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Starbucks Toasted Coconut Cold Brew Is Bitter

I don’t know if I just had a bad one, but I found Starbucks’s new Toasted Coconut Cold Brew to be way too bitter. My drink was nearly undrinkable without diluting it with creamer. Yes, the coconut taste is definitely detectable, but I hope that toasted aspect isn’t the cause of the overall bitterness.

Granted I love the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew, so this new flavor combination could just be so different from what I was expecting. I just don’t know, but if my second taste is the same as my first then this drink is off my list.

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Starbucks Evenings on Oahu

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Heh, I didn’t realize that there’s a Starbucks on Oahu featuring its Evenings Menu. Even though the Evening program has been officially cancelled, it still lives on across from Rumours in the Ala Moana Hotel.


The Evenings Program pairs alcohol offerings along with the coffee and espresso lineup with the idea of bringing in customers during the evenings. Although the program is cancelled, it sort of lives on in upscale Starbucks Roastery locations.

If you want to experience the Evenings experience, head on over to the lobby of the Ala Moana Hotel and look for the spacious Starbucks. I’m sure the lines get long when guests visit, but during (daylight) off hours, it’s a pleasant visit compared to the crowds in the mall locations.

Starbucks Cascara Latte Is Nuanced

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A little late, but I tried the new Starbucks Cascara Latte which contains the fruit of the coffee cherry.

Umm, yeah, it’s okay but only slightly, in a subtle, nuanced way. The cascara doesn’t alter the flavor profile of the espresso base, more like heightens (or deepens) the natural flavor. I’ll pass on this drink but rather indulge in my old favorite, the Smoked Butterscotch Latte.

My Preferred Starbucks at Ala Moana

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Is now the newest Starbucks Reserve which is like in the old location of the former Sears. In the Mauka wing of the mall, this Starbucks has been considerably emptier than the locations in Macy’s or at Center Court. Okay, so there’s not that many stores nearby but that simply contributes to it lower volume. And during the busy shopping season, this emptiness is very much welcomed.


Starbucks Coffee Tumbler for 2017

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Starbucks released their special edition coffee tumbler that allows for free coffee during January of 2017. Yep, for the 31 days of January, you can bring in this $40 tumbler and get free brewed coffee (or tea). Usually additions like vanilla and caramel are free of charge when using this tumbler.

While you’re there, pick up a Starbucks Gingerbread Cafe, now reduced by 20%.

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Cheap and Accessible Yeezys (Sorta)

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Well, not really, but when I first saw Adidas’ new Alphabounce running shoes, I saw semblences of Kanye West’s Yeezy kicks.

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Yeezy Boost 350

And maybe for the uninitiated, they may mistake the Alphabounce for something Yeezy-ish.

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Adidas AlphaBounce

There’s no Boost instead featuring Bounce, an EVA foam. Not PrimeKnit but ForgedMesh. Though the basic silhouette and print pays homage to the Yeezys. But at $100 and probably available at your local shoe store – cheap and accessible.

Here’s more insight about the AlphaBounce.

 

Starbucks New Cold Brews

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No, I haven’t tried them yet and didn’t see any promotional materials this morning when I got my fallback Caramel Macchiato. But the Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew sounds overall awesome and the Nitro Cold Brew sounds intriguing. I think I’d try the Nitro first only because of its uniqueness, but it’s also not available everywhere, starting its rollout at  Seattle, Portland, New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

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So next time I’m visiting the coffee siren, I’ll order up a Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew and give a quick review. I wonder which Hawaii location (if any) would get the Nitro?

Disappointed with the New Nordstrom eBar

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new-ebar-1Oh eBar, you were my coffee oasis when queues were long at Starbucks. With two locations, a caffeinated drink was readily available after a short walk. But with your new single location in the Ewa Wing, I am saddened.

Sure, the new eBar location looks great. The interior is bright and modern and the outside seating is plentiful and shaded by huge umbrellas. But the coffee. And the wait. That’s not what I remember about the foregone eBar.

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Yes, I had to wait in line. There were two people ahead of me to order my drink and three patrons already waiting to get their drink. Then when my Orange Iced Coffee came out, disappointment hit. How much coffee do you see? And how much orange foam do you see?

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That’s not my idea of a worthwhile drink. Not having this drink before, I gave eBar the benefit of the doubt. But really, I shouldn’t have. And my goto drink, the Mexican Mocha, wasn’t on the menu anymore. I’ll give them another shot but with lowered expectations.

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