Starbucks' new hit for Summer: Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino

Last April 14, Starbucks announced its new line of drinks for summer. Mango Banana Frappuccino, Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino and Brezza Blend. 

Being an avid fan of caramel macchiato, I decided to try first the Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino (whoa thats a long name for a drink). 

As stated on Starbucks' official site: Coffee blended with four kinds of caramel, milk and ice topped with a layer of dark caramel sauce, whipped cream, caramel drizzle and crunchy sugar topping.

I requested for a less sweet option by reducing the pumps of caramel. My friend who's a barista at Starbucks also suggested to reduce the dark caramel for less guilt. (ohhh I love being guilty with this drink) But since I'm a sweet tooth and I need to watch my calories I made some tweaking on the recipe. 

My verdict? It was heaven! I found my new stress buster. I got speechless after drinking it cause its really yummy and the crunchy sugar topping added texture to the drink. Its like having caramel frappuccino with LOADS of caramel in it. LOVE LOVE LOVE indeed.

Here is something to look forward guys. Posted last April 14 on their official Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/StarbucksPhilippines

Frappuccino® Treat for Two.

On April 28 & 29, from 2pm - 5pm, enjoy a buy one, get one offer on Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino® Blended Beverage.

but why wait right? Indulge! 

Beat the Heat part 2: Mang Inasal's Halo halo

So my craving didn't stop. Again, to beat the scorching heat of the sun is to grab another specialty of my favorite halo-halo.

This time its not from any chic restaurant but from a famous fast food chain, Mang Inasal. Aside from mouth watering chicken inasal, their Halo-halo is worth craving for. 

I ordered the regular size (49php) instead of the upsize (69php) cause I'm in a hurry to go home. The regular size is enough for one person (not unless you got a big appetite to halo halo) and the ingredients are not too sweet which I liked. 

What's in the cup? 

Red sago balls, white beans, red beans, macapuno, langka, ube and leche flan. Don't forget the ice cream that added the creaminess and the crunchy barquillos on top. The only thing I miss the most was the pinipig. I'm not sure if the pinipig was replaced by the barquillos stick but I wish that the upsize will have the pinipig pieces to add texture. (im not really an expert when it comes to food perception, I'm just a pinipig fan) haha! 

Value for money? Yes! Comparing it to other restaurants that offer the same thing, Mang Inasal's halo halo is really affordable. For just 49 pesos, it will remove the stress from the summer heat. 

One of the reasons why I love summer. 

Beat the Heat: Max's Halo Halo Special

Summer months again and how to beat the summer heat? well for me its indulging to a cool bowl of halo halo. 

I dropped by Max's Restaurant for a change (I'm satisfied with halo halo from our neighbor but my craving was soo intense haha)

So I ended up ordering a special :) 

Max's Special Halo Halo -- 109php

Its good for 1-2  persons especially if you will have this as your dessert. By the way, I only had siomai for lunch. 

So what's inside? ALOT!!! starting from pinipig (my favorite), leche flan, red beans, white beans, kaong, gulaman, sago, garbansos, langka, up to a slice of ube and ube ice cream. Not to forget the macapuno balls that you can see on the picture that makes it different from the other halo halo recipes out there. For me its one of the best halo halo I ever tried. 

I don't compare it to Razon's since the recipe is different. I love Razon's creamy and snow - like halo halo, but my taste buds are looking for ube and other ingredients the usual halo halo got. 

So how to beat summer heat? well grab yourself your own bowl of shaved ice specialty. It may be halo halo or just a simple snow cone (or ice candy) that you can enjoy!