Latest news with #THEStrawberryFrappuccino
SoraNews24
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Starbucks Japan releases a new limited-edition drink that's big on simplicity
We find out if simplicity equals perfection or a desire for ore flavour. It's been less than a week since Starbucks released its newest limited-edition drink, and now we're being blessed with yet another offering, called 'THE Strawberry Milk'. Like 'THE Strawberry Frappuccino' that came before it, this new beverage is strong on fruit flavour, but it cuts straight to the point with a more limited combination of ingredients that allows you to fully savour the taste of strawberry and milk. Having tasted the chain's previous strawberry drinks, our expectations for this new drink were high, and the moment we laid eyes on its gorgeous white and red layers, we were immediately hooked. With strawberry pulp at the bottom and milk and vanilla-flavoured syrup in the main body, this looked like a very simple drink, especially by Starbucks' usual standards, so we were curious to find out how it would deliver on flavour. According to staff, those wanting a richer experience can request breve milk for an additional 55 yen), while soy milk provides lighter flavour, giving you the option to customise the drink to your liking. Staff also recommend swirling the mixture around with the straw, so although it seemed a shame to disturb the pretty layers, we followed their advice and watched in delight as the drink took on lovely pink hues. Taking a sip, we were surprised by the amount of delicious flavour that immediately hit the taste buds. It was like sipping on an upscale strawberry milkshake, with a gentle sweetness interspersed with bursts of tart-yet-sweet strawberry, all beautifully enveloped in milk. It was absolutely delicious, proving that sometimes simplicity is all you need for pure perfection. That fact that it's so simple is what allows the flavours of the ingredients to really stand out, even more than they do in a Frappuccino. If you're a diehard fan of Starbucks' strawberry drinks, then you might even prefer this over a Frappuccino, and it's so easy to drink you'll want to return for it time and time again. It's such a good drink that we wish it would become a staple me, but it's only available for a limited time while stocks last, priced at 590 yen (US$4.07). Photos©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
SoraNews24
01-05-2025
- Business
- SoraNews24
How special is Starbucks Japan's new 'Special Ver.' Frappuccino?
Join us as we find out if this is a decadent improvement or a sneaky cash grab. Earlier this month, Starbucks unveiled 'THE Strawberry Frappuccino' as its first limited-edition Frappuccino for early summer. Juicy, refreshing and delicious, this fruity concoction became an instant crowd pleaser, but now the chain is taking things one step further with a brand new version of the drink, called 'THE Strawberry Frappuccino Special Ver.' Due to be released on 2 May, we were able to get a pre-release taste of it on 30 April, as our reporter K. Masami is a member of the Starbucks Rewards programme so was able to receive early access. Like the first variety, this new Frappuccino contains real strawberry juice, with pulp, jelly, and seeds offering a full-flavoured strawberry experience. However, unlike the original drink, which cost 720 yen (US$5.06), this new version is priced slightly higher, at 790 yen. The more extravagant price matches the more extravagant ingredients, though, with extra strawberry pulp sauce and jelly in the mix and on top of the whipped cream. Starbucks Frappuccinos in the 700 yen range are already pretty pricey, so the near-800 yen price point made Masami pause for a moment, but in the end there was no way she could resist trying the new deluxe Frappuccino so she purchased both of them for a taste test. ▼ Regular Version on the left, Special Version on the right. The regular version was exactly how she remembered it — full bodied and fruity, with a good balance between sweet and tart flavours. However, when she laid eyes on the special version, she could tell it was way more luxurious than the regular — from top to bottom, it was an eye-poppingly vivid shade of vibrant red. As for the taste, it was so decadent it made Masami's eyes roll to the back of her head in delight. There were extra bursts of texture, a sharper balance between sweet and tart, and increased juiciness. It was so indulgent it almost felt too luxurious – like biting into an expensive Japanese strawberry or trying a premium strawberry dessert. Though she'd been dubious at first, by the end she was convinced that the drink is truly worthy of its 'Special' title. It's an expensive beverage so you might not buy it often, but Masami says that trying it once is an absolute must. With all the extra pulp and jelly, it's not overpriced for what you get, and if you want more sweetness in the mix, the baristas recommend adding a pump of Chocolate Sauce for free or White Mocha Syrup for an additional 55 yen. Like the regular version, the Special Ver. is only available until May 27, while stocks last. Photos©SoraNews24 ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! [ Read in Japanese ]
