Starbucks has a lot of test items going on right now. I thought it would be fun to take a look at a few of these limited test items.
Golden Maple Latte – If you’re in Orlando, Florida or Cleveland, Ohio, you might find the “Golden Maple Latte”. Starbucks has offered Maple Lattes in years gone by, and frequently offers a seasonal Maple Latte in Canada. We’ll have to see how this version of the Maple Latte does!
You can see that the Golden Maple Latte is on the upper right corner of the “daily offerings” board picture.
Dark Barrel Latte – It’s been all over the news that Starbucks is testing a beverage that is a beer-inspired flavor. Sounds odd to me! I’ve heard this drink is available in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Ice Cream plus Espresso test is currently only available at a tiny number of San Francisco Starbucks locations.
I would love to try this. I might have to take a quick trip to San Francisco soon!
Cane Sugar Cola test– I actually don’t know much about this test, but I believe it’s available in stores with Fizzio machines in Atlanta and Houston.
Last but not least, whenever I write about tests, I always have to give the caveat that Starbucks tests many more beverages and products than actually make it to a national launch. Don’t hold your breath for any of these tests to come to your neighborhood store. For example, if you go back just a few years ago in time, the Starbucks Pink Lime Frozt actually went through multiple rounds of testing before Starbucks gave it the axe, never to be seen again. You can still make something that resembles a Pink Lime Frozt at Starbucks: Passion Tea, Creme Base, and Lime Refresher mix, all in a blender! No wonder it didn’t make it. 😉
If I had to make wild guesses on what test has a future, I’d say that the Coconut Milk test has promise. But I’ve learn the hard way it’s difficult to second guess Starbucks!
As always, do not re-use images without my express permission. A huge thank you to the many readers who send me emails with images and information!
And you know, one needs a little self-promotion to be successful, so I’ll again suggest you read Tales of the Siren while enjoying your Golden Maple Latte!
Feel free to talk about in Starbucks test item in the comments!
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The test with the ice cream espresso puzzles me because how are they going to successfully do this on a large scale and when a store is busy? And where would they put the freezer? I remember when customers wanted the SB ice cream to be sold in stores but that never happened.
@Purple1 – Yeah, this is one of those tests that has a poor prognosis for making it to a nation-wide launch. Agreed. It’s logistically more difficult than just adding a new bottle of syrup…
Actually, now that all stores are La Boulange, we all have freezers! Some fun things we can probably do!
I overheard a partner talking to another customer this morning about the ‘probability’ that coconut milk should be rolling out soon…
@Leslee – I’ve heard the same sort of thing. Coconut milk test has apparently done a little better than they even expected. That’s why I did gamble on it as one that could go national. 🙂 Thank you for the comment!
I had the maple both iced and hot. I liked it a lot but it tastes better hot.
Funny I like it better iced! Hot to me tastes too much like pancakes in a cup.
The Golden Maple latte sounds amazing. I often make myself a maple latte at home.
Melody… I understand the Cola Fizzio has Green Coffee Bean Extract like the Refreshers… Hello new fun way to watch your weight and get an energy boost!
The Dark Barrel Latte actually tastes like banana. Yes, banana.
Also, in the markets that testing the DBL, you can’t get a Salted Caramel Mocha. You can get it without the sea salt, however.
We have the Golden Maple Latte at my store in the Cleveland area, and it has certainly been a hit so far! The maple sauce we use is “maple browned butter” sauce, which gives the drink a nice bittersweet flavor. It also comes with maple infused whipped cream and maple drizzle, which is very similar to maple syrup!
I haven’t yet tried the Dark Barrel Latte, but I do know that is also currently testing in Columbus, Ohio, so I will need to stop down there one day to try one! 🙂
Kayleigh, do you know what’s in the syrup? Is it a rum syrup?
I think I just a false positive on my breathalyzer – wondering how to find out what’s in this. First time I tried it – it was delicious though :/
Google:
reddit dark barrel latte
and you’ll have your answer to the ingredients.
I would be interested in the Coconut milk & the maple latte, maybe the ice cream too depending on the ingredients.
I’ve watched baristas make the affogato, and the vanilla ice cream is pre-scooped and individually packaged so this “beverage” is a breeze to make.
What locations offer it in SF? Love to try it.
I tried the Golden Maple Latte in Orlando, FL. It was awesome! I was disappointed that it wasn’t inn any of my local Starbucks.
I was in Orlando this past weekend and tried the Maple in my Chair tea…yummy!!!! It was just right for a fall day 🙂 Hope it becomes a permanent thing and soon! Unfortunately it’s not where I live..yet…hope soon:-)
* Chai tea..oops:-)