Early review of Starbucks' Chantico chocolate drink: "That stuff is really yummy"

One of the Evanston Starbucks is asking "guests" to sample the new CHANTICO -- they call it a chocolate bar in a cup -- which is coming out January 8. One kid (about 11) absolutely loved it, while his dad quickly asked for a cup of water. ("This drink needs a chaser," he said.) Another customer said he'd probably never buy it because of the calories. A 6-ounce cup has 390 calories, 21 grams of fat and 51 carbs. Here's background on the drink. (UPDATE: I just tried it; it's almost like drinking a melted Hersey's bar.)

Comments

[Mike Rohde]

Is this a different drink than the Chocofino from '03/04? I live in Milwaukee -- last year around this time Chocofino was tested here and was likewise, very tasty but mucho-intense.

[Ray]

Same drink (almost). That was the test for the company-wide Chantico launch.

[Zwxphtt]

So I drink this with a Monster Burger and I'm good to go for a week? I can already hear "Chantico with double sugar, please"

[BoyWonder]

Which Store? There's only about six stores in Evanston. I want to check this stuff out.

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster]

The Chantico samples were being handed out at the older Central Avenue store. (A second Central Avenue Starbucks opened earlier this month.)

[James]

will this drink be released in Canada?

[Amy Alkon]

Sounds like a copy of French hot chocolate. The thing is, there they give you the melted chocolate in a tiny "pour" (pitcher) and a little pitcher of warm milk to cut it with -- and NO SKIM! The quality of their chocolate, however, is way above that of a Hershey bar.

[CoffeeBoy]

It is the ultimate chocolate drink. It is not for the Atkins friendly - or any other diet friendly person. It is made only with whole milk and will be one of those "rare" treats. Too many of these and you may fit through the door of your local Starbucks.

I am pretty sure it will be in all North America stores in a couple weeks.

[CoffeeBoy]

On another note... anyone else getting rich on Starbucks stock? Cha Ching!!

[Greg]

Coffee Boy.....Starbucks stock is bumpin! When do you think it will split?

[CoffeeBoy]

Well Greg - I have no "insider" information. Plus I refuse to share cells with Martha Stewart.

I was sure it would split at $40. I was wrong.

Who knows?!? Over $60 now... Yippie

[jon]

why should it split. they don't need the capital. they actually have too much capital as to what they projected.

[Total Cynic]

I still chuckle over the dietician's comment in USA Today's review, 'It's something you should treat yourself to only on a special occasion. Like your 100th birthday.'

Though, I'm sure to try it at least once...

[SBUXGal]

I was debating with a friend if we were holding out for the first ever 3 for 1 split hmmmmmmm?!?

[canuck barista]

My review of the Chantico: VILE. Way too sweet... and that is coming from a chocolate lover. 5/5 baristas agreed in my location... Although like everything, you have to try it once.

[greg]

over 62 a share!

[shift for starbucks]

Our store calls it chocolate flavored lard in a cup. People are not going to like it for many reasons. A) it doesn't come iced. B) it comes in a tiny cup (6 oz.) and in our "super-sized" society that isn't going to go over well. C) it only comes 100% fat no skim no soy no organic just whole milk. We baristas don't like it because A) people will bitch B) it is a pain to make and C) it is just pure crap!

[Coffee Boy]

Crap? I think you are being a bit unfair. Sbux tests their beverage line-up very well. I love it, but it is very sweet and rich.

A small cup - Who in the hell could drink a Venti of it! No one.

Only whole milk - I know I know, it's like all those people who get a sugar-free vanilla,non-fat, XTRA-WHIP(and sooo fattening), Mocha. What's the point? The chocolate is Fat enough, skim milk isn't gonna help!

Want it iced? Throw a Hersey bar in the fridge in an hour and eat it.

[Watts]

Friends and I got samples of this earlier today. The baristas at that store were dubious about it, but I think it was pretty good. I've described it to people as being to hot chocolate what espresso is to coffee.

And, yes, I think Coffee Boy is right. People who are upset by it not being available in the fat-free soy-milk variety aren't its target audience. Starbucks sells chocolate bars, too, and as I recall there are no low-calorie Atkins-compliant versions of those.

And why is it a "pain to make"? From what I saw, they (a) poured some of it into a steaming pitcher and (b) steamed it. This is more of a pain in the butt to make than a flavored mocha?...

[baristaj]

I found last year when testing chocofino (in milwaukee here) that yeah it needed a chaser, but if combined with whip cream it made for a deliciously evil beverage. The new cookies that are being launched as well with chantico, it might be a very satanic winter beverage.

[Shift for Starbucks]

It is a pain to make because of all the steps to prep it that you don't see. You have to pluge the stupid thing in our fabulous new "plastic plunger pticher", taking up more space along with the special little cups, more space needed for those. Not to mention that we will probably have to have an extra "chantico" rag to wipe the steam wands with as to not contaminate the milk rag. You can't just steam it it has to be steamed to a certain temp. and it has to be measure to an exact amount. It is a fussy drink. SO no it isn't a-b as Watts suggests. Everybody has different tastes so I'm sure some people will like it but I'm not sure that it is going to be worth all the headache but you know Starbucks "just say yes" to whatever concotion that produce next

[jon]

umm having been in the test market Chantico is easy to make. It's easier than a cappucino. It is pretty A B C. Plunge Pitcher(tough for those who aren't coordinated) , Steam (obviously those who complain have the automatics and not the marzocco, holy crap I have to pay attention to what's steaming), Wipe Wand, Pour, Serve. Really tough. It's not like you have to actually pull the shots on a marzocco, watch them miss time and pull some more and concentrate on the temp of 2 pitchers steaming at the same time.

It's quieter than Eggnog so you can't say it's the noisiest drink.

IT'S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE.

[shift for starbucks]

No it isn't rocket science. I was just stating my opinion of it. I don't think it is going to be that popular and I don't understand all the hype. I mean really $2 and change for 7 oz of chocolate? money would be better spent on a plain hot chocolate that doesn't have nearly as much fat. But if you want that heart attack in a cup fine enjoy

[from maryland]

I tried the chantico today (a manager came up to where i was sitting) and wow is it chocolatey. I think Borders cafe has better hot chocolate than sbux, but this drink is basically an ultimate hot chocolate. Once in a while I think I can see myself drinking this.. not bad at all.

But definitely I would need some water afterwards.

it's not meant to be a beverage it is a dessert.

It's tough to think of something starbucks sells as not being a beverage but it isn't.

Starbucks has a great morning business. This is meant to bring people in at night and have a dessert after going out for dinner

[chantico rico]

i tried it last night while i was working (i also tasted the casi cielo at the same time- alternate between the two and the chantico brings out the cocoa notes of the cielo and it is yum). it is the best f'in hot chocolate ever but waaay rich and i couldn't drink more than four sips. but, it is really good. and no, i don't think it is hard to make. but i agree it takes up a lot of space on our already cramped counters and dish rack with the new cups/saucers, plunger pitchers and also the new cappucino promo. mugs. the reintroduction of the cappucino in the "way they are supposed to be enjoyed" mugs really do take up a lot of space.

[JC]

We tested out the chantico at our store all day...it was funny to watch peoples facial expressions, that was actualy the highlight of our day...it's like when you're trying to convince a little kid that something is tasty, that you know just tastes like yuck. "MMmm! It's REALLY good!" So they'd take a sip, and either go.."Yum!" or "Blah! Who would drink this!??" I am yet to meet a barrista that likes it...but we did have wicked barristas that tourtured their friends with it... a surprising ammount of people either said it should go over ice cream, or they dumped the sample into their drip/mocha/latte...whatever... I asked one of our partners if they thought maybe we should serve a defibulator with it...it does seem to be a liquid heart attack. The question of the day is, if it's made with coca butter, and tastes horrible to drink...could it have another use? Moisturizing skin perhaps? Hmmm....

[scott]

the drink is devastating-it's rich, it's definitely not too sweet and the barista who called it crap should go back to Tim Hortons-they clearly don't have what it takes.

[M]

this new drink sounds like the hot chocolate served at some high-end pastry shops in Italy: you get a cappuccino-sized cup of extra-thick, extra-rich hot chocolate and a plate with several pastries, you then dip the (usually freshly made) pastry in the hot chocolate (which, being extra thick, sticks to it quite well) and go mmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Obviously something to be done in moderation, but after a day of hard skiing it was just the perfect treat.

the barista (shift with starbucks) with the bad attitude about the new drink, should do all of us customers(ex starbucks employees included) a favor and quit!! Even using the old machines where you actually had to time your shots, this new drink doesn't sound to have any more steps than a frap. Just my opinion...

frustrated starbucks customers

[shift for starbucks]

So because I don't like the new drink and have complaints I should quit? That makes a lot of sense. I don't voice these opinions at work I voice them on a blog that is about opinions. I think it is a pain others don't so I'm the minority I can deal. We haven't even rolled out the drink yet so I don't know if my theory that the ends don't justify the means is correct yet. If the drink is a rousing success GREAT more money for Starbucks and more money potentially for me. I'm glad y'all love it I just think it is a nasty drink I feel the same way about fraps. I'm a purist in the sense of basically only liking coffee or americanos that is my preference and with the variety of drinks Starbucks carries everybody's preference can be met. So stop reading so much into what I said I mean really do you think baristas are mindless and have no opinion?

[starbucks shift supervisor]

Having worked at a few non-Starbucks jobs (executive secretary, marketing assistant, etc.), I'm constantly amazed at the level of VOCAL dissatisfaction some Starbucks employees feel comfortable expressing publicly, whether on or off the clock.

If you're not a chocolate fan, Chantico probably isn't going to be a big hit with you. It's very chocolatey. If you're on a diet, warm liquid chocolate probably isn't a good choice. (Obviously.) If you're strictly vegan, you won't be ordering chocolate anything.

In my opinion, Chantico is for people who love chocolate and want something rich and seemingly decadent (look at the nutritional information on a chocolate bar, it's not very different) after rich dinners or bad days (PMS?). It's great if that's what you want or need.

Frankly, I'm glad that the Big New Thing isn't yet another concession to the latest fad diets, as one sees at most major chains. That's why it will be successful.

[Seattle Chocolate Lover]

I tried this last night and it is similar to a drink I order at Le Pichet in Seattle, Chocolate Chaud. It's very rich, decadent and a real treat. If you like dark chocolate, you will appreciate this thick drink. It's not for for people who don't appreciate chocolate. There is no other hot chocolate currently in the marketplace for true chocolate lovers, so give it a chance. If Oprah got a hold of this drink, it would sell like hotcakes!

[Kristine]

This drink, and if anyone has ever been to Brooklyn please back me up on this, sounds like a version of a much better chocolate drink served up at Jacques Torres Chocolates on Water street in D.U.M.B.O.

Plus, jacques comes in "Spicy" where they throw some chipolte in it.

[Ryan]

Do they sell it in Venti size?

[Cunning Stunt]

Ryan: Not until we get defibrillators installed in all stores.

[sbuxgirl]

Venti size? U can fast for a week after drinking a VBenti CHAAANTIIIICOOO

[driedtoast]

It is similar to Angelina Cocoa but a bit more commercial tasting and no cream friache for it. I think they need to start serving it with cream friache for the medium chocolate lovers to like it.

Personally I think it is good, but a bit on the starbucks non-quality side.

[bionic barista]

The chantico is kinda good, but not really. But once I started drinking it, I couldn't stop. I think SBUX slipped some crack or something in it.

We started selling it (to one lady) today, and I made a huge mess with just one chantico. If it's as popular as sbux hopes, I see a lot of time spent wiping up chocolate ...

This is for-sure not a "grab and go" drink. If people like it, I think sbux will get my customers to stay and spend more money at night.

Also, did anyone notice how much a venti would cost, god forbid anyone EVER think they want a Venti!, but, if they do it'll cost $6.75!!!!! Out of hand!

[Chantico..yum.]

I tried a Chantico today. It's basically a French chocolat chaud (hot chocolate). Yeah, I had a hard time getting thru a 6oz cup..trust me, you CANT drink more than that. The taste rocks..its made from the finest chocolate, thats why it also costs so much. For those of you who said that people won't try it..I think you're wrong. When I went to Starbucks today, at least 10 people ordered it, and 5 other people asked me if it was good..then ordered it. Yes I counted. They were all raving about it. Starbucks made a smart move. Starbucks has the whole of U.S wrapped around its coffee cup, and they know they could introduce anything and it would sell. Those who are concerned about the calories..umm..yeah, you guys still drink the other coffee products EVERYDAY, so that adds up to be worse than drinking a chantico twice a month. I wouldnt reccomend drinking it everyday because youd probably end up getting diabetes...But a chantico is the perfect way to indulge yourself in once in a while!

[Mikey]

Has anyone else drank a venti Chantico, or am I just crazy???

[Mikey]

BTW, I'm an athlete and I have a basketball game tomorrow....

It was probably a bad idea to drink thousands of calories and around 100 grams of fat...Oh well...It was worth it, and I'm over it for about 1 week....SOOOOO delicious.

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster]

Just for the record, Starbucks introduced JOE magazine a few years ago -- and it didn't sell.

>>>>Starbucks has the whole of U.S wrapped around its coffee cup, and they know they could introduce anything and it would sell.

[starbucks "flavor"]

personally, I hate starbucks; but in some towns its the only place to get a coffee..

The problem for me is that in Starbucks, all the beverages and desserts starts to take on the same 2 "flavors" --> burnt, roasted OR sweet

there is no palate, only the extremes.

Its the same probelm that befalls all corporate foods.. they develop an identity and market it and the flavor to death, which is why all McDonals food for example starts to taste the same as well...

just thoughts, ..

[choc lover]

My husband got me one last week from a barista who offered to make one (even though it hadn't been offically released). I was in HEAVEN. Since moving to Vancouver from Sydney I had been craving my "suckao" from Max Brenner, and the chantico, while not as good as the ritual of the "suckao", still managed to put a big smile on my face. Thank you Starbucks.

[Brad]

Hi! I've never seen this blog before, but after searching on "Chantico," I came upon it. Good comments, everyone... instructive, and I appreciate them. I even appreciate the "resident barista"'s comments, although I disagree.

I spent a semester in Italy and fell in love with the Italian version of hot chocolate. Several folks have commented about the similarities between French chocolat chaud and Chantico, and I'll tell you - for sure - that Chantico is EXACTLY what you'd get in a proper Florentine cafe.

I drank half of my first Chantico, which I had in the to-go cup and found hard to finish. I had my second Chantico in the "cool new Chantico mug!", to quote my extraordinarily enthusiastic barista, along with a new Chantico-friendly dunking cookie. I sat outside in a brisk breeze, and the climate made the rich 6 ounces much easier to finish.

I am generally floored by Chantico, maybe as much for the "Taste of Italy" factor as anything.

[itsthefriendly]

I work at Starbucks one day a week (I wait tables the rest of the time). I LOVE the Chantico.

In response to Mikey, I probably could drink a Venti Chantico, but the most I've let myself do is a Grande. I did a Grande two days in a row. But now that I know that a Grande has 1040 calories, I don't think I could ever bring myself to have a Venti.

[LG]

Like Brad, I came across this blog because I googled "chantico", since Starbucks isn't yet listing the drink officially on its site. I tried one today for the first time and the flavor reminded me of homemade, cooked (not instant) chocolate pudding--that I remember from about 20 years ago! It was like drinking it straight, warm from the pan. Wonderful!!! Yes, it's definitely a "once in a while" drink, not a daily choice, but I have been hoping to find something to help on those PMS days, when I'm really craving a quick, intense hit of chocolate (like one of the baristas above noted) and now I've found it!

On another note, my husband, who loves coffee-flavored things (ice cream, notably), but hates coffee, tried mine and said now he's found a drink he would actually order at Starbucks (besides iced tea), which is a wonder in itself!

[Jim]

I'll admit up front that I am probably precisely the target audience for this drink/dessert. I'm a chocolate snob -- not the exclusive or snooty type but I am the type that knows good chocolate and that Hershey's does not under any circumstance qualify but is acceptable in the absence of any other choice. :-) So, I'm not trying to be snooty; just curious. That said...

Does anyone know exactly what kind/brand of chocolate they're using in Chantico? For the moment I'm assuming it's made by one of the U.S. chocolatiers simply because it'd probably be more than $3 otherwise. It's probably Hershey's, knowing Starbucks, but I'm hopeful it isn't. :)

My thoughts (analysis maybe):
It tastes like it could be Hershey's but, a) it tasted better than that although that could be the milk tempering the flavor, and, b) Hershey's typically doesn't do much with cocoa butter (aka white chocolate) and cocoa butter doesn't make me sneeze like strong chocolate liquor (solids) does so I'm not convinced there'a much, if any, cocoa butter in there despite what the article at USAToday says.

It definitely isn't Scharffen-Berger (S-B) but could be Guittard or Ghirardelli though I'm not sure any of them could manufacture enough to keep up; in any case, I'd say it's cocoa of African origin and has probably been Dutch processed which eliminates S-B altogether.

It'd be great if they used S-B but I suspect people would be falling on the floor first from the price and then from the powerful aroma and taste (S-B is a "flavor" chocolate made from multiple types of cacao so it's MUCH stronger than anything else around. A 1oz bar is typically about $3 but you get what you pay for -- if you want the taste of pure, non-Dutch-processed chocolate, this is the stuff. No, I don't work for S-B).

Your average Hershey's bar has about 15% chocolate solids. As a result, most Americans don't know what real chocolate tastes like so I'm not surprised a lot of people find Chantico to be extremely rich (it's also fairly common for men to dislike chocolate, especially strong chocolate, for whatever reason). The Chantico chocolate is at least 40%-50%, I'd estimate (whether it's cocoa butter or liquor or both).

Anyway, if anyone knows the kind/brand of chocolate, I'd appreciate knowing. I hope this was more informative than snobbish-sounding. :)

[rock-the-bucks]

Okay Chantico, I wasn't impressed at first, but as someone else commented earlier the more samples I tried the more I liked it. I drank a whole one and it sat in my stomach all day. Maybe they should call it an appetite suppresent because I was not hungry for the rest of the day I kid you not!. I sample the hell out of it at work cause it's so simple to make. I agree about the faces people make it's either ohhh! or yeeegch! Some people described it as strong, not sure what that's about there is no coffee in it. Maybe they means it's an intense chocolate taste. I believe it comes from South America and there is definetly cocoa butter mixed with cocoa powder in it. Named after an Aztec Goddess Chantico. Yes I have been reading my little book... Enjoy the Chantico, just hit the gym afterwards.