FOOD NEWS
The Starbucks Dark Barrel Latte That Never Got Onto The Menu
BY MICHELLE WELSCH
In 2014, Starbucks offered a beer-flavored coffee called the Dark Barrel Latte. This drink was only sold at certain Ohio and Florida locations, and never made a nationwide debut.
The Dark Barrel Latte was up against fairly stiff competition, making its debut in the fall season next to the famous Pumpkin Spice Latte.
The milky latte was garnished with a stout-flavored chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and a drizzle of dark caramel. Customers did pick up on the beer flavor, but reviews were mixed.
This latte is unlikely to return to Starbucks, but you can replicate it at home if you're curious. Start by bringing a pint of stout beer to a boil, then reduce the heat.
Don't warm the beer too fast, as a good, slow heating will preserve its rich flavor. Mix in cane sugar and vanilla and let the mixture reduce as the moisture evaporates.
Be sure to taste the concoction before adding any additional sweetener, as the reduction process could over-concentrate the mixture and make for a too-sweet syrup.
Cool the syrup, store in the fridge, and drizzle over lattes with caramel. Unlike the Starbucks version, this drink does have alcohol, so don't over-indulge in the morning.