After last summer's breakout rainbow drinks phenomenon — and the hysteria surrounding its limited-edition unicorn Frappuccino earlier this year — it seems Starbucks is in full-on surprise-and-delight mode, launching colorful new drinks every few weeks. The day after its Cups of Kindness program with Lady Gaga ended, the brand's bringing in foot traffic with two fresh takes on the classic Frapp: the Berry Prickly Pear Frappuccino Creme and a Mango Pineapple version.
Both drinks have the kind of layered look popular with seasonal Frapps found abroad (remember the Summer Berry Panna Cotta one from Singapore?) and have a mango créme — rather than espresso — base. Berry Prickly Pear starts with a dollop of strawberry prickly pear fruit puree, which is topped with a mango créme Frappuccino, then covered with another layer of puree. Prickly pear is a fruit that comes from the nopales cactus. It has a melon-y flavor, and it gives the puree that psychedelic magenta color.
The Mango Pineapple Frappuccino Créme follows the same format, only with a mango pineapple fruit puree sandwiching a thick layer of mango créme Frapp. Think of the drinks like a smoothie sundae, consistency-wise. They clock in at 260 calories apiece, if ordered as a grande with whole milk, making them far from the least healthy Frappuccino option — but at 49 grams of sugar for Prickly Pear and 50 grams for Pineapple Mango, they're still the sweetness equivalent of downing two Snickers bars.
Both Frappuccinos were first leaked on Instagram and reddit, as baristas and fans weighed in on the drinks. Early reviews have been mixed — as eye-catching as they are, some worry this is evidence that Starbucks is only in it for the 'gram. "I hate how the puree has a slimy taste to it," redditor Reallifelivin commented. "I honestly think Starbucks has given up on making new good tasting drinks; they only care about making drinks that are aesthetically pleasing to look at."
Other early reviews have been more positive, particularly if you're looking for a drink that will make you feel like you're on vacation. Even if you're just on a quick lunch break before heading back to your Cubicle, Sweet Cubicle.
"[Mango Pineapple has] the right amount of sweetness with the great taste of pineapple that pops through," wrote blogger Starbucks Melody. "I like both mango and pineapple flavors, so drink this one imagining yourself on the beach, with a beverage that requires a little umbrella floating in it!"
Both drinks are available in stores starting today, but only for a limited time — or until supplies run out. If this drink's as popular as the unicorn Frapp, that could mean sooner rather than later.
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