Summer Berry Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)

My Starbucks copycat Summer Berry Refresher is sweet, tart, and deliciously colorful — perfect for the hot, sunny days ahead. Featuring a tangy blue triple-berry base and bright pink raspberry-flavored popping boba, this festive treat is one of the new items at Starbucks and will make you feel like a kid again!

We’ve almost made it to summer break, and I couldn’t be more excited. Between pool parties and backyard barbecues, trips to Disneyland (home of my beloved Cocoa Puff Cold Brew!), and camping trips, our family is gearing up for some serious fun in the sun.

But, with all those extra rays, my thirst becomes nearly unquenchable. And, while I love creamy iced coffees and frosty iced matcha lattes, there’s a limit to how much richness I can handle. So, what’s a gal to do? Why, lean into fresh and fruity refreshers, of course! 

If you’re yet to become acquainted with Starbucks’ menu for coffee- and tea-free line of slurpable drinks, welcome to the party. With fun flavor combinations like strawberry acai, very berry hibiscus, mango dragonfruit, cool lime, and pineapple passion fruit, there’s a whole world of tastiness that awaits.

This summer berry Starbucks refresher is one of their new drinks on their 2024 summer menu and likely available for a limited time. And friends? It’s a good one. With a triple whammy of raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry goodness, the puckery addition of citric acid, and playful popping boba bubbles, it’s like the liquid embodiment of summer break in a sip. 

Jump to:

• What is Starbucks Summer Berry Refresher?
• What does it taste like?
• Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Berry Refresher Recipe
• Ingredients Needed
• Substitutions
• How To Make Starbucks’ New Summer Berry Refresher
• Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
• Serving Suggestions
• Recipe Success Tips
• FAQs
• Homemade Summer Berry Refresher Nutrition
• Other Refreshing Drinks For Summer
• Summer Berry Refresher (Starbucks Copycat)

What is Starbucks Summer Berry Refresher?

This delightful drink is the brand new Starbucks refresher, released in 2024 as one of their new summer drinks. As with all of Starbucks refreshers, this one is bright, light, and deliciously fruit-forward. It starts with a juicy, blue-tinged base flavored with blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry extracts and a tongue-titillating burst of citric acid.

The berry-licious summer season base is poured into a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice, an optional splash of tart lemonade and/or creamy coconut milk, and shaken to frothy, frosty perfection. This lovely liquid is then layered atop a generous pile of pink popping boba, a.k.a. the “bubbles” that make bubble tea so fun to drink. 

What does it taste like?

Each sip is bursting with vibrant berry flavor, all blended into a white grape juice foundation enlivened by a hint of citric acid. The blue spirulina powder dyes it a mesmerizing shade of blue that’s as Instagram-worthy as it is delicious. The result is a sweet, fruity base that's akin to a liquid Sour Patch Kid, Jolly Rancher, or blue Gusher.

As if the blue-hued berry base weren’t enough to love, the raspberry popping boba brings a playful pop of texture and a little extra berry zing that's just plain fun. If you’re feeling saucy, a splash of lemonade introduces a zesty, citrusy kick. Alternatively, swirling in some sweetened coconut milk transforms your drink into a creamy, tropical treat, balancing the tartness with a smooth, milky sweetness.

No matter how you serve this beautiful berry beverage, one thing is certain: after just one sip, you’re bound to feel refreshed!

Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Berry Refresher Recipe

• Fun & Fruity - If you’re not in the mood for coffee, this berry refresher is an excellent, un-caffeinated alternative.
• Quick & Easy - My refresher base recipe makes enough for 6 drinks, so you can prep once and enjoy all week long. If your base is already made, assembly takes just 2 minutes!
• Fabulously Festive - With an appearance that’s reminiscent of the American flag or French flag, this is the perfect drink for Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Bastille Day celebrations!

Ingredients Needed

The ingredient list for this Starbucks refresher recipe is a bit longer than usual, but remember: the base makes enough for 6 drinks, so once you mix up a batch, you’re done for the week! Here’s what to grab:

• Water - If possible, opt for filtered water for the best results. 
• White Grape Juice - This lightly sweet, mildly floral juice base is the perfect vehicle for all our berry flavorings.
• Granulated Sugar - Plain white sugar’s neutral sweetness allows the other flavors to shine.
• Citric Acid - This super tart granulated additive adds a lovely tanginess. If you’re worried about finding other ways to use it, it’s also great for making fruit preserves, homemade candies, and even salad dressings.
• Raspberry Extract, Blackberry Extract, & Blueberry Extract - This trio of berry-flavored extracts is essential for making our berry refresher. I originally tested this refresher recipe with fresh berries and the result was just too purple. Extracts are the way to go!
• Blue Spirulina Powder - This all-natural algae powder is what gives the refresher base its sapphire hue. But aside from being a fun coloring agent, spirulina is also considered a superfood!
• Raspberry Popping Boba - While I adore the magenta hue of these boba, you can also use pale raspberry boba instead.
• Lemonade or Sweetened Coconut Milk - Make the Summer Berry Lemonade Refresher by adding adding lemonade, or the Summer Skies Refresher by adding sweetened coconut milk! Both are optional, but fun for an extra boost of flavor!
• Ice - If possible, use ice made from filtered water.

Substitutions

Out of something? Not to worry. Here are some easy ingredient swaps to try:

• White Grape Juice - While it has a slightly more distinctive flavor, you can use apple juice instead.
• Granulated Sugar - Feel free to use the sugar-free alternative of your choice (e.g. monkfruit or stevia). 
• Citric Acid - You can use fresh lemon juice instead, but you’ll need about 4-5x as much to get the same level of sour flavor.
• Raspberry Extract, Blackberry Extract, & Blueberry Extract - While these are the primary berry flavors used in Starbucks’ summer berry refresher, you’re welcome to use others like strawberry or acai if you prefer.
• Blue Spirulina Powder - Acai berry powder or butterfly pea flower powder will also add all-natural color to your drink. 
• Raspberry Popping Boba - These fun little balls come in tons of different flavors like passion fruit, strawberry, and dragon fruit. Have fun mixing and matching to your heart’s delight!
• Ice - Consider zhuzhing up your ice cubes by freezing berries into them. You can also use lemonade ice if you like!
• Green Coffee Extract - The new Starbucks Summer Berry refresher does have green coffee extract in it. However, whenever I tested this recipe with the green coffee bean powder, it curdled when cooled so I left it out!

How To Make Starbucks’ New Summer Berry Refresher

Making a pink and blue refresher Starbucks-style is easier than you might think:

Step 1: Make the Summer Berry Refresher Base. Add all the base ingredients to a medium saucepan and whisk together over low heat until everything is combined and the blue spirulina is dissolved. Remove from heat, transfer to a large jar, and allow to cool completely before using.

Step 2: Shake. 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.

Step 4: Layer. Add the raspberry boba to a tall glass, then add a handful of ice. Step 5: Assemble & Enjoy! Strain your refresher from the cocktail shaker/large jar into the tall glass over the raspberry boba. Add a boba straw and drink up!

Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments

• Extra Tart - Use the optional lemonade instead of water for shaking up the blueberry refresher base.
• Sweet & Creamy - The optional sweetened coconut milk softens the tartness and gives the refresher a cream-filled popsicle vibe.
• Added Sugar-Free - Watching your sugar intake? Swap in your favorite sugar-free sweetener to keep your blood sugar in check. Just note that different sweeteners have different intensities, so try and use a 1-to-1 sugar substitute, or adjust the amount you use to taste.

Serving Suggestions

• Berry Beautiful - Thread your favorite berries onto a wooden skewer to add a brightly colored, edible garnish.
• Rim It To Win It - Run a lemon wedge around the lip of your glass, then dip it into a mixture of lemon zest and sugar for an extra burst of sweet-tart flavor. For added shimmer, use sanding sugar.
• Sparkle & Shine - Add a splash of berry or citrus-flavored seltzer for a bit of effervescence.
• Green Goodness - Muddle a few leaves of basil or mint before shaking up the berry refresher base for some yummy herbal freshness.
• Happy Hour Refreshment - Add a shot of vodka or coconut rum for an adults-only way to unwind.
• Fruity Float - Top your summer berry beauty with a scoop of lemon or berry sorbet for a fun, refreshing dessert.

Recipe Success Tips

• Plan Ahead. You’ll want to give the berry base plenty of time to chill after dissolving the sugar. 
• Scale Up. Got a party coming up? Mix up a double or triple batch of the refresher base so you have plenty of refreshments for the whole crew.
• Shake It Up. The shaking step not only helps to blend and chill your refresher drink, but also gives it a nice mouthfeel. While you can get away with just mixing if you’re using either lemonade or water in the second step, shaking is absolutely essential when adding coconut milk.
• Freeze Your Glasses. When the weather outside is sweltering, I’ll use every trick in the book to stay cool. Storing your pint glasses in the freezer is an easy way to keep your refresher nice and frosty to the last drop. Such a thirst quencher!

FAQs

Homemade Summer Berry Refresher Nutrition

This DIY refresher is pretty light on calories, coming in at about 145 per serving. It’s fat-free and doesn’t have any protein to speak of. The sodium content is super low at only 12 milligrams, which is great. 

The catch, though, is in the carbs and sugars—35 grams and 33 grams respectively. It comes from both the natural fruit juice and added sugars, which make it so slurpably sensational. While it’s not a drink to load up on if you're watching your sugar intake, it’s a delightful treat for hot sunny days when you want something sweet and refreshing!

Total nutritional content per serving is:

• Calories: 145 calories
• Total Fat: 0 grams
• Protein: 0 grams
• Sodium: 12 mg
• Carbohydrates: 35 grams
• Sugar: 33 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 Refreshing Drinks For Summer

xoxo Megan