Like Starbucks' so-called Macchiato (which the new drink is almost identical), the new drink is a twist on the traditional caffe macchiato (macchiato literally means "marked" in Italian), albeit one whose name makes a little more sense.
The Coffee Bean's version features steamed whole milk and a choice of caramel, vanilla bean, or dark chocolate sauce, topped with foam and a drizzle of the same sauce and finished with a shot of espresso poured on top to "mark" the beverage.
A traditional macchiato is actually the opposite: a shot of espresso "marked" with a bit of milk. Seeing as a latte is typically mostly steamed milk with a shot (or two) of espresso, the name Latte Macchiato makes a bit more sense than Starbucks' appropriation of the Italian word.
While Starbucks offers their version year round, The Coffee Bean's Latte Macchiato will only be available through March 2, 2014 at participating Coffee Bean locations nationwide.
To promote the new drink, The Coffee Bean will be discounting small-sized Latte Macchiatos in any flavor to $2 on Mondays this month (January 13, 20, and 27) after 10 am at participating locations.
The suggested retail prices on the new drinks range from $3.45 for a small up to $5.95 for 32-ounces (iced version only).
I was only able to get the general calorie ranges and they are as follows:
Small: 260 – 330 cal
Regular: 380 – 460 cal
Large 480 – 590 cal
