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*Read in sports announcer voice* Hello and welcome to the 2021 caramel showdown! Today we will find out once and for all: McDonald's caramel frappe or Starbucks caramel frappuccino?
Yes! In this post, we will be discussing who has the better blended caramel drink. As I have recently started a job at a local coffeehouse, I have started to really understand the inner workings of making coffee. In training, I have learned how to make the drinks, the process of the machines that brew the espresso, and the simplified chemistry of coffee mixology. With this knowledge, I can confidently say that I now have a better understanding and a better appreciation for the beverages that I review.
Now for the real purpose of this post... the drinks! The description given for the McDonald's caramel frappe reads as follows: McDonald's Caramel Frappé recipe is made with rich caramel flavor and a hint of coffee, blended with ice, and topped with whipped topping and caramel drizzle. The description for the Starbucks caramel frappuccino then reads: Caramel syrup meets coffee, milk and ice for a rendezvous in the blender, while whipped cream and buttery caramel sauce layer the love on top. In summary, both are blended caramel drinks with coffee, whip, and caramel drizzle. On with the ratings!
Starbucks
Taste- My first impression was sweet and caramel. It was everything you would expect it to be in a caramel frappuccino. The sweetness was upfront and the caramel flavor was present. Though, the caramel was not very strong. The coffee aspect of the drink was also not very strong either. Both my mom and I tried it, and she could taste the coffee more than I could, but we both agreed that it was not very prominent. 7/10.
Price- The price for a tall/12oz drink was disappointing, as it was $4.85. 6/10.
Quality- This blended drink was surprisingly not very well blended. Though it was fully mixed, the ice itself felt like one of the flavors. It was more gritty and made you want to chew a few times before swallowing it. The aftertaste did not linger, but it was not bad. 6.8/10.
Aesthetic- Starbucks always takes the cake when it comes to vibes. The fluffy whipped cream was in a perfect swirl, and the classic caramel drizzle was generous. The pictures were incredible as always. 9/10.
Final score: 7.2/10
McDonald's
Taste- This was very sweet. The caramel was very prominent and tasted a lot milkier. The coffee was a subtle taste, but you could definitely tell it was there. Because of the upfront sweetness, it tasted almost like a milkshake. 8/10.
Price- McDonald's is usually hard to beat when it comes to prices, and that statement stood true with this beverage. It was $2.18 for 12oz and earned a 9.7/10.
Quality- The drink was nicely blended and did not have any weird textures. It was thick, did not have too much ice, and it had a good aftertaste. 7.7/10
Aesthetic- This presentation was lacking. The caramel drizzle was oddly shaped and the whipped cream was also not very structured. 8/10
Final score: 8.35/10
Overall both drinks are classics, and you can never go wrong with either of them. As my ratings reveal, McDonald's wins this showdown. Though it is a little odd that the company that specializes in coffee beverages did not win this round.
Also, if you haven't had a good old fashioned blended beverage, go and enjoy one because you deserve it! Have a lovely day :)
Published on 2/22/2021
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