It's worth saying that this is not an official menu item. However, the menu hack drink has gone viral on multiple occasions on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
When Wayne Gretzky retired from the NHL in 1999, after winning four Stanley Cups and setting countless records, I highly doubt he would've thought part of his legacy would be a ridiculously unhealthy order at Timmies.
Before even heading out, I knew that this would be a challenge for me. I don't add any sugar when I order my coffee or make it at home. I just put in a drop of milk — I'm sweet enough as it is!
But for you, dear reader, I'm willing to part with my principles and potentially rack up a giant dental bill and a dash of diabetes.
So, on Saturday lunchtime, I set off to my local Tim's in Toronto to order the Wayne Gretzky, which I was unusually nervous about.
I went inside to order at the counter and asked, "Could I have a Wayne Gretzky, please?"
The server looked at me, appearing bemused, and asked, "What's that?"
I told her it was a 9x9 — a coffee in a medium cup with 9 creams and 9 sugars — and she laughed.
She asked if I wanted a large instead, but I said no.
This turned out to be a poor decision.
Thankfully, the barista, who was very friendly, insisted on putting my sugary concoction in a large cup because the nine creams alone took up so much space.
When I was walking back home, I became aware of how unusual it was to hold a Tim Hortons cup that was so cold. Plus, I could actually hear the sugar rattling around in it as I walked.
A 9x9 'Wayne Gretsky' in a Tim Hortons cup.Tomás Keating | Narcity
When I got home, I looked at it for a full minute before thinking, "OK, I better try this."
To be honest, it actually wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, but it still wasn't great. It tasted more like a milkshake than a coffee.
In fact, it was like sugar-flavoured milk.
After all the cream, the drink ended up being really cold. It was like drinking melted ice cream but with the added texture of undissolved sugar.
It was also so hard to even taste a trace of coffee. I had two gulps but just couldn't drink anymore as I found it too sweet to handle.
My partner tried it, too, and she regularly takes sugar in her coffee, but she grimaced as well. She was so grossed out that I actually think she found the experience worse than I did.
I ended up pouring the Gretzky down the sink (sorry Wayne) and instead boiled the kettle and made myself a cup of Barry's Tea to reset my palate.
Next time, I'll order a medium with a shot of milk and an apple fritter, or maybe a few Timbits.
If you love extra creamy and sugary drinks, maybe you'll love this — but I'm not sure I'd recommend it to anyone. Especially if anyone who is prone to sensitive teeth or has a weak stomach!
It's cool to say I tried it, but the Wayne Gretzky is definitely not for me.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
