Starbucks has bestowed upon us another delicious summertime drink menu with the Summer Berry Refresher drinks. As far as I know, it’s a first of it’s kind with delicious flavored pearls adorning the base of this drink’s cup. But I also think there’s a lot more thought that went into releasing this drink, so let’s get into it.
What is the Summer Berry Refresher?
This new Starbucks Refresher is a light mixed berry flavored beverage with a water base served with delicious raspberry flavored pearls.
However, you can sub the water for lemonade or coconut milk by ordering the Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher or the Summer Skies Drink, respectively.
Given the addition of the sunken flavored pearls, Starbucks is providing a wider straw to allow customers to enjoy the additional treat. However, I had to ask for a straw with mine.
As with the rest of their cold drinks they’re not providing straws by default, and while I normally respect and understand the thought process behind that, with this drink I have to ask… how do they expect us to get to those pearls before our drink is completely empty without a straw?! Let’s not be stingy about a straw situation you created, Starbies.
Why Is It Blue?
While I don’t speak on behalf of Starbucks, I can almost assure you this wasn’t a coincidence. Ever notice they have a drink in almost every other color of the rainbow? Wouldn’t this lineup look so much nicer with a bright blue bevy in it?
Releasing a blue drink was on purpose and I won’t be convinced otherwise. I don’t think there’s anything shifty going on, I just think Starbucks wanted a blue drink to round out their bright and bold lineup.
ALSO...
I’m not sure how long this promo signage has been up in stores (sound off in the comments if you have any knowledge on this), but I noticed it yesterday as I was waiting for my Summer Berry Refresher in the drive thru. Notice anything coincidental (or not so coincidental) about it?
Firstly, there’s a blue beverage with a red bottom a.k.a. the Summer Berry Refresher. Not that weird, they just released it so it makes sense. However, the other drink is a yellow drink with a red bottom, which doesn’t exist today.
Is Starbucks taking a page out of Taylor Swift’s Easter Egg marketing book or is this just a total coincidence? Frankly, I think the former. Starbucks is too big and well-marketed for accidents and coincidences. My money is on them rolling out more drinks with the raspberry pearls, or at least promoting trying them in the other Refreshers, and this signage was designed to get us talking (kudos, Starbies!).
How Does the Starbucks Summer-Berry Refresher Taste?
At very first sip, this drink came off really sweet and I hadn’t even taken on a raspberry pearl in that sip. However, after a few more sips I realized a lot of the flavor had settled in one spot and I happened to pull from that. Once I swirled the drink after a little time in my car cup holder it was much more evenly dispersed.
The mixed berry flavor is pleasantly light while still being lightly sweet and flavorful. I think Starbucks anticipated that the raspberry pearls would add a sweetness factor so they lightened the body of the drink to ensure the overall beverage wasn’t overkill. Bravo on the balance!
The raspberry pearls aren’t overly sweet either, but are definitely packed with a flavorful punch. Personally, I take only a few up in each sip to create the [likely] desired balance of drink-to-pearls that Starbucks was intending. Overall, this drink sips beautifully and isn’t the sugar-tasting bomb that I thought it could be with the addition of the pearls. I’m incredibly happy with this creation and think it may just be me second favorite Refresher behind the O.G. Pink Drink!
The Summer Skies Drink
Edit: After this was published I celebrated my triple star day the best way possible, trying the Summer Skies Drink!
Hot take: the Summer Skies Drink is the far superior version of this beverage. The coconut milk really grounds the sweet flavors in this take on the Summer Berry Refresher. Then again, I find this to be true with the Pink Drink or really any of the other Refreshers. If you’re not as keen on the sweetness in their refreshers try ordering them with coconut milk. You may be pleasantly surprised at your change of heart!
I love the Summer Skies Drink far more than the original Summer Berry Refresher that I can honestly say that this will be the only version of this drink I order going forward.
Summer Berry Refresher Nutrition
Let’s be honest, no one is ordering these because they’re worrying about nutrition. But as always, I like to provide the facts.
As far as calories go this one isn’t terrible but like most of the refreshers, it’s full of sugar. If that’s a concern I definitely do not recommend trying the lemonade version. The Starbucks lemonade (like most lemonade) is notoriously sugary as well.
The New Orange Cream Cake Pop
Now more than ever with a toddler at home, I couldn’t justify passing up trying the new cake pop. As someone who prefers chocolate over literally any other dessert option I wasn’t sure how much I’d like it.
Much to my surprise I loved it! My toddler so graciously allowed me a bite and much like every other cake pop Starbucks makes it’s the perfect texture with just a bit of orange flavor in there. Not too much, made just right and just in time for summer.
Now that you have all the facts, will you be trying any of the Starbucks summer offerings? I highly suggest the Summer Berry Refresher to any Starbucks enthusiast, Refresher connoisseur or fruity iced tea fanatic. This drink appeals to a broad audience with its light body and fun, fruity pearl addition.
Catch it while it’s here for a limited time and let me know what you think in the comments!
More Starbucks
- Starbucks Bacon Gouda Breakfast Sandwich Copycat Recipe
- My Go-To No-Sugar Vanilla Matcha Latte Order
- 10 Low Caffeine Starbucks Drinks
- Past Summer Favorite: The Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher
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