I am a frequent drinker of the Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate, in fact I think it's one of the best Hot Chocolates I've ever tried. This autumn Starbucks released the new Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate, which I went to try.
I had mine served by the friendly folks at the Starbucks within Truro City Centre, Cornwall. The drink is served with whipped cream neatly drizzled in caramel and then sprinkled with a mixture of turbinado sugar and sea salt. The first thing I noticed was that the aroma from the drink is most pleasant and sweet, and combined with the appearance, it is very alluring.
It appears to have the thick, rich Starbucks Signature base of hot chocolatey flavour. Which is very good because the 'regular' Starbucks Hot Chocolate is magnitudes behind in taste. The salted caramel flavour mixed with rich mocha sauce is very similar to that of a Snickers Chocolate Bar and therefore tastes delicious. It's more sweet than salty and the combination of the two is well balanced throughout the drink.
Hot Chocolate by itself is very autumnal but the added Salted Caramel flavour definitely takes it up a notch. There's just something very cosy about the combination of sweetness and salt that suits this time of year so well.
Probably the biggest complaint I have is that the sweetness and richness would make it far too much for me to drink a Grande or Venti size in one sitting. I'd stick with a tall, it was just the right satisfying amount for me.
Overall the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate offers a tasty twist from your normal Hot Chocolate at Starbucks and is perfect for this season.