Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino Review

There’s no shortage of Instagram-worthy food and drink creations, and Starbucks’ Unicorn Frappuccino is no exception. This “flavor and color-changing” frap is made with pink powder blended into a mango-creme Frappuccino and layered with a sour powder topping. When you stir it, the color transforms from purple to pink and the flavor changes from sweet to tart. While this colorful frap made its way around the internet, we all wondered- how does it taste? Let’s find out in this Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino review. 

History and Inspiration

The Unicorn Frappuccino was a fun drink introduced by Starbucks in April 2017. A year before this, the internet went crazy for unicorn-everything, including Unicorn Hot Chocolate, Unicorn Milkshakes, unicorn hair, unicorn clothes, unicorn paint, etc. Starbucks created their Unicorn Frap on their Secret Menu, but unfortunately for my pre-teen and all of her colorful friends, these fraps were only offered for about a week. Even though this drink was labeled as a frappuccino, there was no coffee added- but with all the sugar, who needs caffeine? 

Types of Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino

The Unicorn Frappuccino is no longer on Starbucks ’ menu, but there are a few similar options you can ask for. These drinks aren’t “officially” on the menu, but if you ask your barista, they might be able to create them for you. I’ve brought drink recipes I found online to my local Starbucks, and they’re always happy to give it a try. Similar colorful Starbucks drinks include the following:

 

• The Pink Unicorn

• Unicorn Passion

• Unicorn Iced Mocha

• Vanilla Unicorn Bean Frappucino

• Raspberry Unicorn Frappucino

Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino Review

This colorful frap is made with ice, milk, pink powder, sour blue powder, crème Frappuccino syrup, mango syrup, and blue drizzle, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and sprinkles.

1.      Taste and Texture [3/5]

The Unicorn Frappuccino is instantly eye-catching with its bright purple and blue swirls, topped with whipped cream and purple and blue sprinkles. It reminded me of my Lisa Frank stationery as a kid, and that made my inner-80’s kid squeal with excitement. I think I expected my first sip to taste like a creamy frappuccino, but I was surprised that it tasted more like a Sweet Tart or sour Skittles mixed with a Creamsicle. Once I stirred the drink, the colors mixed into a light pinkish color. I believe the blue swirls were responsible for the tart flavors, but I toned it down a bit by mixing the whipped cream in it. This is a powerfully-sweet drink- all 39 grams of sugar were definitely there. I had a “tall” 12-oz, and I couldn’t finish it. I’d give it 5 stars for looks, but 2 stars for taste. 

2. Are they healthy? [2/5]

The Unicorn Frappuccino is loaded with calories. A ”tall” 12-ounce Unicorn Frappuccino has 280 calories, 11 grams of fat, and 39 grams of sugar, the same amount in a 12-oz can of Coca-Cola. However, Unicorn Frap fans are likely more interested in participating in a fun food trend with their friends than being concerned about how healthy it is. One way to cut the fat is by ordering your frap with almond milk instead of whole milk, and skipping the whipped cream on top- but where’s the fun in that?

3. Are they Worth it? [2/5]

If it was all about participating in a fun food trend, I’d say it’s worth it. But because this drink was only offered for one week, it didn’t gain a lot of traction. Starbucks does offer other colorful drinks like the marbelized Serious Strawberry Frappuccino or the Harley Quinn Frappuccino.

Final Verdict

The Unicorn Frappuccino was created as part of a viral trend, and in that way, this drink succeeded. But it’s not a drink that customers can add to their weekly drink routines due to its extremely limited availability. If you love Creamsicles or Sweet Tarts, this could be for you, but I prefer to stick to frappuccinos that taste more like coffee. 

Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino Nutrition Facts  

The nutritional info below is based on a “tall” 12-oz serving.

 

• Calories 280

• Carbs 42 g

• Sugar 39 g

• Fat 11 g

• Saturated 7 g

• Protein 4 g

• Sodium 170 mg

• Cholesterol 35 mg

Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino Pricing  

Unicorn Frappuccinos were officially on Starbucks’ menus from April 19 to April 23, 2017, and they cost between $4.25 and $4.95. Most of Starbucks’ other frappuccinos are priced between $3.75 and $4.95, so the price was consistent with similar drinks. 

 

What do you think about our Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino review? 

 

Were you one of the lucky ones to try out this color-changing unicorn frap? If not, have you tried any of Starbucks’ similar colorful drinks? Are any of them as Instagram-worthy as the Unicorn Frappuccino? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.