Coffee giant Starbucks is being sued over a strange, kaleidoscopic-looking drink dubbed the ‘Unicorn Frappuccino’ which last month sent java drinkers into an online frenzy.
Available across a limited number of Starbucks stores from April 19, the unusual brew containing turmeric, mango syrup and “sour blue powder” gained a lot of traction on social media.
For some, the purple iced coffee drink topped with swirling cream represented a crime against coffee – but that’s not why Starbucks is facing a suit.
Montauk Juice Factory, owners of The End Brooklyn cafe in New York, claim they came up with the idea first and have filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit, Reuters reports.
@mviser the unicorn frappucino was the goal. Coffee was just a means to the end.
— David Fahrenthold (@Fahrenthold) May 5, 2017
I’m confused as to why the Unicirn frappuccino tastes like mango 🤔
— Junie B. Jones 💜 (@Yass_itsmea) April 19, 2017
“Here for a few days only: The flavor-changing, color-changing, totally not-made-up Unicorn Frappuccino,” a Starbucks promotion read.
“Magical flavors start off sweet and fruity transforming to pleasantly sour. Swirl it to reveal a color-changing spectacle of purple and pink.”
According to The End Brooklyn official Facebook page, their “healthy” ‘Unicorn Latte’ contains ginger, lemon, live algae, coconut milk, honey and turmeric.
A trademark application for the Unicorn Latte was filed by Montauk Juice Factory on January 20, 2017, with the coffee shop first receiving coverage about the colorful concoction in December last year.
In a statement to Reuters, Starbucks disputed the company has done anything wrong.
“The Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino blended beverage was inspired by the fun, spirited and colorful unicorn-themed food and drinks that have been trending in social media,” it said.
“i mean, you just don’t know what kinds of crazy ingredients are in vaccines these days!” she says, chugging a unicorn frappucino
— ya girl (@caitlynmiller0) May 5, 2017
Every day I walk into work hoping nobody will ask about the unicorn frappucino, and every day I’m let down
— a$ ap (@a_seibold) May 1, 2017
