to fit as many words into their drink titles as humanly possible. Here’s another mouthful, just in time for Valentine’s Day: the White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew. This one pairs the signature cold brew with vanilla syrup, then adds a white chocolate strawberry cold foam and chocolate curls on top.

Well, let’s just get right to the verdict here. This drink was fabulous. The strawberry flavor in the cold foam was fantastic – it was very authentic. I didn’t really get any white chocolate feel, but it didn’t bother me since the strawberry was so good. The best way I can describe this cold brew is light and fluffy. Went down easy, tasted great, and the cold foam melted beautifully into the drink. If you want a drink that tastes pretty, this is definitely it.

Starbucks White Chocolate Strawberry Cream Cold Brew foam
I always love a vanilla syrup in the cold brew, so that didn’t disappoint either. Overall, the sweetness level was perfect – both in the cold brew and cold foam. Everything was perfectly balanced.

I took this down one point in my rating because the chocolate curls were nowhere in sight. In case it might have been a fluke, I got a second one of these at another location in my area and, again, no chocolate curls. I asked the barista at the second stop, and she told me they were completely out of the curls. The Midwest recently had a slight snowmaggedon, so I’m wondering if it’s a supply chain issue. I went as far as to chat with a customer service rep online who said there wasn’t any information available on whether the chocolate curls were a standard part of the drink… even though it’s in the description. If anyone else gets them, I would love to know how they are in the comments!

Without the missing chocolate curls, I would have given this a 10 out of 10. But I’ll certainly be getting this one again. I’m hopeful that Starbucks keeps up the fruity additions in the months to come, as they’ll be perfect for spring and summer.

Purchased Price: $5.25
Size: Tall
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 170 calories, 8 grams of total fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 20 milligrams of cholesterol, 40 milligrams of sodium, 23 grams of total carbohydrates, 0 grams of dietary fiber, 22 grams of total sugars, 2 grams of protein, and 145 milligrams of caffeine.

OTHER THINGS I CONSUMED: 2/9/2026

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Don't Quit! Root Beer Protein Soda

Don’t Quit Root Beer Protein Soda

I finally found this! I don’t know if it’s the quaint-looking can or my desire to drink 15 grams of protein in root beer form, but I didn’t quit looking for it. Are you proud of me? Others might’ve quit, and others might’ve shaken their heads over disbelief that anyone would put so much effort into finding a protein soda. But I believed in myself and the stores around me. In the end, it all paid off. That’s what not quitting will get you.

With that said, I will be quitting from buying any more Don’t Quit sodas. While it does have a familiar root beer taste, it’s doesn’t have the same bite as Barq’s, doesn’t mug my taste buds with the root beer flavor of Mug, and doesn’t have something close to the always winning flavor of A&W. I don’t know if it’s because it has zero sugar, no artificial flavors or colors, or the whey protein, but its root beer flavor is a bit toned down from other popular root beers. Yes, it does have the same texture as other protein beverages that use whey protein. Also, $4.50 for a can is a bit hard to swallow.

Khloud Cinnamon Roll Protein Popcorn

Khloud Cinnamon Roll Protein Popcorn bag

I liked the first Khloud Protein Popcorn flavor that I tried, but this one is underwhelming. It has a pleasant cinnamon flavor, but there’s nothing about it that makes me think of a cinnamon roll, like a tangy cream cheese frosting flavor. It’s pretty much just cinnamon, which isn’t necessarily bad. However, that cinnamon flavor is also relatively mild. Maybe because the spice is listed last?

Khloud Cinnamon Roll Protein Popcorn kernels

Also, I don’t know if I got a bad bag, but the popped kernels looked smaller than the ones in the Olive Oil and Sea Salt flavor I tried last year. One last thing, there were two unpopped kernels at the bottom of my bag. That just seems weird to me because I’m pretty sure every bag of Smartfood and Skinny Pop I’ve consumed didn’t have unpopped kernels.

Starbucks Lime Watermelon Refreshers Concentrate

Starbucks Lime Watermelon Refreshers Concentrate

It’s about time for us to be able to make Starbucks Refreshers at home. I mean, I haven’t been clamoring for it because I’m too addicted to coffee triple-digit caffeine amounts, but ever since Starbucks came out with its bottled coffee concentrate, I wondered if there would ever be one for the chain’s fruity drink.

A serving is very simple to make. The instructions say to pour six ounces of the concentrate over ice, then add six ounces of water, mix, and voila, you’re a Starbucks barista! Instead of plain water, you could use lemonade, coconut water, or sparkling water. I ended up using plain water. FYI, a serving has 35-40 milligrams of caffeine.

When I drink it, there’s something about it that makes my mouth wonder if it’s apple juice. It’s definitely not apple juice because when I close my eyes and swish it around my mouth like an expensive wine or mouthwash, I get the lime’s sourness and a watermelon flavor. It’s pretty good, and I’m sure it would be even better if I had tried it with another mixer.

I could only find this flavor, but I’ll be on the lookout for the others.

Lays Baked Roasted Garlic & Herbs Potato Crisps

Lays Baked Roasted Garlic & Herbs Potato Crisps bag

New Lays Baked flavors are rare, but there have been two recent additions: Loaded Baked Potato and these Roasted Garlic & Herbs. Between the two, I was more excited about the former. However, after trying the latter, I kind of forgot about the Loaded Baked Potato one.

Lays Baked Roasted Garlic & Herbs Potato Crisps closeup

Not only do they have garlic and herb flavors, but they’re also made with olive oil, all of which creates a tasty combination. If you told me these were pizza-flavored potato crisps, I’d believe you. I love pizza-flavored snacks, though these don’t quite have the same flavor profile. However, they still bring it to mind.

Now, I guess the only issue is whether you enjoy the texture of Lays Baked Potato Crisps. I’m okay with it, but the flavor of these makes me even more okay with it.

REVIEW: Nutella Ice Cream

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Nutella Ice Cream Pint 1.

I assume the foil lid that seals the Nutella Ice Cream pint, with the wait 5 minutes message, is there to allow the layer of Nutella below it to soften before you stab your spoon into it for the first time. I also like to think it’s there to allow you to contemplate the life choices you’re about to make once you pull that lid off, because once you do, there’s a good chance you could eat this excellent pint in under five minutes.

Nutella Ice Cream Pint 2.

A major issue with Nutella is that you can’t eat the whole jar in one sitting in front of your primary care physician without them giving you a horrified look. At some point, that look will make you feel so guilty that you’ll stop eating, or your physician will slap that jar away from you. I mean, that still might be the case if you ate the entire pint of this ice cream because no caring doctor would let you eat a whole pint of the dessert in front of them. However, after comparing the nutrition facts of the two, eating the pint would be “healthier” than eating an entire jar of Nutella. Heck, it’s “healthier” than eating half the jar.

As I mentioned at the beginning, there’s a frozen Nutella layer that softens after five minutes of sitting. Once that layer is gone, you might think all the fun is over, but below that is Nutella-flavored ice cream and Nutella swirls. If you’re nuts about Nutella, I tell ya, you’re going to love this.

Nutella Ice Cream Pint 3.

Even though it’s a simple pint made up of components that taste the same, I think it’s more satisfying than a jar of the choco hazelnut spread. It may be one note, but that one note has level variations and is terrific. While the top layer is a burst of Nutella and a tasty hindrance, I’d argue it’s unnecessary, since what’s under it is more fun.

Nutella Ice Cream Pint 4.

The ice cream and swirls have a flavor that I’d say is not as potent as a spoonful of actual Nutella, so it’s easy to find yourself shoveling spoonful after spoonful into your mouth. But what I enjoyed most about those spoonfuls was how the swirls went from solid to gooey in my mouth. And, fortunately, there are many swirls throughout the creamy base.

If you love Nutella enough that you could eat an entire jar in one sitting, then you’re gonna love this pint. But just don’t eat it in front of your doctor and try not to eat it all in under five minutes.

Purchased Price: $4.99 (sale)
Size: 1 pint
Purchased at: Safeway
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (2/3 cup) 330 calories, 20 grams of fat, 6 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 25 milligrams of cholesterol, 45 milligrams of sodium, 35 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 30 grams of sugar (including 24 grams of added sugar), and 5 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Liquid Death Sparkling Energy Drinks

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Liquid Death Sparkling Energy Drinks all flavors

It’s hard to know whether Liquid Death is killing it in the sparkling water world. Everywhere I shop, its cans and multipacks are buried within the hordes of LaCroix, bubly, Waterloo, and store brands. While the company is concerned with murdering our thirst, I wonder if the others are slaughtering its market share. Well, to get a little market share elsewhere, Liquid Death is taking a stab at the energy drink market with a line of Sparkling Energy Drinks.

Available in four flavors—Scary Strawberry, Tropical Terror, Orange Horror, and Murder Mystery—Liquid Death’s energy drinks have zero sugar, no sucralose or aspartame, no artificial colors or dyes, B and C vitamins, and 100 milligrams of caffeine naturally sourced from coffee beans.

Yup. Just 100 milligrams of sweet caffeine. A nice round number that Liquid Death calls “unextreme.” I’m a bit flabbergasted by that amount because for a company that wants to murder our thirst and bring death to drowsy (the can’s words, not mine), I’m disappointed these don’t have 187 milligrams of caffeine. But I guess 100 isn’t so bad since a 12-ounce can of Red Bull has 114 milligrams.

If you’re familiar with Liquid Death’s other products, you won’t be surprised by the mild, watered-down flavors these have. If you’re not familiar, they have a taste that’s between the other sparkling water brands I mentioned in the opening paragraph and any other energy drink, but leans more towards water.

Liquid Death Murder Mystery Sparkling Energy Drink

Liquid Death Tropical Terror Sparkling Energy Drink

Among the four varieties, the two that stand out are Murder Mystery and Tropical Terror. I initially thought the former would be a mystery flavor, but it turns out it has the same flavor as Liquid Death’s Doctor Death, which has a Dr Pepper-like taste. As a fan of Doctor Death, I approve of it. I also endorse Tropical Terror, which tastes terrific. It has a noticeable, tasty pineapple flavor with a hint of coconut, which makes me wonder if this is similar to Liquid Death’s Pina Killada, which I have never tried.

Liquid Death Scary Strawberry Sparkling Energy Drink

Liquid Death Orange Horror Sparkling Energy Drink

Scary Strawberry and Orange Horror were also great tasting and reminded me of strawberry and orange sodas, but, you know, watered down like the others. I believe there have been strawberry and orange Liquid Death options, but I haven’t tried them, so I can’t compare. But all four are worthy of a rebuy.

While there’s a lot to like about these, not coming in 16-ounce cans from the get-go is disappointing. Most new energy drinks seem to come in 12-ounce slim cans, which I don’t mind. But if I’m standing in front of tens of thousands of milligrams of caffeine, and they’re all roughly the same price, my hands are more likely to pull off the shelf something with 16 ounces. If these are someday available in 16-ounce cans, maybe they could have 187 milligrams of caffeine?

Overall, I think Liquid Death’s foray into energy drinks is a successful one. A negative I’ve had about its sparkling water is the lack of caffeine, but these have erased that issue. If you’re a fan of the company’s previous beverages, the way these taste won’t be unfamiliar to you. However, if you’re used to sweet energy drinks with a ton of flavor, these might not appeal to you.

Purchased Price: $2.50 each (sale)
Size: 12 fl oz cans
Purchased at: Safeway
Rating: 8 out of 10 (Murder Mystery and Tropical Terror), 7 out of 10 (Scary Strawberry and Orange Horror)
Nutrition Facts: (1 can – all flavors) 5 calories, 0 grams of fat, 5 milligrams of sodium, 2 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.

REVIEW: Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza (2026)

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Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza Box

You know the current viral trend that 2026 is the new 2016? That’s exactly what Papa Johns’ new and improved Pan Pizza is like.

Yes, because it’s a noticeable upgrade from the 2016 version TIB reviewed, not just a quiet tweak or a nostalgia cash-in.

Let’s start with the box. Papa Johns kept the fancy PANS packaging (bringing back Kelley’s pun), but swapped the shiny black for a sleek matte green. The front of the box is interestingly designed with written descriptors of “reasons to believe” in this new pan and improved version: crispy garlic parmesan crust, Italian seasoning, and six cheeses, edge-to-edge cheese and sauce. Normally, that kind of copy makes my eyes glaze over, but in this case, it got me hyped!

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza full pizza

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza crust

When I opened the box, the first thing I noticed was the cheese lace along the edges—strong Detroit-style vibes. Unlike the 2016 version, this one wasn’t burnt at all. Instead, I got a clean, crispy cheese shatter.

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza crust underneath

As I ate, I peeled off some of the pizza cheese so I could focus on the dough underneath. The crust was softer and fluffier, exactly what you want from a pan pizza.

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza crispy cheese

Then came the real delightful surprise: cheese baked into the bottom of the pan. When you get a bite with crispy crust and caramelized cheese (or cheese doily, as I like to call it) underneath, it delivers a savory, umami punch that honestly reminded me of how Cheez-It crackers hit. That sharp cheese tang that makes the sides of your tongue water and immediately makes you crave the next bite.

Full disclosure: the Midwest was hovering around zero degrees, with wind chills hitting negative fifteen, when I took this home. Despite my best efforts, the bottom cheese lace softened a bit in transit. Still good, and honestly, nothing an air fryer couldn’t easily fix.

Papa Johns New and Improved Pan Pizza top closeup

Halfway through, I realized why I hadn’t once reached for the garlic dipping sauce. Papa Johns bakes the Special Garlic Sauce directly into the pan, along with the parmesan cheese lace, underneath the crust. I could see the lace on top, but the garlic flavor was quietly doing its thing below, seasoning every bite without needing an extra dip.

Papa Johns’ New and Improved Pan Pizza was dang good, and I’m impressed by how consistently Papa Johns keeps delivering innovation. My only wish is the option to swap in its new NY-style deli pepperoni in the app. If that ever happens, this would be a no-notes pan pizza for me – but honestly, that’s just a nice-to-have. If “2026 is the new 2016,” this pan pizza gets it right this time.

Purchased Price: $11.99
Size: Only available in medium
Rating: 10 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 slice) 350 calories, 20 grams of fat, 8 grams of saturated fat, 40 milligrams of cholesterol, 950 milligrams of sodium, 27 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 3 grams of sugar, and 17 grams of protein.

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