Review: Starbucks - Vanilla Spice Latte

Starbucks' new Vanilla Spice Latte features espresso combined with steamed milk, vanilla syrup, cardamon, and spices, topped with whipped cream, crushed vanilla bean (looks like pepper!), and sugar.

I paid $3.75 for a 12-ounce Tall.

The Vanilla Spice Latte is more a sweet milk drink than a coffee drink. The main flavor is a pleasant spiced flavor tinged with a light touch of what I imagine to be ginger, followed by a mellow, milky vanilla flavor. The flavor of espresso comes late and is more an afterthought. It doesn't quite remind me of chai (it doesn't have the cinnamon notes), but does feel a little like a milk tea (which is tea that's brewed in hot milk instead of water).

The overall effect is pretty enjoyable and a nice change up from your typical Vanilla Latte. If you're looking for more coffee flavor, you can request an extra shot of espresso or just give it a pass, but otherwise, Starbucks Vanilla Spice Latte is a pretty good warm, spiced drink for when it's grey out.

Nutritional Info - Starbucks Vanilla Spice Latte - Tall with 2% Milk and Whipped Cream (12 fl oz)
Calories - 260 (from Fat - 100)
Fat - 11g (Saturated Fat - 6g)
Sodium - 0mg
Carbs - 30g (Sugar - 28g)
Protein - 9g
Caffeine - 75mg