Starbucks launches the Fruitcake Frappuccino nobody asked for

WE’RE all for a festive beverage during the holiday season, but Starbucks might have taken it too far this time. The coffee giant has launched the Christmas drink nobody asked for.

Starbucks has debuted this year’s holiday beverage in the US. Picture: Starbucks

I’M all for a festive beverage during the holiday season, but Starbucks might have taken it too far this time.

The American coffee giant has put an interesting new spin on one of the oldest — and notoriously unpopular — seasonal treats. The fruitcake.

In a move to really embrace Christmas this year, Starbucks has launched a limited edition Fruitcake Frappuccino, available in participating stores throughout the US and Canada until December 18. No word if the product will be released here, but their local website is happy to promote a gingerbread latte and peppermint mocha, so they’re not afraid of a crazy ‘coffee’.

According to the fruitcake press release, the liquified cake consists of a hazelnut crème Frappuccino with blended dried fruit, spiced with cinnamon, topped with whipped cream and caramel, and then sprinkled with matcha.

“The new beverage is inspired by holiday fruitcake with its colourful candied fruits, nuts and spices,” the website reads, calling the cold drink “a fruitcake too tasty to re-gift”.

Starbucks says the Fruitcake Frappuccino is “a fruitcake too tasty to re-gift”. Picture: Starbucks

The fruitcake has always been the weird uncle at the Christmas gathering. Nobody really wants it around, and yet it kind of has to be present, because tradition.

And at the end of the feast, when wine glasses are being drained and top buttons are being discretely popped, the dense, sodden fruitcake remains — bound for the cake tin for weeks because it will NEVER go off.

Food review website Eater.com even went so far as to call the Fruitcake Frappuccino, “basically the ugly Christmas sweater of coffee drinks.”

With the colourful caffeine-free beverage hitting participating cafes Thursday, customers have been sharing their thoughts on social media. Safe to say, even the most devoted Frapp fans don’t seem completely sold.

Stick to the Gingerbread Latte perhaps?

the Fruitcake Frappuccino AKA Starbucks hates it's partners.

— Haley Grace (@fernweh96) December 7, 2016

I despise fruitcake. But @Starbucks new "fruitcake" drinks sounds kind of amazing.

— Shayna (@Voices_Carrie86) December 15, 2016

You have to try the new Fruitcake drink from @Starbucks it's delicious! 🎄❤

— Sarah ❄💕 (@siscoe18) December 5, 2016

Funfact: Starbucks has a new Fruitcake Frappucino and I made one today and it tastes like shit

— eleno (@e1eno) December 2, 2016

Is this @Starbucks Fruitcake Frappucino for real???

— Alicia Marie (@perfectalicia) December 15, 2016

If this isn't a reason to short Starbucks stock, I don't know what is. Fruitcake Frappuccino? Yuck. $SBUX https://t.co/0h5CmnciYi

— Paul R. La Monica (@LaMonicaBuzz) December 15, 2016

Fruitcake frapp at Starbucks, I was to scared...not sure how I feel about that

— Chelsie Stafford (@chelmae_allday) December 15, 2016