Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher Review
Product Name: Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
Product Description: This tropical-inspired mood-booster is made with sweet mango and dragonfruit flavors. It’s hand-shaken with ice and a scoop of real diced dragonfruit. Like the other Refreshers, this drink is a fruity alternative to coffee, even though it has the same amount of caffeine as coffee. Sweet but not overpowering, this is an excellent afternoon drink during any season.
Brand: Starbucks
Offer price: 4.95
Currency: USD
Availability: InStock
Do you ever feel an “afternoon slump” where your energy is running low, but you still have a full day ahead of you? I feel this way around 2 or 3 PM almost every day, so I’m always on the lookout for refreshing, mood-boosting drinks to enjoy in the afternoon. Starbucks offers a line of Refresher Beverages, including the Kiwi Starfruit, the Kiwi Starfruit Lemonade, the Dragon Drink, the Mango Dragonfruit Beverage, the Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade, and the Strawberry Açaí Lemonade. One of my favorite Refresher drinks is the Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher, a sweet, fruity drink made with real mango and dragonfruit, also known as “pitaya.” Dragonfruit is an exotic cactus that grows in Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, Australia, and other tropical and subtropical regions. Its seasonal fruit can be grown in North America but not as easily, which is why the fruit can be difficult to find and expensive.
History and Inspiration
Starbucks released its line of Refresher Beverages in the summer of 2012. The idea was to offer an innovative line of drinks that quench your thirst while providing a natural boost of energy from the green coffee extract and real fruit juice. Originally, only a couple of flavors were available, but since then, the line has expanded, and now we have several fresh fruity mood-boosting flavors for the afternoon.
Types of Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher
The Mango Dragonfruit Refresher can be ordered in three ways. The first is the “regular,” which is made with water. The second is called the “Dragon Drink,” and it’s made with creamy dairy-free coconut milk instead of water. The third version is called the “Mango Dragonfruit Lemonade,” and it’s, of course, made with lemonade. All three have real dragonfruit pieces shaken in.
Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher Review
This tropical-inspired mood-booster is made with sweet mango and dragonfruit flavors. It’s hand-shaken with ice and a scoop of real diced dragonfruit. Like the other Refreshers, this drink is a fruity alternative to coffee, even though it has the same amount of caffeine as coffee. Sweet but not overpowering, this is an excellent afternoon drink during any season.
1. Taste and Texture [5/5]
You’ll notice right offhand how stunning the color is – a deep yet bright pink color with dragonfruit seeds floating around inside. If you order the coconut version, the drink will look like an opaque pink, but either way, a pink drink is so much fun to drink. I should note that the seeds are small, but you might not enjoy this if you have a sensitivity to seeds in your drink. I have a hard time drinking any kind of Boba Teas because of the tapioca balls, but the dragonfruit seeds and much smaller, like chia seeds. It’s sweet without being overpowering, and the lemonade version has a lemony tang to it. You can taste the dragonfruit and the mango in any of the three versions, making this an exotic tropical drink that kids and adults can enjoy.
2. Are they healthy? [5/5]
A Grande has 90 calories, while a Venti has 130. This drink doesn’t contain any fat, cholesterol, or protein, but it does have about 27 grams of sugar, 70-85mg of caffeine, and about 30 grams of carbs. The good news is that this drink is high in fiber, which helps maintain blood pressure and weight. It also has lots of prebiotics, which help gut health by enhancing digestion and your immune system. Prebiotics lower your risk of intestinal diseases and keep your digestion cycles regular. That makes this drink a winner in my book!
3. Are they Worth it? [5/5]
The Mango Dragonfruit Refresher is full of bright colors, prebiotics, fresh fruit, and sweet tropical flavors. The price is fair, they’re always available, and you can purchase them during Happy Hours. And it’s just one more delicious drink option when you need a mood-boost, but you don’t want to drink (another) coffee. Reminiscent of a tropical paradise, it’s definitely worth ordering.
Final Verdict
I’m a big fan of dragonfruit, which I enjoy with my breakfast during the summer. So this drink is at the top of my list of favorite Starbucks Refreshers. Its bright color is an automatic mood booster, and the taste is sweet and enjoyable. It’s one of those drinks that you can’t help but be happy when you drink it. It gets a big thumbs up from me.
Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher Nutrition Facts
- Calories – 130
- Total Fat – 0 g
- Saturated Fat – 0 g
- Trans Fat – 0 g
- Cholesterol – 0 mg
- Sodium – 20 mg
- Total Carbohydrate – 0 g
- Dietary Fiber – 0 g
- Sugars – 27 g
- Protein – 0 g
Starbucks Mango Dragonfruit Refresher Pricing
The Mango Dragonfruit Refresher costs between $3.25 to $4.95, depending on the size and location. However, Starbucks runs afternoon Happy Hours from 2 to 7 PM on Thursdays. During this time, you can purchase two drinks for the price of one or receive a significant discount on your beverage. The best way to keep up with Starbucks’ promotions and discounts is to download their app and create a profile. Plus, you’ll receive points that you can trade-in for a free drink when you sign up.
What do you think?
Have you tried any of the drinks from the Starbucks Refresher line of drinks? Which one is your favorite? If you’ve tried the Mango Dragonfruit Refresher, do you prefer yours to be made with water, lemonade, or coconut milk? Let us know in the comments below.
