Starbucks Drinks

[BiscuitBoy]

Okay, I don't like to admit it, but I really like Starbuck's mocha frappuccino. Since a nice independent coffee place opened near me, can I ask for a mocha frappuccino? Will they know what that is? Is that a Starbucks name only?

[starbucksbrew]

At a different coffee shop, I would just ask what kind of "frozen coffee drinks" they have, and specify that I don't mean coffee on ice (b/c that's different).

[BiscuitBoy]

Exactly...I don't want to offend them, but would like to give them my business instead of Goliath. They DO have blenders, so what the hell. What could possibly go wrong?! And it is a nice little luxury, just to sit for a few minutes...Better than being in a bar, I guess

[Ralphie_in_Boston]

If they have any common sense they'll be thankful that you're giving them your business and won't care what name you call the drinks, as long as you convey what you want and they understand.

[crigg]

A blended coffee and ice drink is usually a "frappe" I think. So just ask for a mocha frappe, :)

[patiofixture]

A frappe in New England is a milk shake elsewhere (but a milk shake in New England is something else - confused yet?). That would be ice cream, milk, and often some flavoring or malt blended together. The Frappuccino name came from a local Boston-area coffee chain called the Coffee Connection that Starbucks bought and promptly closed down - except for the Frappuccino trademark.

I've seen frozen blended coffee drinks at many local chains. Some buy a commercial mix such as the "Ice Blast" and some just put espresso, milk, and ice into a blender. Either way, they can be as good or better than the Starbucks drink, or much worse. Definitely worth trying - you never know which shops do it better.

[nanette]

In Seattle, a lot of the independent, local joints do a granita rather than a frappuccino. Maybe that's what this place does?

[CrazyOne]

They would need a blender to make something like that. A Frappuccino (which is a Starbucks trademarked brand) is basically an iced latte of sorts that has been processed in a blender to make a frozen drink.

Maybe a "frozen latte" or "blended latte" would be a good term for it? I dunno. You can ask them if they can make a drink like Frappuccino, but I think you'll be on better terms with them if you are savvy enough to not walk in and order Frappucino using that word only. ;-) They will (or should) appreciate that you would rather come to their indie shop. I have seen some indie shops that can blend drinks like that, but the real coffee connoisseur-type places may not have a blender.

[Cathy]

I have heard people walk into my local place and ask for a 'frappuccino' they repeat back ...'an iced latte?'

I go to coffee shops and order...coffee. <yawn>

[BiscuitBoy]

Thanks Cathy and you too, Ralphie. I really should give up these fru-fru, snobby drinks!

[Cathy]

I call the iced milk/whipped cream with whatever added for flavor things 'dessert'.

I love to go in, get a cup of coffee (in a "for here" cup), sit down and read or play on my computer. It kind of forces me to take some time for myself. The coffee is just as satisfying as something sweet.

[Ralphie_in_Boston]

I *think* (others will correct me if I'm wrong) that Starbucks acquired the trademark for the name "Frappuccino" when they purchased the Coffee Connection in the 1990s.

They should know what it is, if they make any type of fancy drinks at all.