Starbucks Refreshers Taste Test: Two Flavors Are Solid, One Is Like Four Loko

Starbucks, apparently under the impression that people don't associate its name closely enough with caffeine, has recently moved into the energy drink market, one of the fastest-growing segments in the food industry.

The company claims that its own entrant, Starbucks Refreshers, is differentiated from incumbents by its use of "green coffee extract" for caffeine. The extract is made from unroasted coffee beans, so Starbucks is calling it a "natural" source of caffeine that doesn't have coffee's trademark roasted flavor. As such, it can (theoretically) be combined with fruit juices and still taste good.

The $64,000 question, of course, is, "Do the drinks actually taste good?"

HuffPost Food conducted a tasting of all three flavors to find out. The product, in case you're inspired to buy, is currently available in a few grocery stores across the country. It should be rolling into Starbucks locations over the next few months; an employee at the branch nearest to HuffPost HQ said he expected to get a shipment in May or June.

Click through below to read the findings of our Starbucks Refreshers taste test:

Comments

[tommy pickles]

02:48 PM on 07/09/2012

they actually aren't so bad. They DEFINITELY give you a boost of energy though, so if you're sensitive to caffeine or anything, be prepared for that. My co-worker and I each had one during our closing shift. We have never moved faster nor talked as much as we did that night, haha. It's great for those of us who don't like coffee or soda =)

[RealityMyFriend]

01:35 AM on 04/24/2012

They taste good, better for you than soda, price is a little high. My new pick-me-up.

[Paulo Pincaro]

03:12 PM on 03/14/2013

I know this is a late response, I was just googling what others thought of the flavors. They're not that expensive. You can get 1 for 2$ or 2 for 3$, for 12 fl oz. cans. Comparing with Red Bull which is 3$ for one can, I don't think the price is exceptionally high, especially when we're comparing to a market leader. The annoying thing with these is finding them. Some 7-11s carry them and the ones that do tend to run out semi-quick.

[Anzie Yangmi]

01:42 PM on 04/20/2012

I LOVE THEIR ENERGY DRINKS!!! THEY ARE DELICIOUS! Just like their Coffee!!

[KirkCLinn]

03:19 AM on 04/12/2012

I'm hoping they are giving away them at San Francisco Pride this year as a sponsor!

[PrincessPinkPony]

10:41 PM on 04/11/2012

I hope the energy drinks taste better than their coffee.

[samuraifrog37]

06:42 PM on 04/11/2012

Energy drinks are garbage and I wonder if the age groups for the most part that drink this junk ( teens, 20 and 30 somethings ) really need a jolt to begin with? I never go out of my way looking for Starbucks coffee nor drink these kinds of drinks...you might laugh but; McDonalds has great coffee, any size 1.00 and you drive through and done...on the other hand I wouldn't touch McDonalds food if they paid me...

[O K Ali]

05:26 PM on 04/11/2012

Expensive?

[TaxpayingVoter]

12:47 AM on 04/12/2012

It's Starbucks. DUH...lol

[HowlingVoyager]

02:57 PM on 04/11/2012

Given the ingredients that make an energy a powerhouse and actually work, there is really no way to make them taste good. You can make them taste less 'bad' but good? Don't think so.

My two cents: when I need a jolt, Full Throttle plain citrus is the least offensive of the lot.

[FatNerdd]

02:40 AM on 08/02/2012

Do yourself a favor and try NOS Energy Drink's Citrus flavor. It is without a doubt THE greatest Citrus energy drink BAR NONE! A 16 oz can has the caffeine equivalent of 3 Full Throttles and tastes exactly like Sprite with ZERO bitter caffeine aftertaste.

You'll thank me. Repeatedly.

[Kenny Trujillo]

02:38 PM on 04/11/2012

I think they are delicious! Especially the strawberry lemonade.

[sacmom3]

02:03 PM on 04/11/2012

Who drinks energy drinks for the taste?

[Karl Wilder]

12:44 PM on 04/11/2012

They all sound pretty nasty.