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

[kellen]

a partner at my store dared me to drink a venti chantico. i did, and as a result, threw it up.

the rest of the day i wished i was dead from the sugar hang over.

[Dave]

Its pretty good. Its nothing as good as the real hot chocolates you'll find in Europe. Not the watery drinks served here in USA but Moscow where the hot chocolate is a thick syrupy divine drink. I wish starbucks had alcohol too. Nothing like coming in from the cold and ordering a espresso drink with some baileys or whatnot in it.

[David G]

Hey, I used to live in Evanston (just moved to Raleigh, NC).

But anyway, Chantico. Yes, as a chocolate lover, hands down this is the most intense chocolate infusion I've ever had in my life. And I've sampled a lot of chocolate. I bought my first cup (in a 6oz container) today...and there's a good reason why they come in such small portions!

As much as I love the richness/sweetness of this beverage, I think this should be served as some kind of a dessert though (as otehrs have already suggested).

It is a dessert. It is not a beverage. Anyone who says otherwise, starbucks employee or casual observer, is incorrect.

It is marketed as a dessert, with the intention of bringing people in after dinner and such

[Chayadina]

Reminds me of the hot chocolate samples from the Field Museum's Chocolate exhibit a couple of years ago. Yes, very rich and high calorie. Yes, you need water to follow it. Yes, it is good in limited doses for one's biochemistry and weight maintanence. But better than any chocolate candy I've ever had including the high end variety and worth the ocassional indulgence. Highly recommended.

[Cunning Stunt]

Well, I think one thing that's important to note is that Starbucks is presenting Chantico as simply an entry point into a new market. If the drink does well (and, from all acounts, it appears to be doing very well) then expect more variety. Chantico is a base that can be made to do many things.

[sydney.and.katy]

chantico is one of those things that you get about once or twice a month... not too often... its expensive for one of those little brown cups but ahhhh sooooooooooooooooooo good. we love it but you cant drink too much at once. plus you cant eat it that much or you will get f.a.t.--maybe someone could go on a chantico diet like the guy on supersize me... yumm ok bye!

[Toni]

My review [posted elsewhere] about January 13, 2005--Starbucks' Chantico Sample Day:

Ok, I got there at 7:15pm -- 45 minutes left to The Experience...

I accepted mine in a cute little sample cup.. only about an ounce... but steaming hot from the milk... I swirl it around, and notice: it doesn't quite cling to the cup, nor does the white interior of the paper cup ever-so-slightly absorb any of it like other dark beverages..
It looks glossy, and smooth.. and smells quite good.

With my tastebuds eagerly anticipating the first delectable drop, I blow away the steam, swirl it a couple more times and tilt the cup to my lips.

Oh, sweet Heaven, what hath thou reigned down upon our poor souls??

Despite the steam still billowing out of the top of the cup, it wasn't nearly as hot as I thought it would be... and, since I gave it a chance to cool a little bit, it thickened, just a little bit... I've had all kinds of "hot chocolate", "hot cocoa" -- this ain't that!!!

The first sip was good, the 2nd: really good.. by the time I was at #5, I knew this would be, as the song goes, "a hard habit to break"......

It was like... it was like......

It was like grabbing and throwing 10 Hershey's Kisses in your mouth & just swallowing----except, you don't choke on the chunks b/c this baby is SMOOOOOVE!!!!!

Chocolate milk, Hot Chocolate, Hot Cocoa, Yoohoo --- I forsake thee!
I fully renounce my love for you & rebuke ye from all aspects of my life....

CHANTICO! CHANTICO!! CHANTICO!!!!!!

[followed by various emoticons; unable to use color/size styles for text that above in here]

ps:
My new signature line [I wrote/thought of it] is:

The incommensurable gratification alone that one acquires when Chantico is imbibed is meritorious of reiteration.

[Toni]

Or, as The Borg would say:

Recalcitrance is otiose (Resistance is futile).

[yeah, I thought that one up too *g*]

When I got my first full cup the next day, on Friday, 2 women behind me were like "Oh, what's that.. new hot chocolate -?"

My mouth fell open and I was like "Noooooooo it's **beyond** hot chocolate!"

Their eyes popped and they laughed.. one said she's afraid to try it; doesn't wanna get hooked.. *LOL*

She'll never know what hit her.. ;-)

[Gia]

Chantico... where to begin... a new friend from the npg message boards refered me to this site... (thanks TONI)... it's cool to be here with other chantico lovers... it's been quite the topic lately hasn't it?

My love affair with the Chantico began on Jan.8... and life will never be the same. Heaven in a cup... well, it's as close to an accurate description as we can get.

Talk about it all the time... self-proclaimed Chantico spokesperson really... but it's a wicked little drink... 390 calories... oopsies... found that out a little late... because once you begin you can't stop...

CRACK-TICO.

They say no amount of chocolate training can prepare you for the Chantico... and I say... no amount of cross-training can repair your butt after the chantico.

Whatever... life is short. Crack-tico = GOOOOOOD!

[Gia]

back again... TONI suggested i post this little moment as well... enjoy...

i was at starbucks this morning... a girl, maybe 18-20, skinny little thing, was at the counter in front of me... she order a VENTI chantico... the guy behind the counter stared at her... he shook his head and made her drink... i asked her if she had tried one yet, doing my duty as unofficial crack-tico spokesperson... she told me that she's been drinking them almost everyday for a couple of weeks... she "loves chocolate"... darn... to have the metabolism of an 18 year-old again.

as she left... the guy behind me chimed in with "she's got a one-way ticket to a fat a**..." i turned around and told him... "at least with chantico driving, she's going first-class"... he laughed... i walked up to the counter... hesitated and ordered an ice tea... but in my dreams it was a venti chantico.

[Oni]

This is what chocolate is all about! I am addicted, so they should stop making it soon.

[ChanChan Tico]

I cannot believe that people could not like this drink. What is wrong with them!!! LOL

[Brent]

I've tried the Chantico this morning, and it it's really good.

If you're going to put it down, its not worth the effort, cause it's exactly what Starbucks set out for it to be. Totally rich, totally sweet, totally thick, totally chocolate-y.

Mission accomplished.

[Sid]

I had this drink for the first time today, and it was something. I had it with me all day while I was at my uni. I bought it at 10:00 am, and took my last sip at 4:05 pm. Just couldnt drink it any faster than that. It wasnt bad, but definately a once in a blue moon deal. Plus I think that its a pretty good price for what you are getting.

they don't have it in Hong Kong :(

[newstabbyspartner]

hi, i am very proud to say that i was just hired on at starbucks and i have to say i am very excited. it couldnt have come at a better time as they would have been soon cashing all my paychecks anyways now that they have launched CHANTICO! the first time i tried it i thought i had gone back into my childhood. this drink brought a huge smile to my face, it reminded me of the hot chocolate that my grandma used to make from mexican cocoa. i ant wait to have another one tomorrow. as for those people who dont like this drink go backto your plain jane hot chocolate and leave chantico to the chocolate connosuers.

[john]

Just tried this stuff...it is NASTY!!! WAAAY too sweet...

Has a weird buttery mouthfeel also...I'd like to know if it contains coconut oil or transfats or what...

nope on both of those john

the buttery mouthfeel is related to the cocoa butter in the drink

[Margie]

Granted, it is very rich - like a really rich hot chocolate. But for those of you who are complaining of the calories - no one says you have to buy it and not everyone is into coffee. It was a great treat when they were giving out free samples, but I would only buy when I could share with someone else.

[tesshiva]

Melt a bag of Nestle chocolate chips. Add straw: Chantico. Gee, and the Strawberry Frappucino tastes just like Nestle Strawberry Quik! Hmmmmm...a conspiracy theory is hatching... On another note: expectations are too high for SBUX performance. Believe when the execs warn people to expect modest performance (yet still gains). When it somehow disappoints people, stock price is punished for not delivering double digit gains. No one can grow at those rates forever! It has shifted from a growth stock to a long-term investment.

[Chris]

Chantico Chocolate Cake
Ingredients:
· 1 box "Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Devil's Food Cake" (you can use
other brands, as long as it's Devil's Food and says "moist" on the
box)
· 1 small box chocolate pudding
· 4 eggs
· 3/4 cup vegetable oil
· 1 cup sour cream (I use light)
· 6 oz of Chantico Drinking Chocolate from Starbucks
· butter or oil for greasing pan
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Mix all ingredients well in a large bowl. Pour into a greased, cake pans (same variety and baking options as you seen on the mix box) and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean or with crumbs clinging to it, about 30-45 minutes depending upon size of your pan. Cool in pan or Remove from Pan and sprinkle with powdered sugar or frost as follows:
Chantico Chocolate Cake Frosting
· 1 stick of butter
· 2/3 cup Hershey’s cocoa
· 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
· 3-4 oz Chantico Drinking Chocolate from Starbucks
· A bit of milk as needed to soften texture of frosting
· 1 tsp real vanilla extract
Melt Butter add to mixer bowl. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and Chantico beating on medium speed to spreading consistency. Add milk if needed. Stir in Vanilla. Frost the cake with this once it is cooled. Try not to eat all the frosting before you use it.

[Jennifer Lynn Weston]

I tried a Chantico for the first time today, and loved it!
Of course, I had a special advantage: when it comes to chocolate treats I pay no attention whatsoever to the caloric concerns. I even added some half-and-half to my cup to cool it down (and also increase the viscosity to a sinfully delightful degree.)
I'd definitely recommend it to any fellow chocolate-lover. I might also advise them to limit the number of times they indulge- too much of this stuff could spoil you for any other kind of hot chocolate.

[nick]

I tried the Chantico twice in Los Angeles, once on a sunny day and once during the recent flooding. It's awful if the weather is the least bit hot or sunny. It's such a storm-at-nighttime drink, and I appreciate that the little cups are the perfect size for splitting it with a special someone. Another plus is that it adds a new thing to the Starbucks menu that Mormons can drink, perhaps enabling a more solid market share in the Mormon cultural belt.
All the conspiracies aside, the one benefit of a Starbucks-Nestle alliance would be the off chance that they'd choose to offer Abuelita hot chocolate at all stores... now THAT would get me drinking chocolate more often.

[Troy]

I'm a Chantico addict :( I want to purchase some of the Chantico mix so I can enjoy anywhere and anytime I need my Chantico "fix". I've inquired both at my local store and directly to the Starbucks higher ups about purchasing the mix but can never get a firm answer other than, "it's not available NOW due to the mix not having a SKU# set up in the computer system". Any ideas on when or any where that is selling the mix? Any recipes out there for formulating the mix myself?

They will never sell it. It is a Proprietary Product.

[Princessa]

Oh my goodness! I'm a total chocoholic but whoo! This stuff gave me a rush! *salivates* It's like liquid truffles...although I admit I kinda wussed out and needed some milk after this. But I'm in love! This is the best thing ever!

[STARBUCKS GOSSIP webmaster]

Here's the CHANTICO powder ingredients:

Sugar, cocoa powder processed with alkali (26%), milk, cocoa butter, vanillin.

[KJ]

I just tried a Chantico today. It was sweet, but not in a sugary candy way- more like a mouthful of bittersweet chocolate chips.

I wonder if different people unwittingly make it differently. To me it just tasted like a really thick, flavorful hot chocolate. It wasn't really strong or sweet. I suppose if you've never eaten anything other than Hershey's, it would taste strong, but it reminded me of melted ghirardelli chocolate.

Anyway, I absolutely loved it. I do find it amusing that often, when people happen to dislike a particular food or beverage, they cannot imagine how anybody else could possibly like it and they think it should be taken off the market.

I do understand the Barista's frustration, though. I've never worked at a Starbucks, but any kind of customer service is really irritating at times. Who among us can say we constantly enjoy every moment of our jobs?

[Katy]

chantico is amazing. soo good but like...can never finish it....but its awesome.

[Pascal]

I tried one tonight... Not bad. A little sweet for my tastes. I thought I'd try to make it at home. The resulting chantico recipe was born: (all measurements are approx)

Homemade Chantico
3/4 cup warm water
3 heaping tbsp Frys Coco Powder
8 heaping tbsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch + (1 tbsp water)
1 pinch salt
2 tsp butter (optional)

Heat the water to near boiling. Reduce heat to medium. Add the coco and the sugar. Stir with a wisk for about 5 minutes to really disolve the coco powder. In a seperat bowl, add water to cornstarch and mix until completly dissolved. (If you don't, you'll get some nasty clumps.) Add the cornstarch mix to the coco/sugar mix and wisk briskly. After a minute or so you *should* have a smooth velvety yummy drink! For more flavour, add the salt and butter.

It will thicken a bit as it cools, so add just a wee bit of hot water to thin it out again.

The result is a very rich dark sweet coco, very similar to $tarbuck$.

[Kathleen]

I have had a Chantico. I had another Chantico.
I thought it reminded me of the chocolate Jello
pudding you cook on the stove, and if you took it off the stove just as it started getting thick, that would be Chantico. I love Chocolate,
and this drink also reminds me of the chocolate drink that was poured into cups in the movie Chocolat, with Jonny Depp. I always wanted what they drank in that movie and I now can say I have. Yippee!!! I am in Chocolate Heaven.

[reanna]

chantico is simply amazing. if you do not have a love affair with chocolate, then you wont understand. this is like crack to me.

[Summer]

Oh my Gooooood.

I have achieved nirvana and it is Chantico.

I skipped lunch today to have a cup. :)

[Katie]

Well I finally had my first Chantico today and I asked for it "iced" which the barrista had never done before but she didn't object. Indeed quite fine diluted with icecubes and a bit of skim (!) milk added. I've been making my own this summer, however, with many fewer calories- I reckon, under 180: it is a variation on an iced chocolate drink I had in Guanajuato Mexico a few years ago:

heaping teaspoon of good cocoa powder
2 teaspoons of sugar
1/4 teaspoon or less of cinnamon
1 cup of 2% milk
ice cubes

heat up milk - add to cocoa, sugar, cinnamon mixture a few spoons at a time- stir it to make syrup- add the rest of milk. stir it thoroughly, pour it over icecubes, add more milk if you want. not bad. not as rich as Starbucks version of it.

[Katie]

Well I finally had my first Chantico today and I asked for it "iced" which the barrista had never done before but she didn't object. Indeed quite fine diluted with icecubes and a bit of skim (!) milk added. I've been making my own this summer, however, with many fewer calories- I reckon, under 180: it is a variation on an iced chocolate drink I had in Guanajuato Mexico a few years ago:

heaping teaspoon of good cocoa powder
2 teaspoons of sugar
1/4 teaspoon or less of cinnamon
1 cup of 2% milk
ice cubes

heat up milk - add to cocoa, sugar, cinnamon mixture a few spoons at a time- stir it to make syrup- add the rest of milk. stir it thoroughly, pour it over icecubes, add more milk if you want. not bad. not as rich as Starbucks version of it.

[MrsPotatoHead]

I tried this drink Sunday night... and it was instant bliss. I had another one tonight after work.

The calories, carbs and fat grams did not make me feel guilty in the least...but now, after coming on this site and seeing that some barristas hate making it I do feel guilty! I tip good, does that make it okay to order?

And, I will try the recipes above too... thanks for sharing them!

Sharon

[barista c]

You know what, it doesn't matter if we hate making it, it is our job. If you want Chantico, order it! And we will gladly make it. (Though at my store it would take a while because we'd have to make the mix up from scratch since we sell so little Chantico we don't keep ths mix made anymore.)

Thanks for tipping, though. You keep us baristas with gas in our tanks. :)

[Chantico Drink]

You can also find a different brand of Chantico Drinking Chocolate from Belgium. I think it tastes a little better and more smooth.

[Leanne]

Just tried this today with my boyfriend and it is what I've always wanted hot chocolate/coco to taste like! I love it :) Nice and sweet!

[KittyJ]

This stuff is not as good as real drinking chocolate. I tried The Chocolate Shot at the Chocolate Show in New York and it was way superior to Starbucks version

The Chantico is a big hit at our store, in Huntsville, Alabama!!! before we started making it again... and before we put it back up on our menu board, we had people comming in all the time asking about it, ive tried it.. its good with whip cream!!

[Terry Misener]

Is this true? OI received it from friends as email attachment.

Recently, Marines in Iraq wrote to Starbucks Coffee because they wanted to let them know how much they liked their coffees and to request that they send some of it to the troops there.

Starbucks replied, telling the Marines thank you for their support in their business, but that Starbucks does not support the war, nor anyone in it, and that they would not send the troops their brand of coffee.

So as not to offend Starbucks, we should not support them by buying any of their products. As a war vet writing to fellow patriots, I feel we should get this out in the open. I know this war might not be very popular with some folks, but that doesn't mean we don't support the boys on the ground fighting street-to-street and house-to-house for what they and I believe is right.

[barista 112]

Chanti chocolate was one of the best tasting starbucks drinks ive ever had. its just a matter of what you have a taste for so if it indt chocolate than its not the drink for you

[Jason Borenstein]

I want to say that I have had a very bad starbucks experience. Starbucks has refused to provide me with reasonable accommodation because they do not believe in the disabling effects of treumatic brain injury (tbi). I suffer from retrograde amnesia which they simply do not want to believe is real. How can I educate starbucks? please respond.

[juels borh]

Hello. I am doing resarch on disablity accommodation and have become interested in the practices of starbucks in this area. If anyone has any input on this I would appreciate a response. thank you.

Juels Borh.

[MGR]

Juels,

There was an article in the Wall Street Jrnl recently I think that dealt with it. Basically, Sbux said it was looking into it as a way to increase their workforce.

[laserjill]

Chantico is being discontinued. I am very sad. I would like all of the Chantico fans to write into Starbucks requesting that they NOT discontinue this lovely beverage. Just go to Starbucks website, contact us section and write a note. Also, when you are in the store, be sure to fill out a comment card and send it in. We must act fast. Soon as the stores run out, they will no longer carry. Please help me!

[brad]

Sbux discontinued chantico as of jan 17th 2006 it can be had from ebay if someone wants it enough