My Favorite Drink of All Time: Vanilla Bean Frappuccino

Atlanta is the center of Coca Cola, the focus of the debate between Coca Cola and Pepsi, and also home to hundreds of Starbucks all over the state. Regardless of the daily debates about what beverage is best, it is best to remember that drinks help bring family and friends together and even can lead to lifelong memories.

I have been going to Starbucks with my family since I was almost six years old, but until recently I never got any of the drinks. I loved drinking cold Coca Cola and Sprite, but I wanted variation. As I grew out of just wanting the same food each time, I began to look for something else to try at Starbucks. Their coffee was not  for me at six years old, and the cold brew and other caffeinated beverages were too bitter in middle school. I did not want a hot drink either, especially in the middle of a hot, summer day. This process of elimination led me to looking at the frappuccinos listed on the green boards in Starbucks when I walked in one day. After trying the strawberry frappuccino and caramel frappuccinos, I was looking for a different taste, and this led me to the vanilla bean frappuccinos. 

Vanilla bean frappuccinos are icy drinks that do not have coffee in them. Their base consists of frappuccino syrup and then includes “heavy cream milk” and “vanilla bean paste.” At the very end, they top the drink with whipped cream. I enjoy vanilla bean frappuccinos over other drinks because they are not overly sweet, as the milk and vanilla bean balance each other. In addition, if you do not want to have coffee or are just not in the mood for caffeine, then it is a great option that can keep your energy up without the caffeine. You can also customize this drink to your taste. If you do want espresso or for your drink to have more vanilla, you can choose to add espresso shots or scoops of vanilla. Another reason why these drinks are great is that you aren’t rushed to drink it quickly-- the ice melting does not affect the drink, and the flavor does not taste diluted even after some time has passed, unlike how some drinks’ flavor tastes like plain water after just a little bit of time. These drinks are also not season-specific. Unlike pumpkin spice, vanilla bean frappuccinos are available year-round since the flavor is not tied to a certain season. I prefer these over other drinks outside of Starbucks for several reasons. While carbonated drinks, such as regular Coca Cola and Sprite, are enjoyable, the vanilla bean frappuccino can be a nice break from these drinks since it is a heavier paste and cream that makes it less like a drink and more solid to drink. In addition, I prefer it over other flavors of Coke, such as Cherry Coke, because it is less overbearingly sweet.

Although people sometimes just see beverages as something that tastes good or provides energy, drinks have always brought people together and encouraged socialization  I would recommend trying out the vanilla bean frappuccino since it has a good balance of ingredients and flavors, and it can be a great alternative to drinks by Coca Cola and Pepsi if that is what you are looking for.

By Hasita Yalamanchili