It may be Autumn here in the Pacific Northwest, but in some areas of the country, it’s still blazing hot. Too hot, in fact. As of June this year, Starbucks stores in the sun belt states of the US have carbonated beverages called Fizzio. (And there are a couple of international Starbucks markets that have Fizzio too.)
I was just in Orange County, California, and it was so hot that I thought I’d melt:
96 degrees out! So, I landed at John Wayne Airport and tried to drink as much Fizzio as possible while visiting Orange County. Some readers may recall that I had the chance to try these drinks when they were still very experimental. I’m still a fan! This is such a refreshing, delicious all-new beverage at Starbucks.
The official Starbucks newsroom now has an image of the Fizzio machine, which is used to make the three official beverages: Spiced Root Beer, Lemon Ale, and Ginger Ale.
One of the first things I did was make my way to a Starbucks in the City of Orange (Main & Town and Country), and ordered a Fizzio Root Beer:
I quickly started asking baristas what their favorite Fizzio combination is. While visiting another Starbucks in Orange, a barista mentioned that she really liked Ginger Ale with Peach syrup. Turns out, I was speaking with the store manager of the Orange Plaza Square Starbucks, who recognized my name and quickly figured out I am “StarbucksMelody.”
I’m still not a huge fan of Ginger Ale, but this was indeed a refreshing combination! I might change my mind about Ginger Ale!
I’ve always loved how pretty the old building that the Orange Plaza Starbucks is in. It’s in the historic Orange Circle area, which has lots of cute antique stores, places to eat, and two Starbucks.
At one Starbucks, baristas strongly suggested Lemon Ale with just a very light splash of strawberry on top. Apparently the strawberry is so heavy that it quickly falls through the drink, and you only need a tiny splash of it. This was absolutely delicious too. This drink was recommended with “extra fizz” and you end up with a sweet and delicious very fizzy customized beverage:
Finally, I was in Santa Ana, and a register barista (at the Bristol & McArthur Starbucks) suggested Root Beer with Vanilla Syrup. This might have been my favorite of all these combinations. If you worked hard enough at customizing this drink, you could get close to a Root Beer float. 😉
I liked the wall art of the coffee growing regions (“the coffee belt”) at this Santa Ana Starbucks:
So what is your favorite Fizzio beverage? And if you don’t have Fizzio in your region, what do you think of carbonated drinks at Starbucks? By the way, in speaking with store partners, it seems as though this is doing quite well… at least in Orange County. Lots of customers like having this option.
On a new topic, on October 10th and 11th, in honor of Coffee Con, the Kindle version of Tales of the Siren will be 99 cents. Make a mental note to get your e-copy of the book then! You can use the Kindle app on your smart phone too! I have it set up now that on the 10th and 11th, you’ll see the Kindle count down clock for the promotion. I have it set up to run for 49 hours, ending at 1:00 AM on the 12th.
Thank you to the many great partners I met in Orange County recently! So many friendly baristas!
23 Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Socialize
Recently had two or three when vacationing in Florida. It’s over -priced soda. I can’t imagine making a special trip to Starbucks for these and would much rather just buy a bottle of the carbonated clementine drink or Pelligrino blood orange replacement from the cold case (for less money).
@DaveZ – We don’t have them in Seattle, and the novelty of them hasn’t worn off for me. 🙂 I will say, I happen to really like the orange Pelligrino in the cold case – definitely a good alternative.
Though, lots of people like handcrafted drinks, made right in front of them so they know it’ll be what they want, and customized. You can buy those canned Refreshers in the RTD case (which are nice too) which is cheaper than buying a handcrafted Cool Lime Refresher, and yet lots of people (myself included) enjoy the handcrafted Refreshers.
I love the blackberry tea mojito lemonade extra fizzed. My summer fav.
That sounds wonderful Valerie!
Here in El Paso, it was 85 degrees yesterday. Fizzios can be sold practically year ’round here in the desert. I have only tried the Root beer but will need to try it with the vanilla syrup. Sounds tasty.
@Deborah – I hope you get to cool off a little! But seriously, even when it’s 60 degrees in Seattle, I’m still game for Starbucks Spiced Root Beer. Thank you for your comment, and you’re right that those hot areas will easily sell this year-round.
Try the Spiced Root Beer with not only vanilla added, but a splash of heavy cream. Resembles a melted root beer float!
Live in So. Cal and I like on a hot day the ginger ale fizzio with raspberry syrup and then topped off with half and half. A Raspberry Blonde is what they call it.
My favorite is ginger ale with blackberry syrup and extra fizz.
I actually would rather see a store add a clover than this soda. I would be curious as to the sales breakdown from cold climate vs warm climate. But, I drink cold drinks in winter! Curious too if partners enjoy making these sodas.
Seems from your post that they do.
Good point, Purple1. I’d prefer a Clover store addition to Fizzio. But speaking of cold drinks, I’d also prefer the cold press test coffee (that I’ve yet to taste) over pop. 🙂
I’m sure there’s a Starbucks around me that has a Fizzio, but I have not tried any of them yet. I wouldn’t mind trying the Lemon Ale and I bet it would be great with the Strawberry (or maybe even Raspberry… is there a Raspberry? I can’t remember.) I would try the Ginger Ale in a sample cup as I’ve never had Ginger Ale of any brand before. I’d totally pass on the Root Beer because I’ve never liked it.
I love Root beer so these do sound really nice. Can’t see me being in one of the sunshine states anytime soon though!
I have tried all three. I would put root beer at the top with ginger ale a close second.
We have Fizzio here in Texas and it’s very popular. Personally, I like the Lemon Ale the best. We’ve tried messing around with stuff and I haven’t had a lot of success except with the Root Beer over top of a VBF. Get a tall Vanilla Bean and a Tall Root beer and combine them in a grande/venti cup. Delicious.
Devin in Hawaii LOVES his VOR with Peach and Extra Fizz. I’m afraid I’m gonna have to stash some Peach and send it to him.
In Houston they’re testing a cane cola Fizzio. I have no idea how that tastes though.
My favorite is my creation is grande ice berry refresher with lemonade and two pumps blackberry syrup, fizzed
I think a Cream Soda would work if they ever gave it a try. I’m also agreeing quite a bit with what Purple1 regarding more Clovers and sales within different climates.
Purple1 said…..
Chgo., Maybe it was just the dream of one of the baristas, but one of them told me (before their got their Fizzio) they were going to start selling Italian Sodas once they got one.
We were in the Carolinas and visited a few stores that we both used to work at and tried a few variations of the Fizzio. I don’t think that it’s the next Frappuccino but I’m glad it’s here. I like the option of adding fizz to refreshers and tea, but what I enjoyed most was fizzed water!! Obviously Fizzio isn’t made with yeast, the proper way of carbonating soda, so the taste is a little lacking.
Try a spiced rootbeer with whipped cream on top! I love to sit there and stir in the whip as I drink it, it tastes just like a rootbeer float but better! I also love using the fizzio the machine, it makes me laugh every time. You have to see it in action it’s great!
Love ice coffee double fizzed and ginger ale doubled fizzed without water.
My new favorite Starbucks drink is the Ginger Ale Fizzio made with Green Tea instead of water. It was recommended on the Starbucks FB page. I tried it, and I have one everyday. It’s official I am a Starbucks addict.