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.)
December 20, 2004
I've had 2 Chantico's in the past 3 days. I must say its very good. I was born and raised in Europe, it's not uncommon for me to eat a chocolate bar in one sitting, usually European style which is a lot more intense. I consider Hershey's as imitation chocolate, what "vanilla flavoring" is to organic vanilla extract. Chantico tastes like truffles (Trader Joe's or Whole Food's house brands, for instance). I will definately have one tomorrow morning too. :).
Posted by: Sandra | January 09, 2005 at 07:45 PM
I've just had my second Chantico in four days, and I think they're great. Living in Florida, it's a bit hot for a hot drink, and in the summer, it will be impossible to enjoy, but taste-wise, this one's a winner. I don't think the chocolate is too rich and I could easily drink a larger size, although because of the calories, it's a good thing they come in the tiny cups they come in.
Posted by: Gigi Cieri | January 10, 2005 at 12:25 PM
I had a sample of the Chantico drink on Saturday nite around 7:00 Pm, lets just say I could not sleep all night. Kept waking up. The taste is great and yes you need a chaser with it.
Posted by: Lupita | January 10, 2005 at 04:48 PM
It's a bit expensive..almost 4 bucks for the little cup. It could definitly use a heavy cream topping to help cut it, a 10oz cup size and a price cut :-)
Posted by: midnight | January 10, 2005 at 09:45 PM
I pride myself in making a mean cup of hot cocoa. Of course, I splurge on the cocoa and save the cals by using skim milk and I use wrist power to froth it. I normally use Ghirardelli unsweetened chocolate and add sugar and vanilla extract- a couple of years ago I decided to cut the pinch of salt. The second I tasted Chantico, I knew they used whole milk. Hey, if I used whole milk, mine would taste as rich. I can't imagine chasing this with water- why would you want to wipe the taste from your buds? In fact, the only thing that would transcend the taste, is a shot of Cuban coffee (not Starbucks espresso) in it.
Posted by: Dannielle | January 10, 2005 at 11:05 PM
To Kristine:
I have to agree with you about the Jacques Torres "Wicked" hot chocolate, it's my favorite in the world. Chantico comes in a close second, but is a lot denser, I think. I can easily drink a 12 oz. cup of the Torres, but as for the Starbucks stuff, it's more like the middle of one of those "molten chocolate" cakes. Can you imagine a "wicked" chipotle version of the chantico? That would get me to Starbucks daily, especially since Jacques is, sadly, a long subway ride away...
Posted by: Jones | January 11, 2005 at 07:48 AM
no body was promoting it in the starbucks that i went in.....just saw it written on the board and when i asked the barrista what that is...she just simply said, "chocolate drink"...thank god that i tried it....man, it's a to-die-for...would be sooooooooooo damn good after a day of snowboarding.....would be even better if it's hotter.....u guys gotta try it out before commenting on it...it's rich, thick, not-too-sweetened and definitely better than a bar of hershey....love it..
Posted by: Cora | January 11, 2005 at 12:03 PM
Whew! Chantico's good, but it seems like what you'd get if you put a pan of brownie batter into the oven, pulled it out after 5 minutes and decided to drink it.
Posted by: Val | January 11, 2005 at 12:58 PM
Chantico is being given out for free on Thursday 1/13 from 4-5pm at starbucks stores. I'm not sure how widespread the free-hour is. I didn't look closely at the email from sbux.
I know that my local sbux store in san francisco bay area is planning to.
Posted by: Case Larsen | January 11, 2005 at 04:02 PM
Store manager in union city starbucks says the "chocolate hour" is nationwide.
I'm not sure about outside of US though...
Posted by: Case Larsen | January 11, 2005 at 05:12 PM
I tried Chantico today - I was given a free sample when (after ordering my Toffee Nut Latte), I asked the Barista if it was good, so she let me judge for myself. It's different, decadent, and similar to European hot chocolate... I liked it because I am drawn to complex flavors. I definitely couldn't finish the whole thing, probably drank 1/3 of the tiny cup and was feeling a little candy sick afterwards.
Posted by: apm | January 11, 2005 at 10:42 PM
Ya, I tried this EVERYDAY for the past 4 days. I am addicted like with everything that I try at SB. I feel ashamed that I had had so many. I had the dipping cookies with my first cup and tried to drink the chocolate and needed some water instantly. I told the baristas, never again.
I lied. It got easier to drink. I sip slowly and savor every sip. It takes me about two hours to finish it. At home I heat it back up frequently because it tastes best really hot.
I hope its one of these drinks I get sick of fast. I just really shouldn't drink so many.
Catch ya later as I am heading out for another. God help me.
Posted by: SB Addict | January 12, 2005 at 10:23 AM
I athink that Starbucks might be better off if they sold in shot size cups for a dollar a shot!
Posted by: ira | January 12, 2005 at 11:36 AM
I tried it last night. I could have used a water chaser, I was having a business meeting and I kept licking my teeth and lips, I think that my new client thought that I was coming on to her. But it IS chocolate at its finest hour. Simply delicious, if you like darker, more pure types of chocolate. Probably the closest thing to the way the Aztecs drank it a few thousand years ago.
Posted by: doogles | January 12, 2005 at 03:36 PM
Well, it's not bad, but I think someone over-roasted the cocoa beans somewhere. There's a slight burnt aroma. I can definitely feel my arteries hardening. :-)
The barista kept yelling 'Exclusive Chantico' - maybe he's had too many expressos?
Posted by: Marie | January 12, 2005 at 05:42 PM
I just sampled one here in London Ontario Canada. They are available here. lots o calories in the little shot glass as well!
Mike
Posted by: mike w | January 13, 2005 at 03:45 PM
wow!!! just got back from free sample day at starbucks, this may be the best stuff ever. to all the people who say its too sweet or too chocolatey, DUH!!! Chocolate is sweet and chocolately, and if you don't like chocolate, you won't like this.
Posted by: ChanticoAddict | January 13, 2005 at 07:45 PM
I sampled chantico today with my mom and allthough we had to wait 15 minutes for it to be served, it was worth it! I'm a chocolate lover and this drink was so velvety and creamy. It's ashame that it can't be offered with 1% or skim milk to save our calorie budget and i do command that it should be served bigger and cheaper i mean come on, it's half the size of a soda can and triple the price!
Posted by: Debbie | January 14, 2005 at 12:35 AM
A bit of advice to those working at sbux and not liking the gig...get out and find another job...perhaps one where you can just sit around and do nothing. Job=Work=WORK...laziness and bad attitudes do an injustice to all. I used to work at sbux and yes, you DO work...but if you don't like it then just quit and quit whining!
Posted by: formerbarista | January 14, 2005 at 12:38 AM
My daughter and I had the Chantico on our way into the MacWorld Expo in San Francisco yesterday morning. We were blown away! We both loved it... being true and passionate chocoholics.) If you like chocolate...you'll love this. It doesn't taste like anything I've ever had from Hershey. I hate to admit we had another on our way home. A double treat!
Posted by: Bobbi | January 14, 2005 at 01:13 AM
It reminds me of the chocolat chaud I had in Paris,
but it's sweeter and leaves a stronger lingering
bitter aftertaste. Not as bad as the bitter-sour
aftertaste of cheap chocolate, though.
Posted by: Royce | January 14, 2005 at 03:17 PM
Our home town Starbucks just opened. We've been waiting for weeks while watching prep for the drivethru and sit down shop to open for business. We are 20 miles north of Miwaukee, and at 7° outside today... I wanted a coffee some kinda bad! I pulled through that drivethru with my 10 yr old son. Thinking he'd get a hot chocolate, he commented on "geeze it's little" when I handed him the cup of Chantico. I'm telling you folks, it was worth every penny of the $2+ to see the smile on his young face! "Oooh... this is Goood!" He saved the last ounce or so to give to his brother when we arrived home. He offered me a sip, and in my humble chocoloate addicted opinion it is an amazing drink... of course all I can think of is gimme that with a shot of expresso and I'm a happy lady! My husband's comment "And how much is THAT going to cost me every time you drive past Starbucks?" brought a small grin to my face to, I can tell ya. Enjoy it. It is a treat, a desert, a decadent "make me feel better" liquid infusion of heaven.
Posted by: Letha | January 14, 2005 at 04:36 PM
It is not Hershey chocolate - It is made in Eurpoe exclusively for Starbucks. This is the good stuff - not the cheap American wanna be chocolate.
Posted by: | January 15, 2005 at 07:38 AM
I tried it yesterday, followed up today with a second try. The Starbucks guy suggested I try it with a shot of espresso mixed in, which didn't really do much but it didn't matter because I think this drink is heaven in a cup. They also told me you can get it with skim milk if you ask, so i don't know what is true or not true. I love the stuff, and it is the only drink that actually made me smile while i was drinking it!
Posted by: lori | January 15, 2005 at 01:20 PM
Shift for Starbucks - You seem very unhappy in your work. Perhaps you should look elsewhere.
I sipped a Chantico last Saturday and quickly vowed to give up all other forms of chocolate for this little cup of heaven. My barista didn't seem to have a problem preparing it for me. If she gave me the impression that my patronage was a bother to her, I would quickly find another place to purchase my coffee and drinkable chocolate.
Posted by: Jeni | January 15, 2005 at 02:16 PM
Well, I had a sample today before my mocha was ready. At first sip I was not sure, second sip, hmmm. Made my husband try it just to see the look on his face--not a huge chocolate fan--he nearly siezed up. It grows on you but is like liquid brownie batter in way. My mocha tasted very unchocolatey by comparison. Would be maybe OK to split with someone? Wonder what the caffeine count is? Oddly addicting I think.
Posted by: Lori | January 15, 2005 at 09:09 PM
The Chantico chocolate was delicious but a tad too sweet for my taste. It should be made with less sugar so that the chocolate taste will be amplified and as a plus that would also cut the calories of that rich chocolatey drink. It should also be offered in a dark chocolate version for variety for those of us who like the intense type of chocolate. And also it should be offered with a lower fat milk for the diet-conscious public. The price should also be lowered or the portion size made larger!
Posted by: Barbara | January 16, 2005 at 02:02 AM
I am from Australia and tried this in LA two days ago. I loved it, and I also understand it has caffiene in it, is that correct? I hate coffee, so it would be a good way for me to get a wake up call. Only thing is, bummer, I don't think they are selling it in Australia.
Posted by: Lyn | January 16, 2005 at 05:17 PM
Granted, I am a chocoholic, but I don't understand all this hype about the Chantico being such a "heart-attack-in-a-cup".
No one complains when a grande mocha with whip is ordered (just a bit more fat and calories than a Chantico!) or a grande Mocha Chip Frappuccino (510 calories and 22g of fat) Sure, it's concentrated in a 6 oz. cup... but that's the point... it's a 6 oz cup (any more would make you sick!)
Posted by: KT | January 16, 2005 at 06:17 PM
I love Chantigo, and As there is a starbucks, or several on my way every day, I will no doubt be buying this drink at least once a day. In fact, I see little diffrence between this, and a crystal meth habit, with the possible exception that chantigo is far more expensive.
Posted by: | January 17, 2005 at 12:04 PM
Try the new Chantico chocolate drink today; BIGEST DISAPOINTMENT. The drink is nothing more than a mixture of Ovaltine and Nestle Milo Chocolate drink mixes. The Malt taste come from Ovaltine and the rich chocolate from Milo. I been drinking this mixture of Milo and Ovaltine since I was a little kid. At $2.49 a cup; just save your money and go out and buy Milo and Ovaltine and you can make your own Chantico.
Posted by: Teck | January 17, 2005 at 03:12 PM
Like a number of posters, I found this site by Googling "Chantico" - the first time I've ever looked into a Starbucks product on-line. I'm a chocolate lover and downed one a day for about a week until I realized that quite possibly this wasn't the best dietary move to make. 390 calories a cup! Still, I have been waiting for a drinking chocolate that goes beyond the usual insipid hot chocolate offerings (including Starbucks') and Chantico is the closest to the ideal that I've found so far.
Posted by: AK | January 19, 2005 at 02:30 AM
Sorry, Teck. You're wrong.
Posted by: Cunning Stunt | January 19, 2005 at 02:35 AM
Lyn: It doesn't contain any caffeine, at least not beyond that which normally occurs in chocolate, about 6mg per 1oz of chocolate.
Posted by: Cunning Stunt | January 19, 2005 at 02:41 AM
Ordered this the 1st day at the Starbucks in Houston. IT IS WONDERFUL. Had a couple more at the airport in Detroit and in Wakefield Plantation/Raleigh, NC. It is a great drink that decided to order a double (just came in a "tall" cup).
I swear I could drink a gallon of this stuff.
Posted by: JLA | January 19, 2005 at 09:27 AM
The Chantico is delicious, but I'm trying to imagine why anyone would or could drink more than one a week. Seems to me the genius of SB is the repeat--in my case almost daily--business in coffee and pastries. I wonder how much SB projects it will drive to the bottom line.
Posted by: R | January 19, 2005 at 11:51 AM
I love Chantico!!! I am totally addicted despite the huge calorie count. The flavor is so smooth and relaxing. I love it! I love it! I love it!!
Posted by: Kiki | January 19, 2005 at 01:13 PM
I am a Store Manager and tried Chantico at our Holiday Meeting before our formal dinner, which was a huge mistake due to it's richness. Chantico is very filling even in a sample sized portion.
For those that are wondering about our chocolate's orgins need to only look at our in store chocolate selection. Roughly 2 years ago we purchased a European chocolate company and began manufacturing our own chocolate products. We get our Cacao from many of the same Latin-American Coffee Farms that we purchase our coffee. The Cacao content of Chantico is between 45-50% and Cacao Butter content is 20% per ounce dry mix.
We can not offer Chantico in any other form other than Whole Milk as it's a dry mix and the recipes are the recipes. If stores were allowed to make a Nonfat/Soy/Organic version there would be far too many inconsistancies in the recipe and it would taste different in each store.
I was not a fan of Chantico at first...although I am a huge chocolate fan. It takes a little getting used to due to it's density. It's also a little more tempermental than some of our other products as it takes on a roasted/burnt flavor if oversteamed. It has to be steamed at full pressure until it reaches 140 degrees and allowed to coast up to 160 degrees. The Cacao Butter breaks at 162 degrees and begins to seperate out...not pretty or yummy.
Chantico with a shot of espresso with cheesecake or something else creamy and indulgent are a great finish to any week...it may just take some time to allow yourself that kind of decadance.
Posted by: NJ-Store Manager | January 19, 2005 at 05:42 PM
I just came back from Venice a couple of weeks ago...and was commenting you can't get hot chocolate here like they make there...well Chantico comes pretty damn close...like liquid chocolate pudding...excellent!!!
Posted by: dj | January 20, 2005 at 10:29 AM
I love the Chantico. I crave getting one everyday. I would gladly give up the mocha for this one. The only problem is it is so tiny. I am a chocoholic but this is such good chocolate I'd think I was in Europe. Plus it is a drink for the younger audience if they don't drink coffee. Way to go Starbucks!
Posted by: michele snyder | January 20, 2005 at 08:37 PM
There are large stock card advertisements on the counter at Starbucks, use these cards for a free Chantico I believe it's starting today until the 27th. I am getting my today. It's been about 3 days since my last one. Yum.
Posted by: SBAddict | January 21, 2005 at 08:46 AM
The Chantico is my new "Happy Drink." I don't eat chocolate every day, and not even every week -- but a few times a month I reallllly want something CHOCOLATEY. Chantico is perfect!
Rich and creamy, sweet but not overly so; chocolate through and through. I like the small size, as it keeps me from over-doing it and going into a diabetic coma. :) The price ($2.90 here) also keeps me in check.
Chantico: the perfect occasional indulgence, instant cure for chocolate cravings, heaven in a little paper cup. Definitely not for those that only "kinda" like chocolate (stick with your nonfat no-whip two-pump mochas).
-- Happy, from the Homeland of Starbucks (Seattle)
Posted by: HappyInBucky'sCapital | January 21, 2005 at 03:56 PM
I just tried a cup here in Vancouver (Canada). Tastes really good, but too sweet -- it's like drinking hot chocolate syrup.
But I've noticed others here saying they don't find it too sweet at all, which I think shows the variability in sensitivity to sweetness among different persons. Which is why they should sell it unsweetened or just semi-sweetened, and then let the customer add sweetening (sugar, syrup, honey, etc.) to taste.
Ever since learning that chocolate was consumed only in beverage form in Europe, very popular in coffeehouses, until the 19th C., I've always wanted to taste what that hot chocolate beverage was like. I wonder how close Chantico is....?
Posted by: Delysid | January 22, 2005 at 01:31 AM
To *bux, you should have told me what I was drinking!
I never heard of it. All I know is that I am pregnant and Im not supposed to have very much caffiene, but I found myself at a starbucks anyway!
Heres the only way I could drink it. I took one sip, and it flooded my mouth with a hot thick chocolate coating. It was just like expensive french truffles Ive eaten, except hot and all over my mouth. The only problem was when I ordered it I was a little bit thirsty. and this did not help.
I could only drink 1/2 of it. when I went home I refilled the pther half of it with Ice and skim milk. Then I found it easy to drink.
Bottom line: I thought I was buying a chocolate drink, but I was really buying a hot dark chocolate dessert. If I would have known that I would have bought it at a different time of day, drank it slower, and enjoyed it better.
Posted by: Violectrica | January 22, 2005 at 04:39 PM
Cunning Stunt have you ever try Ovaltine or Milo in life?
Posted by: Teck | January 22, 2005 at 07:55 PM
Teck, yes, I have. Otherwise I wouldn't have said that you were wrong.
Posted by: Cunning Stunt | January 22, 2005 at 08:26 PM
I just tried Chantico...and loved it! It's not meant to be BIG, except for the taste. I'm reminded of hot chocolate that I've had at the El Tovar in the Grand Canyon, or at Angelina in Paris (btw, I've found only one place in the US that sells Angelina's chocolate, and it's nearly $6 a cup). And Starbuck's has said it's meant to be a drinkable dessert. I wouldn't have it everyday, but for a special treat, mmmmmm!
Posted by: | January 23, 2005 at 06:59 PM
I too found this site thru yahoo. I haven't tried it yet. We only have SBux in a target and a Barnes & Nobles.
Are they giving free samples only in stand alone stores? I'd love to sample it. I'm addicted to Chai Lattes so it would have to be incredible tasting to pull me away from Chais.
Posted by: MaggieH | January 23, 2005 at 11:29 PM
While I found Chantico to be quite intense...a bit too intense for me, I am still glad we have it because chocolate is sexy. ("we have it" - yes, i'm a partner) I like to sample it at 8am...and the looks on customers faces are unforgettable. I like to ooh and aaahhh as I'm slowly pouring the hot love mud into their cup.
Posted by: Jabeaner | January 24, 2005 at 03:13 PM
I just had one...it's AMAZING! I now know why the Aztecs loved it so! Thank you, Starbucks!
Posted by: Jim | January 25, 2005 at 02:12 PM