Taste-Testing Starbucks New Blonde Roast

Blonde Ambition

Today is the first day that the new Starbucks Blonde Roast is available in stores so, natch, we were first in line to sample the new brew. To refresh your memory, the Blonde Roast promises a "lighter-bodied" alternative to Starbucks' other blends. Read on to scope out our early analysis and cringe at the requisite blonde jokes that we were compelled to make. Brace.

The Scene: Certainly not pandemonium on day one but most people at our Chelsea Starbucks outpost were ordering the new roast, most likely out of pure curiously. We have to say, the dirty old man inside of us got a kick out of asking the barista for a "tall blonde." Heh! Interestingly enough, said barista was just as amused as we were. (Although in a week's time, we're sure that will be the least funny joke she's ever heard.)

The Transport: Just a quick note to say that the boiling-hot coffee dribbled all over our hand as we carried the brew up to our office. Maybe some improvement on the lids up in here, guys?

The Taste: Verdict? It's not bad. It's definitely a very mild version of Starbucks' signature um..."overly caramelized" roast and as much as Starbucks will hate this: it's basically just a weaker, more watery version of the normal brew. It's a decent alternative for those who find the original blend a little on the strong side. And Blonde drinkers will definitely have more fun without that pesky post-coffee tummy ache.