Starbucks has kicked off its summer menu with the launch of three enticing beverages: the Summer-Berry Refresher, Summer-Berry Lemonade Refresher, and a non-dairy Summer Skies Drink. What sets these drinks apart? They are Starbucks’ unique take on boba or bubble tea, featuring “juicy raspberry flavored pearls” inspired by the beloved East Asian beverages.
Simon Vuong, Starbucks’ beverage developer, expressed the company’s excitement about these new offerings, stating, “We started with fruit pieces, but we wanted something even bolder. So, we thought, ‘Let’s put fruit-flavored pearls in the beverage and try it out.’ It’s very fun the way it delivers the flavor when it pops in your mouth.”
While these boba-inspired drinks may sound like a delightful way to beat the summer heat, what about their nutritional value? Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients and nutritional information of these Starbucks creations, as reviewed by three registered dietitians.
What’s Inside Starbucks’ Bubble Tea-Inspired Drinks?
The foundation of Starbucks’ Summer-Berry drinks resembles that of its other Refreshers or non-dairy beverages: a sweetened Summer-Berry base infused with raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry flavors, served over ice or mixed with lemonade or coconut milk.
The distinguishing feature of these new drinks lies in the addition of raspberry-flavored pearls, crafted from a blend of water, sugar, calcium lactate, sodium alginate, and vegetable juice concentrate, among other ingredients.
Traditionally, bubble tea pearls are made from tapioca, a starch extracted from cassava root. According to Scott Keatley, RD, while tapioca-based pearls may present some gastrointestinal discomfort, such as constipation, Starbucks’ pearls are less likely to cause such side effects. However, Keatley advises moderation due to potential sugar content and other digestive considerations.
In summary, while Starbucks’ boba-inspired drinks offer a playful twist on their classic beverages, it’s important to enjoy them in moderation, mindful of their sugar content and potential digestive effects.
