People are very opinionated when it comes to coffee. This is especially true for Starbucks, the massive international coffee chain renowned for its various drinks and customized selections.
Some Starbucks customers described their most terrifying encounters with the company’s drinks in a Reddit thread that went viral recently. Any coffee lover would tremble after hearing some of these stories. Here’s a closer look at the discussion and the drinks that made an impression on people—for all the wrong reasons.
How It All Started
The question “What’s the worst drink you’ve ever had at Starbucks?” was the innocent opening question for the thread. The comments began to pour in, each more dramatic than the previous, describing the variety of flavors that can be found at the popular coffee chain.
Despite Starbucks’ renowned reputation for reliability and quality, these stories demonstrate that unexpected events sometimes occur.
Blended Cold Brew Protein Shake
First up is the Blended Cold Brew Protein Shake, a relic from 2018. It’s prepared with banana date fruit blend, plant-based protein, almond butter, ice, and the traditional Starbucks cold brew. The description is questionable, and there are only 12 grams of protein in it.
This one was one of the most often shared recommendations on the Reddit thread for the worst Starbucks drinks ever. With 400 upvotes, the first commenter on the Blended Cold Brew Protein Shake rated it “awful,” adding that “they smelled like mulch!” Another person said, “They sound great.” “But in reality, they made everyone on the floor sick.”
Witch’s Brew Crème Frappuccino
One of the most hated drinks discussed was the Witch’s Brew Frappuccino, a Halloween-themed beverage with an unappealing description. It was a sight and taste nightmare, described as an orange crème drink with “bat warts” (chia seeds) and “lizard scales” (whipped cream with green powder).
One user wrote, “The witch’s brew still haunts me,” mentioning its unsettling appearance and awful orange creamsicle flavor with floating green chia seeds. Redditors largely voted it the worst.
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Strawberry Funnel Cake Frappuccino
The Strawberry Funnel Cake Frappuccino combines coffee, milk, ice, and syrup with a funnel cake flavor. Strawberry puree, whipped cream, and powdered sugar funnel cake pieces are then placed on top.
Though it may seem appealing, some customers find it problematic since they don’t understand why the strawberry puree isn’t blended and how to swallow the chunks of funnel cake. There are differing opinions about this Starbucks creation on Reddit, with some calling the drink “pretty awful” and one commenter saying it “tasted like grease.”
Unicorn Frappuccino
When it was first released in 2017, the purple and blue Unicorn Frappuccino became an internet hit. It contained 500 calories and 76 grams of sugar and was made with ice, milk, pink powder, sour blue powder, crème Frappuccino syrup, mango syrup, and blue drizzle.
Even though it had a colorful appeal, many were disappointed by its taste. “It looked pretty. It did not taste so pretty,” a commenter stated. A former worker agreed and suggested against consuming it. Fortunately, the limited-edition beverage is no longer accessible.
Why Do These Mistakes Happen?
Why are these dreadful tales about Starbucks happening? These negative experiences might be caused by a number of circumstances, even when the company has a history of consistency. The main reason is human error since, like everyone else, baristas can make mistakes like adding too much syrup or forgetting a component.
Furthermore, the quality of some ingredients can differ at times, which affects the flavor as a whole. As tastes vary, customer expectations also come into play. Lastly, experimenting with new or seasonal drinks may yield unsatisfactory combinations.
How to Avoid Your Own Starbucks Nightmare
Starbucks offers a variety of delicious beverages, from Frappuccinos to Refreshers, and its seasonal offerings are always fascinating. However, the massive coffee chain is not immune to errors, and throughout the years, it has added some pretty foul options to the menu.
Even the most popular coffee chain occasionally offers an awful experience despite having a large menu and customized drinks. Here are some helpful hints to make sure you always enjoy your trips to Starbucks:
Stick With Your Favorites and Double-check Your Order
Sticking to your favorite drink will help you avoid disappointment if you have a new one. Being accustomed to the flavor and consistency of your preferred beverage lowers the possibility of an unpleasant surprise. Frequent orders of your beloved classic latte or caramel macchiato will help you avoid the mistakes made when experimenting.
Additionally, check your order twice before leaving the store to ensure it is perfect. A quick peek at your drink can prevent you from dealing with the stress of realizing it’s incorrect while you’re on the road. Mistakes happen, especially during busy times.
Ask for Recommendations
In addition to taking your order, baristas are a fantastic source of recommendations. They often know which drinks are crowd-pleasers and which ones could be undesirable because they have first-hand experience with them.
Asking them for advice is never a bad idea, particularly if you’re feeling adventurous but don’t know what to do next. They can direct you toward drinks that suit your interests.
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Customize Wisely
Starbucks prides itself on its customization feature, which lets you make your drink precisely how you want it. But it’s essential to customize carefully. Your drink can be improved by adding more shots, syrups, or milk substitutes, but making too many changes might throw off the balance and possibly ruin the flavor.
Consider how changes could affect the flavor as a whole. For instance, combining multiple kinds of syrup could make your drink excessively sweet or create a flavor clash.
Start Small and Speak Up
When sampling a new drink, it’s best to start with the smallest size available. This way, you can avoid wasting a large sum of money or drink if the beverage doesn’t live up to your expectations. It can also spare you the regret of buying a version of something you end up not liking.
Starbucks prides itself on providing excellent customer service, so don’t be afraid to tell the barista if your drink doesn’t meet your expectations. If you politely let them know what’s wrong with the drink, they’ll usually be happy to change it to what you would like. Communicating with the barista can often turn a disappointing experience into a positive one.
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