Those of you who are fans of espresso and also have a sweet toothwill be absolutely obsessed with Starbucks Reserve's new Bicerin beverages. The layered drinks are almost like a dessert—in fact, I would recommend using a spoon to get the full effect of each of the layers.
Beginning today, Starbucks' twist on the traditional Italian espresso beverage will be available at select Starbucks Reserve locations. Bicerin, pronounced "be serene", will come in two flavors: chocolate and pistachio.
Each begins with a layer of chocolate sauce, which sits at the bottom of what looks similar to a large shot glass. The chocolate is followed by a layer of velvety crema made with nonfat milk. Finally, freshly-pulled espresso is poured on top of the crema layer, and the espresso sits nicely in between the chocolate and crema.
If you go the sipping route, you can count on a nice frothy crema mustache. With a spoon, you can get past that top layer of crema and get to the best part at the very bottom—the chocolate layer that tastes like hot fudge when the espresso is added. Bicerin most likely won't be your new morning beverage—it's definitely more of a sweet treat!
The Pistachio Bicerin will definitely be a hit for anyone who appreciates a nutty flavor with coffee. The crema has the pistachio flavor, so it's the very first taste you'll have from that top layer. It has a very pronounced pistachio flavor, so if you're not a fan of the nut, I'd go with the Chocolate Bicerin, instead.
Bicerin is officially a permanent menu item, but only at a few select locations for now. You can try the new treat at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle and New York, the Starbucks Reserve SODO store, and the Reserve locations in Seattle and San Francisco.
There have been Starbucks favorites that began as exclusive Reserve menu items, and then eventually made it to menus nationwide, so there’s hope yet if you don't live near a Reserve! In addition to the Bicerin, guests at five Reserve locations (plus the three Princi bakeries) will now be able to order oat milk as a non-dairy option.
Per a press release, oat milk’s smooth and neutral flavor complements both light and dark roast coffees. “When steamed, the milk creates a creamy and velvety texture, perfect for the classic latte and cappuccino espresso beverages.”
I definitely recommend trying oat milk in your favorite Starbucks order. It added a bit of a creamy texture, and is most reminiscent of regular milk taste-wise than other non-dairy alternatives.
Looks like it’s time to book a trip New York, Seattle, or San Francisco, right?!
