Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)

Get ready to swoon over my Starbucks copycat Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher recipe! This brand-new coffee-free sipper was just announced as part of the coffee giant’s Valentine’s Day lineup and—for me at least—it was love at first sip.

Coffee Copycat usually feels like a fitting name for this beloved site of mine, but it also belies my love of all the other beverages out there. TBH, I order Starbucks refreshers almost as often as I order iced coffees or tea drinks. (Seriously, though—there’s only so much caffeine my body can handle. 😅)

I often need to hydrate but can’t stomach the thought of slugging down another glass of water, so I make myself a fancy drink instead. This herby, citrusy slurper is my newest obsession! For those of you who have yet to try the blackberry sage combo, you’re in for a real treat. 

The berries bring sweet-tart vibes while the herbs add a lovely freshness. But adding lemonade to the mix? 🤌Pure magic. That extra layer of sweet-tart goodness takes this gorgeous gulper to a whole new level of yum!

Jump to:

• What is a Starbucks blackberry lemonade sage refresher?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Refresher Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make Starbucks’ Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Homemade Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher Nutrition
• Other Starbucks Refresher Recipes
• Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)

What is a Starbucks blackberry lemonade sage refresher?

As with other Starbucks refreshers, this is a juice-based beverage that’s a great alternative to coffee. To make the base of the drink, we’ll start with cool water and a simple blackberry syrup made with real blackberries. Then we add a dribble of blackberry extract for extra berry-liciousness, a sprinkle of citric acid for brightness, and a pinch of sage for freshness.

The end result is a drink that’ll make you feel like you’re at a day spa getting pampered—exactly what this working mama needs. And, like other refreshers, you can either have it plain, like in this blackberry sage refresher recipe, or you can use lemonade instead of water to add some extra oomph.

What does it taste like?

Other than delicious, you mean? This blackberry lemonade drink is a gee dang flavor whirlwind—the tannic tang of juicy berries, the earthy freshness of sage, and the cheerful zip of lemonade all swirl together for a fantastically refreshing quaff. Consider your thirst banished!

Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Refresher Recipe

• Light & Bright - This is the time of year when I most need a little sunshine, but the dang sun rarely cooperates. While it’s not a perfect substitute for catching real rays, every sip of this blackberry sage lemonade brightens my day.
• One & Done - As with all my refresher recipes, this makes enough for 4 drinks so I can prep once and enjoy berry lemon goodness all week long!
• Wallet-Friendly - Anyone who has ordered a Starbucks drink in the last decade knows they don’t come cheap. Instead of shelling out $5+ for a grande, spend the same amount to make enough for a week! 

Ingredients Needed

• Blackberry Syrup & Blackberry Extract - My homemade blackberry syrup is made with just sugar, water, and blackberries. I like to enhance the berry flavor with blackberry extract for an extra juicy taste.
• Citric Acid - This extra tart, powdery ingredient makes appearances in all my refresher recipes (and is also useful in canning), so you’ll have plenty of excuses to put it to use.
• Ground Sage - Turn to your spice rack for a quick hit of herbaceousness.
• Lemonade - Feel free to use either homemade or store-bought.
• Fresh Blackberries - These are optional as a garnish, but who doesn’t want to snack on berries?? They’re an easy, healthy upgrade.
• Water & Ice - If possible, start with filtered water for the best results. 

Substitutions

• Blackberry Syrup & Blackberry Extract - Try swapping in another fruity flavor like strawberry syrup, raspberry syrup, or blood orange syrup and their matching extracts. 
• Citric Acid - To replace this puckery powder, you can use an equal amount of vitamin C powder or sumac, or use half as much cream of tartar (a.k.a. tartaric acid). Alternatively, swap in extra lemon juice or use lemon zest.
• Ground Sage - You can use about ½ teaspoon of freshly chopped sage, or try using another herb like basil or tarragon. 
• Lemonade - Feel free to use water or seltzer for a lighter drink, or add bubbles with sparkling lemonade.
• Fresh Blackberries - Don’t have ice or fresh blackberries? Use frozen blackberries to knock out two birds with one delightful stone!

How To Make Starbucks’ Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher

Ready to add some sunshine to your day? Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Make the Refresher Base. Add the water, blackberry syrup, blackberry extract, and citric acid to a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, or until the citric acid is dissolved and everything is well combined.

Step 2: Cool. Remove from heat, transfer to a large jar, and allow to cool completely before using.

Step 3: Add ice to a tall glass, then pour ½ cup refresher base.

Step 4: Top with ½ cup lemonade. Stir in fresh blackberries if desired, then drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

• Sugar-Free - Use sugar-free blackberry syrup (or follow my instructions to make your own) for a lower-calorie refresher base. You can also swap in sugar-free lemonade or use water to keep this blackberry sage lemon refresher diabetic-friendly. 
• Sparkling - Add some effervescence by swapping in sparkling lemonade or a lemon-flavored seltzer.
• Caffeinated - If you were to order one of these blackberry sage lemonade refreshers at Starbucks, your cup would have a little go-juice in there. My homemade version does not, but feel free to add your own giddy up with green tea extract or green coffee extract.

Serving Suggestions

This beautiful berry lemonade refresher is perfectly balanced between sweet, tart, and herbaceous, making it an excellent pair for all kinds of yumminess. Here are just a few ideas of how to serve it:

• Brunch Bonanza - Make a giant batch of this fresh and fruity drink to serve at your next brunch for an extra splash of elegance. Really wow your guests by serving up an equally impressive main like eggs benedict or a fluffy frittata. 
• Garden Party - With spring-y events like Easter and Mother’s Day around the corner, there are plenty of menus to plan. This blackberry sage number is especially well-suited to an outdoor event. Serve it in champagne flutes for a pinkies-up vibe.
• Spike It - Add some adults-only fun to your glass with a shot of your favorite spirit. The berry-herb combo pairs well with everything from whiskey to vodka.

Recipe Success Tips

• Plan Ahead - Starting with a chilled blackberry sage refresher base will ensure the flavor doesn’t become diluted when you pour it over ice. If you’re in a rush, you can place the bottom of your saucepan in an ice bath and stir the hot base occasionally—it should be cool enough to use within 15 minutes. 
• Get The Most From Your Groceries - I don’t know about you all, but my wallet is feeling extra light every time I leave the store these days. That’s why I try to squeeze every last drop of usefulness out of everything I buy! Save your spent lemon halves and herb stems (if you use fresh) to make a batch of no-waste spa water. You can also use the lemons to refresh your garbage disposal or wooden cutting boards. 
• Batch It - Feel free to double, triple, quadruple, or otherwise scale the blackberry refresher base recipe to fit your needs. It freezes beautifully, so you can prep way in advance!

FAQs

Homemade Blackberry Sage Lemonade Refresher Nutrition

This blackberry lemonade drink is refreshingly light, coming in at just 124 calories per serving. Since there’s no dairy or milk of any sort, it has zero fat or protein, and it has barely a whisper of sodium—just 8 milligrams. The primary driver of the calories here is the sweetness—there are 32 grams of carbs per serving, 30 grams of which come from sugar.

If you’d like to reduce the sugar and calories, hop up to the optional variations section for ideas how. Otherwise, I say enjoy this berry good glass of refreshment without any guilt—just round out your day with other lower-sugar options!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 124 calories
• Total Fat: 0 grams
• Protein: 0 grams
• Sodium: 8 mg
• Carbohydrates: 32 grams
• Sugar: 30 grams

*This nutritional information is an estimate and calculated based on the ingredients used to create the recipe. The nutritional value of your ingredients may differ slightly. Furthermore, this food is not intended to prevent, diagnose, cure, or treat any disease.

Other Starbucks Refresher Recipes

xoxo Megan