Why The Internet Is Upset About Chick-Fil-A's Frosted Strawberry Lemonade

What started as a simple recipe video shared on social media by a Chick-fil-A employee has turned into a contentious clip that has spawned disappointed fans of the fast food chain. Chick-fil-A staffer Antonella Nonone recently recorded and shared the simple steps of how to make the chain's frosted strawberry lemonade to her personal TikTok channel. In response, commenters are calling the drink "a total rip off" (via In The Know).

"So I worked for a Chick-fil-A for a couple of years, and this is something I learned a few weeks ago," Nonone states at the beginning of the clip. She continues to explain the process behind Chick-fil-A's frosted strawberry lemonade, starting with "two pumps of strawberry." Nonone then fills a plastic to-go cup with regular lemonade up to a red line before moving on to the shake-spinner. "It's going to look super light pink. Take the lid off, pour some of our delicious ice, and then there you go. You have our strawberry lemonade," said Nonone.

The "delicious ice" is part of what is driving Chick-fil-A admirers to lash out. With 2.6 million views and climbing, Nonone's clip exposes the drink as containing around 70 percent ice. "That's literally 2-3 sips. Highway robbery," one commenter said. Others, though, chalk up the ice-heavy beverage to the way of the world — noting that many fast food establishments employ similar tactics.

Make your own frosted strawberry lemonade

Chick-fil-A's frosted strawberry lemonade joined the fast-food chain's menu as a seasonal twist on their signature handspun lemonade. With the drink's 2017 release, senior director of menu development Amanda Norris said (via QSR), "Our customers are really enjoying our line of Frosted beverages and we want to give them an additional flavor this spring, during the peak of strawberry season."

The made-fresh-daily combination of real lemon juice, pure cane sugar, strawberry puree, and water has been a winning combination — with the drink returning for yet another celebration of strawberry season. Perhaps this is part of why Nonone's video feels like the ultimate letdown.

Many viewers of the clip were aghast upon seeing what they are getting for the price. Chick-fil-A charges more than $3 for this warm weather treat (via Yahoo! Entertainment).

Disappointed drinkers may want to take a nod from Copy Me That and test out making a frosted strawberry lemonade at home. The recipe's riff calls for three frozen strawberries, 2 tablespoons of frozen lemonade concentrate, 2/3 cup of whole milk, and 1 cup of strawberry ice cream — hold the ice.