The Surprising Caffeination of Refreshers
For many, a brightly colored, fruit-flavored refresher seems like a perfect, caffeine-free alternative to coffee or tea. However, this assumption is incorrect. Both Starbucks and Dunkin' infuse their refresher bases with a natural source of caffeine to provide a mild energy boost. For Starbucks, the source is green coffee extract, while Dunkin' relies on green tea extract. This is an intentional formulation designed to give customers a lighter jolt of energy than a typical espresso-based drink, all without altering the fruity flavor profile. The misconception that these drinks are non-caffeinated is common among consumers and has been addressed by baristas and company information for years.
The Source of Caffeine: Green Coffee vs. Green Tea
While the outcome is the same—a caffeinated beverage—the source of the stimulant varies by brand. Understanding this difference can be helpful for those who may have sensitivities to one type of extract over another.
Starbucks' Green Coffee Extract
Starbucks refreshers contain green coffee extract, which is an extract made from unroasted coffee beans. Because the beans are not roasted, the extract has no strong coffee flavor, making it the perfect choice for a fruit-forward drink. A Starbucks Grande (16 oz) refresher contains approximately 45–55 mg of caffeine, a moderate amount that is lower than a standard coffee but more than a typical hot chocolate.
Dunkin's Green Tea Extract
Dunkin' refreshers get their caffeine from a combination of brewed green tea and green tea extract within the concentrate. This provides a clean energy lift, also without the typical coffee taste. The caffeine content in Dunkin' refreshers varies by size, with a small (16 oz) containing about 66 mg and a medium (24 oz) having around 99 mg. This makes a medium Dunkin' refresher comparable to a cup of drip coffee in terms of caffeine.
Comparing Caffeine Levels
To put the caffeine content of refreshers into perspective, let's compare them to other popular drinks. The numbers show that while refreshers are not as potent as a brewed coffee, they still provide a significant amount of caffeine, similar to or even more than a can of soda.
| Beverage | Size (16 oz) | Approximate Caffeine (mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Starbucks Refresher | Grande | 45–55 |
| Dunkin' Refresher | Small | ~66 |
| Starbucks Iced Coffee | Grande | ~165 |
| Matcha Latte | Grande | ~65 |
| Can of Soda | 12 oz | 32–42 |
The Implications for Caffeine-Sensitive Individuals
For those sensitive to caffeine, assuming that a refresher is a safe choice can lead to unwanted side effects like jitters or sleep disturbances. Furthermore, since the caffeine is part of the pre-made base, it is not possible for a barista to simply remove it. This can be a point of confusion for customers who may request a caffeine-free version. If you require a completely caffeine-free option, it's best to consult the menu for herbal teas or other explicitly decaffeinated drinks.
How to Order a Non-Caffeinated Alternative
Since the popular refresher bases are caffeinated, individuals looking to avoid stimulants have other excellent choices. Here are a few barista-recommended options for both Starbucks and Dunkin':
Starbucks
- Blended Strawberry Lemonade: A fruity, sweet option with no caffeine.
- Iced Passion Tango Tea: A vibrant herbal tea that is naturally caffeine-free.
- Lemonade with fruit inclusions: A refreshing, custom beverage that uses plain lemonade and dried fruit pieces instead of a caffeinated base.
Dunkin'
- Coolatta Syrups with Lemonade: Combine any of their fruit-flavored Coolatta syrups with lemonade for a caffeine-free drink.
- Unsweetened Blueberry/Raspberry shots: These flavor shots can be added to lemonade for a non-caffeinated fruit flavor.
Conclusion
Despite their fruity appearance and taste, refresher bases from major coffee chains like Starbucks and Dunkin' are not caffeine-free. The caffeination comes from either green coffee extract or green tea extract in the pre-mixed concentrates. The caffeine content is moderate but substantial enough to be noticed by those sensitive to stimulants. It's crucial for consumers to understand this fact to make informed choices about their beverage consumption, especially for children or those trying to reduce their caffeine intake. For a truly caffeine-free fruit-flavored drink, asking for an alternative like lemonade with fruit inclusions is the safest bet.
Refresher Caffeine: A Breakdown
- Starbucks refreshers contain caffeine from green coffee extract.
- Dunkin' refreshers contain caffeine from green tea extract and brewed green tea.
- The caffeine is in the pre-mixed base, making it impossible to order a caffeine-free version.
- Caffeine levels vary by size but are lower than brewed coffee and comparable to or higher than soda.
- For a non-caffeinated alternative, opt for options like herbal tea or lemonade with flavor shots.
