Are refreshers suitable for vegans? A comprehensive guide

December 14, 2025 •

3 min read

According to The Vegan Society, the number of registered vegan products has grown exponentially in recent years, but navigating the world of sweets and drinks can still be confusing for those on a plant-based diet. So, are refreshers suitable for vegans, or do they contain hidden animal products? The answer depends on the specific brand and product, as ingredients can vary widely.

Quick Summary

This guide examines the vegan status of popular refreshers, including both chewy sweets and iced drinks. It details which brands and flavors are safe for a plant-based diet, highlighting key animal-derived ingredients to watch for and offering advice on checking labels for certification.

Key Points

Swizzels Reformulation: Popular Swizzels Refreshers Chew Bars and Choos have been reformulated to be vegan-friendly, but always check product-specific labels.
Starbucks Refreshers are Vegan: Standard Starbucks Refreshers are vegan by default, using a fruit juice base with green coffee extract for caffeine.
Watch for Animal-Derived Ingredients: Be cautious of gelatin in chewy candies, cochineal (carmine) for coloring, and bone-char processed sugar in some non-certified products.
Specify Vegan Customizations: When ordering at cafes like Starbucks, request non-dairy milk options explicitly for creamy versions of refreshers, like the Pink Drink.
Check for Certifications: For peace of mind, look for trusted vegan certification logos, such as The Vegan Society's trademark, which guarantees no animal ingredients or testing.
Ingredient Awareness is Key: Due to variations across brands and even different product lines from the same brand, reading the full ingredient list remains the most reliable method for ensuring a product is vegan.

Understanding the Vegan Status of Popular Refresher Sweets

When it comes to the iconic, fizzy-filled chewy candy, many vegans have wondered about their suitability. The good news is that UK-based confectionery manufacturer Swizzels, known for its Refreshers, has made significant changes to its recipes to be more inclusive. However, not all products are created equal, and vigilance is key.

Swizzels Refreshers: The Vegan-Friendly Chews

In recent years, Swizzels has reformulated several of its popular chewy sweets, including Refreshers, to be suitable for vegans. The Original Lemon Refreshers Chew Bar and Refreshers Choos, for example, are now made with a vegan recipe, replacing animal-derived ingredients with plant-based alternatives. These products typically use glucose syrup, sugar, and vegetable oils, along with plant-based emulsifiers like glycerol monostearate. Always check for specific certifications or the words 'vegan recipe' on the packaging, as occasional product assortments or varieties may still contain animal products like gelatin.

Ingredients to Watch Out For

Even with vegan reformulations, it is crucial for vegans to remain diligent when purchasing any confection. Here are some common animal-derived ingredients that can appear in sweets and their common alternatives:

Gelatin: A common gelling agent derived from animal collagen. Often used in soft, chewy sweets like gums and jellies. Vegan alternatives include agar-agar, carrageenan, or pectin.
Cochineal (Carmine): A red food colouring derived from a type of insect. This is often used in bright red and orange sweets. Plant-based colours are now widely available and used as substitutes.
White Sugar: In some parts of the world, particularly in the U.S., white sugar is processed using bone char, which is not vegan. Look for certified vegan products or those that specify 'unbleached' or 'organic' sugar, which avoids this process.

Are Starbucks Refreshers Suitable for Vegans?

Beyond chewy sweets, the term 'refresher' is also widely known through popular café chains like Starbucks. The good news for coffee and fruit-drink lovers is that most standard Starbucks Refreshers are vegan by default.

How Starbucks Refreshers are Made

Starbucks Refreshers are fruity, caffeinated beverages made with fruit juice, natural flavors, and green coffee extract for a flavorless energy boost. Many popular flavors like Strawberry Acai, Mango Dragonfruit, and Kiwi Starfruit are inherently dairy-free. The base ingredients contain no animal products, making them safe for a plant-based diet.

Vegan Customizations at Starbucks

For those who prefer a creamier drink, Starbucks offers vegan-friendly modifications. The popular 'Pink Drink,' for instance, is a Strawberry Acai Refresher made with coconut milk, making it entirely vegan. Other dairy-free milk alternatives, such as oat, almond, or soy milk, can be added to any refresher to achieve a similar creamy texture. It is important to specify that you want these plant-based options, as a regular 'refresher' does not include milk, but a 'creamy' one would need the non-dairy addition.

Comparative Table: Vegan Status of Refreshers


Product Type	Brand	Vegan Status	Key Ingredients	Things to Watch For
Chewy Sweet	Swizzels	Often Vegan	Glucose syrup, sugar, vegetable oils, citric acid	Assortment packs might contain non-vegan items. Always check for a 'vegan recipe' label.
Iced Beverage	Starbucks	Vegan (by default)	Water, fruit juice concentrate, green coffee extract	Watch for non-vegan add-ons like caramel drizzle or dairy milk in custom orders.
Gummy Sweet	Some Generic	Often NOT Vegan	Glucose syrup, sugar, gelatin	Gelatin is a common animal-derived ingredient in gummy candies. Check for vegan alternatives.
Creamy Iced Beverage	Starbucks (Custom)	Vegan (by request)	Refresher base + coconut milk/oat milk/soy milk	Specify your dairy-free milk choice to the barista to avoid dairy cross-contamination.
Chocolate Refresher Bar	Some Brands	Might NOT be Vegan	Chocolate coating might contain milk powder or other dairy ingredients	Check ingredients carefully, especially if the product is not explicitly labeled vegan.

Conclusion: Read Labels, Know Your Options

Ultimately, whether a refresher is suitable for vegans depends on the specific product and brand. Chewy sweet Refreshers from Swizzels are now widely vegan-friendly, but customers should always double-check the packaging for confirmation. Likewise, Starbucks Refreshers are naturally vegan, but customizations with non-dairy milk should be explicitly requested. By taking the time to read ingredient lists and product labels, vegans can confidently enjoy these sweet and refreshing treats without compromising their dietary choices. The increasing demand for plant-based options means more and more brands are reformulating their popular products, making it easier than ever for vegans to find suitable options. For those looking for certified vegan products, organizations like The Vegan Society and V-Label provide credible certification symbols that are helpful to look out for on packaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Original Lemon Refreshers Chew Bar and the Refreshers Choos have been reformulated by Swizzels to be vegan-friendly. It is important to check the packaging, especially on variety or assortment packs, as some older recipes or other sweets may contain non-vegan ingredients like gelatin.

Yes, the standard Starbucks Refresher beverages like the Strawberry Acai and Mango Dragonfruit are vegan as they are made with a fruit juice base and green coffee extract. Customizations using dairy milk or non-vegan syrups like caramel drizzle would make them non-vegan, so specify your order clearly.

The Pink Drink is a Starbucks menu item that combines the Strawberry Acai Refresher with coconut milk. Because it uses coconut milk, it is a vegan-friendly, creamy beverage option.

Many chewy sweets traditionally use gelatin, a gelling agent derived from animal collagen. While many brands like Swizzels have reformulated their products, generic or older versions might still contain it. Checking the ingredients list or looking for a vegan certification ensures the product is truly plant-based.

In some countries, particularly the United States, some white sugar is refined using bone char from animal bones. To avoid this, vegans can look for products that are certified vegan or use organic, raw, or unbleached sugar.

For most major cafe-chain refreshers, the base beverage is vegan. The main concern is with add-ons or customizations, such as asking for milk or flavored drizzles that may contain animal products. Always specify non-dairy alternatives for creamy options.

The easiest way to ensure a product is vegan is to look for a third-party certification mark, such as the Vegan Trademark from The Vegan Society or the V-Label. These symbols verify that the product has been audited and meets strict vegan standards.