What is strawberry infusion at Starbucks (how to make it, what does it taste like + more information)
Starbucks has three infusions that go with their iced green tea, which are pineapple, peach, and strawberry infusions. So, what is strawberry infusion at Starbucks?
The strawberry infusion is an iced drink that combines Starbucks strawberry fruit and botanical mixes with iced Teavana Green Tea and is sweetened with liquid cane sugar. Although the drink has been available for several years, it only caught my interest this summer. If you need a cold drink alternative that has some health benefits and is low in calories, then this one might fit the bill. In this post, I will be sharing more about the Strawberry Infusion, including information on what it is made of, its nutritional value, taste, and how to order a cup at Starbucks.
Table of Contents
What is Starbucks Strawberry infusion made of?
The Starbucks Strawberry Infusion is made of Starbucks Green Tea and strawberry-flavored blend, ice, and liquid cane sugar. Just like in all teas, Starbucks uses the Teavana brand green tea for the preparation of this infusion. The Teavana Green is an infusion made of water, blended green teas, spearmint, lemongrass, lemon verbena, and natural flavor. The strawberry base is an infusion of apples, natural flavors, hibiscus, liquorice root, rose hips, citric acid, and lemongrass.
Beginning in 2022, Starbucks has also introduced liquid cane sugar as the default iced tea sweetener. The liquid cane sugar has water, turbinado cane sugar, natural flavor, citric acid, and potassium sorbate preservative. This is a new way to add sweetness to your tea without increasing carbohydrates and calories.
The result is an iced tea beverage that contains fruit, botanical blends, and green tea. You will still taste the flavor of tea as the botanicals are mild.
What is Starbucks Strawberry infusion nutrition?
A Starbucks Grande Cup Strawberry Infusion has 45 calories from 11 grams of carbohydrates, all in the form of sugar. It has no fat or cholesterol. The drink also has 10 mg of sodium, which is insignificant as far as measures of the 2,000-calorie daily intake diet are concerned.
This drink is considered healthy. Although the 45 calories are quite low, and the 11 grams of sugar represent 22 percent of the recommended daily intake, green tea contains elements that can help you improve brain function, aid in fat loss, offer cancer protection, and lower your risk of heart disease.
This is good news, especially if you spend time working or otherwise engaged at a Starbucks store, because you can have several cups of this drink without worrying too much about its impact on your health. A 16-ounce grand cup has 25mg of caffeine.
How does Starbucks make strawberry infusion (Recipe)?
To make a cup of strawberry infusion, the Starbucks barista will use the strawberry blend as the base, then add cold iced green tea, and lastly, put in the liquid cane sugar. To start with, whatever cup the order requires, the barista will fill it to about a quarter of the way with the strawberry base. They will then fill it up with iced green tea to about three-quarters of the way. Next, they will put in some ice. The liquid cane sugar is optional. My advice is that you have it anyway, because without it, the drink is rather bland.
For real fruit, you can ask for some strawberry inclusions; just beware that it will cost you a little more. I found that letting the drink sit for a few minutes helps rehydrate the freeze-dried strawberry pieces and infuses them beautifully in the drink. They are a worthy addition.
What does Starbucks Strawberry infusion taste like?
The Starbucks strawberry infusion tastes like mint with hints of strawberry. If you have ever had iced green tea, you will not need to be told it has it, as this is rather obvious from the taste. The minty taste is due to the green tea, while the strawberry you taste is from the base. The drink is quite refreshing and available throughout the year.
How to order the Strawberry infusion Starbucks?
You can order the Strawberry infusion online from the Starbucks website, on the Starbucks App, or in person at the store.
To order on the website go to the menu, select iced teas, then iced green tea. Select a cup size. Customize by editing the Starbucks refresher bases under which you will select the Strawberry Acai Starbucks refresher base of choice and set the pineapple passionfruit and the mango dragonfruit to “no”. Click on “done” to save your selection. Next, under sweeteners, select add liquid cane sugar and click Done to save your selection. Alternatively, search the web for “Starbucks strawberry infusion”. Select the link from Starbucks.com. This should take you directly to the menu option for the drink, which has fewer steps that require you to only select the cup size and order.
To order a venti cup strawberry inclusion in person at the store, ask the barista for a ‘venti iced green tea with a strawberry base and a pump liquid cane sugar’.
Final Thoughts
As much as Starbucks is blamed for rich beverages, their teas are the exception. The iced green tea inclusions increase the number of variations to accommodate different tastes while offering relatively healthy drinks. I like that most of these drinks are reasonably priced by Starbucks standards. However, pre-ordering a strawberry inclusion is not as easy as it could be as the item is not listed on the menu. You need to know what you are looking for to find it.
FAQ Section
Do Starbucks infusions have sugar?
Yes, all Starbucks Infusions have sugar. The company is currently using liquid cane sugar as the default sweetener for infusions.
Are Starbucks strawberries real?
Yes, Starbucks has real strawberries. They are packed freeze-dried and are served in cold beverages as inclusions. The inclusions flavor the drink as they rehydrate in the liquid.
Does the strawberry infusion at Starbucks have caffeine?
Yes, the strawberry infusion at Starbucks has 25mg of caffeine in the 16-ounce grande cup. A 24-ounce venti has 40 mg of caffeine, while the 30-ounce Trenta has 50 mg of caffeine.