In an unexpected culinary twist, Smoothie King has launched a new ketchup-infused smoothie in select cities, including Denver. The collaboration with Heinz, which began on August 6, has generated significant buzz among adventurous eaters and curious consumers alike.
The drink features Heinz Tomato Ketchup alongside a blend of acai sorbet, apple juice, strawberries, and raspberries. This intriguing combination is only available in a 20-ounce cup, priced at $5.70, cleverly referencing Heinz’s famous 57 varieties.
Motivated by nostalgia and duty, I ventured to a Smoothie King location in the suburbs to sample this unusual beverage, eager to share my findings with my childhood friend, a notorious ketchup enthusiast. However, my order for a ketchup smoothie felt oddly uncomfortable, akin to discussing something embarrassing in a public setting.
Upon entering the store, I felt the weight of scrutiny from a neighboring customer, who exclaimed, “Ew, is that ketchup?” Despite this, the cashier reassured me, remarking that the smoothie was “not too ketchupy.”
Gathering my courage, I placed my order and received my drink along with a small sample of the mix. As I departed, I offered the extra sample to the hesitant customer behind me. Surprisingly, he accepted my offer and took a sip, returning with a look of contemplation rather than disgust.
Upon tasting the Heinz Tomato Ketchup Smoothie, I found it to be more palatable than I had anticipated. As someone who enjoys ketchup only in moderate quantities, I had concerns about how this ingredient would translate into a drink. Personally, I believe ketchup belongs on fries rather than in a smoothie, but my curiosity prevailed.
To my surprise, the tomato flavor was fairly subdued due to the dominance of the fruity components. Initially, I could not detect any hint of tomato, but as I continued to sip, a tangy aftertaste emerged. For those who find typical fruit smoothies too sweet, the nuanced tartness from the ketchup might provide an appealing contrast.
While most of my colleagues displayed a healthy skepticism, one brave coworker rated the smoothie a respectable seven out of ten. She also noted that the drink did not evoke the expected ketchup taste; if it didn’t have Heinz on the label, she might not have even realized it included ketchup.
Others were similarly intrigued. One coworker unscrewed the lid for a sniff test, declaring that she couldn’t detect any tomato scent, indicating the balance of flavors was well-executed.
Even the initially dubious customer I encountered earlier surprised me with his reaction, stating, “Huh, that’s pretty good.” This unexpected assessment echoed my own sentiments about the smoothie.
As the collaboration continues in select cities, Denver residents might want to experience this intriguing blend before it potentially becomes a permanent menu item at Smoothie King. While it might not suit everyone’s palate, the Heinz Ketchup Smoothie is certainly a conversation starter and worth a try for the adventurous eater.
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