Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored by Starbucks
Starbucks is proof that you can turn almost anything into a success with a little creativity. Even though people have been drinking coffee for decades, Starbucks revolutionized the coffee industry. There are plenty of coffeehouses that sell coffee that taste better Starbucks (and probably cheaper), yet it will always remain my #1…and I am pretty sure many others share my sentiments.
For starters its extensive menu appeals to coffee-connoisseurs, wannabe coffee drinkers and even the non-coffee drinkers alike. For those who prefer to customize his/her drink, Starbucks will cater accordingly, no matter how high maintenance the order may be (I’ll take a grande, iced soy chai tea latte with a shot of espresso and no sugar syrup). Their free wi-fi instantly converts Starbucks from a coffeehouse into a temporary office…and the comfortable sofas only lure in customers even more. Even though it is found on every street corner cross the globe, Starbucks strives to maintain a degree of consistency.
There are a million reasons why Starbucks remains a favourite of many.
For me, I am pretty sure my love for Starbucks stems from nostalgia. Growing up, it was one of the first places I was allowed to go on my own, even though it was a mere 5-minute walk from my building. I can’t even count the number of hours I have spent catching up with loved ones in the Starbucks on North Audley Street in London. If memory serves right, my friends & I once actually got Dominoes to deliver us pizza there because we were too lazy to change venues. Side note: This was long before Starbucks upped their food game. I remember being so addicted to Starbucks’ skinny blueberry muffins that my bestie would bring one to Lagos for me every time she visited (thanks Ayesh).
Chai concentrate
With so many memories attached to this coffee shop, Starbucks feels like home to an extent…and of course I am thrilled that more & more branches are opening up across India. As an ever-growing Starbucks loyalist, my drink of choice has evolved over the years. I started off with mocha frappuccinos, then coffee fraps, then coffee light fraps, and then soy cappuccinos (or lattes). Gradually my taste buds matured into craving americanos, preferably iced when the sun is out.
I’ve recently gotten hooked on their iced chai tea lattes. On the days I’m feeling cray cray, I opt for its dirty counterpart i.e. an iced chai tea latte with a shot of espresso. Despite living in the land of chai for over 4 years, it’s almost embarrassing to think that Starbucks turned me into a chai convert…such is life! Aside from taking Starbucks to a whole new level for me, their iced chai tea lattes inspired me to come up with a DIY version at home…without all that sugar. Lord knows I don’t want to be downing a sugar bomb every time I get my chai fix ;). And before I give Starbucks any more free promotion, let me share my recipe for Iced Chai Tea Lattes:
[yumprint-recipe id=’4′]If I’m living in the land of chai, I might as well milk it completely ;)!
What’s your favorite coffeehouse?
What’s your go-to Starbucks order?
The Starbucks Mocha is my fav – and you are so right – there’s a little coffeehouse around the corner from me that makes a way way better Mocha than Starbucks, but, lately, I find myself going there less and less !!! I don’t blame you for your addiction to their skinny blueberry muffins – they are still THAT good!
I am loving the sound of that cardamom and ginger and cinnamon in your chai – I’ve never gotten chai at ‘Bucks,but there was a tiny store in The Souk in Abu Dhabi that made some fantastic chair with cardamom and cloves and condensed milk!
Ohh I’ve never tried chai with condensed milk but I can only imagine how heavenly it would taste 🙂
They closed down most of the starbucks in Australia…fail whale.
Saying that, i was obsessed with it in America, and the prices were so good compared to Australia- (a tall here is around $5)
Waaaait a sec- why would they shut Starbucks down :(???
I read the Starbucks founder’s book years ago and i was fascinated. The way he introduced the coffee revolution to the states was amazing. He was inspired by all the little cafes in italy and everyone was like ‘it’ll never work anywhere else” but he ignored them. its so inspiring. and starbucks was my go-to in middle school and still is today 🙂
I didn’t realise he wrote a book- will definitely be checking out…thanks for the heads up 🙂
Cannot wait to try. Do you know, what’s the calorie count?
It would vary depending on the milk & sweetener used 🙂
im hooked to chai tea lattee…this is definitely happening.
Make it happen 🙂
I’m not a huge chai fan, but I think that’s because I really don’t know what to order! Coffee, however, I can do! My mom would love this on a hot day – she’s the chai lover in the family!
I think you need to make this for your mom before she heads back to ATL 😉
You know I’m not a coffee person at all, but I’ve had Chai Tea Lattes from Starbucks before and absolutely loved them! That or my shaken passionfruit iced teas.
Have you tried their green tea lemonade? It’s really refreshing too!
Iced tea is my jam, especially in LA – when I am walking around with friends, in about 5 minutes I WANT ICED TEA because straight up water… BORING!
Iced tea is awesome in the summer, especially now that they are so commonly available (without all that sugary syrup)!
Pinning this!!! It looks awesome.
My favourite coffeehouse is an independent place called Tamp Coffee Co that’s in downtown Burlington. They make the best lattes! I grew up on Starbucks though – my order was a chai latte in high school, then I switched to vanilla lattes and Americanos.
Let me know whether you make this- as a chai latte fan, I think you’ll enjoy it 🙂
I totally share your love for the ‘bucks. She’s my main lady. I do still adore other coffee shops too, but Starbucks will always be #1!
If anyone agreed with me, I knew it would be you 😉
It is not at all popular in Australia, it flopped. But we already had similar chains of our own and usually Aussies tend to prefer Australian brands. I always liked in when I lived in the states though.
I do love chai it is my favorite so I am going to try this for sure!
I’m surprised Starbucks didn’t too well in Australia- it must be one of the few places it failed in!
I’m totally with you on Starbucks being my #1 go-to when it comes to coffee, and to be honest, there are very few places that I’ve found where I like the coffee better. I think I dipped my toes into coffee drinking with a vanilla latte — that was back when I couldn’t handle the taste of coffee and needed it to be masked by as much sugar and milk as possible. Now, though? I’ll take either an Americano, dry cappuccino, or straight up Pike.
Ooh what is a Pike? Our coffee preferences seem to be in sync so you’ve piqued my interest (see what I did there ;))!
Bring on the dirty counterpart. Ok I totally just wanted to say dirty.
I love this drink. I will absolutely make this. Thanks for sharing sunshine.
Love the new look for the recipe format. Very clean and streamlined.
Thanks so much, girl…gotta love plugins ;)!
You dirty, dirty girl 😉
I’ve been so into Starbucks passion iced tea lately! But this chai tea sounds so refreshing…nom!!
I need to try their passion iced tea- soon!