Starbucks is tapping into the energy drink trend with a new line of drinks called "Energy Refreshers," adding a stronger caffeine hit to its core menu. The drinks, which launched on April 7, are freshly made by baristas and contain about two to three times the caffeine of the company's standard Refreshers and are fortified with B vitamins. They offer familiar flavors like Strawberry Acai, Mango Pitaya, as well as a new Mango Strawberry option, with the option to customize with water, lemonade or coconut milk.
The move builds on Starbucks' earlier foray into ready-to-drink energy drinks, including a 2025 canned line with PepsiCo that features a sugar-free option with 160 milligrams of plant-based caffeine.
It is worth noting that Starbucks is not just testing the waters, but is entering this category from two angles at the same time. It now has both in-store brewed drinks and retail canned products, putting it in more direct competition with chains such as McDonald's and Dutch Bros, while also entering a field dominated by Devil's Claw and Celsius.
