Cool Lime Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)

Name: Cool Lime Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 ½ cups water; 1 cup chopped fresh mint leaves (packed); ½ cup white grape juice; ½ cup granulated sugar; ¾ cup fresh lime juice ((about 6-8 limes)); ½ cup Cool Lime Refresher Base; ½ cup water; Ice; Mint leaves and lime slices ((optional for garnish))

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Do you miss the now-discontinued Starbucks Cool Lime Refresher? Me too! That’s why I came up with this easy copycat recipe. All you need is about 10 minutes of prep time and 5 simple ingredients to make a spot-on DIY version with all the bright, citrusy goodness of the original. 😎

clear pint glass filled with homemade starbucks-style cool lime refresher over ice, garnished with lime slices and a sprig of fresh mint.

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We all know Starbucks has a penchant for getting rid of beloved menu items on a whim—remember the Irish Cream cold brew, the Mexican-inspired chile mocha, and the ridiculously chocolatey Chantico? 😭

While I’ve forgiven all of these transgressions in time, the one that hit me hardest was when they dumped the deliciously sweet-tart and minty-fresh cool lime refresher. This slurp-tastic sipper boasted a quasi-mojito vibe—perfect for a hot summer day.

So, once I turned my attentions towards recreating their famous line of coffee-free, fruity drinks, all those good memories (and the matching feelings of deep loss) came flooding back. Sure, the summer berry refresher, the mango dragonfruit refresher, and strawberry acai refresher are delicious. But the cool lime left a gaping hole in my thirsty little heart.

Luckily, I’ve cracked the code on how to recreate the citrus mint magic summer drink I remember—and I just couldn’t wait to share it here with you!

Jump to:

What is a Cool Lime Refresher?
What does it taste like?
Why You’ll Love This Cool Lime Starbucks Refreshers Recipe
Ingredients Needed
Substitutions
How To Make Starbucks Cool Lime Refresher At Home
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
Serving Suggestions
Recipe Success Tips
FAQs
Homemade Cool Lime Refresher Nutrition
More Starbucks Refresher Recipes
Cool Lime Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)

What is a Cool Lime Refresher?

My copycat cool lime refresher is a delightfully invigorating concoction that's the perfect mix of tangy lime, a hint of mint, and a subtle splash of sweetness to balance out the acidity. It's light, it's invigorating, and it’s the ultimate pick-me-up when you need a little caffeine-free boost in your day. Trust me, one sip and you’ll feel like you’re lounging poolside, even if you’re just chilling on your couch! 🌿🍋✨

What does it taste like?

Imagine taking a bite of a fresh, juicy lime—there’s that sharp, tangy ZING that instantly wakes up your senses. Now, blend that with a gentle kiss of mint, offering a crisp, cool feeling.

As the lime and mint swirl around, you’ll notice a gentle sweetness that’s perfectly balanced, creating a drink that has a summer mocktail vibe. (Seriously, just add a splash of white rum and you’ve basically got yourself a mojito!)

So, in a nutshell, this cool lime refresher Starbucks dupe tastes like pure sunshine and a refreshing breeze had a yummy, juicy love child. One sip, and you’re instantly transported to a serene beach, no passport required. 🌴🍹🌟

homemade cool lime refresher in a clear glass on a hammered black metal tray with whole limes and fresh mint blurred out in the surrounding area.

Why You’ll Love This Cool Lime Starbucks Refreshers Recipe

It Tastes Just Like The OG! If you’ve been mourning the loss of the beloved Starbucks refresher, it’s finally time to take off your Widow’s Weeds. This DIY cool lime refresher recipe is a dead ringer for the original!
Made With Just 5 Simple Ingredients. And one of them is water!
Perfect for Sharing. One batch makes enough for 4 drinks, so it's the ideal refreshment for all your summer hangs.

Ingredients Needed

As promised, you only need a handful of ingredients to make my cool lime refresher recipe:

water, white grape juice, whole limes, sugar, and a bunch of fresh mint measured out on a white table.

Water & Ice - If possible, start with filtered water for the best results.
Fresh Mint Leaves - We’re going all-natural for the freshest refresher around.
White Grape Juice - Starting with a relatively neutrally flavored juice base means we can keep the added sugar to a minimum.
Granulated Sugar - Plain white sugar is sweet, but otherwise flavorless, allowing the citrusy, minty flavors to shine through.
Fresh Lime Juice - “Fresh” is the operative word here—it’s even in our drink’s name! Re-FRESH-er, amirite? To get the most juice possible out of each little green orb, roll it firmly on the countertop for 10-15 seconds before slicing open and juicing.

Substitutions

Water - Swap in sparkling mineral water or plain or lime-flavored seltzer for some effervescence.
Fresh Mint Leaves - Feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs. I have a feeling that cilantro, basil, or even fresh ginger would be delightful.
White Grape Juice - Plain, unsweetened apple juice is a fine substitute.
Granulated Sugar - If you’d like more of a traditional mojito vibe, use raw cane sugar instead.
Fresh Lime Juice - If you can’t get your hands on fresh limes, Nellie & Joe’s Famous Key West Lime Juice is the best bottled stuff you can get. This refresher recipe would also be delicious with fresh lemon juice if that’s what you have on hand.

hand grabbing a glass of DIY starbucks cool lime refresher from a white coaster on top of a hammered black metal tray.

How To Make Starbucks Cool Lime Refresher At Home

Step 1: Stir together water, mint leaves, grape juice, and sugar in a medium saucepan.

Step 2: Simmer, Steep, & Strain. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, then continue to simmer for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool and steep at room temperature for 15 minutes. Strain out the mint leaves, squeezing them to get as much liquid as possible. Reserve the liquid, and discard the mint leaves.

Step 3: Juice your limes.

Step 4: Mix. Transfer the sweet, mint-infused liquid to a large jar with a lid, and stir in the fresh lime juice to create your refresher base. Allow to cool completely in the fridge before using.

Step 5: Dilute. Stir together ½ cup Cool Lime Refresher Base and ½ cup water.

Step 6: Assemble. Pour the diluted refresher mixture over ice. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and/or lime slices and drink up!

fresh mint leaves added to a saucepan with sugar, water, and grape juice.

mint infused liquid after simmering; the mint leaves have turned almost brown after cooking.

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

Put The Lime In The Coconut - Take a hint from Harry Nilsson and add a bit of creamy dreamy goodness to your minty lime refresher. Instead of using water, swap in lightly sweetened coconut milk!
Spike It - It’s summertime, and the livin’s easy, so why not make your refresher happy hour approved? Add some white rum, vodka, or tequila blanco for a deliciously refreshing adults-only bevvie.
Go Sugar-Free - Watching your sugar intake? Swap in your favorite cup-for-cup sugar alternative for a lighter, diabetic-friendly take.

Serving Suggestions

Breakfast Boost: Kickstart your morning by pairing your Cool Lime Refresher with a light and healthy breakfast. Think avocado tartine topped with a sprinkle of chili flakes or a stack of fresh strawberry waffles. 😋
Midday Refresh: Dreading another desk lunch? Enjoy your refresher alongside a grilled steak salad or a grilled chicken shawarma wrap for a restaurant-worthy treat to break up your day.
Summertime “Tea” Time: When the sun’s too intense for a London Fog, swap in this light and lime-y refresher. When paired with cucumber cream cheese finger sandwiches, it’s a lovely stand-in for tea.
Party Perfection: Hosting a summer gathering? Serve your Cool Lime Refresher in a big pitcher, drink dispenser, or punch bowl garnished with slices of lime and sprigs of mint for that extra wow factor. It’s the perfect non-alcoholic option for your guests, can easily be spiked (so set up a small bar on the side!), and it pairs beautifully with finger foods like shrimp cocktail, bruschetta, or even these adorable charcuterie skewers. 🦐🍤🍇

hammered black serving tray with a homemade cool lime refresher on top of two stacked white coasters with a bunch of fresh mint and a juiced lime half scattered around.

Recipe Success Tips

Prep ahead. Since one recipe makes enough for 4 cool lime refreshers, getting a batch mixed up means your whole week is sorted. I like to prep a double batch on Sunday so Tommy and I have plenty of refreshment to carry us through till the weekend.
Use your scraps. With grocery prices the way they are, I know I’m always trying to eke out the absolute most from everything I buy. Before juicing your limes, use a veggie peeler or a microplane to remove the zest. Use the thick strips as a pretty drink garnish or to infuse a lime-flavored simple syrup, or mix the finely grated zest with sugar and/or salt for a delicious cocktail rim.
Let the base cool completely. If you add it to the glass too soon, it’ll melt your ice and become diluted, so practice patience. Want to speed the process up? Place the base of your saucepan into a larger bowl filled with ice water, then let it sit for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

FAQs

Is the cool lime refresher discontinued? Will it come back?

Unfortunately, Starbucks discontinued the cool lime refresher here in the US (though it’s apparently still on the menu in the UK). There’s no telling if they’ll ever add it back to the menu here, but now that you know how to make it at home, you can enjoy one whenever the craving strikes!

Does the cool lime refresher have caffeine?

The original Starbucks cool lime refresher had a bit of caffeine from green coffee extract, but I didn’t add any to my recipe. If you’d like to raise the octane, feel free to add either green tea or green coffee extract. Just make sure you don’t overdo it like Panera did!

Homemade Cool Lime Refresher Nutrition

Each serving packs a refreshing punch with just 128 calories, making it a light option to quench your thirst. You'll be happy to know that it has zero grams of fat and protein, keeping it crisp and clean. There's a tiny pinch of sodium at just 8 milligrams, so it won't tip the scales there either.

While it’s on the sweeter side— it has 34 grams of carbohydrates, with 30 grams coming from sugar—it's perfect for a quick energy boost, especially on those hot days when you need a little pick-me-up. Just remember to enjoy it in moderation, and you'll be good to go! Cheers to staying refreshed and hydrated! 🍹✨

Total nutritional content per serving is:

Calories: 128 calories
Total Fat: 0 grams
Protein: 0 grams
Sodium: 8 mg
Carbohydrates: 34 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.

starbucks copycat cool lime refresher in a clear glass with a glass straw, a sprig of mint, and two rounds of lime slices as garnish.

More Starbucks Refresher Recipes

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