Starbucks isn’t one to shy away from experimenting with drinks.
Sometimes a seemingly bonkers idea actually pays off, like the launch of thePumpkin Spice Lattein 2003.
But not every risk was a smash hit.
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Since its first store opened in Seattle in 1971, the company has made a fewmissteps.
Here are nine Starbucks drinks that flopped.
Mazagran
Fancy a sparkling coffee?
Starbucks
In 1994, Starbucks teamed up with Pepsi to make Mazagran, a bottled coffee and soda hybrid.
Protein Blended Cold Brew
Cold brew, who?
In 2018, your morning caffeine jolt got an extra dose ofproteinwith Starbucks' Protein Blended Cold Brew.
Starbucks Stories
Baristas nationwide mixed up the plant-based drinks in flavors like almond and cacao.
However, baristas onRedditsaid the drink was seriously lacking in the taste department.
“The protein in them might as well have been sawdust,” one wrote.
Starbucks
“My supervisors usually offer a refund before they even finish paying for it, just in case.
It’s that bad,” wrote another.
Apparently, ittastedlike a gritty banana smoothie.
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(Luckily, it wasonlya limited time offer.
(Some claimed it worked more like alaxative.)
Despite the mixed reaction, the beverages got awiderrelease across 11 states in June.
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The spoonful of oil packs anextra120 calories to the mix.
Chantico
Want to drink a melted truffle?
Well, back in 2005, you could!
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It wasbilledas a “drinkable dessert” and a “grown up hotchocolate.”
Despite the fanfare upon its release, and some diehardfans, it was not a long-term success.
At that point, Starbucks customers wereusedto tailoring drinks to suit theirpersonal tastes.
Sorbetto
ThisPinkberry-inspired creamy drink failed to make it in the long run.
The icy drinks were launched in 300 California locations.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz wasconvincedit would be the next Frappuccino and was banking on it to revive sales.
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But the drink failed to make an impression on customers and baristas.
The machine, which took up precious counter space, was too fussy.
Ittookan hour and a half to clean it at the end of a shift.
Starbucks
One year after launch, executivespulledthe plug.
Vivanno
In 2008, Starbucks was looking to win the hearts of the health-conscious customer.
A high-protein smoothie called Vivanno.
These were released alongside the Sorbettodrinksin an effort to boost slow afternoon sales.
(However, you canstillorder a smoothie at Starbucks, complete with protein powder.
Juniper Latte
Here’s aholiday drinkthat floundered.
In 2018, Starbucksreleasedthe Juniper Latte as a holiday drink option alongside Chestnut Praline Latte and Eggnog Latte.
Drinkers could finally find out what a Christmas tree tasted likeand not in a good way.
The earthy latte was not a hit, and vanished from menus after that holiday season.
Fizzio
In summer of 2014, Starbucks launched Fizzio, a line oflow-caloriesodas handcrafted in 16 states.
It came in threeflavors:Golden Ginger Ale, Spiced Root Beer, and Lemon Ale.
Customers could even customize the level of carbonation or add fizz to other menu items, like iced tea.
Two years in, the product wasquietlytaken off the menu.
Granitas
Starbucks haslongbeen seeking non-caffeinated drinks to get customers through the doors during the afternoon slump.
There were three flavors: Caramel Espresso, Teavana Youthberry White Tea, and Strawberry Lemon Limeade.
“They were created with the idea to drive evening sales,” one baristawrote.
“Surprise, no one wanted them at any time.”
