2023 Starbucks New Product Recommendations! Does the Butterbeer Iced Shaken Espresso Contain Alcohol and How Does It Taste?

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Butter Beer: The Magical Beverage Enchanting Harry Potter Fans

Butter Beer is undoubtedly a beverage that Harry Potter fans are all too familiar with! Regarding the specific taste of this beer, author J.K. Rowling described it in a 2002 interview with Bon Appetit magazine as "tasting somewhat like less-rich butter toffee."

After the magazine was published, Harry Potter fans began experimenting with making Butter Beer at home, while others visited bars hoping bartenders could create something similar. Consequently, many bars began offering Butter Beer as a "secret menu" item.

However, not everyone can consume alcoholic beverages, which left many non-drinking Harry Potter fans quite disappointed. Therefore, when The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened at Universal Studios, the park introduced a non-alcoholic version of Butter Beer, which quickly became one of the must-try attractions for visitors.

The Evolution of Butter Beer in Coffee Culture

Nevertheless! Some adults felt that the non-alcoholic version of Butter Beer lacked excitement, yet they couldn't consume the alcoholic version. This led people to look toward Starbucks, which could better accommodate various customer preferences, and they began attempting to create a coffee version of Butter Beer that matched J.K. Rowling's description.

Eventually, a "secret menu" version featuring "whole milk + 2 pumps caramel syrup + 2 pumps toffee nut syrup + 2 pumps cinnamon dolce syrup + whipped cream and caramel crunch, no coffee/option to add one shot of espresso" went viral online. However, this secret menu was only available in North America (as domestic Starbucks stores don't consistently stock the aforementioned ingredients).

However! In 2018, Starbucks in China launched a beer-flavored latte, which was well-received by many consumers who jokingly described it as feeling like "the freedom of driving after drinking" (of course, this was because there was no alcohol! Don't drink and drive!). But at that time, it was only available as a latte version, which wouldn't have the frothy texture when made cold.

Then, during the Qixi Festival in 2021, Starbucks introduced a limited-edition beer-flavored Cloud Macchiato, fulfilling the dream of enjoying a creamy texture in iced beer latte! However, due to its limited-time nature, the product was quickly discontinued. Consequently, many fans who loved this product frequently left comments over the past two years urging Starbucks to relaunch beer-flavored coffee products.

Starbucks China's Butter Beer Innovation

The typically slower-to-adapt Starbucks China finally understood how to appeal to young consumers, recently launching "Butter Beer" that in North America would require various customizations. They directly created Butter Beer-flavored syrup, making it available in one step!

Moreover, it's no longer just a conventional latte with an unchanging cloud top~ This time, they incorporated the Shaken Espresso series launched last year to create a Butter Beer coffee that more closely resembles the taste of actual beer! At the same time, Starbucks China cleverly introduced new product coupons across various platforms, effectively implementing price reductions through different strategies.

Consumer Reception and Future Possibilities

Who wouldn't want to "drink" while working! Therefore, upon its launch, it attracted many young consumers to come and try it!

Regarding product reviews, some people consider this one of the few new offerings from Starbucks China that isn't overly sweet, so they find it delicious! Others feel it has the texture and taste of buttery dark beer, giving everyone the pleasure of drinking without worrying about the effects of alcohol!

However, some people think it's not good!! They feel that spending dozens of yuan on a cup of fake beer is very uneconomical. Additionally, some friends who don't like alcohol tried it and expressed that it really tastes like beer, which they couldn't accept.

Some netizens hope Starbucks will be bolder and launch an alcoholic version! This is because Luck previously launched mildly intoxicating products featuring latte + Baileys, which were very popular among consumers.

The Growing Appeal of "Mild Intoxication"

Nowadays, more and more people are pursuing "mild intoxication" for several reasons: one is seeking ways to relax themselves; another is weakening their ability to restrain emotions, allowing them to be more authentic; and mild alcohol influence can relieve anxiety and stimulate more ideas to help accomplish tasks. Therefore, not just at night, but increasingly during the daytime, more consumers are beginning to desire a mild state of intoxication.

Although this product contains no alcohol, the beer flavor satisfies everyone's desire to have something drinkable early in the day, while also not worrying about alcohol affecting them.

Image source: Internet

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