25 Best Starbucks Refreshers Ranked in 2025

The best Starbucks Refreshers have a cult following, one that’s seemingly growing all the time. It’s also a topic on which everybody has their own hot take. From classic “refreshing” flavors like strawberry to iconic Starbucks favorites like its aptly-named Pink Drink, the sheer number of options makes defining the best Starbucks Refresher of all time difficult.

Add in a constantly changing range of seasonal favorites, and it becomes nigh on impossible to rank the best Refreshers at Starbucks. Nevertheless, we’re going to try.

If you’re tired of sipping on merely good Refreshers at Starbucks and think there has to be something better on the menu with which to quench your thirst, we’ve got you. This guide to the best Refreshers at Starbucks will cover the menu’s best standard and custom drinks, allowing you to try something a little different on your next Starbs run. 

 Jump to Section

• How We Ranked the Best Starbucks Refreshers
• The 25 Best Refreshers at Starbucks Ranked
• What Is the Best Starbucks Refresher?
• Can You Customize Starbucks Refreshers?

How We Ranked the Best Starbucks Refreshers

In order to discern the best Starbucks orders, we drew on three key areas of research. The first was our own experience tasting these drinks at Starbucks, from which we discerned which are — and aren’t — likely to rank as some of the best Starbucks Refreshers.

Now, since we’re unable to physically try every single drink for ourselves, our second research step was to look to the wider web. By scouring platforms like Reddit, Instagram and food blogs, we were able to learn about the best Starbucks Refreshers that we simply haven’t had the time to try for ourselves. 

Finally, we considered the official Starbucks menu, vetting our findings against what’s currently available at this popular coffee chain. The final result is a guide to the best Starbucks Refreshers based on actual consumer taste tests and feedback. 

The 25 Best Refreshers at Starbucks Ranked

25. Dragon Drink

While the dragonfruit flavor is one of the more popular on the Refresher menu, it’s tough to rank the Dragon Drink higher up on the list of best Starbucks Refreshers. That’s not to say that it tastes bad — far from it.

The coconut milk used in this beverage is delicious. It’s just that other Refreshers with a coconut base bring more to the party. The mild sweetness of the dragonfruit simply struggles to outshine that of the coconut milk, and the resulting flavor is far from what your taste buds expect when you set eyes on the vibrant pink color of the beverage. 

Yes, it’s one of the many decent dairy-free options at Starbucks. It’s just not the best Starbucks Refresher.  

24. Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade

Benefitting from the same slushy treatment that makes the lemonade versions of Starbucks’ Refreshers so popular in the warmer months, the Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade is likely one of the best Starbucks Refreshers for those who like sweet Starbucks drinks.

But be warned: this Starbucks summer drink is really sweet. Some reviews have likened it to sweet-and-sour candy. If this sounds like your bag, then take our ranking of 24th with a pinch of, well, sugar.  

23. Blackberry Sage

Despite its watery base, Blackberry Sage manages to pack a sweet (ish) and bold berry punch. As you might expect from the name, it harnesses the wintry herbaceousness of sage with the promise of summer hedgerows bursting with blackberries.

As for whether or not it’s one of the best Starbucks Refreshers, it really depends. If you have a serious sweet tooth, then it’s probably not. Don’t get us wrong, it’s delicious. But it’s also wholeheartedly herby, with notes of sage that seemingly get stronger with every sip.  

22. Summer Berry

Drawing on summer’s seasonal bounty, it’s unsurprising that Summer Berry makes the list of best Starbucks Refreshers. What is surprising is that this uniquely blue drink doesn’t rank higher.

It’s not too sweet, which is good, and despite “blue” technically being a color and not a flavor, it doesn’t taste synthetic. It’s also refreshing, as one of the best Starbucks Refreshers should be. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite deliver the intense tang that the deep-pool blue color and promise of berries would suggest. 

21. Summer Skies

As with others on this list of the best Starbucks Refreshers, the Summer Skies Drink features a coconut milk base. It blends it with the Summer Berry Refresher, making for what should be a tangy, creamy cup of refreshment.

Unfortunately, where the summer berry flavors are somewhat muted in the plain Summer Berry Refresher, they quieten to almost a whisper when paired with the naturally sweet and creamy coconut milk. 

It’s not all bad, though. Hidden somewhere in the bottom of this sky-blue beverage are raspberry-flavored pearls, delivering the tangy pops of berry for which you probably ordered the drink in the first place. In other words, it’s not the best Starbucks Refresher, but it’s nevertheless a decent pick.  

20. Midnight Drink

Another beverage benefitting from a creamy base of coconut milk, the Midnight Drink pairs it with the heartily herbaceous flavor of the chain’s Blackberry Sage Refresher. And we’re here for it.

The milk helps to soften the blow of that earthy, wintry sage. It also adds new levels of sweetness, as do the freeze-dried blackberries that come floating in the cup. If you’re ordering in the winter and need something to remind you that summer will, eventually, arrive, then this might just be the best Starbucks Refresher for you.  

19. Blended Strawberry Açaí Refresher

Need a strawberry slushy, stat? Then this is probably the best Starbucks Refresher for you. Simply order your usual Strawberry Açaí Refresher and ask your server to double-blend it with ice.

The result is so refreshing, you’re unlikely to ever order it another way again. It’s perfect on sweltering days when regular ice melts too quickly, and you’ll find that the strawberry flavor stands up superbly to being blended into the ice. 

18. Iced Passion Tango Tea

While not technically a Refresher, the Iced Passion Tango Tea is no less worthy of a place among the best Starbucks Refreshers. Described by thirsty reviewers as cold, fruity and energizing, it’s one of the most refreshing Starbucks drinks without caffeine.

As for its flavor profile, it’s herbal and floral, with a dash of lemonade adding some zesty sunshine to every sip that’ll cleanse your palate without keeping you up through the night.  

17. Pink Drink With Cold Foam

The Pink Drink is already celebrated as one of the best Starbucks Refreshers of all time. With the addition of cold foam, it becomes even harder to resist. There are various flavors of cold foam you could choose from.

The chocolate cream version works wonders with the strawberry açaí and creamy coconut of the base drink. Raspberry would work equally well if you need something more tangy, and if you’re getting ahead of the game and preparing your palate for fall, then pumpkin or pecan cold foam might just be what you need. 

Whichever foam you choose, you’ll get the same light fruitiness that makes the Pink Drink one of the best Starbucks Refreshers. You’ll just have to work your way through that sweet foam to get to it.  

16. Iced Peach Green Tea With Extra Peach and Mango 

Head on over to Reddit in search of recommendations for the best Starbucks Refreshers and you’ll find a world of epicurean inspiration. This idea is a prime example, featuring a base of iced peach green tea, with the addition of peach and mango syrups.

In fact, it’s less of an addition and more of a substitute for the tea’s standard watery base. The Redditor behind this idea describes it as “my fav non-coffee drink.” And if you feel like it’s missing something, don’t worry. They also recommend adding inclusions if you “feel fancy.” 

15. Mango Dragonfruit With Passion Tango Tea

How often do you actually listen to your co-worker’s recommendations? What would you do if one of them recommended a Mango Dragonfruit Refresher with Passion Tango Tea? One Redditor managed to look past their initial scepticism, and now, they say, “it’s one of my favorites.”

To order this contender for the title of best Starbucks Refresher, simply customize a Mango Dragonfruit Refresher by subbing the water for Passion Tango. Throw in some extra dragonfruit base, and request that your server go easy on the ice.  

14. Strawberry Açaí With Dragonfruit, Peach Juice and Passion Tango Tea

This is quite a drink, and is unlikely to be one of the cheapest Starbucks items that you ever order. However, if you like your drink sweet, tropical and unquestionably refreshing, it might just be the best Starbucks Refresher for you. It’s what one Redditor orders “when I really want a tropical punch flavor.”

If this craving sounds familiar (and it does to us), then order yourself the Strawberry Açaí Lemonade with extra mango dragonfruit base, peach juice and Passion Tango Tea. Have a sweet tooth? Then throw in a dash of either classic or honey syrup. 

13. Any Refresher, With Coconut Milk and Lemonade 

If you’re not looking for a specific flavor, but rather advice on how to make any flavor a contender for the title of best Starbucks Refresher, then allow this little nugget. Simply take any Refresher base (one or two parts, depending on how strong you want the flavor to be) and add one part coconut milk and one part lemonade. 

12. Strawberry Açaí With Vanilla Sweet Cream 

If you want to know how to turn a good Refresher at Starbucks into a great one, then add vanilla sweet cream to a Strawberry Açaí Refresher and thank us later. 

Just know that this one might be best for sharing. Why? It's overwhelmingly sweet to a point that a whole order will be too much for most to drink in one sitting. 

11. Iced Peach Green Tea

We get it if you don’t like iced tea, but before you write this one off entirely, hear us out. As one Redditor puts it, “I ate iced tea. But… iced peach green tea.”

Now, you’ll have to take our word for it that this comment is accompanied by an ecstatic drooling emoji. You’ll also have to take the Redditor at their word that the Iced Peach Green Tea is one of the best Starbucks Refreshers, even for those who don’t usually like iced tea. But given its place in this guide, it’s got to at least be worth a go, right? 

10. Pink Drink With Vanilla Sweet Cream and Strawberry Purée 

Another hot take on the decidedly cool and creamy Pink Drink, this particular version switches out the standard coconut milk for vanilla sweet cream and adds the bright and berrylicious flavor of strawberry purée.

It’s indulgent and unashamedly sweet, and is probably closer in definition to a dessert than it is a drink. But with its delicious, classic blend of strawberries and cream, it’s hard not to include it in the conversation about the best Starbucks Refreshers. 

9. Strawberry Açaí

Instead of the synthetic and almost-always disappointing flavor that characterizes so many other so-called “strawberry” drinks, Strawberry Açaí earns its spot among the top 10 best Starbucks Refreshers for a flavor that’s about as close to the real thing as you’re likely to get.

Okay, it’s probably not as “real” as real strawberries. But if you don’t have time to go out and pick your own — and we’ll bet that you don’t — then a cup of this ultra-quenching and full-on-fruity beverage is sure to curb your cravings. 

It’s not too syrupy, instead relying on the natural sweetness of the strawberry purée that it’s flavored with. And while you might be surprised at the contrast between its vibrant red color and surprisingly mild sweetness, you’ll almost certainly be glad of the latter after a few sips.  

8. Passion Tango With Lemonade, Vanilla Bean Powder and Strawberry Cold Foam

Arguably tasting more like a dessert than a drink, it’s easy to see why we’ve included this particular suggestion in our guide to the best Starbucks Refreshers. Plus, it’s super easy to order, simply comprising Passion Tango Tea and lemonade with the addition of vanilla bean powder and a strawberry cold foam top to finish. 

7. Summer-Berry Lemonade

While the standard Summer Berry Refresher struggled to break into the top 20, its lemonade-infused sibling more than earns its position among the very best Starbucks Refreshers.

The sweetness of the lemonade lifts the otherwise muted flavors of the berries in the base drink, adding a level of summery brightness that, in our opinion, should have been there all along.  

6. Blackberry Sage Lemonade

If the earthy sage flavor puts you off the standard Blackberry Sage Refresher, then perhaps the inclusion of lemonade might persuade you to reconsider. The acidity of the lemonade helps to lift the otherwise subtle sweetness, emboldening the blackberries to throw everything they’ve got at your taste buds.

And while the sage is still very much present, the lemonade helps to keep it well and truly in check. The result? One of the best Starbucks Refreshers on this list.  

5. Blended Strawberry Açaí Lemonade

You’ve probably noticed that the chain’s strawberry açaí is the flavor behind more than a few of the best Starbucks Refreshers. That’s because the flavor is about as close to real strawberries as you’re likely to find in a chain-bought beverage.

In this case, you get an additional dose of the good stuff (that is, strawberry purée syrup), making for a much stronger strawberry punch. What earns this drink 5th place in our guide to the best Starbucks Refreshers, however, is the addition of lemonade and its “frozen” preparation method. 

While the standard strawberry açaí is undeniably refreshing, it does have flavored-water vibes. With the lemonade, it comes swinging straight out of the gate, blasting away your thirst and satisfying your sweet cravings. Its blended preparation method, meanwhile, makes it more like a margarita than a classic Refresher, leaving you wishing you’d bought a hip flask with which to top it up.  

4. Mango Dragonfruit

Described by Starbucks itself as a “tropical-inspired pick-me-up,” this contender for the title of best Starbucks Refresher blends sweet mango and the subtle flavors of dragonfruit. The ensemble is hand-shaken with ice, then finished with real pieces of dragonfruit. 

You could ask for the whole lot to be blended, but there’s something satisfying about those cubes of purple fruit floating in your drink like ice cubes. We can’t put our finger on exactly what it is, but what we can say is that this is absolutely a worthy beverage for the title of 4th-best Starbucks Refresher. 

3. Pink Drink

We’ve talked about various iterations of this Starbucks Refresher, but we’ve thus far neglected to cover the base drink itself. As do so many others on this guide, it takes the Strawberry Açaí Refresher as its base, but swaps out water for coconut milk, adding new levels of creamy sweetness that are at once hard to beat and easy to drink.

While we tend to take a chain’s own product descriptions with a pinch of salt, we have to agree with Starbucks in this case: the Pink Drink is “fruity and refreshing, no matter what time of year.” 

2. Strawberry Açaí Lemonade

Almost the same as the Frozen Strawberry Açaí Lemonade, but without the slushy ice and with the addition of real strawberries, it was a toss-up between this and our final entry for the ultimate title of best Starbucks Refresher.

The only thing that slightly lets this drink down is the amount of lemonade. Unless you’re planning to share it, it could easily become too sweet. That’s easily solved by asking your server to dilute it slightly with water. 

It’s also not necessarily an issue if you have a serious sweet tooth. If that’s you, then this is probably the very best Starbucks Refresher you could order.  

1. Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade

Before you sample for yourself the best Starbucks Refresher, we suggest that you try the others first. Why? Because once you sample your first sip of a Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever want to go back.

Perhaps best described as “truly tropical,” it’s as thirst-quenching as it is sweet, but it doesn’t overdo the latter. Yes, the lemonade brightens the base ingredients, but since dragonfruit is only very subtly sweet, it’s a prime target for such a lemony lift.  

What Is the Best Starbucks Refresher?

The best Starbucks Refresher really boils down to personal preference. Just because a particular drink has been ranked last in the above guide, that doesn’t mean that you won’t like it.

Our rankings are based on the opinions of both ourselves and a sample of those who have rated them across the wider web, but as the adage goes, there’s no accounting for taste. As a case in point, the Iced Peach Tea was ranked as one of the best Starbucks Refreshers by a Redditor who admitted that they otherwise hate iced tea! 

If you have a sweet tooth, then the best Starbucks Refresher for you will likely be something that curbs those sugary cravings, like the Pink Drink that comes with vanilla sweet cream and strawberry purée.

Those who prefer something less sweet should consider ordering a Dragon Drink. The water base is far less sweet than lemonade or coconut milk ones, and the natural sweetness of the dragonfruit is mild compared to other options like strawberry or mango. 

Can You Customize Starbucks Refreshers?

Yes! Whether you’re ordering from the Starbucks secret menu or simply getting creative with the chain’s standard list of customizations, there’s plenty you can do to tweak the best Starbucks Refreshers to your liking.

Here are just a few of the items you can add to customize your drink:

• Flavored Cold Foams
• Flavored Syrups
• Vanilla Bean Powder
• Fruit and Fruit Purée
• Fruit-Flavored Pearls 
• Liquid Sweeteners
• Lemonade
• Juice Blends
• Green, Black and Passion Tango Tea

By this point, you’ve hopefully whittled down the best Starbucks Refreshers to a shortlist of a few that you’re thirsty to go out and try. Just remember: the drinks above offer but a snapshot of what’s possible with the Starbucks Refreshers menu.

Thanks to its impressive list of available customizations, thirsty Starbucks fans have full creative license to tailor their daily dose of deliciousness to their personal palate. 

So what are you waiting for? Whether you need a pick-me-up to see you through the afternoon or simply need to quench your curiosity, head to your nearest coffeehouse, get your order in and decide for yourself which drink deserves the crown for best Starbucks Refresher of all time.

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