Starbucks' New Jolt Doesn't Involve Caffeine

(NEWSER) - Many Americans fantasized of tuning in, dropping out, and working at Starbucks, Mary Schmich writes in the Chicago Tribune, but that dream died with the economic slowdown. “Starbucks was the great American backup plan,” Schmich writes. “The emergency exit. The parachute,” fueled by the “promise of part-time employment, a pleasant workplace, health care and free coffee.” More»

Customers linger for hours, and don't always buy anything

(NEWSER) - It's a good problem to have ... maybe? Starbucks is making huge inroads in China, and expects it to become its second-biggest market, booting Canada to No. 3, by 2014. But a lot of the customers who are pouring in these days don't seem to want to leave. Or, in many cases, buy anything. Reuters reports that Chinese nationals don't have the same to-go mentality of Americans and other customers, preferring to linger for hours. And with lower income levels than their American counterparts, many customers bring their own food—and, in some cases, pass on buying a drink. More»

Get ready for homemade lattes

(NEWSER) - Starbucks is expanding its venture into your home. First it offered instant coffee, then it launched K-cups of brewed coffee that work with Green Mountain Coffee's single-serving Keurig machines. Now the coffee chain is taking it up a notch: It's readying a single-serve espresso machine, enabling the chain's classiest coffee drinkers to make their own lattes and other espresso drinks at home, the AP reports. The Verismo machine goes on sale this fall. More»

Tea-drinkers will get strongest Starbucks drinks in the world

(NEWSER) - Get ready to get your buzz on, Britain. Starbucks is planning to double espresso shots in all its lattes and cappuccinos served in the UK. The move has been brewing since customer requests for extra shots started skyrocketing two years ago, say company officials. The new shots boosting caffeine and flavor in the Starbucks drinks will be free of charge, and the deal won't be offered anywhere else in the world. More»

Total cost: $23.60

(NEWSER) - Ahh, Starbucks. Land of the $4 cappuccino ... and $23.60 Frappuccino? That's the final tally one man managed to ring up on his quest to order the most expensive Starbucks drink ever. Logan Warren started by requesting the largest size beverage, the 31-ounce Trenta. Into it went a Java Chip Frappuccino, enhanced with plenty of that'll-cost-you-add-ons: 16 shots of espresso, soy milk, caramel, banana and strawberry purees, vanilla beans, and Matcha and protein powders, all topped with a bit of caramel and mocha. More»