Starbucks Reserve Hot Honey Series: A Spicy Twist on Coffee Classics
Mike H
Starbucks Reserve has caught the hot honey fever!
Introducing the Hot Honey Series, available exclusively at select roasteries and stores in Chicago, New York City, and Seattle to offer this spicy twist to your favorite coffee treats, has introduced two new drink recipes beginning this spring/summer.
The Hot Honey Series shows Starbucks Reserve's commitment to exploring new flavors and crossing new territories, offering you something out of the ordinary.
This series includes a specially crafted Affogato and Espresso Martini. Both are stand-alone, perfectly balanced experiences that will leave a spicy tingle on your palate.
We sent our scouts to the World's Largest Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago to tell you all about it.
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Opened in 2019, Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Chicago is an immersive experience celebrating the company’s heritage and Chicago itself. Spanning 35,000 square feet, it is the largest Starbucks in the world!
If it's your first visit, be prepared to be dazzled as though you’ve stepped into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory, minus the snozzberries, Charlie, and the Oompa-Loompas.
As you step through the doors, you’re pleasantly engulfed in the intoxicating aroma of freshly roasting Starbucks Reserve beans. At the heart of the roastery is a monumental, 56-foot steel cask surrounded by the Midwest’s first curved escalator, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of the bustling scenes below.
This functional centerpiece is where the exclusive beans rest and de-gas after being roasted. But the beans don’t just sit around; they journey through the store through a network of tubes, ensuring that only the finest Chicago-roasted beans make it into your cup.
This location takes up five floors, each giving you a different experience. The first floor offers classic espresso beverages, lattes, cappuccinos, and exclusive merch. The Princi Bakery & Cafe offers delectable baked goods and treats on the second floor.
The Experiential Coffee Bar offers specialty creations including nitrogen-infused gelatos, the Hot Honey Affogato, and espresso classics on the third floor. On the fourth floor, the Arriviamo Bar (translating to “we have arrived” in Italian) serves exclusive coffee and tea cocktails, including the Hot Honey Espresso Martini, crafted by acclaimed Chicago-based mixologists.
The fifth floor is situated atop the Roastery and provides unique views of the famous Michigan Avenue and overlooks the Roastery.
And the award for hot honey goes to…
The star of this series is undoubtedly the hot honey. Starbucks chose the 2022 Flavor of Georgia winner, Savannah Bee Company Hot Honey.
Savannah Bee Company's hot honey is top-notch and is generating a lot of buzz in the hot honey community, so it is no wonder it has won several awards. We’ve even seen reports of it at some Costco locations across the US.
This product is gluten-free and made of 100% pure sweet wildflower honey. Its heat comes from the scotch bonnet and habanero peppers, which have an average of 100,00-350,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). Simply delicious!
As a stand-alone condiment, it offers a moderate heat level and perfectly balances sweet and spicy for those who often indulge in spicy foods.
This was more floral and less dense than other hot honey products we tried. We rated it a 2 (🌶️🌶️ Mild) to 4 (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Hot) on the Hot Honey Fever Index* as its heat level varied between the martini, Affogato, and even the pizzas.
Join our mailing list (below) to stay tuned for our full review of this delicious hot honey and other Savannah Bee Company products, including the Hot Honey BBQ Sauce, the recipient of the People's Choice Award in the 2023 Flavor of Georgia competition.
What is an affogato (a-fuh-gaa-tuh)?
According to Food & Wine, "affogato" means "to drown" in Italian, but there is no consensus on what makes a true affogato. Some argue only for fresh espresso and vanilla (only) gelato, while others argue for instant espresso and whatever ice cream or gelato you have in your freezer.
Image credit: piyato via iStock
The key to making a delicious affogato lies in the balance of temperatures and flavor—the cold gelato (or ice cream) slowly melts under the hot espresso, offering you a comforting hot and cold contrast. The hot honey adds a twist that elevates the delicious treat that our mascot Swicy would be buzzing about.
Whichever you believe to be accurate, we won't judge. Try it, and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
The Starbucks Reserve Hot Honey Affogato
The Starbucks Reserve Hot Honey affogato is described as "decadent, sweet and spicy" and boasts creamy vanilla gelato drenched in their signature Espresso.
Adding to the flavor profile is a bit of orange and firewater bitters made by Scrappy's, lending the cocktail a blend of bright, fresh, and bitter oranges, herbs, spices, floral notes, and a noticeable sweetness.
The bitters do add some more heat than with hot honey alone. This was very noticeable on the back of the palate but not overwhelming as the creaminess of the gelato acts as an extinguisher.
Our scouts report that their affogato fell a bit short. It could have been because of an older batch of gelato, which had chunks of ice and was missing the cherry on top.
They noted that "the gelato lacked a rich vanilla flavor” they were expecting. But, it was missing the cherry on top. One scout stated "[I'm] not sure it would have made much of a difference in the overall flavor."
If you're with a loved one who is not into spicy or if you're not feeling adventurous, you can still try an affogato…
How about a flight of affogatos? The Roastery Affogato Flight offers a trio of 4oz mini-sized affogatos including the Caramel Mocha Drizzle, Whiskey-Barrel Aged, and Banana Crisp Oatmilk, giving you the ability to explore other flavors.
The Starbucks Reserve Hot Honey Espresso Martini
Who doesn't love an espresso martini? Espresso martinis feature, you guessed it…espresso! Some are creamy, and others may not be. Either way, they're delicious! This creamy recipe offers a unique twist on the signature coffee cocktail.
The star of this show is the Starbucks Reserve Espresso. Made of 100% arabica beans sourced from Latin America. Arabica beans have more acidity and complexity, contributing to their refined flavor.
The Kalak Single Malt Vodka takes the flavor of the espresso, giving it a boozy punch. The creaminess of the cocktail is thanks to the added vanilla syrup to the espresso before shaking and cold foam topper, providing a cool and refreshing contrast to the heat.
"The cold foam makes this espresso martini more creamy–which masks some heat, making it less overwhelming or spicy."
"The flavors add complexity, offering a unique twist on the signature coffee cocktail."
The "heat" from the Ancho Reyes Chile Liqueur and Savannah Bee Company's Hot Honey hits the back of the palate rather than the tongue and is quite prominent. The cocktail is garnished with black sesame seeds, offering texture and a bit of flavor.
Of course, if you're not a fan of espresso martinis, you can try any other cocktails. New this spring is the Sparkling Sakura Allure and Boulevardier cocktails.
Our scouts also loved (and highly recommend) the Cold Brew Spiced Rum cocktail.
You can add hot honey to food items, too!
It's a fact! You can ask for a hot honey drizzle on their artisan Princi foods for a $2 upcharge, including seasonal items, pizzas, avocado toast, and sandwiches.
New this spring are the meatball and burrata or the prosciutto cotto with asparagus & brie pizzas.
Fans are drooling over the Salame Piccante Pizza, Margherita Pizza, or the Pancetta & Egg Avocado Toast with the hot honey drizzle.
“Princi Salame Piccante Pizza with Hot Honey drizzle is a show-stopper."
Our scouts enjoyed the hot honey drizzle on the salame pizza because of its spicy, sweet, and salty contrast.
It comes as no surprise as many fans of hot honey prefer the taste over pepperoni, salami, or soppressata pizzas. We recommend salame for meat lovers.
The Margherita and Funghi (mushrooms) are available if you dislike eating meat.
The Verdict
Our Verdict? Overall, a resounding 4 out of 5 for the overall experience and taste. The Starbucks Reserve Hot Honey Series is a must-try! This series offers an interesting twist on traditional coffee and cocktail offerints, incorporating the unique flavor of hot honey.
You can order the Martini ($18) and other cocktails at the Arriviamo Cocktail Bar on the fourth floor if you visit the Chicago location. The Hot Honey Affogato ($11.50) is located on the third floor at the Experiential Coffee Bar. Hopefully, you will visit on a beautiful day and enjoy it on the rooftop!
Our scouts appreciated the complexity and uniqueness of the hot honey series. They note that it may not appeal to everyone due to its strong flavors.
We estimate these items will be in high demand. So hurry in if you're in Chicago, New York City, or Seattle, and let the world know how much you love it. Starbucks Reserve locations are a fun place to visit and an excellent option for a boozy brunch, after-work treat, or cocktail.
Don't miss out on this limited-time flavor adventure. Head to your nearest participating Starbucks Reserve and taste the buzz for yourself!
Which Hot Honey treat are you eager to try? Be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
FAQs
Q: What makes the Hot Honey Series unique?
A: By offering an indulgent and bold taste experience, It's an innovative twist on coffee classics.
Q: What Hot Honey does Starbucks Reserve use in their Hot Honey Series?
A: Starbucks Reserve uses Savannah Bee Company Hot Honey for the Hot Honey Series.
Q: Where can I try the Starbucks Reserve Hot Honey Espresso Martini or Affogato?
A: Available only at the Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in Chicago, New York City, and Seattle, as well as the Starbucks Reserve Store at the Empire State Building.
Q: Is the Hot Honey Series suitable for those sensitive to spicy foods?
A: The Hot Honey Series offers an outstanding balance between sweetness and heat, designed to appeal to a wide range of taste buds. Individual tastes may vary. We recommend consulting your barista if you're sensitive to spice.
Q: What are the food pairings recommended with the Hot Honey Series?
A: Pair the Hot Honey Affogato or the Hot Honey Espresso Martini with their artisan Princi foods, including the Salame Piccante Pizza, Margherita Pizza, or the Pancetta & Egg Avocado Toast. For an added flavor, ask for a drizzle of the hot honey.
Q: Are the Hot Honey beverages or the Hot Honey Series available at all Starbucks locations?
A: The Hot Honey Series and beverages are available only at Starbucks Reserve Roasteries in Chicago, New York City, and Seattle, as well as at the Starbucks Reserve Store at the Empire State Building.
Q: Can I order or pre-order the Hot Honey Series in the Starbucks app?
A: The Starbucks app does not allow you to pre-order or order only at any Starbucks Reserve location.
Q: How many calories are in the Starbucks Reserve Hot Honey Series?
A: The Hot Honey Affogato comes in at 370 calories (7.5 fl oz.). The Hot Honey Espresso Martini does not have an advertised number of calories.
Q: Are there other new options besides the Hot Honey series?
A: Yes! Starbucks Reserve offers the Sparkling Sakura Allure and Boulevardier cocktails. Alternatives to the Affogato include the Affogato flight, caramel mocha drizzle affogato, and the whiskey barrel-aged malt.
For more information about Starbucks Reserve, visit: https://www.starbucksreserve.com
For more information about Savannah Bee Company, visit: https://www.savannahbee.com
Instagram: @savannahbeeco, @starbucksreserve
#savethebees, #flavorofgeorgia, #savannahbeecompany, #affogato, #espressomartini, #starbucks #starbucksreserve #hothoneyreviews #hothoneysummer
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