Starbucks New Espresso Drinks Are Shaken, Not Stirred

by Erica LoopMarch 2, 2021

Spring has sprung at Starbucks. The beloved brand recently announced its new spring menu—and now you can get a plant-based Shaken Espresso!

If you’re already a fan of Starbucks signature Shaken Iced Tea or Coffee, you’re in for a treat. On Mar. 2, the coffee retailer will debut an espresso Shaken option. Actually, Sbucks will debut two different Shaken Espresso menu items: The Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso and an Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso.

Why switch from your traditional espresso drink to shaken version? Of the Shaken Espresso option, Alicia Binion, senior product developer on Starbucks beverage development team, said in a press release, “The fun thing about shaking is it adds another dimension to the beverage.” Binion added, “It creates a rich texture on your palate—by just adding air. When you take that first sip, you get a wonderful froth that is infused with flavor.”

The Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso starts with a Starbucks Blonde espresso. The espresso is shaken together with brown sugar and cinnamon before it’s topped with oatmilk and ice. Binion described this drink, saying, “The delicate sweetness and the depth from the brown sugar pairs really well with the cinnamon and the Starbucks Blonde Espresso.”

Starbucks’ Iced Chocolate Almondmilk Shaken Espresso also features Blonde espresso—and includes cocoa, malt, almondmilk and ice. Binion noted, “It’s fun with a little bit of familiarity at the same time.”

Along with the two new flavored drinks, Sbucks fans can also try an Iced Shaken Espresso. This option combines a full-bodied espresso with two-percent milk.

—Erica Loop

Photos courtesy of Starbucks

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Trader Joe’s Reveals Customer Faves & It’s Time for a TJ’s Run

by Karly WoodFebruary 4, 2021

It’s the most wonderful time of the year: the Trader Joe’s Annual Customer Choice Awards are here!

Every year the grocery tallies the best and brightest products voted on by local customers and this year’s 12th edition has it all. From repeat winners to newbies on the block, keep reading to see the hottest goodies you won’t want to miss.

FAVORITE OVERALL & ENTREE: Mandarin Orange Chicken

A winner for several years in the running, this Mandarin Orange Chicken is easy on the wallet and is a weeknight dinner saver.

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FAVORITE VEGAN/VEGETARIAN ITEM: Soy Chorizo

Taco night is saved, especially for vegetarians!

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FAVORITE SWEET TREAT: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

Good by the handful or if you just need to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can't go wrong with these dark chocolate PB cups.

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FAVORITE CHEESE: Unexpected Cheddar

No matter if you prefer it by the block or shredded, Unexpected Cheddar is here to jazz up your meal.

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FAVORITE BEVERAGE: Sparkling Black Tea with Peach Juice Beverage

Who needs plain ole iced tea when you can have it with peach juice?

FAVORITE SNACK: Salted Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets

Cute and satisfying, these pretzel nuggets are perfect for school lunches.

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FAVORITE PRODUCE: Teeny Tiny Avocados

They may be tiny, but they are mighty and delicious.

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FAVORITE IN HOME, BATH, & BEAUTY: Scented Candles

Can you ever truly have enough candles?

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Trader Joe’s

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Dunkin’ Has Pink Velvet Drinks & Heart-Shaped Donuts for Valentine’s Day

by Erica LoopJanuary 29, 2021

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Dunkin’! The fave donut brand brought back its limited time holiday menu—and it includes two delectable drinks.

Treat your sweetie, or yourself, to a Pink Velvet Macchiato or Mocha Macchiato on Valentine’s Day. The Pink Velvet Macchiato combines Dunkin’s espresso with a red velvet cake flavor. Add in hints of cream cheese icing flavor and a generous scoop of ice and this chilled drink is a beverage that will make you fall in love. Mocha Macchiato offers the combo of rich espresso and deep chocolate flavors.

According to Jill Nelson, Vice President, Marketing & Culinary at Dunkin’, “Dunkin’ is the perfect place for anyone to find the spirit of Valentine’s Day. With our gorgeous Pink Velvet and Mocha Macchiatos, joined together with our beloved heart-shaped donuts, we’re making it easy to treat yourself and bring a little love and sweetness to any way you choose to celebrate.”

Along with the two limited-edition drinks, Dunkin’ is also serving up a heart-shaped Brown Batter Donut and the Bavarian Kreme-filled, strawberry icing-topped Cupid’s Choice Donut.

Look for the Valentine’s Day menu in participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide through the end of February.

—Erica Loop

Featured photo: Dunkin’

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Fuel Your Mondays with Free Coffee from Dunkin’

by Jennifer SwartvagherJanuary 29, 2021

Dunkin’ wants to keep their most loyal fans runnin’ this month. DD Perks members can start the week off right with a free medium hot coffee with any purchase every Monday in February. Coffee fans who are not currently enrolled can take part in Free Coffee Mondays by signing up on the Dunkin’ App or at DDPerks.com.

Fans can enjoy their go-to Dunkin’ brew, such as Original Blend or Dunkin’ Decaf, discover a new favorite with recently introduced hot coffee options, including Dunkin’ Midnight and Explorer Batch or check out their Valentine’s Day Menu.

“As we head into the home stretch of winter, we know our fans could use a little extra boost to stay energized. With Free Coffee Mondays, we look forward to keeping our rewards members running with a free cup of hot coffee to help start each week in February off right,” said Joanna Bonder, Director, Loyalty Marketing and Strategy at Dunkin’.

To take part in Free Coffee Mondays, DD Perks members can simply order ahead via the Dunkin’ App or have their loyalty ID QR code scanned before they pay. DD Perks members earn five points for every dollar they spend on qualifying purchases at Dunkin’. Once a member accrues 200 points, they receive a free beverage reward of any size, redeemable at participating Dunkin’ restaurants.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Dunkin’

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Your Child’s Artwork Could Be Featured on Juicy Juice Packs Nationwide

by Jennifer SwartvagherJanuary 29, 2021

Imagine walking down the grocery aisle and seeing your child’s artwork on the shelves. Now Juicy Juice is offering a way to make that come true. The Happy Artist Contest gives kids the chance to see their drawings on juice packs nationwide.

To participate, parents can submit their child’s drawing of what makes them 100% happy through Feb. 28. Visit JuicyJuice.com/HappyArtist to download and print the contest design template

“This year more than ever, it’s important for moms and dads to have activities at their fingertips while many are continuing to spend time close to home,” said Ilene Bergenfeld, Chief Marketing Officer at Harvest Hill Beverage Company. “Taking time to reflect on what makes us 100% happy adds another layer of fun to a simple at-home activity, like drawing, and promotes kids’ creative thinking in a new, artistic way.”

A panel of judges will collaborate and select the winners based on criteria including design and technique, originality and consistency with the 100% happy theme. Winners will be announced on March 15. Participants can visit JuicyJuice.com for official rules and regulations.

Four grand prize winners will have the chance to see their artwork featured on Juicy Juice packs and receive a $500 gift card to go towards art supplies and empowering creativity at home. An additional ten first prize winners will receive a $200 gift card to upgrade their at-home art materials. Some tips for little artists’ parents to know:

Stay inside the lines – the template is sized accordingly to Juicy Juice’s packaging.
Markers, crayons, colored pencils are all accepted, and the more color the better!
Artists of any ability and skill level are welcome to participate.
Judging is based on two age group categories: 2 – 6 and 7 – 10.

For more inspiration and ideas for staying engaged and entertained while at home, follow Juicy Juice on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy Juicy Juicy/Featured image: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

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Starbucks’ New Winter Menu Is Totally Nuts

by Jennifer SwartvagherJanuary 5, 2021

New year, new winter menu. Starbucks just launched their new offerings to help customers kick off 2021 feeling their best. Starting today, customers can enjoy the new Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew, Pistachio Latte, Kale and Portabella Mushroom Sous Vide Egg Bites, and Earth Cake Pop as well as celebrate the return of the Honey Almondmilk Flat White and Red Velvet Loaf.

Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew

Cold coffee and cold beverages continue to be a hot trend at Starbucks. This non-dairy beverage is made with slow-steeped Starbucks Cold Brew, combined with honey and then topped with almondmilk for a creamy finish.

Pistachio Latte

Sweet flavors of pistachio pairs with Starbucks Signature Espresso and steamed milk and then finished with a salted brown buttery topping for a cozy beverage crafted to comfort. The Pistachio Latte can also be ordered as a blended beverage or iced.

Honey Almondmilk Flat White

This flat white pairs almondmilk and Starbucks Blonde espresso with honey, making a perfect amount of creamy, nutty sweetness. Customers looking for more non-dairy milk choices will be happy to know that this tasty treat is part of Starbucks permanent menu.

Kale and Portabella Mushroom Sous Vide Egg Bites

These new egg bites feature delicious chopped kale and portabella mushrooms delicately folded into cage-free eggs with Monterey Jack cheese and cooked using the French “sous vide” technique. Joining the menu permanently, this delightful high-protein breakfast has 15 grams of protein and is under 250 calories.

Earth Cake Pop

Rich chocolate cake, dipped in a blue chocolaty icing and finished with green and white sprinkles to resemble the earth, a globe of goodness.

Red Velvet Loaf

Delicious vanilla cake swirled with classic red velvet cake and topped with a white chocolaty icing—a sweet spot of red velvety-yum.

Starbucks Reserve Whole Bean Coffee

If you are looking for new ways to enjoy your Starbucks from home, there are a few new Starbucks Reserve Whole Bean Coffees to discover this winter. These exceptional coffees have been hand-selected from family farms around the world and are roasted daily at Starbucks Reserve Roasteries.

Starbucks Reserve Guatemala Huehuetenango is rich and elegant with notes of candied orange, dark chocolate, and graham cracker.
Starbucks Reserve Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelelektu features delicate floral aromas and sparkling acidity with raspberry and tangerine notes.

Customers can use the Starbucks app to find a store near them that carries the Starbucks Reserve whole bean coffees.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Starbucks

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Bold New Choices Are Brewing at Dunkin’

by Jennifer SwartvagherDecember 29, 2020

Heading into the new year, people could use a little extra encouragement, extra energy and extra excitement. Dunkin’ is taking charge, brewing the extra boost everyone needs to tackle 2021 and get things done. Dunkin’ today announced the addition of Extra Charged Coffee to its menu, packing 20% more caffeine than Dunkin’s classic Hot and Iced Coffee, while delivering the same great taste.

Dunkin’ is also introducing two bold new hot coffees, Dunkin’ Midnight and Explorer Batch, to kick off the year.

Dunkin’ Midnight: New Dunkin’ Midnight is the brand’s darkest roast ever, featuring a rich, smooth, full-bodied flavor, rounded out with notes of decadent cocoa and an intensely dark finish. Dunkin’ Midnight joins the beloved Original Blend and Dunkin’ Decaf as a permanent addition to the brand’s coffee lineup.

Explorer Batch: The first coffee blend to be introduced as part of Dunkin’s new Limited Batch Series, Explorer Batch is a medium roast featuring dark berry notes, rounded out with a smoky finish. To craft its unique Explorer Batch, Dunkin’ sourced beans from four highly regarded coffee regions, including Colombia, Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Sumatra. Explorer Batch will be available for a limited time, with new Limited Batch Series coffees to be introduced throughout the year.

Available at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide beginning Dec. 30, Extra Charged Coffee, served hot or iced, features green coffee extract that gives coffee drinkers an extra boost with 20% more caffeine. For an extra incentive to try the brand’s buzziest new beverage, Dunkin’ will be offering Medium Extra Charged Coffee for $2 through Jan. 26.

“Since opening our doors more than 70 years ago, Dunkin’ has served a superior cup of coffee. Now, for the first time in our history, we’re offering the boldest and most diverse assortment of blends and customization options to fuel a new era of coffee at Dunkin’,” said Jill Nelson, Vice President, Marketing & Culinary at Dunkin’. “From the darkest roast in our portfolio to the most caffeinated hot and iced coffee varieties, we are more committed than ever to keeping Americans running on Dunkin’ in 2021.”

In a new year filled with new brews, coffee lovers can find the perfect Dunkin’ drink to match their mood, and perhaps, a little something extra. From Dec. 30 through Jan. 31, the My Dunkin’ Mood Quiz will ask questions that help gauge guests’ vibes, and then recommend one of the brand’s coffee beverages that can best fuel them through the day. Everyone who participates can enter to win one of five amazing prizes, including Dunkin’ coffee for a year, $5,000 in cash, and more.

Dunkin’ will continue to surprise fans with a little something extra throughout the month of January, so they should stay tuned for updates on the Dunkin’ App and the brand’s social channels.

To bring a little sweetness to help ring in the New Year, Dunkin’ has a fun new donut to pair with its new coffee options. The new Dunkfetti Donut features a cake donut ring with special celebration confetti sprinkles baked within, and topped with a sweet glaze. For more information about this new limited time donut and other snacks being served at Dunkin’ in January, including a Gluten-Free Fudge Brownie and Croissant Stuffers, please see here.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Dunkin’

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Dunkin’ Is Offering Fans a Taste of Sugarplum This Holiday Season

by Jennifer SwartvagherDecember 2, 2020

It may be too early to have visions of sugarplums dancing in your head, but have you ever wondered what one tastes like? Find out at Dunkin’ with the new Sugarplum Macchiato, a whimsical, light-purple layered drink that looks as good as it tastes. Pair this seasonal purple drink with a Frosted Snowflake Donut.

Served hot or iced, the newest addition to the brand’s cheerful holiday espresso lineup features bright berry flavors of blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, and plum accented by notes of vanilla and rounded out with a sweet sugary finish for the ultimate winter delight. The combination of espresso, milk and sugarplum flavor creates a festive light-purple layered beverage that’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit.

According to Jill Nelson, Vice President, Marketing Strategy at Dunkin’, “Our Sugarplum Macchiato is a colorful twist on a well-known, but perhaps mysterious-tasting, flavor of holiday lore. It’s the perfect complement to our fan-favorite holiday latte lineup and brings even more delicious cheer to the Dunkin’ menu.”

Dunkin’ also has something special for donut lovers too. The new Frosted Snowflake Donut features purple icing and special snowflake sprinkles making it the perfect treat to enjoy with the Sugarplum Macchiato. Keep your eyes opened because some of Dunkin’s classic donuts will be wearing their holiday best as well, with seasonal snowflake sprinkles for a festive new look.

As Dunkin’ provides people with perhaps their first-ever taste of sugarplum, the brand wants to hear everyone’s take on the wonderfully unique drink. Dunkin’ is inviting fans to offer an original description of the Sugarplum Macchiato’s distinct and delightful taste via a special seasonal AR lens on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook using #DunkinSugarplum.

These seasonal treats are available for a limited time only.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Dunkin’

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Celebrate the Season of Giving with Starbucks

by Jennifer SwartvagherNovember 16, 2020

Are you looking for ways to give back during the holiday season? Starbucks is turning up the season spirit and offering special deals and ways to give on the Starbucks app, through Starbucks Delivers and in stores. From seasonal tumblers to gift cards there is something for everyone on your list.

Deliver-it-Forward, Nov. 16: This holiday season, “Deliver It Forward” with Starbucks Delivers and Uber Eats. Starting Nov. 16, customers who place a Starbucks order on Uber Eats will receive a code via email to share with their family and friends, gifting them $10 off their next Starbucks delivery order. Order now, a limited number of codes are available.   
Deals on Drinkware, beginning Nov. 24: Pick up one of our cheerful Sparkling Hot Tumblers – available at Starbucks stores in the U.S. and Canada in an assortment of colors including pink, silver, and gold – on sale beginning Nov. 24 for $9.95 each (originally $14.95).
Perks through Starbucks Rewards, Nov. 24 to Nov. 30: This holiday season, the Starbucks app is the easiest place to find a store, order ahead and use contactless payment. Customers who download the app and become a member of Starbucks Rewards will earn 50 bonus stars, enough for a free brewed hot coffee, bakery item or hot tea, when they spend $20 from Nov. 24-27.  
Cyber Monday Rewards, Nov. 30: On Cyber Monday only, Starbucks Rewards members who use the app to order ahead a handcrafted beverage (grande or larger), will be sent a free drink coupon to their account to redeem the following week (Dec. 7–13). 
Buy an eGift, get an eGift, Nov. 30: Always a great gift, Starbucks Cards come in a variety of festive holiday designs. For those who won’t be exchanging gifts with their friends or loved ones in person this year, a Starbucks eGift is the perfect way to show loved ones you’re thinking of them (you can even send a gift card via messaging platforms like iMessage!). And, on Cyber Monday, customers who buy one $20 eGift will receive a $3 eGift!  
Starbucks gives back on Giving Tues., Dec. 1: To continue the holiday giving, and in recognition of Giving Tuesday and World AIDS Day, The Starbucks Foundation will donate $500,000 to the Global Fund to help fight AIDS with (RED).

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Starbucks

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Auntie Anne’s Is Bringing Back Hot Chocolate Frost

by Jennifer SwartvagherNovember 13, 2020

Calling all hot chocolate lovers! Last year, Auntie Anne’s launched Hot Chocolate Frost, a frozen twist on a classic holiday favorite which was only available for a limited time. The pretzel franchise just announced that it is bringing the sweet drink back by popular demand for 2020.

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Auntie Anne’s Hot Chocolate Frost is a delicious frozen hot chocolate beverage topped with whipped cream and a generous drizzle of rich Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup. Pair this frosty sip with a freshly baked, hot- pretzel for a sweet and salty holiday combo.

“We all know the holidays can be hectic,” Marcel Nahm, Auntie Anne’s vice president of marketing, said in a press release last year. “We just want Hot Chocolate Frost to lift our guests from the stress and add a touch of happiness to their day. And perhaps, help them make a holiday memory with a friend or loved one.”

For more information, visit AuntieAnnes.com, or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To find an Auntie Anne’s location near you, visit auntieannes.com/locations.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Auntie Anne’s

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