Starbucks Refreshers: Valencia Orange

Valencia Orange Starbucks VIA Refreshers™ if I want to be accurate is an instant drink that is not coffee. Although it has green coffee extract and some caffeine there is nothing coffee-like about it. I have seen these Starbucks Refreshers around and as the blazing summer heat came upon us I decided to see if this is better than iced coffee...it was not.

There three ways to get these Refreshers I chose the do it at home instant powder method. There are also Sparkling Refreshers in a can and having made at Starbucks by baristas. At five drinks for about $5.00 on sale I figured it has to be the cheapest option.

Kind of reminded me of crushed vitamin C pills or powdered candy. I followed the instructions and used 16 of cold water, added the powder, mixed well, then added ice.

It had an initially medicinal taste. After a bit of drinking that went away but it left an odd after taste. I also tried it in the blender and that just made it very bubbly and more medicine-like. On a cool day this was not going down well then on a 100 degree day it tasted much better, although at that point licking frozen chicken would have been fine.

I would not try these again or explore different flavors. I might try the canned version. They have 110% of you vitamin C and not much else. Old fashion orange juice is still better.

Recommendation: Avoid it for goodness sake.