Starbucks is pulling Chantico from its menu

The heavily marketed chocolate drink was a disaster -- as we noted here several months ago -- but a Starbucks PR woman tries her hardest to put a positive spin on Chantico's demise. "We don't see it as a failure," she says. "We see it as an opportunity to leverage what we've learned from our customers to provide chocolate beverages that we're going to be excited about." The company will start selling two new chocolate drinks in mid-February, but it's not giving details. Anyone want to fill us in? (Associated Press)

Comments

[Taylor]

Sully, you can allready order a Marble Machiato. Just ask for a half mocha half white mocha mocha macchiato. Or a With Mocha Drizzle White Mocha Macchiato. Just because it isn't on the menu board doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Be inventive.

[taylor]

Oh yeah, Espresso Con Panna Americano is on the way.

I liked the chantico and I am a little sad to see it go. I usually cit it with some steamed notfat milk so I am only drinking a 1/2 cup of chantico and its not as thick or chocolatey. Basically its really yummt hot chocolate! :)

I liked the cinnamon dolce latte the first time I tried it but the second time I was not as fond of it. It reminds me of a cross between cinnamon sugar toast (with loads of butter) and a cinnamon bun.

The news we've all been waiting for!!!! In Chicago and Houston Chantico is staying for a test period of Feb 1 - April 1. It will come in a few new forms however!!!! The new Premium Chocolate Drinks: Cocoa (chantico based is steamed with milk and topped with whipped cream), Spicy Cocoa (chantico base steamed with chiles and milk topped with whipped cream), Double Dark Cocoa (orginally Chantico), Cocoa Espresso (chantico base steamed with hot water and a shot of espresso topped with foam) and Hazelnut Cocoa Espresso (chantico base steamed with hot water, hazelnut syrup, a shot of espresso, and topped with foam)! These drinks are only going to be available in Downtown Chicago and Houston. The Baristas get chocolate brown shirts and hats to wear and the stores will be getting new marketing material to focus on the Premium Chocolate rather than the Marble Mocha Macchiatos!!!!!!

[TB]

Ya know........... I worked for Starbucks back in Southern California when we first started making frappucino. Back then you had your choice of coffee flavored or mocha flavored frappucino. The point is, we had probably less than half the total recipes to memorize as we do today. Today, we also have to deal with the "educated-long time customers" who come in and order their triple grande ristretto, half caff, two and 5/16ths pump sugar free hazlenut, two and a third pump white mocha, half breve, half non-fat, one equal, two raw sugar, extra hot "latte".(Please don't critique the order I typed all that in!) The labor matrix is still tied to how many transactions are rung up on the register and I don't think any consideration has been given to the fact that all these new "customer designed" and "labor intensive" drinks actually do take more steps and time to make. Does anyone else (especially managers) see that as an issue in your stores?

[fiat lux]

I finally tried a CDL yesterday. It's too sweet but the taste is nice. I would order it again but next time tell the barista to cut the number of pumps in half.

[Kenneth]

okie... since I noticed the normal white cups are back, I didn't see any Chantico cup around anymore.

Oh i forget, the new test bevs are all 8 oz now instead of the 6 oz Chantico cup.

[QC Latte]

Call me nuts, but let me know when the new drinks roll in Chicago. I'll make the 2 hour drive to try them. I'm really interested in the one with chile in it. That is much more "authentic" than the original that we took a pseudo Aztec name for ;-)

Cocoa was ground with chile and then boiled. As the chile is a close cousin of the vanilla bean, it mixes well with many of the same things as vanilla. I've had such wonderful things as Chile mango sorbet and a sundae with a mild chile syrup on top. Both were great and I look forward to the chance to try this one.

Also, after 14 years in Williamsburg, VA, I have a bit of a hankerin' for some good ol' colonial style chocolate. Lots of spices (cardamom, cinnamon, and the like) mashed thouroughly to incorporate the flavors with the cocoa butter then melted in a pot of hot milk. Yum.

so, the chantico may be going away, but the new cocoa drinks will be made with the chantico.

this will be a pretty big promo. chantico fans shouldn't worry. get the double dark chocolate one when it comes out. not available till Feb., but it will basically be the same thing as chantico.

It's definitely a relief to know Chantico is no longer on the menu. However, a regular customer at my store is quite unhappy, since he orders it daily, along with a 190 degree, no whip hot chocolate.

On the other hand, the Cinnamon Dulce Latte is a huge hit. And for them demanding we know how to make the Marble Macchiatto? It is not on the menu board, nor does 3/4 of my store know how to make it.. so honestly.. what's the point of that?

The reason that the MMM isn't on the menu board is because it doesn't come out until Winter Phase 2 in February.

[SL]

I loved Chantico and I will truly miss it. for true chocolate lovers, Chantico was the ultimate chocolate drink and I am sad to see it go. And those of you who are glad to see it go for the sole reason that it is hard to make... you don't make your customers feel welcome and valued by acting this way. An attitude like that is going to make you lose business. I was willing to try whatever new drink they were gonna bring us but by reading some of those comments, I'm tempted to buy my coffee somewhere else.

Guess whats coming to Chicago in June?.........The Warming Sandwiches!!!!!! Breakfast sandwiches that get popped into a convection oven for 3 min and poof, a hot breakfast sandwich!!! And from what i hear, they are GOOD!!! Currently in DC and Seattle.

[DEBBIE]

LOVE THE CINNAMON DOLCE LATTE WISH I KNEW HOW TO MAKE IT!! ALSO, IS IT POSSIBLE TO HAVE THEM MAKE IT WEIGHT WATCHERS FRIENDLY ????

The CDL is basically just caramel and cinnamon. And um.... Weight Watchers? Try getting a smaller size, half sweet and with non-fat milk.

[joanna]

How many pumps of CDL syrup are in a tall Cinnamon Dolce Latte?
Just wanted to cut the sweetness by one pump:)

3

[Maggard]

The stores around North Dallas are finally out. My wife and I are very disappointed. The chantico was our espresso shot. We order a venti hot chocolate and add in the chantico on our dates out. With children ranging from 3 months to 15 years, they extra punch is worth the price.

It is definitely missed. For non-cofee drinkers it was an indulgence to curb the temptation.

Please at least offer Chantico in powder form. My wife is willing to buy the steamer to make it at home.

[estoydemalhumor]

OMG! I can't believe chantico is gone. That was the only reason why i went to Starbucks once a month...to get my chantico!! I heard somewhere that Starbucks had an overabundance of the mix...please email me if you know if mix is for sale anywhere!!

[Travis]

to agree with the previous post.. Does anyone know if they'll ever sell the mix. I spent forever looking for something at Starbucks I liked, and I finally found it with Chantico, now they're ending it?

(I figured they would, everyone I know would just look at me weird when I showed up with one.)

[fernanda]

Chanticoooooooo. My love.
:-(

I will remember you fondly.

[Judes]

The new drink is the Marble Mocha Machiatto, it's soooo delicious and a better "health" option to the chantico. The bottom layer is white chocolate syrup then steamed milk then espresso then foam then chocolate drizzle. I swear even non coffee drinkers like my friends are now addicted. It was already released in Los Angeles way back in December, I'm surprised it's not out other places yet.

[niki]

Chantico is awesome, and I'm so sad it's going away. I quit all caffeine (except chocolate) a while ago, and I never liked coffee so even decaf stuff doesn't appeal. Chantico (with it's sugar content and I'm sure a healthy dose of chocolate-caffeine) was perfect for an occasional treat to pick me up. I'm sorry it was so hard to make, and that more people didn't order it. Perhaps if the stores actually showed it on the menu, more people would know it existed and it wouldn't have been discontinued. Anyone think there is a shot of getting the mix/recipe?

Ebay.

Chantico took up almost 1/6th, almost 17% of the menu when it was for sale. No other item in the history of starbucks has had that much space on the menu.

[SBUX ADDICT]

I think that all of you Chantico lovers will enjoy the new Marble Mocha Macchiato that just debuted in most stores. It is a lot easier to make, and isn't so rich that you can't enjoy it regularly.
Starbucks also introduced some new cupcakes. They are really cute, and I am told they are to die for! The cupcakes are offered in a rich chocolate variety with chocolate shavings on top of the frosting, and a decadent yellow cake variety that is topped with yellow and white beaded sprinkles on top of white frosting. I think these are going to be a big hit! Anyways...enjoy.

[Tasha]

Does anybody have the exact receipe for the Cinnamon Dolce Creme Latte?

[ohioaddict]

Is Cinnamon Dolce Latte a seasonal drink or permanent? I see it's still on my local's new menu board so I'm crossing my fingers!!

Seasonal.

[coffeebean]

Question for Starbucks Baristas: how is the cinnamon dolce latte made? I am allergic to fake cinnamon and I'm curious to know if it's made with real cinnamon or if there's a syrup that already has the cinnamon in it?

[Jana]

CDL .. yes !!! how DO you make it ??? Especially since it's seasonal .. THANK YOU !!!

The new Black Apron coffee is really good!!! It's Rwanda Blue Bourbon. Herbally with a hint of cocoa. Not your typical African coffee from Starbucks.

[Jay]

*sigh*...
Gingerbread Latte = Seasonal = Gone
Cinnamon Dolce Latte = Seasonal = Gone

I guess StarBucks doesn't want my $4. =(

[kate]

I absolutely love the new marble moch macchiato, I used to be a fan of the caramel macchiato but like it better cold then hot. The MMM is delicious I look at it like hot chocolate with a dark chocolate tast I really like it and I hope its here to stay!

[Angel]

How on earth do we get Cinnamon Dulce back!?!?!?!

After years, they finally have kept around the winter seasonal drink, pepermint mocha, how do we get CDL from taking YEARS to get permantly on the menu? *sigh* I really, really enjoy every CDL I have had. And DH is stuck in Iraq the season it was out so he got to hear from me how wonderful it was and didn't even get a taste of one. :( Sad!

[coffeeguy :)]

I agree. I still have a lot of customers asking for a Cinnimon Dolce Latte. There really was nothing similar to it on the menu which is probally why it got so popular. It was a totally unique drink.

Thankfully we should have it again in the winter. :) It's a favorite of mine I must admit.

[Freshlyground]

AHHHHH..the CDL....How we all miss you. I love that drink so much. We have tried to recreate it. (the closest being 2p caramel 2p cinnamon Grande) Still,(sigh) not the same.

A group of my fellow barista's and I even looked for black market bottles of CD syrup. LOL! To no avail.Ahh well...till next season then.
:)

[Jessica]

I am still going through CDL withdrawal! I have tried the 2 pump caramel, 2 pump cinnamon latte and it just isn't the same.

You can purchase it currently on Ebay, although the bottles are selling for upwards of $50!

[starbslover]

The cinnamon dolce latte hasnt been added to the list again this winter...so are we ever going to see it again?? It was my favorite drink and nothing else is the same.

[Andy]

I got the folks at my local SBs to sell me the syrup for the Cinnamon Dolce’ Latte a couple weeks ahead of time, so I've been making my own through the Christmas holiday. If you compare the taste to another drink you will be deceived, the taste is like flan (flan may be various kinds of tarts or cakes with a sweet or savory filling, often custard-based, and traditionally served on New Year's Eve.)!

[Shawna]

I'll add to the plea.. how do you make the CDL? I attempted my own just now and it wasn't TOO bad, but def not the same. I brewed 4 ounces of strong coffee and made 1 cup of steamed milk, and added the sugar-free syrup I purchased, with a bit if cinnamon on top. Close? I think I just need to get my measures right because it seemed like some of the water got sucked into the coffee pod thing (my first experience brewing my own coffee with a one cup maker lol)

I will def buy an extra bottle of this stuff before it goes away in May!! yum yum.

[Kenneth]

Will Starbucks bring back the Chantico? I missed this thick chocolate drink.

[Alaine]

The Cinnamon Dolce Latte is FABULOUS!!!! I love it. It's like having a creamy hot chocolate/coffee. I don't care how much it costs, I love it!!!!!!!

[Grace Zabarte]

Been reading a lot about the Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Was wondering if that can also be made available in all the Starbucks outlet here in Philippines.

[Kelowna Starbucks Rebel]

In response to Kenneth, no Chantico will not come back; it was an atrocity to begin with.

[Kelowna Starbucks Rebel]

By the way, I can't help but chuckle at the fact that some previous poster(from about a year ago) said that the Cinnamon Dolce sounded disgusting and that it wouldn't do well, yet it became the single most popular promotional drink!

[Grace Zabarte]

Been reading a lot about the Cinnamon Dolce Latte. Was wondering if that can also be made available in all the Starbucks outlet here in Philippines.

[imabarista]

I am still so happy no chantico.

Plus, EGLat bombed in Central Midwest.

[OhMy]

Cinnamon Dolce latte:

- Pumps of Cinnamon Dolce syrup (tall - 3, grande - 4, venti - 5)
- Espresso
- Steamed milk
- Whip cream
- Cinnamon Dolce powder on top