Starbucks Midnight Mint Mocha and S'Mores Frappuccinos

Now that the hype of the elusive mythical Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino has died off, Starbucks has released a couple of flavors that people can actually get behind. We also decided to give the Starbucks app another try at the mobile ordering (since my first try resulted in waiting for the elusive unicorn to get tracked down). The app itself was really simple to use for ordering. I chose the Midnight Mint Mocha Frappuccino for me and talked Kristin into trying the S'Mores version. It asked me what location I wanted to go to. (Nope- I didn't actually pick Orland, but do you think I am doing to let it show you where I live?) My travel time to my selected store showed 6 minutes. The estimated time for our drinks to be ready was 4-10 minutes.

This time, it was convenient using the mobile ordering, as the store we chose did not have a drive thru. However, I have to say that my normal location choices for Starbucks have a drive thru. I don't think at those, I would ever use the mobile ordering as it is not worth getting out of my car...unless I was meeting someone inside. Otherwise, the drive thru is my more convenient option. I will give a shout out to the Orland, California Starbucks (that I chose in my picture above). They are an easy hop off of I-5 and and super quick with their drive thru orders...a convenient "pick me up" as you are headed through Northern California.

Back to today, our orders were sitting on the counter when we arrived at our chosen Starbucks (again- emphasizing- not Orland). The baristas were in their normal rush of working on orders. After assessing the situation and realizing that nobody was going to inquire on why I was standing there (notably- they had several other people waiting for their orders), I spoke up and asked if I could just grab my drinks. The barista told me sure and we really had no other interaction. Kudos that my drinks were ready to go, without me having to wait for them. However, even though we got there in our expected time period, the drinks were already starting to melt. I don't know if they started off with a runnier consistency or they just made them so quick that they sat there. It makes me think that a hot drink would be starting to cool to luke warm, if that had been what we ordered. So, while I like that the system worked and it may be great for people who are in that sort of rush, I will still choose to do the Starbucks drive thru over mobile ordering.

On to the drinks:

Starbuck's limited time Mint Mocha Frappuccino

As I said the other day, mint chocolate is one of my favorite flavor profiles. If you add in a touch of coffee, then I am definitely a happy girl. I have to admit that I am not so sure about the creamy center part...although, it does make it look pretty. Otherwise, this drink hit its mark. The Mint Mocha Frappuccino is the perfect blend of mint and chocolate giving it a taste comparable to Thin Mints Girl Scout cookies. This is a limited time drink that would be nice as a permanent addition.

Starbuck' s Seasonal S'Mores Frappuccino

I will admit that I talked Kristin into ordering the S'mores Frappuccino as I wanted to try this seasonal flavor, but I am really not a fan of things flavored marshmallow. While I understand that this seasonal flavor returned as it was popular last year, it came off as a bit bland to her. She said that she only could taste the coffee flavor. When I tried a sip, I could taste a light marshmallow flavor, but that was about it. Our S'mores Frappuccino did not have the mix of flavors that you expect in a s'more. I definitely thought that it was lacking in chocolate...a VERY key ingredient to s'mores. Kristin did compliment the touch of graham crackers on top. She is not a huge graham cracker fan and yet, that was her favorite part.

Even with the partial critique to our second Frappucino, these two flavors were definitely something to try after the flavor flop of the unicorn.