Now that we’re in the heat of summer, Starbucks is pulling out the big guns of refreshment in Japan, with the announcement of the chain’s first-ever nationwide watermelon Frappuccino.
The new beverage is called the Gaburi Suika Frappuccino, with suika meaning “watermelon” and gaburi referring to a big bite, which in this case conjures up images of biting into a succulent watermelon.
Watermelons are such a popular summer fruit in Japan that there’s even a tradition called suikawari, where one person attempts to smash open a watermelon with a stick while blindfolded, usually while out with friends or family at the beach.
So the advent of a watermelon Frappuccino is big news in Japan, especially as it’s the first time customers around the country will be able to taste it. Previously, only one watermelon Frappuccino has graced the menu for a limited time, and only in Toyama Prefecture — where you can find the country’s largest watermelons — as part of the chain’s epic 47-Frappuccino release to mark its 25th year of business in Japan.
However, while that Frappuccino was topped with matcha powder and chocolate sauce to mimic the look of a watermelon, this new Frappuccino takes the fruit in a different direction entirely, pairing it with several other summer fruits, namely dragon fruit, passion fruit and kiwi fruit.
According to the chain, the bright red body of the drink has a robust flavor, created by blending watermelon juice with a sauce made with dragon fruit pulp and passion fruit juice. At the bottom of the drink is a layer of pulpy kiwi fruit to recreate the look of a watermelon peel while adding a tart sweetness for contrast.
On top, the drink is finished with a pinch of “watermelon salt”, made with salt and watermelon juice, which is a nice nod to the Japanese tradition of sprinkling salt on watermelon to enhance the sweetness.
The salty, sweet and fruity flavors look set to be an addictive combination, and we can’t wait to try it when it appears in stores for a limited time from Aug 9. Available in a tall size only, priced at 678 yen for takeout and 690 yen for eat-in customers, the Gaburi Suika Frappuccino will be available while stocks last until 31 August.
Source: Starbucks Japan
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© SoraNews24
6 Comments
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falseflagsteve
690 Yen, 690, can you believe it? Not for me, thank you though im sure it will be popular with the young ladies.
リッチ
It’s another drink with extra artificial sweeteners in an overly sweet “America stereotypical style drink” causing obesity and diabetes to the general population. Got to love it.
virusrex
It seems Starbucks really want to dethrone Pepsi from the position of the company that makes the most "unusual" drinks in Japan. Also, the description do not mention any coffee included in the drink, so is it still a Frappuccino?
AramaTaihenNoYouDidnt
Insane price, chemical compound mixture - no thanks!
tora
That is no watermelon. It is sugar, artificial flavouring, colouring, and chemicals, concocted to made to look like the real thing. Definitely not on my bucket list.
餓死鬼
Doesn't sound like it. Just watermelon and passion fruit juices with dragon fruit and kiwi pulp. I can't imagine coffee going very well with those flavours anyway.