Starbucks New Drink: Doubleshot Energy + Coffee
Starbucks has been hush-hush recently about their +Energy option you may or may not have already heard of. In fact myself being one of the key caffeine fiend targets being marketed to, I can’t say I wasn’t a little surprised they weren’t knocking at my door trying to get me to buy the add-ins. Well what do you know, this morning (6am) I open my door to find a set of Starbucks’ newest knight in shining armor, Starbucks DoubleShot Energy + Coffee.
This review you’re about to read is a first-hand exclusive, these drinks were not on sale at the time of writing this, and sales are expected to start in the middle of June, patience is key.
21st Century Milk Man
What a way to start the morning! “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers instantly popped into my head, childhood memories of Folgers commercials burning in mind, and a realization that the former concept of having a Milk Man deliver milk every morning comes nowhere close to fresh delivered cans of extra caffeinated coffee.
*Crack* goes the tab, pressure furiously releasing from the Energy Standard 15oz. can, condensation dripping down the side, is this all just a dream? Starbucks with its Robber Baron style can’t possible create something that gets me excited again can it? Snap out of it, there’s no holding back now, swish gulp and down the hatch.
That’s What We Call “Variety”
The three flavors so far are Vanilla, Coffee, and Mocha. All three have similar yet distinct flavors despite me being somewhat unconfident if I were to be given a blind taste test. One thing I will tell you is that the Coffee flavor tends to taste the least sugary as well as being the only one to actually resemble coffee. Mocha has a light aftertaste of coffee but it tastes more like a single pump of coffee syrup was added to a Yoo-hoo Chocolate Drink. The Vanilla comes in second to the Coffee and my guess is it’s supposed to capture the White Chocolate Mocha lovers out there, not the serious coffee drinkers. All three flavors had a mild but present bitterness that was only sometimes noticeable, I figure this is due to ginseng and guarana. Other than that I was actually quite surprised by the taste of these drinks, I’d be hard pressed to tell much of a difference between the pre-existing bottled coffees sold by Starbucks and these new ones, except for one minor detail.
Even Coffee Needs a Pick-Me-Up
The ingredients on these cans are nothing short of amazing, for a coffee at least. Per 15 fl oz. there is 1800mg of Taurine, 450mg of L-Carnitine, 180mg of Inositol (also known as B8), 325mg of Ginseng, and 90mg of Guarana. In fact that list is quite good for any energy drink, often times the amount of ginseng is negligable and guarana (which works better than caffeine anhydrous) is forgotten, this drink spared neither. Considering these drinks carry the Trademark of Doubleshot I would expect that these new ingredients would be added to a pre-existing doubleshot mix. Already containing 150mg of caffeine (from the Doubleshot) we’re looking at a good 225mg of caffeine per can. UPDATE Contains 146mg per 15 ounce can. Morning is bearable again!
In light of the above information, you should be confident in guessing the effects were substantial. In fact, better than even I would’ve guessed. A small but noticeable buzz, minor shaking but stable enough not to interfere with work, in all a good experience that woke me up smoothly and transitioned into a “Lovely Day”.
Outlook is Clear with Low Chance of Rain
Sometimes companies just get things right, and Starbucks has certainly acheived something in my mind. One thing that amused me was Starbucks’ marketing techniques claiming, “Wake up with Starbucks Doubleshot, Stay up with new Starbucks Doubleshot Energy + Coffee”. I’ve tried Doubleshots for the morning and honestly I get more of a buzz off of water. Doubleshot Energy +Coffee is up more in the level I need for the morning. Not too much caffeine, and not only caffeine as the main ingredient. If you don’t have time to wait in line for a handmade drink, or to home-brew your own coffee, keep your eye out for this Doubleshot Energy trio in local Starbucks stores, 7-11, and grocery stores this June. MSRP is USD $2.59 per can and they come as singles, 4 packs, and 12 packs.
NOW available on-line from Amazon.
Overall Score: (5/5)
Review by Josh (blog: Cubicalism & Coffee)
21 Comments
I have drank all the starbucks RTD coffees including the doubleshots and the Frappuccinos. The Frappuccinos are super creamy and sweet and the double shots are more stout and coffee like. These new ones however fall in the middle. I could definitely tell the difference between these and the other Starbucks RTDs. They did nail it in the energy department for sure though. Want to try a really crappy RTD coffee+energy drink? Go to Walgreens and buy the new 24:7 coffee + energy. Same price as the Starbucks but total crap
I will have to agree with you on your review, mine was pretty similar to yours! I like the promo kit that came with it! 
As a Bux Barista, I have to say only a couple things:
a-I love this thing and it’s hand-made counterpart (though a PAIN to make) is /sooo/ good.
b-I don’t recommend ANYONE do this, but the +energy packet added to a cup of ice with this poured over = energy for a day.
Note that technically we aren’t plain /allowed/ to add more than one +energy packet per drink, and that can already has one in it. Just sayin’.
I just bought one of these at our local grocery for 2$ and I just absolutly loved it!!!
I found one of these at a local grocery store for $2.09 (apparently that $0.50 discount made all the difference) and decided to try out the coffee flavor. Really tasty and a great energy boost. Now I’ve got to see where I can come up with a case of them at a discount.
I tried the mocha and thought it was one of the best coffee energyz I’ve had. And that really means something, because most of the time these kinds of drinks just kill my stomach. I also thought that there was a adequate amount of energyz.
+
The Starbucks Retail Counterparts really have nothing on the hand-made versions offered in-store. The retail versions are weak and taste as if it’s a coffee syrup, not actual coffee.
The Double-Shots prepared in-store are truly the better option, if you can wait for a few minutes as they’re not 1-2 minute drinks.
The Venti alone is Sugar-Type Sweetener, iced, 5 shots espresso, shaken (w/Energy Packet if Chosen), then a pour of milk (2%, Soy, Non-Fat, Whole) and then served.
I prefer the stronger taste of coffee to the overbearing taste of nothing but sugar. If I can’t taste the actual coffee as if it was an espresso shot, I’m not drinking it.
Yeah, this is some pretty good coffee for the canned stuff. It’s a direct competitor to Monster Java canned energy coffee drinks, and it tastes A LOT better.
Way to go, Starbucks!
[...] (200% of your B6 RDA and 100% of your B12 RDA). No word about how much caffeine on the can, but Energy Fiend (the authority on such matters), tells us that 225mg awaits you in each [...]
Hi! Sorry 2 c that I’m somewhat late in finding out about this new *bucks Coffee energy drink, but I’m very glad that I’m finding out about it late than never!! The first thing I said when I saw the pic of the cans was “Ooooooohhh!!” While I like the original canned *bucks Doubleshots, I don’t really feel anything when drinking them & prefer just going straight 2 drinking the green Amps instead. But this possibly could b what I’ve been looking 4 as a good energy drink AND is made by Starbucks Coffee! Thank U 4 the through & informative review! I can’t wait 2 try this!!!
Drinking Amp (& hopefully this drink soon also) @ warp speed….
-Caffeinetrekkie
I have tried all of the starbucks items, and this is the best one in a can. It is a long drive for me to get to a SB shop, so I pay 2.59 a can at least once a day. In need of bulk on this one.
I’m hooked, makes my workday awesome!
This is my favorite canned drink! If you have a Cody’s convenience store in your area, right now they are offering 50 Cody’s points on your kickback card when you buy a can of this yummy stuff. (Normally you have to spend $50 to get that.) I love it!!!
Does the caffeine content take ino the account of the 90 mg. of guarana? I read that guarana has more caffeine than coffee.
yes it does.
This was really good, but strangely enough, I like Monster better. Maybe I’ll try coffee flavor instead. I tried vanilla (That’s always the first flavor I try), but out of Starbucks packaged drinks, I prefer Frappuccinos.
I drink this stuff every business day from my Gas America (but only in Vanilla) it’s soooo amazing. This Starbucks junkie has found a new home.
I started drinking these about a week ago and I love them! I used to start my day off with a single cup of coffee or rockstar. I have two jobs back to back and these really keep me going. The price is $2.49 at the Chevron I get them from.
I also really like these a lot. I started buying them the day I saw them in the store. King Soopers has them for $2.00 a can and my work just started stocking these in the vending machine for the same price. I used to like the Italian Iced coffee but I can’t find those anymore except in the “light” version. I really like these doubles with Energy a lot. The Vanilla and Coffee are my favorite. These are much better than the Monsters or Hansens Coffee drinks. However, the only Rock Star drink I’ve ever like at all is the Rockstar Roasted. That’s another really good coffee energy drink! I usally can’t stand the Rockstar products.
I have to say this is the best i use to hate coffee but this i HAVE to have one each and every day this stuff rocks.I tried a Monster Lava and that s**t is too sweet and nasy Starbucks is my #1.
I was really excited to try this until I got to the $2.59 a can part. I think I’m going to have to stick with my normal coffee. Maybe I’ll splurge one of these days and give it a shot.