Starbucks released a multi-colored, limited-edition frappuccino last week that had mixed reviews from coffee fans.
After speculation by users on Reddit, the release of the Unicorn Frappuccino was confirmed in a press release from Starbucks on April 18. The drink was cream-based with a mango syrup swirl -- the more a consumer swirled the drink, the more the colors and flavors transformed, changing from "sweet and fruity" to "tangy and tart," according to the press release.
However, the experience of the Unicorn Frappuccino wasn't magical for everyone.
The drink was in such high demand during its five-day offer that Starbucks baristas publicly begged people to stop buying it.
Braden Burson, a Starbucks barista in Colorado, made a video ranting about the new drink and posted it on Twitter. The video, which has since been removed, went viral within hours of posting.
"I have never made so many frappuccinos in my entire life," Burson said in the video. "I have unicorn crap all in my hair and on my nose. I have never been so stressed out in my entire life."
The frappuccino was offered in select locations around the United States; some Starbucks saw a massive influx of customers trying to get a taste of the rare drink. One of the locations was the Ram's Head Dining Hall Starbucks at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Jess Casimir, a first-year student, said she wasn't sure what to expect, so she split one with first-year, Rachel Maydew.
"I watched a Buzzfeed video before I drank it," Casimir said. "This guy said, 'It tastes as if you let a bunch of Froot Loops get soggy in a cereal bowl and then blended it up and drank it.' And I tasted it, and I have never heard such an accurate depiction of what something is."
Casimir said she and Maydew couldn't decide if they liked the flavor or not.
"Every time I took a sip, I was just so confused," Maydew said.
Even though she said was not a particular fan of the taste, Casimir said she appreciated the thought that went into it.
"It's really smart marketing on their part," she said. "They get a mass influx of business when they literally throw anything together."
The limited offering of the Unicorn Frappuccino may have ended April 23, but Starbucks allegedly offers another magical drink -- the Dragon Frappuccino -- on its infamous "secret menu," a menu for custom drinks ordered by in-the-know customers.
The Seattle Times reported the Dragon Frappuccino as a swirl of vanilla bean powder, berry cup swirl, and the Green Tea Frappuccino. If customers want to order something from the secret menu, they must list the specific ingredients to receive the drink they want.
Casimir said the Dragon Frappuccino looks "more appealing," and she's interested in trying it.
"Hopefully the experience won't be as confusing as the Unicorn Frappuccino," Casimir said.
