Starbucks' Asian Dolce Latte

(Note: This is a really late post. Been trying to get some decent shots of the Asian Dolce Latte, but I guess luck isn't on my side. Tsk!)

The first time I saw this at Starbucks Philippines' fanpage, my first thought was "I'd like to take a photo of that drink!" Then I read "Double Espresso shots for Tall". Now THAT really made me want to go out and grab a cup.

Promo photo from Starbucks Philippines Facebook fanpage

A week after the launch of the Asian Dolce Latte, I was finally able to drop by Starbucks to get a cup of its hot version. I asked hubby to order it for me, which he he did. He even meticulously stirred the cup (oh no!) before bringing it back to me. Result: the drink tasted pretty much like a caramel macchiato with an extra shot of espresso. Oh well...

The second time, I ordered the drinks. This is what I got:

Hot Asian Dolce Latte. Would have looked better in a crystal/clear mug

Hubby's favorite coffee companion: the improved Cinnamon Roll

At first sip, the foam and espresso on top hit you first. Pretty strong, especially for someone like me who doesn't take plain espresso. Then the sweet milk at bottom follows, a contrast to the first sip of espresso. I guess this is what makes it different from the regular mixed coffee drinks. That, and the fact that this drink has double the espresso shots of the regular ones, without the added cost. Plus points for those who like their coffee strong!

A few days later, I tried the iced version. Now since this is taken through a straw, I got to taste the milk at the bottom first. Then I pulled up the straw a bit so I can get to the espresso. I usually ask the barista to hold the whip on my cold drinks, but this time I made an exception because it was espresso whipped cream! Tastes nice, not as creamy as regular whip, with just the slightest hint of sweetness and espresso flavor. I wonder if I can ask them to put this on my mocha and java chip frap instead of the regular whip.

Iced Asian Dolce Latte

Verdict: This is the drink for those who want that extra coffee kick without shelling out  extra bucks for additional espresso shot. I ordered all my drinks in venti, so that's a whopping 4 shots of espresso in every drink. I only wish they had glass mugs for the hot version so people can see the nice layers. That said, the Asian Dolce Latte is a cheaper, stronger alternative to the usual Caramel Macchiato and I'd probably be ordering this until they pull it out of the menu.

Update: Check out Starbucks' Coffee Perfection App and get a chance to win Buy 1 Take 1 vouchers on the Asian Dolce Latte. Visit this link:
https://www.facebook.com/StarbucksPhilippines/app_129173033939784

Oh, and in case anyone's wondering, this isn't a sponsored post. I just really like coffee, and thought other coffee lovers out there might like to get some freebies from Starbucks. :)

Photos by Myk and Shella Esguerra

Getting some non-coffee fix at Happy Lemon

Recently, I noticed that a cousin of mine have been raving about a certain drink that she can't seem to get enough of. It was iced cocoa with, of all things, rock salt and cheese, one of the bestsellers of Happy Lemon, which I always thought of as just another milk tea place. My first reaction was, huh? Salt and cheese in a chocolate drink? Nu-uh, not for me!

Then my curiosity got the better of me. I knew from watching cooking shows that chocolate tastes better when you put in a bit of salt as it makes the chocolate taste more intense. Plus picky little me has been prodding me for a while to try something out of my comfort zone. So while walking to the parking lot last weekend, I looked into the Happy Lemon store which I passed by countless of times in the past, saw the counter was empty save for a girl waiting for her drink, and decided on the spot to march right in and order a Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese.

Happy Lemon's bestselling Cocoa with Rock Salt and Cheese

As the server handed me a large cup without a cover (the counter crew talked me into upsizing my order for a 10-peso difference), I noticed that the cream on top had a bit of powdered cocoa mixed with a teeny amount of salt. The cheese,however, was not visible to me. I asked for a cover and a straw since we were on our way home already and put in on, intending to drink it in the car. Then, I remembered another drink which tasted different when stirred, so I immediately took the cover off again and had a couple of sips. Hmmm... not bad. In fact, it was quite good! The sweet cocoa flavor is enhanced by the saltiness of the cheese and rock salt which sticks to your lips. The taste reminded me of the keso sorbetes of my childhood, the so-called dirty ice cream that was the staple of birthday parties where the ice keeping the ice cream tub cold is sprinkled with salt to delay melting. As a consequence, some of the salt sometimes get into the cheese-flavored ice cream, making the sweet, salty and cheese flavors blend together, but not in an unpleasant way. Then I gave the cup a good stir to mix in all the flavors, and it still tasted good. But it tasted better when you drink it straight from the cup sans the straw.

I can make out the salt crystals mixed with the cocoa

A few days later, I chanced upon another Happy Lemon store with no waiting customers, so in I went. I ordered a couple of Cocoas, then noticed a new bestseller, Lemon Calamansi Tea with jelly. As it was a sweltering day, the idea of a refreshing citrus drink seemed oh-so-appealing to me. Without another thought, I ordered one, intending to drink it first and save my cocoa for later. (Tip: The cocoa drink still tasted good after being kept overnight in the refrigerator. Just make sure to tape up the hole for the straw.)

My Lemon Calamansi Tea

The server asked me for the level of sweetness for my drinks (apparently it can be adjusted to one's liking), and I said everything 100%. Lucky, because the Lemon Calamansi Tea turned out to be really tart and citrusy with a slight bite to the tongue due the calamansi halves that were put in it. It was hardly sweet but it was very good, though I'm not sure if it would be a hit for those who are not so fond of tart or sour drinks.

My little boss doing a Happy Everyday! pose ;-)

Aside from the drinks that I tried, Happy Lemon has quite a long list of drinks, neatly arranged into categories (or series as the menu says), perhaps to allow customers to easily identify each individual drink.

Got a Happy Lemon menu to check what's next on my must-try list ;-)

So now my usual coffee break has taken a slightly different turn. Not saying that I'm giving up coffee (love my mochas and macchiatos!), but it sure is nice to have something different every now and then

Take a sip and enjoy!

Photos by Myk and Shella Esguerra