It's a vibrant pop of color and nostalgia just in time for summer.
If you spent any time on Instagram in 2017, you probably remember the Unicorn Frappuccino. The bright pink-and-blue Starbucks concoction felt like a secret menu drink. It was colorful, over-the-top and impossible to ignore. People either loved it or hated it and posted about it nonstop.
Then, just as quickly as it arrived, it disappeared from menus, becoming one of the coffee chain’s most legendary limited-time offerings.
Now, nearly a decade later, Starbucks is bringing back the viral drink that launched a thousand social media posts and think pieces. The company recently confirmed that the Unicorn Frappuccino will return later this summer, with a catch: Fans will only have one weekend to get their hands on it.
For anyone who missed out the first time around (or wants to relive the glory days), this is your chance.
What is the Unicorn Frappuccino?
The Unicorn Frappuccino is like the drink version of ugly pony bread. It debuted in 2017 and quickly became a phenomenon. In some ways, I think Starbucks was ahead of its time with this creation. A lot of people really hated how colorful and over-the-top it was, but this is exactly the kind of brightly-colored drink that would go viral now in an instant.
Starbucks describes the drink as a cream-based Frappuccino blended with pink powder and mango syrup, layered with sour blue drizzle and topped with vanilla whipped cream. A dusting of sweet pink and sour blue powder finishes it off and kind of gives it a magical fairy dust vibe. Part of the drink’s appeal is that it changes flavor as you sip. The fruity base mixes with the tart drizzle, creating a sweet-and-sour combination that’s unlike anything else on the Starbucks menu.
Of course, the real star of the show is the look. With its vibrant pink, purple and blue swirls, the Unicorn Frappuccino became one of Starbucks’ most photographed beverages ever. It’s the kind of drink that practically begs for a close-up.
When will the Unicorn Frappuccino be available?
According to Starbucks, the Unicorn Frappuccino will return for one weekend only, “to close out the summer.” Starbucks also said the drink will be available at locations across the United States and around the world.
If I put on my detective hat, I would guess that this is going to come back for Labor Day weekend. I mean, isn’t that the unofficial “end” of summer? Starbucks gave fans a preview earlier this year when the drink made a brief appearance at Coachella, and excitement for a wider return has been building ever since. But for now, we just have to wait and see when this will be hitting menus again.
If history is any indication, you’ll want to act fast once the dates are announced. The original Unicorn Frappuccino was only around for a few days before supplies ran out, and this nostalgic comeback is likely to draw plenty of attention from longtime fans eager to taste a little bit of 2017 all over again.
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