Starbucks Evenings Includes Blended Alcoholic Beverages in Japan

I’m a fan of Starbucks Evenings. It gives the coffee shop a bit of a different mood in the evening, creating a place where you can relax over a glass of wine with friends instead of going to a restaurant or a bar. And it is a nice way to take the edge off if you are getting some last minute work done. Starbucks Evenings isn’t available at all Starbucks locations, but those that have it are not limited to the US. At some Starbucks in Japan, not only do they have Starbucks Evenings programs, they offer an ice blended wine drink called the Fraggino. The drink is made by blending a Japanese blueberry wine with ice until the mixture is smooth and frothy, like a summery wine cooler.

I feel like the name of the drink could use a little bit of work because, while it does remind me of Frappuccino, it also reminds me of Fraggle Rock.

This is exactly the type of beverage that could set the Starbucks programs apart from other beer and wine programs from a local Craft Beer Brewery, if done well. Of course, we’re unlikely to see a similar beverage here because of worries that it could appeal to kids, but I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing some outside of the box (or bottle, in this case) thinking as the Starbucks Evenings program expands.