UPDATE (Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 at 9:45 a.m. PT): Throughout the years, Starbucks has proven time and time again that when it comes to innovative beverages, they’re always three steps ahead. Even though complicated cold drinks may not be beloved by standard coffee fanatics, they’re definitely great for the company. The more buzz about an Instagrammable drink, the better.
That’s why it wasn’t too hard to believe the recent Starbucks rumors of a Tie-Dye Frappuccino.
All the anticipation came to a halt in various Starbucks stores on July 10th, when excited customers confirmed the drink is real (for a limited amount of time) with photos of the coffee chain’s newest summer beverage.
The yellow, red, and blue Frapp, which is topped with whipped cream and dusted with even more color, first sparked rumors from noted food and snack Instagrammer Markie Devo.
Devo reported that on July 10th, Starbucks would be dropping one of their most colorful Frappuccinos ever — intended to be the drink of the summer.
Devo, who has a reputation to uphold, made some pretty impressive predictions. Before the release, he wrote, “the colors come from a red, blue, yellow powder that’s shaken on top of the Frapp and in a cup… So I’m assuming it’s going to be a Vanilla Bean Frapp and maybe some kind of sour topping.”
Starbucks confirmed the drink “is here and it won’t last long” on Twitter, in addition to explaining in a press release that the Frapp “has a tropical fruit flavor that will take you to your happiest place.”
While it’s about time we had another crazy Frappuccino in the world, Starbucks was quick to add that the drink is so much more than psychedelic colors and food coloring. According to the press release, the Instagram-worthy drink also contains antioxidants like turmeric, red beets, and spirulina.
Across social media, the drink’s first customers have described the flavor as tasting like banana candy, and according to one Twitter user, “Like a Sour Patch Kid, but not THAT sour. Definitely not sweet.”
If you noticed a longer than usual line at your local Starbucks this morning, the viral drink is definitely slowing things down and people are upset about it.
Employees are taking to social media to point out that the company is obviously trying to get another fan-favorite on the menu.
#TieDyeFrappuccino Tried it. Had half of it. Threw it away. If you don’t like things to be too sweet, save yourself $5.
— Mary Beth Holm (@MaryBethHolm51) July 10, 2019
According to CNBC, one Starbucks employee revealed they were trained to make the blended drink taste similar to the banana flavor of Laffy Taffy candy.
Starbucks wants everyone to know that the Tie-Dye Frappuccino will only be available for a limited time. A very, very limited time.
Since Starbucks fans only have a few days to order the drink, most locations across the country will be suffering from total pandemonium.
“We wanted to create something that celebrates summer and really conveys it both visually and through flavor within the beverage,” drink creator Paloma Carrington-Bataller said in a statement to CNN.
You might want to give your local barista some words of encouragement now. Limited drinks like these are a little complicated to make, but they do it for your pleasure.
While Starbucks tends to be secretive with the ingredients, it is important to note that a venti-sized Tie-Dye Frapp has 75 grams of sugar, or three days’ worth.
the tie dye frapp is only at starbucks for four days so PLEASE be patient with your baristas, it’s a ten step drink that many of us didn’t receive the recipe for until two days before launch
— Hale the Gay Agenda 🏳️🌈👑 (@haleshorrors) July 10, 2019
You could pass on the glitter-covered whipped cream, but what would be the point?
According to some leaks, Starbucks is rolling out something called the TIE-DYE FRAPPUCCINO next week. It looks like it's a mix of red, blue, and yellow swirls in the cup, although it's not clear what flavors those will be. It really doesn't matter. I don't go to Starbucks.
— Bubba Culpepper (@culpepper_bubba) July 1, 2019
Not as many people have been ordering Frappuccinos these days, so fun and experimental drinks like this one will give them the added push they need. Sure, iced coffee is great in the summer — but Frappuccinos are an experience.
Even though it’d be nice to continuously get a new crazy Frappuccino every summer, it’d be interesting to see if they ever have plans to re-release the limited drink that caused chaos to begin with. That’s right — the Unicorn Frapp.
Even Starbucks knew it was magic. “Magical flavors start off sweet and fruity transforming to pleasantly sour,” the biography of the drink states. “Swirl it to reveal a color-changing spectacle of purple and pink. It’s finished with whipped cream-sprinkled pink and blue fairy powders.”
There has to be a reason why the information is still on their main site, right? The drink originally debuted in 2017.
That wasn’t their last crazy Frapp either. In 2018, they tried to win over audiences once again with the Crystal Ball Frappuccino.
Unfortunately, it didn’t break the internet the way that their unicorn-inspired drink did. What can you say — people love unicorns.
Lucky to get the FIRST TWO Crystal Ball Frappuccinos this morning at the Journal Square @Starbucks! Super Peachy! We couldn't decide on sprinkle topping, they gave us all 3: purple, blue, green! It's a complicated drink: 6 separate special things to be made fresh for each drink. pic.twitter.com/5R7AO2Dq3H
— David Boles (@DavidBoles) March 22, 2018
The Tie-Dye Frappuccino might not top the Unicorn, but it is way better than Crystal Ball, which was a peach-based drink.
I can't lie, I told a lot of my friends about the tie dye frap coming because I wanted to gross them out of wanting to try it.
— Barista Problems (@baristaproblem0) June 25, 2019
It’s been amazing to see how excited people are to welcome a new drink. Starbucks news is always a welcome addition to our social media feeds.
Plus, you know it’s the prettiest drink Starbucks has ever made. And that’s important, since posing with a pretty drink in hand can only brighten up your day.
The biggest thing to know is that the Tie-Dye Frappuccino will disappear forever after its five days in the spotlight. So, use this time to treat yourself today and everyday until the ship has sailed.
You know it’s going to be a good day when you order a $4.00 drink & your @Starbucks barista says, “you have a reward!” #MondayMotivaton pic.twitter.com/vbm4BRGcBn
— Ryan Gibson (@RyanGibson_0305) July 1, 2019
Again, be nice to your barista. It’s a thrilling week for you, but these specialty drinks are a lot harder to make than you think!
