The Strawberry Acai Lemonade, Extra Base Please
Ok, I’ll admit it. I don’t join 10 million people worldwide in stopping at the friendly neighborhood Starbucks every day. Frappucinos were often frequented by classmates and a common after-school stop could include a drink run at the drive-through. I grew up with Starbucks around me, but somehow never made a visit to one of their locations until the summer before college.
As a food enthusiast, one would categorize not enjoying coffee or caffeinated beverages as strange. However, in my defense, I never particularly enjoyed the slight bitterness of the coffee bean, despite the many aromas and range of flavors it could produce. To me, a high-quality milk chocolate bar beats it any day. What could be better than the creamy flow of sugar and cacao dissolving as an afternoon treat? Perhaps my affinity with sweets drove me away from the Seattle-based coffee chain.
Fact check. I don’t claim to have never stepped foot in a Starbucks during this time period. On a few rare occasions, I would end up spending a couple of minutes with a friend while they waited for an order. No transactions were conducted from my end.
So what made me place my first Starbucks order on an August summer day? Well, I think it came down to a lack of choice.
The morning started off like any other. After hours of leisurely summertime idling, I came to the realization that I was hungry. Deciding that I would take my appetite to a downtown restaurant, I prepared to start my journey. On my way out, I noticed a stack of cards, amongst which was a Starbucks gift card. I put it in my wallet and headed out.
After a bicycle ride to my destination, I arrived far more hungry than I had started. At this time, I was also thirsty, and water wasn't going to cut it. Looking around me, a small Jamba Juice kiosk, Safeway, and a Starbucks sprawled across the suburban campus. I refused to get Jamba (not after years of price increases!) and the bakery was not what I was craving, leaving me with but one option. My theory was reaffirmed with the presence of a gift card, almost begging me to pay a long-due visit.
Turns out, I was particularly lucky with the Starbucks location I had ended up visiting. The facility resembled a small house inspired by the design choices of a cottage. On the other side, a bright red wall was centered by the familiar Siren welcoming all coffee-goers.
In fact, Starbucks is so confident with its logo, that they prefer it to be displayed by itself, without text, and on a simple surface.
A veranda opened up to a breezy patio, with green vines crawling down the walls and pillars. The vines continued up another entire side of the wall, providing a display of vegetation visible to all pedestrians. Before I had even entered, I took note of the detail of the design choices and the effect that they had on me, the consumer.
Now, with the context that I am not familiar with the Starbucks classics and favorites (I still say large!), the store resembled another well-designed and creative space. Rectangular in shape, the main area surrounded an open kitchen, proudly displaying its brightly shined espresso equipment and variety of drink makers with many bells, knobs, and buttons. Overhead, a green color scheme flaunted the menu, and special boards around the store advertised specials. Desks were diverse in nature, with high tables, couches, restaurant-style tables, and workspaces. Almost all were equipped with wireless charging and occupied by customers.
Demographics were immensely diverse. While one table had a family of four, another was frequented by businessmen working on spreadsheets. The couches were taken by a group of gamers who had set up to play seamlessly.
One similarity remained: all were consuming a Starbucks product.
As I stepped up to order, a worker patiently waited while I blankly stared at the menu. As someone who could not tell the difference between instant coffee and a gourmet bean, I had no idea what the different types of drinks equated to in flavor changes.
To me espresso, frappuccino, or macchiato all mean one thing: they have coffee in them.
Luckily I had a helpline: the employee. I explained that I did not want a coffee or milk-based beverage, and was quickly referred to the Refreshers beverage section.
Quick backstory: In 2012, Starbucks first launched its Refreshers beverage line. According to a press release, on July 9, 2012, Starbucks customers could for the very first time order from this line of drinks. The company initially launched this with a range of both caffeinated and uncaffeinated beverages including the Strawberry Acai Lemonade and matcha teas. Over time, specials joined for limited amounts of time, with some permanent add-ons. The line I will focus on here is the lemonade/water based 100 calorie beverage i.e. the Strawberry Acai, Mango, and Dragonfruit lemonades.
I now essentially had three options narrowed down. It could be a coin toss between them so I asked which one to get. Instantly, I was recommended a Strawberry Acai Lemonade. I paid for my “large” drink and waited.
On the other side of the counter, my creation was being brought to life. With a base, lemonade, ice, and strawberries, the barista gave it a quick shake and poured it into a cup. This drink was shockingly simple to make, and I wondered if it justified the 6-dollar price tag.
Food-opinion interjection: Following is a list of the ingredients of the Strawberry Acai Lemonade.
Ice, Strawberry Acai Base [Water, Sugar, White Grape Juice Concentrate, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Natural Green Coffee Flavor, Fruit And Vegetable Juice, Rebaudioside-a], Lemonade [Water, Lemon Juice, Sugar, Lemon Oil], Freeze-dried Strawberries.
So let’s look at what makes it different from a pink lemonade or a similar drink option, ingredient wise.
Looks like the main ingredient of the base (the concentrated liquid that is then diluted with either water or lemonade) is sugar (obviously) and white grape juice concentrate. This article speaks about this ingredient that has 120 grams of sugar per cup! (However, grape juice concentrate can also be made at home, and be quite more flavorful than a store brought option.) It is this ingredient that gives the base its sweetness and combined with the unique favoring profile, can be combined with a diluter to make a drink.
Other ingredients are relatively straightforward: freeze dried straeberries, lemonade, and ice. The magic of this drink lies in the flavoring of the base and of course, a little Starbucks customer experience.
Two and a half minutes later, I received my order. A brightly inviting pink color, bits of strawberries lazily floated along the top and seeds clouded the otherwise clear bottom as drops of perspiration slowly dragged along the sides. The first sip brought a tangy tartness that stimulated my taste buds, but they were quickly rushed by the familiar sweetness of strawberry. Now, usually, lemonade leaves a very distinct aftertaste, sour and unpleasant on the tongue. However, this particular lemonade left nothing but a clear and refreshing strawberry taste in its aftermath. I continued to drink more, and the flavors continued to prove consistent. I downed the cup and concurred that this drink had indeed lived up to its name.
While enjoying my drink, I had for the first time taken advantage of the real selling point of Starbucks: its inviting ambience. Enjoying my afternoon stop in the freshness of the open-space patio served to enhance and complement my experience.
It’s like I was given a gift and a to-go box on my way out the door.
I proceeded to complete the main quest at a Thai restaurant near the area and returned home satisfied.
Life Hack. One of my favorite drinks is grenadine. Grenadine is an Italian drink, based on a sweet syrup made from pomegranates. It may also be alcohlic in nature when complemnted with wine. Grenadine is very sweet and almost syrupy but refreshing nonetheless. I found a Strawberry Acai Lemonade with extra base and two scoops of strawberries makes a sort of “supercharged” version of the drink, even sweeter and more syrupy in nature. Take caution if not a sweet tooth.
So there it is. My very first time getting a Starbucks drink. These observations weren’t something that immediately converted me to a Starbucks customer, rather they were notes of a positive experience I had with my very first contact. Despite knowing nothing about the options presented to me, I was able to be helped efficiently and quickly. To this day, if I ever visit Starbucks, I only try the Strawberry Acai Lemonade. Call it a desire to stay with what’s true and tested.
On one occasion, I sampled the Mango Dragon Fruit. Not a fan.
If you’ve made it this far, I applaud and thank you.
Never had Starbucks? Don’t worry.