Starbucks Tiramisu Latte [REVIEW]

When I found out yesterday that Starbucks had launched two new dessert-inspired drinks, including the Tiramisu Latte, I knew I HAD to try it...tiramisu is one of my very favorite desserts!

So, how is it?

Ehhhh.

First things first, let's talk about tiramisu. It's an Italian dessert of espresso (and sometimes rum)-soaked ladyfingers layered with a delicious, sweet, creamy combination of eggs, sugar, and mascarpone cheese (Italian cream cheese). It's usually topped with a layer of cocoa powder.

Seeing that it's a coffee and cream-based dessert, it's not such an odd choice to turn it into a coffee and milk-based drink.

Starbucks Tiramisu Latte is described as 'our signature espresso with hints of creamy mascarpone, finished with whipped cream and a dusting of rich chocolate powder.'

Those 'hints of creamy mascarpone' come via Starbucks' Tiramisu-flavored syrup.

I don't often get flavored lattes, because, well, it's a lot of calories in a beverage that I wind up drinking way too fast. That said, I'm all for splurging on the occasional treat!

In this instance I opted for non-fat milk, but kept the whipped cream. I ordered a tall (12 oz.) which comes with a single shot of espresso, and 3 pumps of the Tiramisu syrup. Cost? $4.23. (Yet another reason why it's only an occasional treat!)

The first thing I noted about my Tiramisu latte? My local barista forgot my 'dusting of rich chocolate powder.' No biggie, but I wonder if it would have changed the flavor at all.

Onward. The drink smelled yummy, in a sweet, sugary, slightly tangy kind of way.

The most important part, of course, is how it tastes. As with most of Starbucks flavored lattes, it's sweet, but the Tiramisu syrup definitely gives you that mascarpone tang. In fact, all you can really taste is mascarpone flavor...It was also oddly reminiscent of bananas.

I think that the missing cocoa espresso powder might have added a slight hint of bitterness that would have been a good balance on the drink, but I don't know if that little bit of cocoa would have helped.

If I ordered it again -- and I'd consider it -- I'd probably add an extra shot of espresso, or at the very least ask for only 2 pumps of syrup. It definitely needs a higher coffee-to-mascarpone flavor ratio.

If tiramisu isn't your thing, you can also try the Caramel Flan Latte.

Both are available hot, iced, or in frozen/blended Frappuccino form at all Starbucks locations for a limited time.