Friday, October 8, 2010

Starbucks Introduces Flavored VIA

Mail from Starbucks!
The best kind of mail? I think so.
Usually my trips to the mailbox aren't particularly fun—Nothing much to anticipate besides bills. Bills or junk mail. But Tuesday, not so! On Tuesday, my mailbox contained no bills, no junk, just a free sample of Starbucks newest addition to its popular Via Ready Brew coffee line. As of October 5, four new flavors are available in Starbucks stores: Vanilla, Caramel, Cinnamon Spice, and Mocha!

Should I admit to you all that I initially typo'd "addition" to read, "addiction"? Now there's a cosmic irony for ya.

I love the idea of Starbucks VIA. Because quite frankly, sometimes I really need want some coffee but I don't have time to make a Starbucks run. When I found out MyStarbucksIdea.com was giving out free samples to the first 100 people to comment with which flavor they'd like, I jumped at the chance!

What flavor did I choose? Mocha, of course!

Thanks for the free coffee, Starbucks!!!

I didn't actually get around to trying the Mocha VIA until today—which is when I really needed it most! I was so sleepy during by break between classes, I decided it was the perfect time.

It was super simple. Heat 8 ounces of water, find the appropriate cup, and add the VIA. The whole process took way less than five minutes.

You can heat your water on the oven, or you can be a lazy American like me and pop it in the microwave for thirty seconds.

Step One
Acquire adorable cup and packet of Starbucks VIA.
Halloween cats are optional.

Step Two
Measure out 8oz of water and heat it up!
Don't worry—Your Starbucks VIA will wait patiently.
:-)

Step Three
Pour your Starbucks VIA your cup, then add your hot water.
STIR!
Yes, I did mine out of order. Oops...


Step Four
Enjoy!

See? Look at that. Super easy. And I was too lazy to do anything to it, but I've been told it's yummy with  steamed milk. So if you try that and LOVE it, you can thank StarbucksMelody.com for that tip!

Personally, I still prefer myself my mochas direct from a Starbucks barista, but I'm definitely going to try this again with some steamed milk. I'm also interested in trying the other three flavors!

Check them out at your local Starbucks, or at Starbucks.com!


5 comments:

Matt Bukaty said...

HA! No, I think the Halloween cats are necessary in all coffee-brewing ventures.

-eness

Sarah said...

Ha! Well, then I'm in luck! You, maybe not so much? Where are YOUR Halloween cats?

:-)

MissWoodhouse said...

Perfectly executed sampling, Sarah dear! You are welcome to come to my store and talk up VIA anytime. ;) I'm glad you like it- the mocha is good, but I'm a caramel gal all the way (in warm milk, of course).

Little side note: the only reason it says to pour in the VIA before the water is that if you do it the other way and take too long to pour it in, the steam makes the VIA start disintegrating in the little packet! Not that I found this out the hard way last fall while doing hour after hour of store sampling.... :D

Okay, back on track! Thanks for your great writeup and awesome pictures- this was a blast to read!

June said...

I use the VIA frequently and can't wait to try the new flavored ones. I don't use water though--I always add it to heated milk because I'm latte all the way. And...if it is really warm out--I add it to a small amount of warm milk, pour it over ice and then add more cold milk to fill it to the top. And sweeten. (And yes, I have tried the VIA for cold drinks, but I still prefer using the original ones.) I'll let you know my favorite one after I have tried them all:)
Happy sipping.....

Sarah said...

@MissWoodhouse—Why thank you! It was my first sampling, technically, so I’m pleased it went over well! I definitely want to try the caramel, too. And with milk. Because that sounds like an excellent idea.

And OH! That makes sense! I did notice that pouring it into the cup made some of the VIA stick to the edges it was pouring out of. Haha.

Thank YOU for commenting! Glad you enjoyed the pictures! I enjoyed taking them.
:-)



@June—You’ll have to let me know how you like them! I was too lazy to add milk, but now I regret that! Everyone seems to agree that makes them very yummy.
And I love iced coffee, so I may have to steal your idea on icing the VIA.
Hope you enjoy the new flavored ones!