2 min read
Some Starbucks drinks on the menu are for sipping for the sake of productivity. Nothing gets me to answer emails or run the errands I’ve been procrastinating on quite like a grande Cold Brew. And then there’s the Unicorn Frappuccino, which looks like the kind of concoction your six-year-old niece would whip up if given free rein of a candy store.
If you remember the OG drink from 2017, now returning for one weekend only starting August 15th, you probably remember its blissfully chaotic aesthetic: the sweet mango base, sour blue swirls, whipped cream topping, and bright pink-and-blue finish. Think less morning coffee and more magical potion.
As someone who missed out on the original Unicorn Frappuccino hype because I really wanted people to think I was cool for only drinking black coffee, I was committed to joining the conversation this time around. So naturally, I headed to my local Starbucks for its comeback moment.
Here are my honest thoughts.
Megan Schaltegger
What Is In The Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino?
Before we get down to the nitty-gritty, let’s discuss the basics, a.k.a. what actually goes into the Unicorn Frappuccino.
The drink has a creamy mango-flavored base that’s blended with ice and milk, then layered with tangy blue drizzle. It’s topped with whipped cream and finished with a sweet-tart pink-and-blue topping that really adds the wow factor.
Before I had even taken my first sip, I understood the appeal. The drink is about as fun and whimsical as Starbucks gets. But as someone who cares about taste more than the Instagram story, I couldn’t sign off on its place in the Starbucks hall of fame based on looks alone.
Add Delish as a preferred source in your Google search results.
Use your Google account to add this to your settings.
Add to Google settings
What Does The Unicorn Frappuccino Taste Like?
My first thought after taking a sip? Oh, this is sweet. This is really sweet.
The mango comes through immediately and boldly, but it’s balanced by the creamy Frappuccino base and tart blue drizzle, which adds just enough sour punch. The texture is exactly what you’d expect: thick, smooth, creamy, and very much meant to be consumed through a wider-than-normal straw.
Megan Schaltegger
The whipped cream adds another layer of indulgence while helping temper some of the sourness and sweetness, making it more sippable.
My best comparison: It tastes like sweet-and-sour candy masquerading as a Frappuccino.
Would I Order The Unicorn Frappuccino Again?
Ah, the question on everyone’s tongue. Honestly, yes, but with conditions.
This isn’t the drink I’d order on my morning commute or when my to-do list is a page long. But as a fun little sweet treat? Absolutely.
The Unicorn Frappuccino is basically dessert in a cup, and that’s the whole point.
Dining and Cooking