A NEW viral trend involving the beloved Scottish drink Irn-Bru and an espresso has taken social media by storm – and we at The National just had to try it.
Gaining tens of thousands of views online, the concoction has really divided opinion, with some people branding it “rank” and others “lovely”.
As an avid Irn-Bru drinker and also a fan of the odd espresso, I knew I just had to give it a go after being sent videos of other people trying it online by multiple friends. I also knew I just had to get my National colleagues involved.
The concept is simple, mix an espresso with some Irn-Bru in a glass, but in my over-exuberance, I made the fatal error in adding the soft juice before the coffee, which resulted in a rush of foam shooting all over my boss's desk. Sorry, Callum.
With the minor foam mishap behind me, my first impression was that it looked almost like a cola float, which I used to enjoy as a child while visiting beach cafes on the east coast.
The bright orange of the Irn-Bru quickly dissolved into the dark brown of the coffee, but left a slight red tinge to the drink once it was fully mixed.
It took me a few seconds to register what I was tasting.
First the coffee, then the Irn-Bru, and then the coffee again.
Once my tastebuds and brain were on the same wavelength, I came to the realisation that I actually quite liked it.
In fact, my second gulp of the drink quickly followed. It was almost more-ish.
The smell had a strong whiff of coffee, but the sweet bubblegum-esque flavour of the Irn-Bru still managed to pierce through.
The espresso seemed to decarbonate the Irn-Bru, probably the explosion of foam to be fair, so it was a much smoother drink than the usually bubbly feeling of the soft drink.
As much as I liked it, I was very much in the minority in the office. My colleague, Hamish, who must have refined tastebuds like mine, was also a fan.
His verdict was that it was almost like drinking a Guinness.
However, Hamish and I were alone in our enjoyment of what could be a new Scottish tradition.
Both my editors were quick to say “nope,” not for them, while one of my other colleagues branded it “rank” along with a scrunched-up face.
Marmitey would be the best way to describe it. I don’t think it is something you can sit on the fence over, either you are going to love it or hate it.
Perhaps some things are just best left separate.
