Exhausted Starbucks baristas 'hate' the complicated-to-make unicorn drink that's taking over Instagram
(Kate Taylor)
As photos of pink and blue Unicorn Frappuccinos flood Instagram feeds, a rebellion has been brewing on the other side of the counter at Starbucks.
The aesthetically-pleasing beverage has been wreaking havoc on Starbucks' employees since it was introduced as a five-day limited time offering on Tuesday.
Omg I haven't worked at Starbucks in like 3 years but I KNOW your barista has planned ur death for ordering a ~Unicorn Frappuccino~
— Andrea Mendes (@AndreaMendes) April 19, 2017
#unicorn2017 #traumatized @barista_life #baristalife #baristaproblems
A post shared by Courtney Brockington (@brocklens_) on Apr 20, 2017 at 10:38am PDT on Apr 20, 2017 at 10:38am PDT
I hate the 🦄 frap with every fiber of my being. #baristaproblems
— Emily (@emilyy_marie3) April 21, 2017
The popular Starbucks' barista hashtag #BaristaProblems has been flooded with behind-the-scenes footage highlighting the difficulties that come with making the fancy drink.
"How was work?" #BaristaLife #UnicornFrappuccino 🦄☠️ pic.twitter.com/G1Gfp6bi0e
— Barista Life (@Barista_Life_) April 20, 2017
A post shared by shelby•meg•art (@shelbymeg) on Apr 19, 2017 at 7:47pm PDT on Apr 19, 2017 at 7:47pm PDT
"First day of launching Unicorn Frapp makes me psychotic," wrote one Canadian barista on Instagram. "Hate it so much!!!"
(Instagram user yuniboo1213)
In a blog post on Medium entitled, "Why I’m Not Going to Work Today," Jaime Bennis, a Boston University student and Starbucks barista, proclaimed that she was staying home to avoid making the drink.
"I’m tired of making Unicorn Frappuccinos for my peers, who — let me remind you — are supposed to be, 'leaders who create value for the world and shape the business landscape,'" she wrote. "Well, I can assure you that posting Instagrams of your Unicorn Frap is not going to create any value for anyone."
(Instagram adanrv55)
In general, Frappuccinos tend to be some of the more time-intensive drinks to make at Starbucks. Unicorn Frappuccinos involve squeezing blue drizzle along the insides of cups, and sprinkling several types of powder on top of whipped cream.
It can create quite the mess, as demonstrated in this fantastic Instagram video, set to Enya's "Only Time":
( #starbucks #tobeapartner #unicornfrappuccino #killme )
A post shared by monet 🍰🍦☕ (@orchideath) on Apr 19, 2017 at 7:26pm PDT on Apr 19, 2017 at 7:26pm PDT
Many baristas are ending the day stained with unicorn-colored dye.
A post shared by Nick Wigmore (@gingerbreadman13n) on Apr 19, 2017 at 2:10pm PDT on Apr 19, 2017 at 2:10pm PDT
(Instagram Runnergirl_Tiff)
EVERYTHING IS PINK #baristaproblems #unicornfrappuccino
— Nicole Williams (@nicolewilll) April 20, 2017
Plus, because the Unicorn Frappuccino has been so popular, making the complicated order has become a full-time job for some baristas — something some workers have found more rewarding than others.
A post shared by Francesca Andrews (@franny.777) on Apr 21, 2017 at 9:32am PDT on Apr 21, 2017 at 9:32am PDT
#unicornfrappuccino #tobeapartner #district743 When your customers like the promo beverage.
A post shared by Kimberly Kohn (@kimjoyk) on Apr 19, 2017 at 8:49am PDT on Apr 19, 2017 at 8:49am PDT
It's not only baristas who are calling out the Unicorn Frappuccino. Comedians have been quick to take jabs at Starbucks' for the sparkly beverage.
Jimmy Kimmel called the beverage Starbucks' "latest abomination" while Stephen Colbert dubbed it a "sugary affront to God." Even the New Yorker got in on the anti-unicorn backlash, posting a cartoon featuring a unicorn trying to order a simple scotch at the bar.
Make it stop. A cartoon by Pat Byrnes. #TNYcartoons
A post shared by The New Yorker Cartoons (@newyorkercartoons) on Apr 20, 2017 at 11:05am PDT on Apr 20, 2017 at 11:05am PDT
Fortunately for the haters and exhausted baristas, the Unicorn Frappuccino is only going to be on the menu until Sunday, or as supplies last.
#isurvivedthestampede #starbucks #unicornfrappucino #frappucino #baristalife #baristaproblems
A post shared by robyn elizabeth (@robynnelizabethh) on Apr 20, 2017 at 6:06pm PDT on Apr 20, 2017 at 6:06pm PDT
And, it looks like many locations across the country have already run out of the ingredients — creating a new set of problems for employees dealing with customers craving a Unicorn Frappuccino.
Never have I ever had so many grown ass adults be so angry I sold out of the unicorn frappucino 🙄🙄 #growup #baristaproblems
— Julian Milejszo (@Foreverafter12) April 21, 2017
Yes the unicorn frappucino is real. Yes we ran out of product 12 hours after launch. No we can't make you one #baristaproblems
— Lexie Gerard (@GerardLexie) April 21, 2017
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