After a year’s worth of tinkering and experimenting, Starbucks is finally ready to reveal its first boozy coffee drink, and it’s nothing like we expected. Set aside everything you know about creamy, sweet pumpkin spice lattes and the like. The coffee chain definitely swerved into new taste territory with this one. Are you ready for this? Here’s everything we know.
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What’s the booze?
When we heard Starbucks was concocting a cocktail, we imagined something with Baileys or Frangelico or Kahlúa. But surprise! They went with beer — a craft IPA.
So what is it exactly?
Introducing the Espresso Cloud IPA. It’s an orange- and vanilla-flavored espresso poured into a pint glass of craft IPA beer. Boom: A cloud of foam floats to the top, hence the name.
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Where did they get this idea?
Italy, of course, where they serve what’s called a shakerato. Coffee (or espresso), simple syrup and ice cubes are shaken vigorously together in a cocktail shaker until frothy. Starbucks starts with that idea, topping a pint of beer with foam from shaken espresso. But then they pour the espresso in as well to make that foam bloom into something even fluffier.
How long do I have to wait to try the Espresso Cloud IPA?
You only have to wait until evening. It’s available in Starbucks now, but via their evenings menu only at select locations.
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