I have made the trip to Starbucks a couple of times recently to do some writing. Last week, after I had ordered my caramel latte, I noticed something called the gingersnap latte on the menu. That can’t be gingercrack, I thought. Must be some variation with the real thing coming closer to Christmas.
Well, I headed out to write again today and asked the guy taking my order what the hell a gingersnap latte was. He kind of looked around like he had to make sure the fuzz wasn’t around before he answered. Then he told me it was basically the same thing as a gingerbread latte. So I got one.
He was right, for the most part. It tasted like gingercrack until you got to the bottom. Apparently, they put real pieces of ginger on top so you have some soggy pieces of ginger awaiting you at the end of your drink. What the hell is that about?
Thankfully, the interwebs have lots of valuable information, and I have determined that you can just ask the person making your coffee to leave the pieces of ginger off the top of your drink. Why would they go and ruin a good thing like gingercrack like this? Who gives a crap if every other coffee place now has gingerbread syrup? You have the original, Starbucks. Stop messing with it.
I didn’t realize they bought Seattle’s Best. You learn something new every day.
By the way, tell everyone I said Hi. I miss interrupting you all when it’s least convenient for you.
I went back and checked in on the difference between Peppermint Mocha and Peppermint Mocha Twist. The “Twist” is peppermint flavored whipped cream (which I don’t get because I order mine skim) and chocolate shavings. Maybe this is the Seattle’s Best influence. Seattle’s Best has been putting crap on top drinks forever and Starbucks bought them out a few years ago.
I went back today, and they said a lot of people are asking to not put the ginger on. They also said they knew this would happen when they got the directions for the new drink. When I ordered without the sprinkles, she said, “So you want me to make it the way we used to?”
I, too, am very annoyed at Starbucks for messing with the holiday line-up. My favorite – the Peppermint Mocha – is now the Peppermint Mocha Twist. I don’t know what is “twisted” about this year’s version. It tastes the same to me, but I’m still annoyed. Not sure what the Espresso Truffle is, either, but I’m sure the Egg Nog Latte fans are not pleased.