Post Punk Kitchen Forum

This is spot on. Starbucks has to cater to a really sweet taste. The peppermint mocha? If you get a grande, it has 2 ounces of syrups. GROSS. So 2 oz syrup, 2 oz espresso, room for about 2 oz whipped cream (in the standard beverage), so only 10 oz of milk to balance all the sugar and flavour. I can't even fathom drinking that, because it's SOOOO sweet, but as a barista, I had tons of customers who thought it was fantastic. Or asked for extra syrup. To each their own, I suppose.

i got one of these vanilla spice lattes this morning.
i thought it was just ok. in all fairness im not sure im a latte person. i could definitely taste the cardamom. if i got it again i might just do a regular vanilla latte. usually i just stick to the peppermint mocha. they had a dark cherry mocha for one summer once that was amazing and then they never had it again. that was pre-gan so i dont know if it was vegan but i want it back!!!

i did not watch to see what kind of soymilk they used because i was too busy trying to bore holes into the back of the lady in front of me's head with my laser eyes since she was wearing a dead animal on her head, but i am probably one of those people who they cater to with the sweet stuff. i have a wicked sweet tooth :-)

Yeah, this. . . I wanna try the latte, with the typical amount of syrup added, made with vanilla soymilk. Shoot me.

Does it taste kinda like a dirty chai (chai latte + espresso shot)? Seems like they would be pretty similar in flavor.

I finally had time to get one and I'm drinking it now. Meh...

It's not too sweet for me, but the spice part is a little overpowering. I wish it was more subtle. Probably won't ever get this drink again.

Damnit, I can't even decide if this sounds good to me, but I'm curious so I think I have to try it.

I don't usually find the drinks too sweet (I wish I did) except for things like the peppermint mocha, where they double up on syrups. Ack! I have gotten one but have to ask for just 1/2 the amount of each.

Thanks to whoever here suggested having the vanilla spice with a shot of mocha (I did look but can't find the post now). I had a grande one of these yesterday, it was very nice.
Today I had a vanilla spice without the mocha shot and found it had a slightly unpleasant aftertaste to it which the mocha must have offset yesterday - unless size makes some difference? Today I had a tall.

Where do you guys get the vegan mocha? The baristas always tell me that it is a sauce that has milk powder in it. Is it regional, or do stores have leeway in how they make it up?

lw - the mocha should never have milk in it (the white mocha does, though). They should all be using the same stuff everywhere. They mix it from a powder in store (mixed with water), so ask them to check the bag if they try to tell you that again.

I'll ask again in the morning. This barista is always super good though, so it's weird. I would love a raspberry mocha. I only get 1-2 pumps of syrup ever in a venti; so sweet otherwise

Yeah, the mocha is made from cocoa powder, sugar, and maybe vanillin? I can't remember off the top of my head, but it's definitely vegan. The mocha is awesome with raspberry - it's pretty dark and not very sweet so it balances super well. I think I might get one tomorrow... Iced with a pump of each. Mmm.

For those who find the lattes too sweet, you can ask for your latte "half-sweet" so they'll use only 2 pumps of syrup instead of the typical 4 pumps (for a grande). That's how I order my drinks here (in Canada...so it is regular soy milk, not vanilla soy milk, but I think it might be sweetened a little bit). Except for the time that I asked for it half-sweet and the barista wrote "2x" on the cup....and I think they added twice as much syrup...it was sooooo gross haha!

i ordered a vanilla roibos venti, with 1/2 cup steamed soy milk and 1 pump of the vanilla spice syrup...yummy! i also tried today the same drink with a chai spiced tea bag instead...the first is better!