Oct. 07--No longer an avid follower of Starbucks, I was late to hearing about the Toasted Graham Latte, which was unveiled in late September. Reportedly, the new drink has not been available to Midwestern Starbucks fans from the looks of a thread on Reddit, so of course it was important to check it out.
Now, with any new promotion, it's human nature for us to look for the window signs and see the colorful marketing posters begging us to spend nearly $5 for a small taste of ... superficial heaven?
Standing in a crowded Starbucks in the InterContinental hotel (505 N. Michigan Ave.), I searched for the TGL. I looked by the windows, on the menu, through the food display cases -- everywhere. I literally had a flashback to my earlier years when asked to search for Waldo among a million people drawn on the page; searching for the TGL gave me that same annoyance.
Maybe they really don't have it, I thought to myself. Well, I was wrong.
The young, chipper gentleman informed me they do have the fall concoction. He said a small (tall) size is $4.45 without tax; however, even he had to stop and read the menu to realize his company did not have the drink listed on display.
Another Starbucks several yards away (444 N. Michigan Ave.) also had the same (bittersweet?) situation -- no display, but ask and pay anyway. New marketing tactic, Starbucks?
All the trouble it took to actually wrap my mouth around this drink meant time subtracted from my life (although I did enjoy basking in the sun). When my memory recalls the taste of a graham cracker, I'm reminded of that sweet, delicious pie crust underneath a tangy key lime pie.
The TGL didn't deliver on that sensation, only giving a subtle likeness. It was more plain and watery tasting than anything else.
On the other hand, the other fall lineup drinks -- the traditional Pumpkin Spice Latte and the new Pumpkin Flat White -- have the promise of redemption (if you stick with the PSL). The name of the new drink suggests what it is in comparison to its older, more refined pumpkin friend -- flat.
While a little sweeter than the older, you can taste how really artificial it is after the first few sips. Or in other words, since the PSL is not broke, please stop trying to fix it with a friend, Starbucks. Just leave it be.
Ingredient differences and similarities: According to Starbucks' website, the PSL and TGL drinks do not have any calorie or nutritional impact to your lifestyle -- zero calories, zero vitamins, zero sugar; zero everything. That seems far from the truth; perhaps Starbucks might need to update the website ...?
The PFW did not have any nutritional information listed. However, it may have nutritional values similar to those already listed for the Flat White, but now including pumpkin syrup.
Only the TGL and PSL include whipped cream and a sprinkle of spice on the top to finish them. The PFW is finished with a "latte art dot."
Unlike the PSL, the PFW includes two shots of ristretto, which is a more concentrated version of espresso.
Prices vary depending on size and where you live.
Perhaps the best part of the whole hunt and tasting experience was hearing my editor mention how jealous women in college might be that we were drinking PSLs.
Lindsey Compton is a freelance writer.
lcompton@tribpub.com
