Starbucks Japan has released two new Christmas drinks this November. The Berry x Berry White Mocha and the Berry x Berry Rare Cheesecake Frappuccino. Both are an ideal pairing with the popular Cranberry Bliss Bar that’s also available.
Almost every month there are brand new drinks to enjoy at Starbucks and the Christmas season is no exception.
I made my way to my nearest Starbucks Japan location and tried both of these new drinks, so you don’t have to! Of the two, which seems more worth getting? Let’s find out.
Berry x Berry White Mocha
First up is the Berry x Berry White Mocha that comes either hot or iced. This colourful drink consists of a white chocolate flavoured sauce with a mixed berry sauce on the bottom, milk, and espresso. It’s also topped with whipped cream, white chocolate shavings and small crunchie berries that taste like cereal.
Since it’s still rather warm this November, I opted for the iced version, which is much more my style. I’m an iced coffee kind of guy.
The moment you take your first sip through the paper straw, you’re met with a blast of berry sauce from the bottom of the cup. I’m not sure if you’re supposed to stir the drink first or not. My guess is, no.
The mixed berry sauce is quite sweet and sets the tone for your tastebuds for the remainder of the drink. The white mocha and the bitterness from the espresso cut the sweetness to balance out the roller coaster for your taste buds.
I’m not much of a whipped cream person when it comes to the top of my drinks, so the sweetness on the top was a bit too much for me. That said, the white chocolate shavings and little cereal berries were a nice addition.
Is the White Mocha worth it?
Overall, the dominant flavours weren’t much other than an abundance of sugar with hints of white chocolate. It could just be me, but when it comes to iced drinks that aren’t Frappuccinos, I prefer more bitter than sweet. Perhaps the hot version could have been better, but I wouldn’t get the iced version again.
The Berry x Berry White Mocha starts at 450yen for the Short size.
With the Berry x Berry White Mocha formally taste-tested said, let’s try the Berry x Berry Rare Cheesecake Frappuccino.
Berry x Berry Rare Cheesecake Frappuccino
You may be thinking to yourself “What’s rare cheesecake?” In other parts of the world, “rare cheesecake” is commonly referred to as “no-bake cheesecake.” I had to look it up at first as I wasn’t entirely sure myself.
When this Frappuccino hits your taste buds, you’re bombarded with a rich cheesecake flavour. This helps offset the sweetness of the berry sauce (the same sauce in the white mocha), which I think creates a beautiful balance.
This results in a drink that’s not as overwhelming in sweetness, which is surprising since Frappuccinos are infamous for their high sugar content. While there’s no doubt there is an abundance of sugar in this drink, the delicious rare cheesecake offsets it nicely.
As for the whipped cream with shaved white chocolate and berry chunks, the same can be said for this drink as for the white mocha. I’ll be honest, I almost never finish the whipped cream.
Is the Rare Cheesecake Frappuccino worth it?
Overall, this frappuccino is miles better than the white mocha. It’s a perfect balance between sweet and savoury, which I love. It’s also easier to drink and not as overbearing.
Get this one, you won’t regret it.
The Berry x Berry Rare Cheesecake Frappuccino is available for 590yen for a Tall size only. I think having only one size option is probably a good thing, I’d likely end up drinking my weight in this if given the choice.
Which Starbucks Japan drink do I recommend?
Out of the two drinks, I’d recommend the Berry x Berry Rare Cheesecake Frappuccino. If you’re going to get a sweet drink, you may as well go all in. I’m also a huge fan of cheesecake, so to those who know me, my choice may not come as a surprise.
These drinks are available for a limited time while supplies last at Starbucks locations throughout Japan, including the sign language store in Tokyo! Make sure to read our review on the recent Daigaku Imo Frappuccino from Starbucks Japan too!
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