Starbucks decided in 2010 that it's probably a good thing to keep customers happily sedated in the evenings. The international coffee giant introduced "Starbucks Evenings" first in its Seattle Olive Way location offering another menu on top of the regular Starbucks coffee - wine, beer and tapas-like plate in the evenings.
Now, Starbucks is again experimenting with something alcoholic. Debuting in a Japanese Starbucks Evenings branch is a blended ice beverage with an extra kick and it's not just from coffee; it's actually an alcoholic frappuccino according to an article in Rocket News 24 by Casey Baseel.
Of course, Starbucks had to name it a little bit differently and it's actually called Wine Fraggino in its menu. But Rocketnews24 is not fooled and insists that, considering it's just a blended flavored iced beverage, it's basically just a frappuccino in everything but name. Its alcoholic kick comes from a blueberry wine made somewhere on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido.
Priced at 900 yen or around US$8, it is a little more expensive than the pricier cups of Starbucks' fancy coffee fares. But it does offer a refreshing mix of sweet and tangy flavors says RocketNews. And then there is that added alcohol kick of course which should justify any added cost.
But the chances are slim that the salivating drink might be offered in the US according to an Eater article by Chris Fuhrmeister. Apparently, alcoholic beverages were not in the topics discussed when Starbucks chief executive officer Howard Schultz met with the company's U.S. shareholders.
In the shareholders' meeting, Schultz announced the company's new lineup additions. For example, a bottle version of its cold brew coffee is in the works and will soon be available not only in Starbucks outlets but in grocery stores as well. In addition, there is that new line of Starbuck Latte K-cups with new flavors: caramel, vanilla, and mocha with the planned introduction of seasonal flavors peppermint mocha and pumpkin spice for the holidays.
But one could only hope someone in Starbucks could think of offering that Wine Fraggino in all locations. Or better yet why not offer it in bottles for sale in groceries as well?
