Starbucks Iced Coffee VIA

[Above product was provided by Starbucks.]

On June 29^th, you will be able to find Iced Coffee VIA at your local Starbucks. Starbucks created this product specifically for the use of iced coffee on the go. Being a huge fan of the original VIA, I couldn’t wait to try this new product, especially since iced coffee is my favorite way to consume coffee. I received a free 5-pack of the Iced Coffee VIA from Starbucks by being one of the first 80 people to respond to a post on the MyStarbucksIdea website.

[About half the size of my hand. But then again, I've always had small hands.]

Flavor verdict? Love it! It’s not too sweet nor is it too bold. (Then again, no coffee in my opinion can ever be too bold.) And it dissolves perfectly in cold water, which is a problem I happen to find with the original VIA. It does not seem to like mingling with cold water or milk. Also unlike the original VIA, Iced VIA is to be mixed in 16oz cold water vs. 8oz of water.

The 5-pack of Iced Coffee VIA will retail for $5.95. These packets are indeed larger than the original sticks of VIA. They’re about three times larger, actually. However they are still perfect for toting in your pocket, purse, backpack, etc. (And there happens to be a stick already stashed inside my purse.)

I’ve yet to try mixing this VIA with milk, but I’m sure it’d be a tasty alternative to water. Or it may be just as tasty when topped over ice cream. (Something I like to do with the original VIA.) Contents of the Iced Coffee VIA sticks are microground coffee and sugar, thus making them vegan friendly for those of you wondering.

Overall, I absolutely adore this new product and I can’t wait for you to try it too!



VIA Ready Brew Recipes

Friends, readers, coffee gurus, and coffee fixated individuals, the VIA has arrived. I feel like this is a monumental moment. As if I’ve just won the Nobel Peace Prize. Ok, perhaps thats a tad too far…Still, this is VIA we’re talking about people! My free 20 sticks of Colombia Ready Brew arrived a week or two ago (I won them on a contest on the MyStarbucksIdea website).

I love these little packets of instant perfection. The Colombia is this beautiful medium, well bodied beauty. I picked up a 3-pack of the Italian Roast a couple of weeks ago and fell in love again. (I was impatient for the Colombia to come….) They both deliver a strength that is unheard of from instant coffees. And as I promised recipes are to follow…

Pumpkin Spice VIA Nog:

• 1 packet Colombia VIA

• 8oz hot water

• ½ – ¾ cup Pumpkin Spice Egg Nog (You can find this at your grocery store near the milk, half and half, creamer, etc.)

Fill a mug with 8oz hot water. Stir in your VIA until completely dissolved. Next, pour in your Pumpkin Spice Egg Nog. Enjoy! I suggest trying a ½ cup first of the egg nog and see how rich it is for you. If you find that it is not too rich and would like more flavor, add another ¼ cup. Feel free to add some whip cream on top if you’d like an even more decadent beverage.

Iced VIA Latte:

• 8oz cold milk (soy, 1%, 2%, whatever you like)

• 1-2 packets Splenda (depends on how sweet you like your coffee, you can use 2-3 tsp. of sugar instead as well)

• 1 packet Colombia or Italian Roast VIA

• 1 cup ice cubes

Pour 8oz of cold milk into a glass. Stir in your VIA and Splenda (or sugar) until dissolved. Add ice cubes and drink up! A straw makes this drink even more lovely. Vanilla or chocolate soy milk would probably be quite tasty as well.

Review On Starbucks Fall Shaped Sugar Cookies:

I love these little things. Inside this adorable little package are 12 thin, little sugar cookies. They are hard and simply sweet. I love them so much that I went back and bought a second pack in the same day. They are $1.95 for a box which is not that bad considering that you get 12. I enjoyed them, you will probably enjoy them as well. They’d be great dipped into a hot mug of VIA.

<3CoffeeVanilla