Looking to quench your thirst with a tall drink? Discover the colorful and invigorating world of Starbucks Refreshers.
It’s a blistering hot day; your hair is frizzing out in all directions and even your nose feels sweaty. While you’d love to take a break in a cool Starbucks cafe with a fancy latte, you just can’t justify having a full cup of java. Enter, the Starbucks Refreshers.
One’s first glance at Starbucks Refreshers reveals a line of tall, refreshing cold drinks that taste like cocktails but are perfect for any time of day. These beverages have gained popularity for their unique flavors, including Strawberry Acai and Mango Dragonfruit.
Though people mainly associate the Refreshers with summer, some options are served year-round. With fruity and revitalizing flavors, they have become a favorite for those looking for a healthier drink that will still give you a boost of energy.
You won’t regret grabbing one of these thirst-quenching drinks, perfect for anyone who craves a refreshing experience.
What is a Starbucks Refresher?
Starbucks Refresher is a line of beverages offered by Starbucks that combines the refreshing flavors of natural fruit juice with the added energy from green coffee extract. It evolved from the popularity of Starbucks’ lemonades and green tea lemonades, which paved the way for these dressed-up drinks.
These drinks are a perfect way to recharge, keep your body hydrated and get a caffeine boost from the extract. The Refreshers come in various flavors, including strawberry acai, mango dragonfruit and peach green tea.
They are sweetened with fresh fruit pieces and coconut milk or lemonade. You can add toppings like dried pineapple, dragonfruit and more. What makes these beverages unique is that the fruit used is freeze-dried, which helps to lock in the flavor and nutrition of the fruit.
“When you don’t need that full hit of caffeine that espresso-based drinks provide, Starbucks Refreshers hit the spot! They come in a variety of fun, fruity flavors (I’m partial to the Dragon Drink), and are caffeinated with a green coffee extract which gives a gentle energy boost, perfect for warm afternoons.”
— Kristen Wood, MOON and spoon and yum
The most popular Refresher drinks
Whether you’re a fan of fruity, creamy, or icy beverages, there’s something for everyone on this list of the most popular Starbucks Refreshers from over the years.
Starbucks Pink Drink
Made with a Strawberry Acai Refresher, coconut milk and strawberry puree, it is a must-try for anyone seeking a sweet, refreshing option. It has become a favorite among customers, especially during the summer months. The Pink Drink has also become popular among Instagram influencers, who often post photos of the vibrant pink color and tasty flavor.
Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher
Starbucks’ Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher is a refreshing tropical drink with pineapple, ginger and passionfruit flavors. Its bright color and fruity taste make it a perfect choice for a hot summer day. It’s also caffeine-free so it’s great for kids and adults alike.
Iced Passion Tango Refresher
The Starbucks’ Iced Passion Tango Refresher is made with a blend of hibiscus, lemongrass and apple; this bold drink features a sweet and tangy taste. It also contains caffeine, making it an ideal pick-me-up for those needing an energy boost. If you prefer a more tart flavor, the Passionfruit Lemonade or Passion Tango Refresher are flavorful options that satisfy you.
Dragon Drink
The Starbucks Dragon Drink is a refreshing combination of sweet mango and dragonfruit flavors mixed with creamy coconut milk and ice. The drink’s vibrant pink and purple colors make it also a treat for the eyes. The Dragon Drink is a popular menu item available at Starbucks in the summer and into the fall.
Matcha Lemonade
Starbucks Matcha Lemonade pairs the earthy taste of matcha with the tanginess of lemonade. It is made with finely ground Japanese green tea and lemonade, giving it a sweet and slightly bitter taste.
Paradise Drink
Starbucks’ newest addition to its menu is the Paradise Drink, a blend of Teavana Youthberry white tea with coconut milk and pineapple infusion. The drink is topped with a sprinkle of real pineapple and blackberries for a refreshing and fruity taste.
Berry Hibiscus Refresher
The Berry Hibiscus Refresher is a refreshing cold drink made with lightly sweetened hibiscus tea, mixed with berry flavors and topped with a splash of coconut milk. It’s the perfect combination of tangy and sweet tastes.
Kiwi Starfruit Refresher
Continuing the lineup of exotic fruit is the Kiwi Starfruit Refresher. This Refresher is a delicious, fruity drink that combines the tartness of kiwi with the sweetness of starfruit, every toddler’s favorite finger food.
Secret menu Refresher drinks
Thanks to TikTok, secret menu Refresher drinks are all the rage at Starbucks. These customizable beverages include:
- Pink-a-Colada: A variation on the famous Pink Drink. To get this, start with the Pink Drink, add four pumps of pineapple ginger syrup, top with
vanilla sweet cream cold foam and ask for two pumps of pineapple ginger syrup and strawberry puree. - Caribbean Refresher: ask for a Mango Dragonfruit Refresher, add light kiwi juice and peach juice, one pump of raspberry syrup and light passion tea to be poured on top of the drink
Other popular options are the Matcha Refresher with added
Making Starbucks versions at home
Do you love Starbucks drinks but want to save money and reduce your sugar intake? The good news is, you don’t have to go to Starbucks to order your favorites. Making your versions at home is possible — and even easy.
For example, try making a refreshing Strawberry Acai Refresher by blending frozen strawberries, freeze-dried acai powder, white grape juice and passion fruit. Adjust the sweetness by adding less sugar or a sweetener of your choice. You can customize the drinks by trying different fruits, such as dragon fruit.
With some experimentation, you can recreate your favorite Starbucks drinks in the comfort of your home.
To wrap up
It’s clear that while they’re a relatively new offering, Starbucks Refreshers are a trend that’s here to stay. They range from the tropical to the decadent, offer caffeine-free or mid-level caffeinated drinks and are popular with people of all ages. Whatever you choose, these winning Refresher drinks from Starbucks will keep you cool all summer.
Ksenia Prints is a food writer, blogger, photographer and recipe developer from Montreal, Canada. She blogs over At the Immigrant’s Table, a food blog showcasing healthy, beautiful international recipes for adventurous home cooks. She loves highlighting ethnic cuisines and immigrant cultures by working with chefs from relevant countries and adapting those recipes to gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, sugar-free and other dietary restrictions.