I tried Starbucks' 3 new frozen summer drinks, and I'll be ordering 2 of them again

Anneta Konstantinides

June 27, 2023 at 2:15 PM·5 min read

Starbucks Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade, Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade, Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade — Starbucks' new summer drinks are a frozen twist on some of its most popular Refreshers.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Starbucks has three new frozen drinks on its summer menu.
My favorite was the Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade, which was super refreshing.
Starbucks also released the Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade and Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade.

Summer is finally here, and Starbucks is celebrating the season with three new drinks on its menu.

Anneta with Starbucks Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino — Me with Starbucks' Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino, which came out in May.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Starbucks kicked off its summer menu with the release of the White Chocolate Macadamia Cream Cold Brew and the Chocolate Java Mint Frappuccino in May. I thought both beverages tasted delicious and especially loved the Frappuccino, which has become one of my go-to drinks when I'm craving a sweet treat.

But summer doesn't truly begin until Starbucks releases some new Refreshers. And this year, they look a little different.

Starbucks' new summer drinks are a frozen twist on some of its most popular Refreshers.

Starbucks Summer Drinks 2023 — Starbucks' three new summer drinks.Starbucks

The Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade, Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade, and Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade will be available at Starbucks starting Tuesday.

While the coffee chain usually draws inspiration from a beloved treat for its seasonal drinks (like funnel cakes or sugar cookies), the idea for its new line of frozen sips came from the brand's customers and baristas.

"Since Starbucks Refreshers Beverages joined the menu in 2012, our customers and baristas have creatively customized their beverages, such as adding coconut milk, lemonade, or blending with ice," Starbucks' senior beverage developer, Matt Thornton, said in a statement sent to Insider. "Inspired by these customer and partner creations, we're excited to bring the new Frozen Lemonade Starbucks Refreshers Beverages to the permanent menu this summer."

I headed to my local Starbucks for a preview of the new drinks, and first up was the Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade.

Starbucks Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade — Starbucks' Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade combines the flavors of strawberry and açai notes and is blended with lemonade, real strawberries, and ice.

I thought the Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade tasted super refreshing.

Anneta with Starbucks Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade — I thought the Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade tasted refreshing and delicious.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

I loved the vivid red color of the drink. The bold, bright hue looks so refreshing — it reminded me of the tropical beverages I always order on vacation.

I also thought the texture of the frozen lemonade was spot on. It wasn't too icy, and I loved that there were real bits of strawberry in the drink.

Overall, the Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade had a sweetness that tasted fresh, light, and lovely. I would definitely order it again (and maybe add some tequila for a margarita).

Next up was the Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade.

Starbucks Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade — Starbucks' Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade features flavors of sweet mango and dragon fruit blended with real pieces of dragon fruit, lemonade, and ice.

The Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade had a fun, tropical color.

Top of Starbucks Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade — I loved the color of the Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

Of the three new drinks, the Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade is easily the prettiest. Its vibrant magenta color is just as vivid in frozen form, and it'll definitely turn heads (sorry, I've clearly been watching too much "Love Island"). A sweet old man having coffee with his dog was so intrigued by the drink that he came over and asked to snap a picture of it.

I just wish the drink had tasted as bold as it looked! While I liked the tart edge from the mango, the overall flavor just didn't jump out at me. It was just a bit too forgettable, especially when up against two very tasty beverages.

Last but not least was the Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade.

Starbucks Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade — Starbucks' Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

The Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade features the flavors of pineapple and passion fruit blended with real diced pineapple and lemonade.

The Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade was my favorite of the three new summer drinks.

Starbucks Frozen Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade and Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade — The Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade was my favorite of the three.Anneta Konstantinides/Insider

While I described the original Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher as "sunshine in a cup," the Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade is more reminiscent of a sunset. The yellow and red colors of the drink blended beautifully together — these three new summer drinks are truly the prettiest on Starbucks' entire menu.

The frozen drink also tasted really delicious. While I found the Pineapple Passionfruit Refresher to be too tart for my taste, the frozen lemonade version manages to strike the perfect balance. I loved that extra burst of sour flavor and found each sip to be super refreshing. My only critique is I'd love some more of the real diced pineapple!

I'll definitely be ordering Starbucks' new frozen drinks all summer long.

I'm always craving something icy and sweet on a hot summer day, and Starbucks' frozen Refreshers are the perfect way to cool off.

While the Frozen Pineapple Passionfruit Lemonade was my favorite, I also loved the Frozen Strawberry Açai Lemonade and can't wait to order both again.

They'll be perfect for a day at the beach, or shaken with some vodka or tequila for a boozy treat.

Read the original article on Insider

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