As promised earlier this year, Starbucks is introducing two new cold beverages in stores today: a the Vivanno smoothie and a drinkable Pinkberry-inspired yogurt dubbed the Sorbetto.
Vivanno is a nationwide launch. However, the Sorbetto, will be exclusive to 313 company-operated stores in Orange and Los Angeles counties. That’s about 40 percent of Starbucks cafes in the region, ac
cording to marketing manager Alan Richardson.
I met Richardson Monday morning at a Starbucks café in Santa Ana to sample the Sorbetto, which comes in three flavors: Tangy, Citrus Ice and Tangy Citrus Ice (shown right). Cost $2.95 for a 10-ounce size. (Note: It’s slightly smaller than a Tall beverage, and only comes in one size. Actual size, shown right and at top w/sample size.)
Starbucks is hailing the Sorbetto as an indulgent Italian-inspired treat for consumers looking for a mid-afternoon snack. (Translation: Starbucks is looking to fill a post-morning slowdown in foot traffic by offering a cool, non-caffeinated drink in the afternoon.)
Richardson said Starbucks chose Orange and Los Angeles counties to debut the drink because customers here are the “perfect market” for testing innovative drinks. The Sorbetto will eventually go national, but a timeline for such a rollout has not been set, Richardson said.
Here’s the lowdown:
- The Tangy Sorbetto is made with yogurt and is literally inspired by Pinkberry, Starbucks said. No kidding. Press materials actually state the drink is a “tangy pinkberry inspired treat.” I have to say, that description suits the drink. Having just eaten Pinkberry the other night, I found the Tangy Sorbetto to be a drinkable version of any plain froyo treat. Of the two main flavors, I liked this one the best. (Note: While the Sorbetto is made with yogurt, it does not have the same amount of live and active cultures as the swirly treats found in most froyo chains, according to Richardson.)
- The Citrus Ice Sorbetto is lighter and less indulgent than the Tangy Sorbetto. In fact, it was essentially a slush drink. So nothing really innovative here. I’d compare it to Taco Bell’s new Frutista drink, which is much tastier and less expensive.
- For an added twist, Starbucks also offers the Tangy Citrus Ice Sorbetto. The drink (shown above) combines the two Sorbettos together. You can also customize your Tangy Sorbetto with flavor shots, such as tropical mango (top photo) or mixed berry juices made by Naked Juice, said Richardson. I would recomm
end that option, as well. - As for the Vivanno smoothies, I don’t have any feedback to report. I was NOT offered a sample. But, here’s the lowdown — it’s a protein and banana smoothie that comes in two flavors: Orange Mango Banana & Banana Chocolate. Cost: $3.75 to $3.95. Both drinks contain 5 grams of fat or less. Read more at Eater.com or Serious Eats blog.
To find a Starbucks that serves the Sorbetto in Orange County, go to www.starbucks.com.
Related stories:
- Learn how to get a free Frutista sample at Taco Bell
- Forget froyo. We still scream for ice cream, new survey says
- Laguna Beach Starbucks among 50 to close in July
- 5 Starbucks targeted for closure in O.C.
- Starbucks to close 600 cafes in U.S.
- Starbucks said it will launch a smoothie drink SoCal
Does is taste burnt like their coffee?
I had a sample of the citrus ice, and it was good, but I wouldn’t buy it. I would rather have a slurpee from 7-11, much cheaper.
wow my head is spinning after that post. thats a lot of info for, is it 2 new drinks? and all those fancy new words. starbucks management must get a kick out of making up new words.
as for the pinkberry connection, you are aware that they (starbucks) have invested in pinkberry, right? so it makes sense they’d pimp the name.
good point, Nick, on the Pinkberry investment by Schultz. I totally forgot about that. Nancy
I think this may backfire on Starbucks. This is why they are finding the need to close stores, they need to focus on the Pikes Peak philosophy and go back to when Baristas cared, the drinks were not subpar and it felt like a corner place.
Starbucks is not the first coffee place to have a yogurt drink- coffee bean debuted one earlier this month. I sampled it… it was ok, but I wouldn’t buy it.
If I want Baskin-Robbins, I’ll go to Baskin-Robbins.
After all the talk about Starbucks getting “back to basics” and focusing on the coffee, they pull a stunt like this and offer up kiddy yogurt bombs with a cutesy name. No thanks.
I tried one on the Starbucks off of Jeffrey and Bryan in Irvine. I had the snakebite one half/half mix. The slushy part definitely had a grapefruit taste which I liked a lot. The top yogurt part had the definite flavor of yogurt but was very very light. Not the thick goop of regular yogurt but something more along the lines of whipped yogurt. It was very nice. I’m on my way to get another one after writing this.
Hate to say this ( not a starbucks nor any corporate chain fan) but the Pinkberry sorbetto is actually really good.
It tastes just like the original Pinkberry yoghurt, & there are not that many of those Pinkberry stores around.
I think it is an excellent move by Pinkberry & Starbucks to team up.
Pinkberry needs Starbucks for quick distribution & expansion or it will get flattened by imitators.
I think Starbucks 27.5 million investment will pay off big time.
I just tried the Pinkberry Sorbetto at the Starbucks in Westminster. I love Pinkberry’s original yogurt, and this tastes just like it. They offered me a sample first, and I was sold. I don’t care for coffee, but I love Starbuck’s chai and their iced teas. I hope they keep offering the Sorbetto, as it will keep me coming back. (I will say, though, that I think cup is too small for the price.)
Yawn