Costco members spot popular Starbucks drink in stores – but fans say it’s nothing like original & ‘tastes like medicine’
CONSUMERS have not been impressed with the popular Starbucks drink, which is now bottled and sold at Costco.
Costco shoppers spotted Starbucks' viral "Pink Drink" being sold in bulk, but some say it's not enticing.
Several social media users have posted photos of the packaged bottles on Costco store shelves selling for less than $2 apiece.
The coffeehouse chain's website describes the beverage as "crisp," made with "accents of passion fruit and combined with creamy coconut milk."
"Starbucks Pink Drink Lovers! 12 pack sold now at CostCo," a Facebook user posted.
The post received nearly 160 likes and over 50 comments - many social media users expressed excitement about the product drop.
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However, some Starbucks customers who had already sampled the product said the bottled drinks don't taste the same.
"The bottle tasted nasty," commented one Facebook user.
"I didn't like it as much as making it. But cute bottle!"
Another user compared the look and taste of the drink to a popular medication.
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"Pepto bismo making extra money with Starbucks," joked another user.
The Pink Drink was first seen on Starbucks' menu in 2017.
It "quickly gained fame at a time when beverage customization blew up on social media," according to Food & Wine.
According to Tasting Table, the bottled version was first released in 2023 and tasted close to the original when served over ice.
"They taste nothing like the actual [pink] drinks from Starbucks," one Instagram user wrote. "It tastes like I was drinking Chapstick."
Costco is not the only retailer selling the viral drink.
The bottle tasted nasty. I didn't like it as much as making it.
Pazong Chang
The warehouse's rival, Sam's Club, sells the 12-pack for just $17.98.
However, several consumers are waiting for the company to drop its newest pumpkin-flavored drinks.
It remains unclear exactly when an announcement of the Starbucks menu for this fall will be released.
A spokesperson told The U.S. Sun that the brand isn't ready to leave sunny days and warm weather just yet.
"While we're excited to welcome the most wonderfall time of the year, we're not quite ready to leaf the summer state of mind..." the spokesperson wrote in an email.
They advised that customers savor the summer menu while it's still here, including drinks like the Summer-Berry Starbucks Refreshers "with popping raspberry-flavored pearls."
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Meanwhile, a popular Starbucks location abruptly shuttered its doors, and leadership has yet to name a reason for the closure.
And a Starbucks customer is shocked after finding mysterious floating bits in their drink.