This Apple Pomegranate Refresher is a copycat of the brand-new Starbucks holiday drink, and it's crisp, fruity, and full of popping pomegranate boba! It's made with a sweet green apple base shaken with ice and poured over pomegranate pearls that burst with every sip.
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The homemade refresher base is made with white grape juice, green apple syrup, water, and a little citric acid for that tart, refreshing kick. You can mix it with water, lemonade, or sweetened coconut milk, depending on your mood. The coconut milk version is just like the creamy Snowy Apple Refresher Starbucks is releasing too!
If you love Starbucks refreshers as much as I do, you have to try my Cran-Merry Orange Refresher for even more holiday vibes. And for a taste of summer any time of year, my Tropical Butterfly Refresher and Summer Berry Refresher are so good too!
This apple pomegranate refresher copycat makes enough base for several drinks, and it keeps in the fridge all week.
Jump to:
- What Does the Apple Pomegranate Refresher Taste Like?
- Why You'll Love This Apple Pomegranate Refresher
- Ingredients Needed
- Substitutions
- How to Make an Apple Pomegranate Refresher
- Variations to Try
- Recipe Success Tips
- FAQs
- Nutritional Info
- Other Starbucks Refresher Recipes
- Apple Pomegranate Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)
What Does the Apple Pomegranate Refresher Taste Like?
This refresher tastes like a crisp, sweet green apple with a pop of tart, juicy pomegranate. The white grape juice keeps it light and fruity, while the citric acid adds a little zing that makes it so refreshing.
The popping boba is the best part, since every sip comes with little bursts of pomegranate flavor! It's sweet, tangy, and the perfect drink to kick off Starbucks holiday menu season.
Why You'll Love This Apple Pomegranate Refresher
- A holiday favorite at home: Make the Starbucks holiday favorite in your own kitchen whenever the craving hits. It tastes just like the real thing!
- Popping boba fun: The pomegranate popping boba makes every sip so fun. It’s the cutest popping boba drink for the holidays!
- Three ways to make it: Mix the base with water, lemonade, or coconut milk for a totally different drink each time. You’ll never get bored!
- Caffeine-free: Starbucks Refreshers usually get a little caffeine from green coffee extract, but this homemade version doesn’t have any. It’s a caffeine-free refresher you can enjoy any time of day!
- Make-ahead base: The refresher base keeps in the fridge for up to a week, so a fresh drink is just a quick shake away.
Ingredients Needed
- White grape juice: This is the light, fruity base of the refresher, and it keeps the flavor crisp without overpowering the apple.
- Green apple syrup: The star of the show! It gives the refresher that crisp, sweet green apple flavor.
- Citric acid: Just a little adds a tart, tangy zing that makes the drink taste extra refreshing. You can usually find it near the canning supplies at the grocery store.
- Water: It goes into the refresher base to balance the sweetness, and it’s what you’ll mix the base with for a light, crisp drink. Swap in lemonade for a tangier refresher or sweetened coconut milk for a creamy one!
- Pomegranate popping boba: These little pearls burst with pomegranate juice as you sip, and they’re what makes this drink so fun.
Substitutions
- White grape juice: Apple juice works great too and makes the apple flavor even stronger. White cranberry juice is another fun option for a tarter refresher.
- Green apple syrup: Any apple-flavored coffee syrup works, though green apple gives it the brightest, most Starbucks-like flavor.
- Citric acid: No citric acid? A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds a similar tart kick.
- Pomegranate popping boba: Can’t find it? Fresh pomegranate arils add a juicy crunch instead. Strawberry or lychee popping boba are fun swaps too!
- Keeping it vegan: This refresher is naturally vegan when you mix it with water or lemonade! Just check your popping boba and green apple syrup labels, since ingredients vary by brand.
How to Make an Apple Pomegranate Refresher
- Step 1: Make the refresher base. This is how to make the refresher base in just a few minutes! Add the white grape juice, water, green apple syrup, and citric acid to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-low, whisking until the citric acid dissolves, then remove from heat.
- Step 2: Shake it up. Add the refresher base, your choice of water, lemonade, or sweetened coconut milk, and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker or jar with a lid. Shake until well combined.
- Step 3: Add the boba and pour. Add the pomegranate boba to a tall glass, then top with ice. Pour in the apple pomegranate refresher and drink up with a boba straw!
Variations to Try
- Snowy Apple Refresher: Shake the base with sweetened coconut milk instead of water for a creamy, dreamy version. It’s just like the Snowy Apple Refresher at Starbucks!
- Apple Pomegranate Lemonade: Mix the base with lemonade instead of water for a tangier, extra-bright refresher.
- Sparkling Apple Pomegranate: Top the base with sparkling water over ice instead of shaking it for a fizzy, festive twist. It’s perfect for holiday parties!
- Cinnamon Apple Refresher: Add a pinch of cinnamon to the base while it heats for a cozy, apple pie-inspired refresher.
- Frozen Apple Pomegranate: Blend the base with ice for a slushy version, then spoon the popping boba on top.
Recipe Success Tips
- Cool the base first: Let the refresher base cool before shaking so it doesn't melt your ice and water down the drink. Pop it in the fridge to speed things up!
- Shake it well: The biggest secret to how to make a Starbucks refresher at home is shaking it with ice! It chills the drink fast and gives it that frothy layer on top.
- Use a boba straw: A wide boba straw lets the pomegranate pearls flow right up with every sip. Regular straws are way too small!
- Sip it fresh: Popping boba is best fresh, so make your drink right before you plan to enjoy it. The pearls can soften if they sit in the drink too long.
- Store the base in the fridge: Keep leftover refresher base in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 1 week. Give it a quick stir before using!
FAQs
Yes! The Apple Pomegranate Refresher is part of the 2026 Starbucks holiday menu. With this copycat recipe, you can make it at home any time!
Starbucks describes this new Starbucks holiday refresher as crisp apple flavors with popping pomegranate-flavored pearls. There’s also a creamy Snowy Apple Refresher version made with coconut milk.
Yes! This homemade version doesn’t have any coffee or green coffee extract, so it’s totally caffeine-free.
Look for it in the international aisle of larger grocery stores, at Asian markets, or online. Once you open it, keep any leftovers in the fridge.
Yes! The refresher base makes enough for several drinks, so make it ahead and keep it in the fridge. Just shake each drink with ice and pour it over fresh boba when you’re ready to sip.
Nutritional Info
This refresher has 182 calories, and nearly all of them come from the natural and added sugars in the grape juice, green apple syrup, and popping boba. It's naturally fat-free and super low in sodium when made with water, while the lemonade and coconut milk versions add a few more calories.
To lighten it up, use a little less base and a little more water or sparkling water!
Total nutritional content per serving is:
- Calories: 182 calories
- Total Fat: 0 grams
- Protein: 0 grams
- Sodium: 4 mg
- Carbohydrates: 43 grams
- Sugar: 41 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
Apple Pomegranate Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)
Equipment
- 1 medium saucepan
Ingredients
Apple Pomegranate Refresher Base:
- 1 ¼ cups white grape juice
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup green apple syrup
- ½ teaspoon citric acid
Apple Pomegranate Refresher:
- ½ cup Apple Pomegranate Base
- ½ cup water (or lemonade or sweetened coconut milk)
- ¼ cup pomegranate popping boba
- Ice
Instructions
- Make the Apple Pomegranate Base. Add the white grape juice, water, green apple syrup, and citric acid to a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low, whisking until the citric acid dissolves. Remove from heat.
- Pour ½ cup of the refresher base, ½ cup of either water, lemonade, or sweetened coconut milk, and a handful of ice into a cocktail shaker or large jar with a lid and shake until well combined. Set aside.
- Add the pomegranate boba to a tall glass, then add a handful of ice. Pour in the apple pomegranate refresher, and drink up!
Notes
Nutrition
xoxo Megan
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