Starbucks Caribbean refresher (Ingredients, Taste, Variations, Sizes, Copycat Recipe, Caffeine, Calories & More Information)
Take this summer to another level by making yourself a Starbucks Caribbean refresher at home. Read on to find a simple recipe and other fun facts you need to know about the drink.
Nothing excites me more about summer than the thought of having a perfect cup of Starbucks Caribbean refresher. I mean the drink is a double good deal; great taste and beautiful Instagram pictures. Yap! I am one of those people. Seriously though, it is colorful, fruity, and gives the perfect summer taste. It’s so good I never seem to get enough of it.
That is why I decided to research the drink. I found out a lot of interesting facts that I’m going to share with you. Keep in mind there is a recipe that you can use to replicate the drink. But first, let’s look into the history of the drink.
Table of Contents
Brief History of the Drink
July 09, 2012. According to the Starbucks website, this was the day Starbucks refreshers were first introduced. It was an innovation aimed at delivering drinks that were a great energy boost and thirst-quenching. To maintain the main Starbucks element in the refreshers, they were made using green coffee extract. The first flavors were berry hibiscus and cool lime but over time, the legendary Caribbean refresher was chipped in. it involves customizing a few of the Starbucks on-menu drinks and flavors.
One crazy fact about this drink is that it is not on the Starbucks menu. Starbucks does not even recognize the name ‘Caribbean refresher’. This makes it even more exciting, it is like a little secret the customer has that Starbucks does not know of. The drink was created by Holly Walker and is well known for its beautiful ombre effect. All in all the Caribbean refresher is the best.
Is Starbucks Caribbean refresher still available at Starbucks?
Yes, it is. However, the funny thing is that you won’t find it on the Starbucks menu. It is a drink that is ordered using a recipe card. Mango dragon fruit lemonade, kiwi juice, peach juice, and raspberry syrup are some of what makes up this refresher. Fortunately, these drinks are still on the Starbucks menu meaning Caribbean refresher is still available at Starbucks.
Starbucks Caribbean refresher (Ingredients, Taste, Variations, Sizes, Caffeine, Calories)
- What is in a Starbucks Caribbean refresher – (Ingredients)
Starbucks Caribbean refresher is a little bit of a complex drink. This is because it is a mixture of Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade, peach juice, kiwi juice, raspberry syrup, and passion tea put together in a particular order. Though this might look like a simple list, you’d have to have an already prepared Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade to make the Caribbean refresher. However, you can still make the lemonade before going ahead to add the other ingredient. So, let’s look at each ingredient individually.
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- Mango dragonfruit lemonade: this is the most important ingredient for the refresher. You can either buy it or make it yourself. It is on the Starbucks menu so if you ever order it and feel like it is too boring for you, you can customize it to make a Caribbean refresher.
- Peach juice: it is good for your organs and optimizes your digestive health. You can make one yourself or buy it.
- Kiwi juice: it reduces the risk of a blood clot and also reduces blood pressure. If you are making it at home then it is advisable to not peal else you’ll miss out on a lot of nutrients
- Raspberry syrup: this can also be homemade but to make the process less hectic buying one is more convenient. It is very lush and delicious which makes it a perfect addition to your refresher
- Passion tea: an infusion of hibiscus is definitely what a good refresher needs. This tea adds the benefits of relaxation and nourishment to your drink.
- Starbucks Caribbean refresher: Sizes, Nutrition, Caffeine & Calories
What sizes are available?
Starbucks Caribbean refresher is available in four sizes, short, tall, grande, and venti. The recommended size is however grande and venti. Having a short or tall option would not be convenient since the drink has a lot of add-ins. If you are making it at home you don’t have to worry about the size being too large. You can make the amount you want and enjoy it.
Nutritional facts
I’ll admit, at one point in time, I perceived Starbucks drinks to be unhealthy. Truth is I’m not the only one. Most people believe that Starbucks drinks are not good for individuals’ health. However, as I came to learn, later on, no drink is worth being branded unhealthy. Starbucks drinks can best be compared to clothes; you should only get what fits you. This prompted me to seek knowledge of any food I take before I deem it intake-worthy. I did the same with the Starbucks Caribbean refresher and this is what I found.
Based on a grande size and calculated using the standard diet of 2000 calories a day, Starbucks Caribbean refresher has an average of 130 calories. These calories mainly come from carbohydrates and sugar makes up 12% of daily value and 7% respectively. There is barely any fat in the refresher and it does not contribute any percentage to the daily value. The same applies to cholesterol. Other than that there is a significant amount of potassium sodium and vitamins A and C. Their amounts are in mere mg which is not alarming.
From this, you can decide if the refresher suits you or not. If it does not you have the option of customizing it to your taste or moderating the number of times you take it. Skipping the drink is also a safe option because as it is Starbucks has a variety of drinks on their menu and it is impossible to miss one that suits you.
The table below summarizes the facts that I have mentioned above:
Calorie count (out of 2000 calories daily intake) | 130 calories |
Nutrient content | % daily value |
Total Fat (0g)
Saturated fat (0g) Trans fat (0g) |
0% |
Total carbohydrates (35g)
Dietary fiber (2g) Sugars (30g) |
12%
7% |
Proteins (0.6g) | 2% |
Cholesterol (0g) | 0% |
Caffeine information
Starbucks Caribbean refresher has caffeine that results from the green coffee extract. In a 16-ounce cup of Caribbean refresher, there is about 45mg of caffeine. This caffeine content is more than that in Starbucks iced tea drinks. It gives you the right energy dose that you need for the day.
So, what does Starbucks Caribbean refresher taste like?
One word. Delicious! The Starbucks Caribbean refresher is a blend of fruity tastes that come together in a very gentle and fulfilling sensation. It gets even more amazing when you get to taste every fruit individually. It gives a full Starbucks experience and the ultimate tropical feel. Another fan addition to the drink is its ombre effect. Truth is, it tastes just as good as it looks.
Ways to customize a Starbucks Caribbean refresher – Starbucks Caribbean refresher Variations
One thing with Starbucks, it gives you an opportunity to create many variations of your drink such that there is no way you can get tired of it. The same applies to Starbucks Caribbean refresher. The drink itself is already customized by putting together various Starbucks drinks. That’s the point, there is no specific outcome for any Starbucks drink.
This way you can be sure that you and your friends can order the same Caribbean refresher, customized differently and they will all have a distinctive taste. You can swap the raspberry syrup with another sweetener and you can also choose the amount of passion tea splash you want in your drink. The bottom line is, that you can make your Caribbean refresher taste differently every time you have it.
How to make Starbucks Caribbean refresher at home – Starbucks Caribbean refresher copycat recipe
Equipment
- A shaker
- Cup and lid
Ingredients
- ½ cup of Mango dragon fruit lemonade
- 1 splash of Passion tea
- ½ teaspoon Raspberry syrup
- ¼ cup of Kiwi juice
- ¼ cup of Peach juice
Instructions
- Start by preparing the half cup of mango dragonfruit lemonade or if you have a ready-made one pour it first into your cup
- Add ¼ cup of kiwi and peach juices
- Add ½ teaspoon of raspberry syrup
- Add a splash of passion tea to your drink and enjoy!
Notes
- You can make the mango dragonfruit lemonade at home by using lemonade, grape juice, dragonfruit powder, and mango juice.
- All the other ingredients can also be made organically at home but buying readymade ones is much easier.
- If you want your refresher caffeinated you can add green coffee extract.
- You can add coconut milk to your drink to make it taste much better.
Informative Section
How do you order a Starbucks Caribbean refresher?
First, you order venti mango dragonfruit lemonade with no inclusions. You then order kiwi fruit and peach juice added to your lemonade. You then request a single pump of raspberry syrup then you top it off with a splash of passion tea.
Is the Starbucks Caribbean refresher good?
Yes, it is. The refresher is a blend of fruity flavors that is delicious and has a ton of health benefits.