Launched in April 2017 for a limited five-day run, the Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino became an instant viral phenomenon due to its color-changing properties and 'Instagrammable' aesthetic. However, the meme legacy of the drink focuses primarily on the stark contrast between its magical appearance and its controversial sour-sweet flavor, which many described as 'sour birthday cake.' It quickly became the poster child for 'Expectation vs. Reality' memes, representing things that look amazing on social media but fail to deliver in substance. Baristas also contributed to the meme lore by sharing their 'nightmares' of preparing the complex, messy drink during the peak of the craze.