Looking for an interesting ice-breaking topic to talk to your coffee crush about? Let us give you an idea. Why not start by asking, “Do you know how much caffeine is in Starbucks refreshers?”
But, I’m guessing before you pluck up the courage to do so, you need to be armed with a little more information. So, let us save you the time and struggle.
Although it depends on the size of the drink you are getting, the caffeine content never exceeds 45 to 55 mg per mid-sized drink. Here’s a little extra info to really impress your coffee crush – the caffeine used comes from the extract of unroasted Arabica green coffee beans, providing you with good amounts of energy without the bitter taste of caffeine.
Among the cold drinks of Starbucks refreshers, Strawberry Açaí, Mango Dragon Fruit, and Pineapple Passionfruit are the most popular. Since they have 4 sizes of cups as options, they contain around 30 to 90 mg of caffeine.
Now we’ve covered the basics, let’s get a little bit more in-depth with the Starbucks refreshers we all love.
Do Starbucks Refreshers Have Caffeine?
Although the name of the drinks suggests they are only made of fresh fruit juices, the Starbucks refreshers do have caffeine in them. It may vary depending on the size of the drink you get; the amount mentioned in the nutrition and ingredient chart is only an approximate estimation.
The refreshers contain zero fat and cholesterol, so you can drink them safely without having to worry about these factors. However, Starbucks prepares them by adding Sugar, dietary fiber, and sodium alongside the fresh fruit juice.
How Much Caffeine is in Starbucks Refresher?
Starbucks came up with these smoothie beverages back in 2012. The refreshers they offer are mostly made with freeze-dried fruit mixes and sweeteners. In order to make them energetic and refreshing, they cleverly infused green coffee extracts in the syrup.
Listed below is the amount of caffeine used in all the delicious flavors:
Strawberry Açaí
If you prefer to have a Strawberry Açaí refresher, you’ll get a minimum of 35 mg to a maximum of 90 mg of caffeine, depending on which size you are ordering. The refresher drink contains freeze-dried strawberries and a Strawberry Acai base.
The base contains concentrated white grape juice, natural flavors, water, citric acid, fruit and vegetable juice, green coffee extract, and ice.
Mango Dragon Fruit
The beautiful red hue of the Mango Dragon fruit will surely make you fall in love with it just by looking at it. From the first sip, your energy will start surging as the green coffee extract infused in the drink is welcomed by your body.
The only difference between this and the Strawberry Açaí is the freeze-dried dragon fruit used instead of strawberries.
Pineapple Passionfruit
Among other refreshers, the Pineapple Passionfruit option is the perfect drink for a hot sunny day. With the visual beauty of the sun but offering a refreshing release, this drink is guaranteed to give you a much-needed cooldown.
The caffeine content is approximately the same as the other two drinks mentioned above, and they use beta carotene for coloring, which is a food-grade coloring. And last but not least, the freeze-dried pineapple is added for flavor, consistency, and aesthetics.
Caffeine Content by Drink Size
Starbucks offers four different sizes when it comes to iced drinks whether you are drinking it at the shop or ordering on your way to work.
Since the flavor doesn’t affect the caffeine content in the drink, we have described the caffeine content by drink size in the list below:
1. Tall (12 fl oz): contains 35 mg caffeine,
2. Grande (16 fl oz): contains 45 mg caffeine,
3. Venti (24 fl oz): contains 70 mg caffeine,
4. Trenta (30 fl oz): contains 90 mg caffeine.
On average, the 8 oz-sized freshly brewed coffee contains 180 mg of caffeine. So, the caffeine content in the refreshers is half as much as the regular coffee Starbucks serves.
Sources of Caffeine In The Starbucks Refresher
The sources of Starbucks coffee beans are mostly from 30 countries within the sub-continent of Africa, Latin America, and Asia. The caffeine used in refreshers comes from green coffee, which is not roasted like the typical coffee you get.
The raw coffee beans are collected when they are ripe, and instead of roasting the beans, they are dried under the sun. Since there is no roasting involved, the caffeine content in the green coffee extract is higher than the roasted beans. Furthermore, adding a small amount of this extract boosts your energy level more than the typical coffee drinks.
How To Reduce Caffeine In Starbucks Refreshers?
Usually, when the barista makes your refresher, they add the syrup (the core ingredient) that contains the green coffee extract. Therefore, you cannot have a completely caffeine-free refresher. However, you can reduce the caffeine in your drink in the following ways:
1. Add More Ice
When you are ordering, ask for more ice in your drink. The extra ice will reduce the consistency of syrup when it melts, making your drink less caffeinated.
2. Order Alternatives Drinks
Instead of ordering the refreshers, you can choose alternative drinks. For example, Iced Passion Tango Tea or instant Strawberry Lemonade offer just as delicious caffeine-free alternatives.
The passion tea offered contains zero caffeine in the drink and can also be a healthy alternative to fruit refreshers.
3. Order Less Caffeinated Refreshers
When you are at the shop to order, read the menu carefully and ask for help at the counter to be better informed on the amount of ingredients. This will help you choose the refreshers that have less caffeine added to them.
For example, Cool Lime drinks and Very Berry Hibiscus refresher have more coffee than the Mango Dragon fruit. These drinks are just as rejuvenating and tasty but don’t include that extra buzz of caffeine.
FAQ‘s
Do All Flavors of Refreshers Have the Same Amount of Caffeine?
Yes, the amount of refresher in all flavors of Starbucks is typically identical if you get the same size. For example, the tall size of both mango dragon fruit and pineapple passionfruit will have the same amount of caffeine.
Do Refreshers Have More Caffeine Than Coffee at Starbucks?
No, whether it’s brewed hot coffee or an iced one, they have more than double the amount of caffeine in them than the refreshers, approximately 165mg.
How Much Caffeine is in a Tall Starbucks Refresher?
A tall Starbucks refresher or 12 fl oz (fluid ounce) contains around 45-55 mg caffeine regardless of any three of the drinks you choose.
Does Starbucks Have Caffeine-Free Refresher Alternatives?
Starbucks doesn’t offer any caffeine-free refreshers because all of them contain a little bit of caffeine, however, you can order the tasty Iced Passion Tango Tea which contains zero caffeine.
Do All Starbucks Refreshers Have Caffeine?
Yes, all Starbucks refreshers have caffeine in the syrup which is one of the main ingredients to make the drink.
Final Words
Thank us later for giving you an interesting topic to break the ice with your coffee crush!
Now that you know how much caffeine is in Starbucks refreshers you can also measure your consumption appropriately based on dietary needs or if you’re hoping to improve your sleep cycle. The knowledge is in your hands, so use it wisely! Happy drinking!
