THE STARBUCKS BLONDE DOUBLESHOT ON ICE is the last of the featured Blonde Espresso beverages on my list to review, and it was worth the wait.
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Let’s start with Starbucks’ description of the Blonde Doubleshot on Ice:
“Our new Starbucks Blonde Espresso gets a touch of sweetness and is topped with milk for an extra delight.”
What’s in a Blonde Doubleshot on Ice, exactly? It comes standard with:
- Ice
- 2% milk
- Blonde Espresso shots (2 in a Tall, 3 in a Grande, 5 in a Venti)
- Classic Syrup (unflavored sugar syrup) (1 pump in a Tall, 2 in a Grande, 4 in a Venti)
My Recommendation
I usually recommend getting hot Starbucks milk-and-espresso beverages with breve and extra shots of espresso. Why do I specify hot beverages? Because in some iced lattes, breve may end up being too rich, especially when consumed in the Iced Venti size. For this drink, I’d recommend ordering whole milk in a Venti, breve in a Tall, and for Grande, I could go either way.
All Blonde Espresso drinks contain one fewer pump of syrup by default, and all Doubleshots contain more espresso shots by default, so the syrup in the standard recipe isn’t nearly as over-the-top as it usually would be in a Starbucks drink. A Grande Blonde Doubleshot only contains 11 grams of sugar, which is way on the low side for Starbucks. Even so, I’d personally recommend only going as high as 2 or 3 pumps in an Iced Venti. You want to taste that delicious Blonde Espresso, right?
My Experience
This was the last of Starbucks’ featured Blonde Espresso line of beverages on my list to review, right after the Blonde Caffè Latte. so now I’ve experienced the entire Starbucks-recommended Blonde Espresso flavor profile, and it varies more drink-to-drink than I expected.
I mentioned tasting caramel in other Blonde Espresso drinks, but the Doubleshot is in a whole other league. The flavor profile is basically straight caramel-cream all the way, with a tiny bit of citrus in the back of the palate. Interestingly, I didn’t get any of the floral notes I tasted previously at all. What this shows me is that if you simply add cream and sugar, Blonde Espresso basically becomes a caramel cream.
When comparing this with the standard (also-caramelly) Signature Espresso Doubleshot, you’ll be getting a less-bitter, creamier, sweeter drink from the Blonde version. Personally, I much prefer the Blonde Doubleshot.
Verdict
This is an easy one: It’s great. Delicious, in fact. If you like any Starbucks espresso, you’re likely a fan of caramel flavor notes, and this drink has that in spades.
I’m very curious how this would be with a pump of caramel or vanilla syrup, or a little caramel sauce. Actually, I’m pretty much describing a Blonde Caramel Machiatto, so I’ll be trying that as soon as possible.
Nutritional Information (Courtesy of Starbucks.com) For the Grande Standard-Recipe Starbucks Blonde Doubleshot on Ice:
| Calories 70 | Calories from Fat 5 |
| % Daily Value* | |
|---|---|
| Total Fat 0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 0% |
| Trans Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 20mg | 1% |
| Total Carbohydrate 14g | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
| Sugars 11g | |
| Protein 2g | |
| Caffeine 170mg** | |
| *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. | |
| **Each caffeine value is an approximate value. | |
