QUICK REVIEW: Burger King Frosted Frozen Fanta Orange

Burger King Frosted Frozen Fanta Orange

What is it?

In case the name didn’t give it away, it’s Burger King’s new summer drink blending Frozen Fanta Orange with vanilla soft serve.

How is it?

Burger King Frosted Frozen Fanta Orange 2

Decent, adequate, ordinary.

Grab a thesaurus, or use that Google thing, and pick your favorite adjective for average. Mine is fair to middling. With a simple concoction such as this, it would be hard to envision it being incredible or terrible. And it’s not; it’s just okay.

Burger King Frosted Frozen Fanta Orange 3

I was expecting more of an orange Creamsicle/Dreamsicle taste. This will remind you of that, but only faintly. There just wasn’t much tang from the Fanta and not much sweetness from the soft serve. Also, the consistency was a touch gritty — not quite a milkshake and not quite a slush.

Maybe the BK soft serve is to blame (after all, Dairy Queen and McDonald’s are known for their soft serve; BK not so much). I’m not sure I even knew BK had soft serve before having this.

Is there anything else I need to know?

One caveat about this review: upon ordering I was given the dreaded “let me see if the machine is working” response. After a less-than-confident “I think so” from the manager, my order proceeded. And the Burger King I patronized did not have Fanta of any variety at the soda fountain, so that made me wonder where said Fanta came from for my drink. Unfortunately, the machine that might or might not have been working properly was located out of view, so the mystery endures.

Conclusion:

If you are having one of those blah days where you don’t want to be too excited about something or too disappointed, this might be the drink for you.

Purchased Price: $2.00
Size: 16 oz.
Rating: 5 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 180 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 5 grams of cholesterol, 160 milligrams of sodium, 42 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 41 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein.

REVIEW: International Delight Oreo Coffee Creamer

International Delight Oreo Coffee Creamer

I like my coffee how I like my superheroes — masked and from far away lands.

How masked do I like my daily cup of Joe?

Well, here’s my coffee-to-creamer ratio that some of you will ridicule me for — for every cup of coffee, I add 1/4 cup of creamer. The beverages I make this way, hot or cold, have just enough coffee flavor to peek through the clouds of sugar and natural and artificial flavors in the creamer.

However, even at that sweet, sweet ratio, with International Delight’s new Oreo Creamer, I can taste the java more than I can taste anything that reminds me of Oreo’s dark cocoa flavor.

But that distinct chocolate wafer flavor does come out when drinking it by itself. When pouring it into my mouth, it tastes as if International Delight used whatever process non-dairy milk producers took to make cashew and almond milk and applied it to Oreo cookies. There aren’t any cookies crumbs floating in it, but I recommend shaking it very well every time you pour it because there are some sweet dregs at the bottom of the bottle.

International Delight Oreo Coffee Creamer 2

But who drinks creamer straight from the bottle?

(Looks out into the internet.)

Okay, a few of you.

But for most, it’s mixed with coffee, and this is where it becomes not s-Oreo impressive.

There are moments when I think I’m about to get to the distinct dark cocoa, but then it disappears. And to get to that point, I have to focus super hard, like trying to bend a spoon with my mind. Even adding a few more splashes of creamer doesn’t turn the Oreo dial up a notch.

Instead, the medium roast coffee I poured it in has a mild generic mocha flavor. It’s tasty, but not what I was hoping for. It’s astounding to me how it strongly tastes like liquid Oreo when consumed by itself, but there’s no trace of that signature cookie when combined with coffee.

International Delight’s Oreo Creamer is fine, but, again, it’s not what I expected or wanted, and it’s no International Delight Reese’s Creamer, which makes coffee taste Reese’s-y and I’ve bought more times than I’d like to admit. Although, since you know I use 1/4 cup of creamer for every cup of coffee, I drink coffee daily, and the Reese’s one has been out for a year, you can do the math.

DISCLOSURE: I received a sample from International Delight, which did not influence my review.

(Nutrition Facts – 1 Tbsp – 35 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 25 milligrams of sodium, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 5 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein.)

Purchased Price: FREE
Size: 32 fl. oz. bottle
Purchased at: Received from International Delight
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pros: Tastes like Oreo when consumed by itself. May not give coffee an Oreo vibe, but it does give it a mocha vibe.
Cons: Oreo not noticeable when added to coffee. How quickly I go through bottles of creamer.

QUICK REVIEW: International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee

International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee a

What is it?

Since the coffee flavor triumvirate of Mocha, Vanilla, and Caramel has already been showcased, International Delight’s Iced Coffee has decided to expand their line with a limited-edition Oreo flavor. It comes in a nice hefty half gallon container and is made with real milk and cream. It’s basically a ready-to-drink cookies and cream iced coffee.

How is it?

I wasn’t sure how Oreo in coffee would translate exactly, but they pretty much nailed the flavor profile. Taking a few sips makes me think instantly of Oreo cookies as if someone had secretly crushed some up and mixed them into my drink just before I had taken a sip.

International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee 4

The cream part of the Oreo is hard to distinguish since most iced coffees usually always contain some creamy element. The cookie part, though, wow! It tastes exactly how I would expect it to, and even the smell is indistinguishable as a chocolatey wafer cookie. There is a nice coffee base flavor to it that still comes through and it’s not too rich or sweet that I find some ready to drink iced coffees to be. (I’m looking at you Frappuccinos!)

Is there anything else I need to know?

International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee 3

The coffee has a slightly darker tone than maybe a regular flavor, but otherwise, the appearance is not immediately visible to be related to an Oreo. It would have been nice if there were actual cookie bits throughout to add an interesting visual element but you can’t have it all.

International Delight Limited Edition Oreo Iced Coffee 3a

In addition, the carton has one side with a neat idea to freeze some up and add to your iced coffee in lieu of ice cubes. I highly recommend it as it does elevate the whole experience. Nobody likes watered down coffee. Nobody!

Conclusion:

This is a pretty delectable iced coffee, perfect as a creamy caffeinated treat during the hot summer months. If you’re tired of the same old coffee flavors and love Oreo cookies, then give this a try as you won’t be disappointed.

Purchased Price: $3.56
Size: Half gallon
Purchased at: Walmart
Rating: 9 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 cup) 120 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 10 milligrams of cholesterol, 240 milligrams of sodium, 22 grams of carbohydrates, less than 1 gram of dietary fiber, 20 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein.

QUICK REVIEW: 7-Eleven Cap’n Crunch’s Crunch Berries Slurpee

7 Eleven Cap n Crunch s Crunch Berries Slurpee

What is it?

A strange marriage between 7-Eleven and the Cap’n to say the least – Crunch Berries Slurpee.

How is it?

I was skeptical, but this really hit the mark. They managed to “slurpitize” Cap’n Crunch Berries.

7 Eleven Cap n Crunch s Crunch Berries Slurpee 3

It was especially good for the first few sips while the ice was still crystallized. You get the classic Crunch Berries taste up front, but also a starchy cereal flavor. This is basically “Oops! All Berries” in Slurpee form, but I contend there is a hint of the corn cereal pieces in there as well that brought a nice dry finish to early sips.

While I’m pretty positive there’s no lactose element, they somehow managed to mimic a milky vanilla creaminess. It’s somehow both creamy and icy, but in no way like ice cream – if that makes sense. Just nod your head.

Those flavors paired with the fluffy slush reminded me a bit of cotton candy.

Is there anything else I need to know?

7 Eleven Cap n Crunch s Crunch Berries Slurpee 2

You probably need to be a fan of Crunch Berries to enjoy this. While I figured this was a berry-flavored frozen drink that they just slapped a familiar name on, it honestly tastes like full-blown Cap’n Crunch cereal.

It may be shocking to taste these flavors at this temperature, but I really dug it.

I would recommend getting a small because it’s best fresh from the machine. Once the ice melted, it became a slurry of pure syrup.

Conclusion:

This is an ambitious partnership. I imagine it may be polarizing as it is definitely strange to taste cereal in frozen form, but I’d say give it a go. It won’t be around forever, and Slurpees cost a buck and change.

Some 7-Eleven stores are also selling exclusive Cap’n Crunch Slurpee T-shirts, and I won’t lie, I’m pretty mad I didn’t get one.

Oh, and be forewarned, you’re gonna have a blue tongue.

Purchased Price: $1.59
Size: Large
Rating: 8 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: Not available on 7-Eleven website.

QUICK REVIEW: Starbucks Summer Sunset Cold Foam Tea Lemonade

Starbucks Summer Sunset Cold Foam Tea Lemonade

What is it?

Just in time for peak summer, Starbucks launched two new lemonade drinks with nondescript names: Summer Sunrise and Summer Sunset. The Summer Sunset is a blend of the pineapple tea infusion, a new item that launched this time last year, Passion Tango Tea, and lemonade. The new, exciting part of these two drinks is the cold foam; the Sunset in particular features a sweet Passion Tango herbal tea cold foam.

How is it?

It’s not quite the Teavana Shaken Iced Tea Infusions beverage, and it’s also not quite the PTL (Passion Tea Lemonade); it’s so non-committal and in-between that it’s mediocre. While I can taste each of the flavor elements, it doesn’t do either of them justice.

I was hoping the Passion Tango cold foam would tie everything together, but it didn’t. While the color of the Sunset is pretty (I see what you made me do there Starbucks), the execution reminds me of Crystal Light.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Starbucks Summer Sunset Cold Foam Tea Lemonade 2

The cold foam seems like a lot of extra work for little payoff. I watched the barista painstakingly wait for it to finish blending after she already mixed the tea lemonade concoction. Note for anyone who is lactose intolerant – the cold foam contains milk.

There’s also 36 grams of sugar, but it doesn’t taste that sweet. It’s easy to drink without feeling like you’re drinking classic syrup, so technically it delivers on the refreshing aspect.

Conclusion:

Starbucks is cutting back on limited releases by 30 percent, but somehow this drink still made the cut. It’s just a blend of existing drinks with gimmicky cold foam and seems to be made mainly for the ‘gram.

Purchased Price: $4.75
Size: Grande
Rating: 4 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (Grande) 150 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 25 milligrams of sodium, 37 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 36 grams of sugar, 0 grams of protein, and 0 milligrams of caffeine.