A Sickly Espresso Maker
This Starbucks espresso maker was undergoing maintenance. It was still operational, but it sounded sickly. No matter since it still cranked out my mocha.
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The Magical Starbucks Cards
Get a few of these Starbucks postcards in the mail and watch as they magically transform into some goodies. Why not get a venti drink with an extra shot when it’s all free!
Earth Day at Starbucks
In celebration of Earth Day on Friday, April 22, bring in your own coffee mug to Starbucks and get a free brewed drink. Easy peasy.
“Starbucks Card Mobile Is a Hit” Really?
Read this article titled Starbucks Card Mobile Is a Hit: 3 Million People Pay Via Phone App, and first thing I thought was, “Really?”
It’s that popular? I can’t believe this is the “fastest way for customers to pay.” Seems like I can pay faster by pulling my Starbucks Rewards Card out of my wallet.
To pay using the Starbucks Mobile app, I have to unlock my phone, fire up the app, unlock the app, click on the Touch to Pay button, then have the cashier scan my phone. I don’t know about you but sure seems like a lot of steps.
Quick Review: Starbucks Iced Cocoa Cappuccino
So I loved the refined taste of Starbucks’ new Cocoa Cappuccino as a hot beverage. How about the iced version? Sadly disappointing.
The drink looks luscious in the new siren logo-ed cup then my perception changed once I took a sip. The iced version tastes decomposed without any harmony. I guess that’s expected from the makeup of the drink. Take freshly drawn espresso and infused it with melted mocha. Then steam milk for the froth. Now take all these hot components, stick it in a plastic cup, and dump ice cubes in for a fast chill. Yeah, no wonder there’s no harmony.
For the iced version, I’d stick with a regular old Iced Mocha but as a hot beverage, the Cocoa Cappuccino is definitely worthy.
Quick Review: Starbucks Cocoa Cappuccino
As part of its 40th birthday celebration, Starbucks is offering its Tribute Blend coffee and Cocoa Cappuccino drink. Here’s how the Cocoa Cappuccino is described:
We took an old favorite and gave it a richly delightful twist when we combined espresso, sweet mocha and foamy milk. It’s a bold flavor combination designed for those who enjoy the finer things in life.
I got a Cocoa Cappuccino today and you know what? It tastes like a Starbucks Mocha, a refined mocha. It’s like the Mocha but with more of a kick and a fuller consistency, even with non-fat milk. It must be the espresso or chocolate drizzled foam that adds creaminess to the drink. And unlike the Mocha, the mocha flavor isn’t as biting and has less contrast to the overall drink.
I had the drink hot but will have to try the iced version to see if the smoothness prevails.
And while you’re at Starbucks, check out their latest Tribute items and new logo.
Could You, Would You Drink This “Coffee?”
There was mixed feedback about drinking coffee from a cup left in the men’s restroom. But how about this one?
That’s a Starbucks VIA instant coffee packet abandoned on the ground. Looks like the packaging is intact but a little trampled. Could you, would you drink this “coffee?”
Still No Coinstar Coffee in Hawaii?
I’ve used the Coinstar change counting machine to get some iTunes credit back in 2006. Interestingly enough, although Starbucks is an advertised Coinstar partner, the Hawaii machines didn’t dispense Starbucks gift cards in ’06. And seems like they still don’t in 2011 even though using Coinstar is one of the highlighted tips of getting the most out of your Starbucks Card.
My First Trenta
For posterity, here’s a picture of my first Starbucks Trenta-sized ice coffee.
It took about 3 hours to finish all 30 ounces, and yes, the cup is nearly as tall as the creamer carafe.
Can I Refill that Trenta?
As a My Starbucks Rewards member, did you know that one of the benefits, even at the newbie Green level, is free refills? Here’s the details on the Rewards site.
So I wonder, can I refill that Trenta? Can the human body take that amount of caffeine or will it be death by caffeine?
Got iPhone, Get Trenta
Ready to take on Starbucks’ new mega-sized Trenta? Well, Starbucks has made it even easier to pay for those 31 ounces of caffeine. The Starbucks mobile payment program is now official nationwide. Fire up the iPhone or Blackberry app, pay away, and start enjoying that gut-busting Trenta.
Golden for Another Year
Got an email from the My Starbucks Reward Program, letting me know I’ve hit Gold status (yet again). If I keep going, I can also earn Gold Status for the following year, 2012!
Interestingly, the My Starbucks Reward site provides some stats and a history of Rewards transactions. This stat is kinda scary!
