Mega Mango
JAMBA JUICE $4.25,
24 ounces (original)
330 calories, 1 g fat, 80 g carbs
Jamba Juice, in response to gripes that its drinks are high in sugar and calories, has introduced a new line of all-fruit smoothies.
First thought: Mega Mango is one of four new flavors in the all-fruit smoothies line. The orange-colored drink is heavy and thick, with mangos, strawberries, passion fruit and mango juice blended with ice.
On second thought: It tastes of more pure fruit essence than Jamba Juice’s too-sweet regular line, which uses sherbet or frozen yogurt. The flavor bursts with mango–more tart than sweet–while peaks of passion fruit come through.
McGrade: B
Banana Coconut Frappuccino Blended Coffee
STARBUCKS $3.80
16 ounces (grande), 410 calories, 4 g fat, 89 g carbs
‘Tis the season for tropical fruit drinks, and one of Starbucks’ new offerings mixes banana with blended coffee.
First thought: The frosty, light-brown blended mixture is topped with whipped cream and flecks of brown, toasted coconut. Looks like a drinkable Christmas tree.
On second thought: The coffee essence overpowers any hint of banana or coconut in the drink. A bit on the sweet side, but banana and coffee are a surprisingly refreshing combination.
McGrade: B+
Laffy Taffy Mango Melon Slurpee
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7-ELEVEN $1.49
28 ounces,
(no nutritional information available for this flavor)
Have flashbacks of your youth with the perfect childhood summer drink: a frozen Slurpee. Laffy Taffy and 7-Eleven join forces for a limited-time drinkable version of the popular chewy candy.
First thought: This Slurpee is the color of cantaloupe. The taste that hits you first is a melon-like sweetness, followed by a bubble-gum aftertaste.
On second thought: So who cares if this has little-to-no fruit? Slurpees aren’t meant to be found in the organic foods aisle. Despite its sickly sweet flavor, it wouldn’t be half bad on a hot, sticky day, right after playing in a softball game.
McGrade: B-
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— Kevin Pang, [email protected]