Unicorn Frappuccino
Starbucks drink introduced in 2017
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Unicorn Frappuccino was a viral drink released by Starbucks in April 2017.[1][3][4] The drink, a créme frappuccino, released in select Starbucks stores in North America.[5] It was made with mango flavored syrup, pink and blue sour powders, ice, milk and whipped cream.[6]
A Unicorn Frappuccino pictured in 2017 | |
| Type | Créme Frappuccino |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Starbucks |
| Origin | United States |
| Introduced | April 19, 2017[1] August 15-16, 2026[2] |
| Discontinued | April 23, 2017[3] |
| Colour | Purple |
| Flavour | Mango |
The drink was released as part of the social media-fueled embrace of the unicorn in 2017. It was described online as color-changing, vibrant and flavor-shifting.[7][8][9]
In April 2026, Starbucks announced that the Unicorn Frappuccino would return during the 2026 Coachella music festival.[10] Following this, in June 2026 the company announced the drink would make a worldwide return in late summer 2026.[2]
Reception
Due to the high publicity of the drink, many people and celebrities alike had much to say about everything from the flavor profile to the nutrition facts. These reactions encouraged more interest from viewers and sparked concern from health-focused peers and institutions.[11] Notable reactions include famous food reviewer and critic Anthony Bourdain stating “Wow, that’s like four things I hate all in one sentence: Starbucks, unicorns, and the colors pink and purple. Also a Frappuccino! It’s the perfect nexus of awfulness. Just add pumpkin spice to that mix, and you can nuke the whole county,”[12] when asked about his feeling on the newly released drink in an interview with Town & Country Magazine.
Another celebrity reaction that created a public moment was a viral video of pop singer Katy Perry spitting out a sip of the drink in an Instagram story with the caption "I couldn't handle drinking my own blood [unicorn emoji]."[13] Additional reactions from baristas ranting online about the intense demand for the limited edition drink combined with the labor intensive process of creating the drink and the many complex ingredients spread across the internet.[14]
The Unicorn Frappuccino was criticized by the Stratford Health Department for having too much sugar.[15] This was due to the fact that the American Heart Association recommends that women consume 0.88 ounces (25 g) of sugar every day, and that men consume 1.3 ounces (36 g) of sugar every day.[16]
2026 Rerelease
On April 1st, 2026 Starbucks posted an official article.[10] announcing the return of the Unicorn Frappuccino, exclusively at Coachella 2026 just days before the event. This partnership and re-release is part of a larger marketing effort announced in August 2024[17] after the hiring of new Chief Executive Officer, Brian Niccol. By capitalizing on nostalgia and comfort, this campaign focused on bringing Starbucks back to its simple coffeehouse roots. Starbucks efforts to collaborate with a major music festival and reviving the Unicorn Frappuccino is a way of 'returning to relevancy' as stated by Nation's Restaurant News' Executive Editor, Alicia Kelso.[18]
In June 2026, the company announced that the drink would be making a return to stores globally for one weekend in 2026.[2]
